Talk of the Town February 2014

EDITION 152

CIRCULATION 4,800

FEBRUARY 2014

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

2

SALTBURN’S TOWN TALK Letter from the Editor I always say to people who are going to send me an email that if they don’t get a reply it means I haven’t received it. I try to always acknowledge receipt, unless it’s one of those situations where someone is replying to my reply to them replying to my reply etc. Emails do occasionally go missing.

Where do they go? They just disappear into cyberspace. If undelivered they are supposed to ‘bounce back’ but often they simply disappear, and if that’s the case, the person sending it doesn’t know that I haven’t received it and their important advert or news item might not appear in Talk of the Town as a result, so always check that I’ve replied! Friends and people

who phone me may have noticed that last year I finally got an answerphone service! I can listen to messages but still haven’t yet mastered the art of replaying those messages to write down a phone number, or whatever. I’m happily unembarrassed to be a dinosaur! Finally, February is the anniversary of my taking on the magazine. Now it’s been twelve years. Love, Ian.

Send letters, adverts and contributions for the next issue (by Friday, 14th February 2014) to: The Editor, Talk of the Town c/o Jackie’s Saverstore, 8 Station Buildings, Saltburn, Cleveland, TS12 1AQ. Telephone: 01287 623903 or email: talkofthetown@tyasi.freeserve.co.uk. Talk of the Town has a website: www.tottsaltburn.co.uk and the Friends of Talk of the Town can be found on Facebook.

Health Day: Saturday 1st March 11.00am-4.00pm at Toc H, Saltburn (behind library, off Albion Terrace). A fun day exploring and celebrating all aspects of health. Come along Charity Crafters: We had a very successful and lively first for some gentle movement, meditation, dancing, games, gathering of Charity Crafters where we met a lovely group of discussions and more! For more details and to book a place people who are now knitting away for us. The next meeting or please contact Tatiana 07778 340823 or Kendal 07944 drop in is on Wednesday, 5th February from 2pm to 4pm at The 883961. Advance bookings £5 or on the door £7. Lunch: ‘Workhouse’, Dundas Street West, (next to Ripping Yarns). bring and share.

Do pop in for a cuppa and a chat if you are interested in The Guisborough and District Branch of the helping. Also if you have any wool you can spare we would be Embroiderers’ Guild are holding their monthly meeting in really grateful. Angela at Ripping Yarns will accept donations Sunnyfield House, Westgate, Guisborough. TS14 6BA on for us, or you can drop them off at the Workhouse on the 5th Saturday, 1st February, 2014 at 1.45 for 2pm. Our guest February. If you require further details please contact Angie on speaker is Liz Ingledew and her subject will be ‘From 01287 205153.

Concept to Design’. Visitors are welcome whether nonWI Report: Ladies of Saltburn WI met on the 9th January and stitchers, beginners or more experienced stitchers; we will be began the New Year calendar with a riveting presentation by very pleased to see you.

Mr. Tony Nicholson. Tony had spoken to us previously about On Saturday 1st March, our guest speaker will discoveries he had made in the attic of his Georgian House in be Diane Grant and her subject is ‘Canvas Work Plus’.

Brotton. He continued the theme; bringing us up-to-date with The Belmont House car park (behind the council new findings and in many ways these were even more offices) is free on Saturdays. interesting. We had historically been told of Annie who rented For more information please call 01642 314860. an attic room in the house up until the 1930s. A genteel lady, More Top Telly Comedy Capers: Brass Neck Comedy Club whose photograph had set Tony on a journey of investigations has bagged another top TV comic for its monthly Saturday that would lead to stories which had elements more of fiction night special at The Spa Hotel on Saturday, 1st March. rather than fact. A total of 300 letters and 130 photographs Romesh Ranganathan starred in the latest series of Live at the Apollo on BBC1, and is one the regulars on Channel 4’s were found in the attic room that Annie inhabited. From this Stand Up For The Week. He joins a top line-up also starring material, only two framed photographs, both of men, would Rich Wilson & BAFTA nominee Micheal Legge as MC. The drive this story. One was of her husband Gus who left Annie last remaining tickets will be at Saltburn Health Foods or The for another woman and the other was the father of her closest Spa Hotel on 01287 622544. For further news and updates, go female friend. Their stories offer insight into the mores of the straight to Brass Neck Comedy on facebook. times. We had illustration of adultery, bigamy, cruelty, Emmanuel Church Hall Table Top and Collectors’ Sale: betrayal, suicide and probable unlawful killing! This story has Our next dates are Saturdays, 1st and 15th February and 1st enabled Tony to write several books on the subject – it has all March. FREE ENTRANCE and a warm welcome to the drama of a Wilkie Collins novel. New Year classes have everyone. With over 26 stall holders, selling lots of bric-a- commenced again for WI members who wish to join craft, brac, books, toys, baby goods, and all sorts of collectables, cooking, walking, and flower arranging groups. We also offer and some crafts, there is something for everyone. Home made a variety of excursions and visits throughout the annual refreshments and light lunches are on sale all day. Our all day programme. Next month is our Annual Meeting followed by a breakfast and lunches and popular home baked stall are pooled supper. New members most welcome. Meetings are always available. Our kitchen is very busy and popular. held on 2nd Thursday of each month except August, in the Thank you everyone for your support. Contact Denise Methodist Church Hall, Milton Street, Saltburn.

Barbara Spanner Barbara Spanner Marshall on 07929 589538.

Cover Illustration: Pier above by Gareth Paterson, North East and Yorkshire Photography Group 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 Thurston Printers, 6 Amber Street, Saltburn, Cleveland, TS12 1DT, Tel: 01287 623756. Proprietor/Editor: Ian Tyas c/o Jackie’s Saverstore, 8 Station Buildings, Saltburn, TS12 1AQ. (Ian Tyas tel: 01287 623903.)

Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

3

Old Saltburn as reported by an American in 1909 An American visited Saltburn-by-the-Sea in 1909 as described in the following article titled ‘This Real Old England’ in the Omaha Daily Bee September 19th 1909.

Part 1.

Notes on a summer trip to the Yorkshire Coast. Picturesque places and habits along the German Ocean.

Saltburn England Sept 8 – Have you in late years experienced the rarity in Europe of escaping the American Tourists in Summer time travelling? It can be done here in Yorkshire and it seems almost a wonder, so ubiquitous is Jonathan on his holiday in these times. He is so scarce among the Cleveland Hills, however, that the natives don’t know him from a Russian.

Even when modernity has made headway elsewhere in the vicinity, as at Saltburn or other of the seashore resorts. There is a clinging primitiveness and all pervading that take the edges from the new sharp bricks and dulls the bright newness of modern provincial elegance. The presence of a cabinet member and member of Parliament as summer residents high on the splendid esplanade cannot take from the old Saltburn nestling at the foot of Huntcliff, the aroma of ancient days of smuggling, hardy fishers, of shipwreck and struggles with the sea which in times of storm and extreme tide washes into the old houses and the old Ship Inn stacked against the inhospitable cliff.

While Saltburn was nothing but a fishing village and negligible by its neighbours, the newer Saltburn, the summer resort, is looked upon by them as an upstart.

Saltburn to give it airs, indeed, as a resort of people who can go summering at the seaside in face of its elder and most worthy neighbours who have been established on the soil there many generations, who figure in the Doomsday Book and were post villages on the Royal roads when it was a forsaken promontory of the German Ocean. Hadn’t Upleatham these many years the reputation of being as bonnie a village as you’d find in the realm with a boast of never a public house in its precincts, while its neighbour, Guisborough, the ancient Guysbourne, with twenty-two “pubs” had never a drunken man on the street: an achievement in virtue characterising Saltburn?

With only three places dispensing liquor, Saltburn or at least part of it, drinks like the thirsty sands that swallow its rolling tides in a beach 1,000ft wide and extending several miles to and past the next coast towns. It may be the excellent beach which leads sojourners to do more bathing at Saltburn than is seen at most English resorts, yet it is a treacherous coast and takes its tribute of swimmers annually. Three persons this season have so far been drowned.

It makes an American laugh and then angry at the stupidity at which this loss of life is due, the arrangement for bathing at this admirable beach. Of course the clumsy, antiquated bathing machines are in use, except during certain hours men, women and children may, if they wish – and in fact they do – undress and dress in the open air on the vast reaches of these sands and go in bathing without the popular bathing suit at this period is worthy of notice; a single piece usually, for men and women alike, it will go in its entirety into a paper peanut bag and some of the lightest ones for men may be rolled between the fingers like a cigarette. One costs a shilling or one quite fulfilling the 4

regulations may even be bought for nine pence.

It may mildly interest some who study political wickedness that the reason for limiting the hours when people may go bathing without the machines is ascribed to the membership in the local council of the one man who owns all the machines here. In return, he prescribes the safety of users of his machines by informing them that unless they come inshore when “J.W.” blows his horn he will “not be responsible for them.” As the horn toots as soon as you have reached a depth of water somewhat above your knees the fun of the game is quickly apparent.

And how solemn it all is. None of the joyous shouts of men bathing in the United States, where they seem to have fun in the ocean, but one dull silent occasion as though the bathing were the performances of a rigid duty. And nowhere a float, nowhere a diving board or post, nowhere ropes to mark safety limits and serve as aids to the weak, not even a lifeboat to the water or a professional swimmer at hand.

Back among the bathing machines on the beach is the swim boat resting between two wheels ready for launching through the breakers. The men to man it? Maybe they are there but if they are, they are beautifully inconspicuous. But of course there is J.W.’s horn.

But solemn as it all is there are distractions at this resort too. The beach is the scene of all sorts of games. Any number of cricket matches are going on in the sand, with football and cycle riding, kite flying and more. Hundreds of people, old and young have dug hollows and raised backrests for themselves in the sand to enable themselves to lie or sit in comfort and see what is going on and still be sheltered from the strong winds.

The pierrots are here, the pierrots without whom the English seaside resort is not complete. Here at Saltburn as at most places nowadays, these London or provincial performers having their summering and making their living at the same time wearing yachting suits, otherwise blue coats and caps and white trousers as they give their open air performance on the beach. Further on at Redcar the pierrots wear the old, familiar white pierrot costume with the conical hat. Although given in the open air, there are seats and a small stage for these performances and the spectators who take seats pay a small fee. One may stand up and watch the performance gratia, but one is considered very small indeed for it is those English of other parts of the country that have lost this ingeniousness of exterior with growing prosperity and sophistication.

Part 2 in next month’s edition of Talk of the Town.

Thanks to Jim Wingham for drawing our attention to the American Newspaper archive.

Cath and Tony Lynn Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

Ruth Cowen MICHT

Reflexologist 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 Every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month 11.00am – 12 noon, Saltburn Library Councillors Joan Guy, Stuart Smith, Philip Thomson Every 3rd Saturday of the month, Councillor Stuart Smith will be available in the Station Square area 11-12, weather permitting, if not, in the Methodist Hall.

Fully qualified and CNHC Registered Enjoy the Benefits of Reflexology in Your Own Home.

This gentle therapy reduces stress, tension and inflammation. Improves circulation and restores the flow of energy and nutrients to the body’s cells, strengthening the immune system and encouraging the natural healing processes of the body.

Tel: 01287 623029

Need a Taxi?

For a Reliable, Friendly Service, call Colledge Cabs

01287 622800 Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

5

Friends of Talk of the Town Hello from Friends of Talk of the Town.

As you’ll recall from my previous missive, we don’t get a lot of time to write for the January edition with such an early ‘deadline’ date prior to the holidays.

It’s a bit strange getting into the groove for celebrating a holiday that had yet to happen! Therefore, I’ll take it for granted that if you’re anything like me it will have already passed into fond memory and you’ll be noticing the onset of longer days. I’ve steadfastly stuck so far (89 words in) to my non resolution of not mentioning the weather: however, my passion for hating snow is well known so let’s keep quiet about that. As if securing nice images for the winter months of the calendar isn’t hard enough.

Speaking of the calendar, I trust that you are now enjoying our first ever Talk of the Town production and we thank you again for your support. We have taken onboard all of the comments you have made about our first attempt and can assure you that next year’s calendar will ‘tick all the boxes!’

If you are among our Facebook faithful you will be aware of our collaboration with Sean Fairbridge’s growing North East & Yorkshire Photography Group which has almost 400 members and that the routes to submitting images for consideration for our website and indeed the calendar are open to all who enjoy our town and villages through the lens. Additionally, written contributions are always welcome: we can’t guarantee Ian will print them all but he does try be fair to as many as possible and presents our readers with a wide range of entertaining articles.

Personally, I’ve thought for a long time now that we should feature readers’ letters (indeed some do get into print); however, space and printing costs can prevent us from doing this. Naturally, I read all of the articles by my contributing colleagues and, being human like you, I’ve often wished we had a tangible way of receiving feedback from our readers: I’ve had more than the odd bit of what somebody once called ‘non-verbal communication’ from anonymous readers we walk amongst every day around town! Perhaps they were laughing or heaven forbid: puzzled. Frankly, we’d love to hear from you! Nearly two years of doing our level best to persuade you to help the ‘cause’ I feel we are indeed friends. I’m not sure how our other writers will feel at such a suggestion; however, please feel free to email me directly at rdcoupland57@gmail.com with any comments you would like to make about anything we at Friends of Talk of the Town do!

Talking of things you did very well: in supporting our first ever Christmas raffle we raised almost £300 for our funds and I’m sure the ‘profile!’ A very excited reader, Yvonne Burdis (pictured) of Morrison’s Teesside Park was our first prize winner. When I delivered the gorgeous Chocolini’s snowman to Yvonne in a very busy supermarket, I was inundated with customers, management and staff wanting to get a peak at Roland as 6

I wheeled him into the foyer in a shopping trolley. If you’ve watched ET in the last thirty years, you’ll know exactly how I nervously transported him from the car to our winner! Yvonne has three grandchildren for whom she purchased three of those toffee hammers to begin the (sad) demolition of a work of art! Now, I doubt whether we can top that this year but you never know we might try. A full list of prize winners is shown on our website and on page 38. Again, thank you for your support and thanks to Michael Hick of Brotton for kindly agreeing to perform the draw at Jackie’s Saverstore when we asked him on Friday, 20th December.

Looking forward to the year ahead, naturally we will still rely on your kind contributions through the collection boxes and standing order mandates. Producing the magazine still remains a challenge to Ian in many ways and unfortunately costs continue to rise and therefore we will be counting on our advertisers to continue their vital support. If you are indeed interested in advertising with us Ian would love to hear from you at the address shown in the box on page 3. We’re also hoping to provide details of our standard advertising rates online shortly; however, as you are aware we believe firmly in the personal approach that has served Ian so well over the years. The proof is here in your hands; I hope you enjoy reading the finest community magazine we can produce for you: it is truly produced with love.

Richard Dales-Coupland Secretary, Friends of Talk of the Town Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

Real Meals Purveyors of Fine Foods

Real Meals Valentine Takeaway A delicious 3 course meal cooked at Real Meals, all you have to do is light the candles, pour the wine and follow our simple re-heating instructions.

Baked Oysters with Stilton or French Onion Soup with Gruyère croutons ----------------------Quail roasted in Rose Petal Sauce or Squash Blossom and Tomato Frittata

Sauté Radish and Parsnip Chestnut Mash Savoy Cabbage --------------Blonde Brownies with Raspberry Coulis -------------------------------

Available to collect Friday 14th February at £15 per person Call 01287 622266 to book Winter 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.

Email: enquiries@realmeals.co.uk, Website: www.realmeals.co.uk

Councillors’ Column Work is slowly commencing on rebuilding the damage to foreshore and Valley. Competition for resources, human and financial, is a constraint. One of many requirements is to replace three of the main beams under the pier end.

Whilst funding is sought and plans drawn up, some ‘researchers’ have been busy tracing the history of the original development work undertaken in the 19th century.

Original photographs have been unearthed which hopefully will be on display soon.

The latest report on the 6th December flooding sets out some of the damage incurred on that day. A day which saw Saltburn cut off from the outside world and Environment Agency gauging stations recording from 93% to 155% of the average monthly rainfall over a 6 hour period. There is much to learn. There is much to action.

Meanwhile, reshaping of the Council structure continues. Many employees have been applying for ‘new’ jobs and the revised system will undoubtedly take time to settle. This could be the case in Neighbourhood, with the Cliff Lift coming under new management as indeed will the Valley Gardens. A slimmed down establishment will still incur a significant cost to the ratepayer.

Council pay policy sets out the remuneration for senior staff and lowest paid employees in accordance with Section 38 of the Localism Act 2011. The Minimum Wage paid by Redcar & Cleveland is £7.04 per hour. The Chief Executive receives £145,239. Somewhat more than the Prime Minister.

It is likely that the school meals service provided by the Council will experience a reduction, if not a demise, as

individual schools identify how it is more cost effective to provide their own catering arrangements.

Having worked out overhead costs and other contributing factors, the 2014/15 Domestic Rate charge calculation is imminent and ultimately finding its way through letter boxes, subject of course to consultation.

The Regeneration Master Plan is now giving greater focus to East Cleveland with the East Cleveland Towns and Villages Investment Initiative. In the period up to 2018, £3million of capital will be allocated. This sum is intended to form the basis for ‘attracting’ further capital investment from European grants, Lottery funding and private sector.

Targets include 155 Business start-ups, 591 jobs created/safeguarded and 2277 apprenticeships. This economic growth programme is intended to run in parallel to the Council’s Borough-wide £2m Public Realm programme, delivering complimentary improvements to Council-owned assets and infrastructure. The latest Local Development Monitoring Report advises that 50% of new houses were built in the rural area against a benchmark of 30%. Clearly the use of green space needs to be monitored and challenged if there is not to be an erosion of countryside and a further demand placed upon rural infrastructure.

Sadly, Brockley Hall has closed after many years of service to the town. Hopefully an appropriate successor will soon appear.

Councillors assemble in the Library every 2nd and 4th Saturdays at 11am. If residents cannot attend on these occasions, separate appointments can be made to suit individual requirements.

Philip Thomson Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

7

Talk of the Town’s monthly

Pride of Saltburn Award

Michelle Rudd Dip NTC MPTA CGLI Piano Tuning and Repairs by a qualified and experienced professional (Est. 1983) Covering Teesside, East Cleveland and the North York Moors. Free advice, friendly service.

Tel 01609 779983 Mob 07740 201188 email: michellerudd@hotmail.com website: www.pianotuningyorkshire.com

Valentine’s Day: Friday, 14th February

The winner of this month’s Pride of Saltburn is Cliff Porritt, who was nominated by Sophie and her children Oliver and Ethan. About Cliff Sophie says, “I would really like to nominate my friend Cliff Porritt for Talk of the Town’s Pride of Saltburn Award. He’s a true gentleman that I could never thank enough for his help, generosity and support. Cliff is a well known character of Saltburn and walks his dog in Saltburn woods every morning. Over the many years I have known him he has been undoubtedly the most kind, caring, selfless person I’ve ever met, never once thinking of himself and always caring and helping others before himself. Without him I would be a lost soul. Cliff has played a great role as Godfather to both my children, Oliver and Ethan, and they too would like to say a big thank you to him for all his love and support. So, thank you, Cliff for all your love and support through all the good times and the bad. Many other people have also mentioned that you deserve this award.” Thank you, Cliff, for being you, the Pride of Saltburn.

Every month, a £25 bunch of flowers, kindly donated by Eveline Brentano’s Florists, is awarded to someone in Saltburn who has earned admiration, gratitude and love for whatever reason. Talk of the Town invites nominations from you, the readers, to chose whom you would like 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. (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.

8

Free delivery in Saltburn and Marske

M. BELL Freelance Postal and Courier Services 2, North Avenue Saltburn-by-the-Sea North Yorkshire TS12 1QD Tel/fax: 01287 623673 Email: m.bell7@virgin.net Can pick up mail from local sorting office and deliver to you by 9.30am for £1 per week Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

9

Saltburn in Bloom Here we are in February and plans for the summer are being made. Ever thought of sponsoring a hanging basket or planter in the town? Now is your chance to consider supporting our volunteer group!

We hope you will agree that Saltburn looked wonderful last summer with lovely floral displays, helping to provide a place where people want to live and visit, thus supporting local businesses. We would like to invite you to sponsor a hanging basket or planter in 2014. This must seem very early to be asking, but we need to have a clear idea of the baskets to be ordered in March for the summer.

Various options are available: A hanging basket £40, A large amberol planter on Marine Parade - £40 (all year round planting), A planter in Albion Terrace - £60 (all year round planting). All options include watering for 1012 weeks and a sponsor plaque If you would like to choose an option, please complete the slip and put it, along with payment, into the Saltburn in Bloom box in the Library, by Feb. 28th.

Any support you feel able to give will be greatly appreciated.

Lynda Parkes (Chair) Tel: 01287 209518

Saltburn in Bloom Form Please hand in to the library before February 28th Name ______________________________________ Address____________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ Tel no: _____________________________________ Email: _____________________________________ Tick your preferred option:

Yorkshireman to be Saltburn's new Methodist minister A new Methodist minister has been appointed for Saltburn to take over from the Rev Chris Eddy in September.

A Yorkshireman, he is the Rev Barrie Morris, who currently serves five churches in Hartlepool and area.

Mr Morris, who is married with four adult daughters, says when asked about his age: “I won’t see 75 again.” But he adds: “I’ve experienced no diminution in my call to preach and minister.”

He started his work as a Methodist minister 43 years ago and was formerly a building society manager. His work has taken him to churches all over the country including Hexham and Leeds.

Mr Morris will move to Saltburn with his wife Elizabeth sometime in August to start his ministry in early September. Golfing is among his interests.

Mr Eddy has been Saltburn’s Methodist minister for the past seven years and will be retiring to Oxfordshire. He is an active member of Churches Together in Saltburn and organises the annual Christian Aid week.

Hanging basket Amberol planter on Marine Parade Planter in Albion Terrace Name/ Dedication (Maximum 70 characters) ___________________________________________ Amount paid ________________ Please make cheques payable to Saltburn in Bloom.

10

Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

Offers a variety of classes for ALL AGES & ABILITIES. This steamy workout will awaken the sassy woman in you… a toning workout using a chair and wearing heels (or trainers)!

Thurs 6pm Emmanuel Church Hall, Macnay Street, Saltburn

Tuesdays at 7.00pm.

NEW 5pm SESSION ADDED FROM 7th JAN Telephone Stevie on

01642 474920 Also, The Civic Hall, Coniston Rd, Skelton, Wednesdays at 7pm.

Ring Susan on 07787 701558

Spirals

A Pilates, Yoga & Ballet inspired fitness class.

Spirals works on core strength, toning and flexibility.

Fri 10am / Wed 7pm The easy to follow, toning version of Zumba® packed with Latin rhythms!

Mon 6pm / Thurs 10am A partner free Latin & Ballroom dance class!

Starts March 2014 Mon 7pm

CALL ESTELLE ON 07887525234 OR VISIT...

Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

11

Veterinary Matters With the turn of the year it is starting to get lighter at both ends of the day. However, beware of the dusk still, since not all car drivers will see a dark cat, or dog, out on the street. A recent introduction to the pet welfare scene was a fluorescent jacket for your chicken! Well, there are a variety of reflective collars and coats about for your hairier pets, as well. Have a look for the best one for your situation. We were given a GPS pet tracker at Christmas, which can be used on your dog or cat. The problem with it is it records where the cat has gone, not identify where he is. Still, it makes interesting evening viewing seeing just where the cat has been all day!

Two questions came up on the net this month.

The first was about a cockatiel that bites the owner.

The problem with non-domesticated creatures is that we may be able to tame them, but they still retain their natural behaviour. In the case of this bird, it will be to see all objects outside its territory (cage) as non-friendly, and thus will ward them off or check them by pecking at them. To try to gain trust you really need a thick leather gauntlet or a Kevlar armoured glove, and put it into the cage for the bird to get used to. Then put your hand in it and leave your gloved hand in the cage and try stroking the bird. It takes time to gain trust, on both sides. There are animal and bird behaviourists who are more than happy to help with issues such as this.

12

The other query was about a particular problem called an injection site sarcoma. This is a tumour found on the cat, almost exclusively, and more often is found on the back of the neck. It is a significant tumour, and if diagnosed correctly, needs immediate extensive surgery to try to cure. In my experience, it is not that common, in that I have seen three cases in the last thirty odd years in practice. All three cases responded well to treatment, thankfully. Always ask your vet if you are not sure; they will help you find the problem and the right treatment.

Last point for now, is that it is still the winter seal breeding season. This may mean that especially after a stormy period we might find a seal pup washed up on shore at Saltburn. They often are coming in for a rest, and should be left alone until at least the next high tide has passed. Some of them can contract a lung infection, meaning they are short of breath when swimming. If you do see a seal pup, best to leave alone, note where it was and check 24 hours later. If it is still there, then report it to the RSPCA who will deal with the case.

If you want to ask me a question or raise a topic for this article, contact me by e-mail on j.haddow@live.co.uk or call where I work at Jacqui Paterson vets on 01642 604555.

James Haddow, Veterinary Eye Consultant, GP and Saltburn resident.

Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

Award winning web designer bringing the world to you!

Need a website for your Club, Society or Business?

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

Saltburn, Marske & New Marske Parish Council Representatives from Cleveland Police attended the January Parish Council meeting and advised that during the Christmas period there had been no significant rise in crime or anti social behaviour in the Parish and they felt that Operation Scrooge, which had included higher visibility patrols and educational visits to local schools, had acted as a deterrent during the festive period.

The Parish Council had queried whether any funding was due to the local community from the Borough Council under the Community Infrastructure Levy or New Homes Bonus. This is a financial incentive to communities for new housing developments and the money is raised through a levy on developers. The response from the Borough Council had been less than satisfactory and the Parish Council have agreed that they will pursue this matter further.

Members were informed that under the Coastal Communities Project Fund several projects were in the development stage for Saltburn.

These included landscaping works in Saltburn Valley Gardens and ongoing business support and tourism, marketing and promotions projects.

The following planning applications were considered and recommended for approval: Listed building consent to dismantle Saltburn Cliff Lift drivers cabin for refurbishment work and reinstatement; Alterations to Sainsbury’s Supermarket shop front in Marske and various illuminated signs, a replacement ATM sign and three car parking signs.

Further details of all planning applications can be found at www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/planning.

Any resident of the Parish who would like to go on the waiting list for an allotment should contact the Parish Council office in the first instance.

Please note that our new website is under construction and should be in place by the end of February our e mail addre ss has n ow cha n ge d t o office@smnmpc.co.uk.

Tracy Meadows (Clerk and RFO to the Parish Council) 01287 623477

email enquiries@annescomputingdesigns.co.uk Website: www.annescomputingdesigns.co.uk

Also, Joinery Work Undertaken

Call Liz on: 01287 679913 Mobile: 07834 022289 Email: liz.ingledew@btinternet.com Website: www.liziesdecorating.co.uk Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

13

Redcar & Cleveland Philatelic Society Our two Wednesday meetings for February to be held at the Community Centre, Durham Road, Redcar, commencing 7.15pm are: 5th February ‘Great Britain Postal History’ P. Chadwick; 19th February Annual Competition Entries. (R&CPS and NEPA Annual Convention.)

President David Newstead and grandson Jack Newstead, our eight-year old member, compare British and German stamp catalogues to locate, classify and value stamps. Jack is a great enthusiast and by far the youngest member in the NEPA circuit. Guided by his grandfather (an expert in the stamps and postal history of Germania and Eastern Europe), who knows what lies ahead?

Each Christmas the President prepares a Philatelic Quiz. The winning team pictured with the Quiz Trophy was (left to right, opposite) A. Rodgers, P. Harriman and G. Reynolds Contacts: Geoff. Reynolds (Secretary) 01642 478229. David D. Turner 01287 634893 14

Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

SALTBURN BLUES CLUB What a turnout for our Christmas Party gig with the Dani Wilde Band and support by Angelo Palladino. A full room enjoyed a wonderful night of music and a lovely tasty buffet provided by the Cricket Club; many thanks to Paul and Gillian for that. Our February gig is going to be a bit special as we switch to a Friday night on Feb. 14th for a Valentine’s Mardi Gras Party.

Mardi Gras are Christian celebrations often commencing in November followed by balls and parades in January and February up to Ash Wednesday. Cities famous for Mardi Gras include Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Quebec City in Canada, New Orleans in USA and Port Of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago. Providing magical Louisiana music will be Dale Storr’s New Orleans Band recognised as the UK’s top New Orleans aficionados. So get yourself some Mardi Gras masquerade masks, feather boas, beads and fancy dress accessories in the colours purple, green and gold and come and party! There are many fancy dress websites with all you need; also we have a local shop Bees Knees at Brotton who have masks and can order for you. There may even be some Mardi Gras type cuisine available on the night, fingers crossed.

Don’t forget my radio show STILL GOT THE BLUES on local radio station Palace FM every Friday 24pm for the best in Blues old and new (go to the website and click on Listen Live).

Keep Saltburn Blues alive, folks.

Harry

My love is like a red, red rose The history of St Valentine’s day began long ago as a religious celebration of one or more early Christian Saints named Valentenus. The modern day incarnation however, suggests that we use this day to express love and affection for someone ‘of your heart’s desire’…. Note to all men: Take this as your official reminder. There are a wealth of beautiful shops in Saltburn waiting patiently for you to patronise and buy a card and/or gift for your loved one. Or if you’re a strong and independent singleton – treat yourself.

“But it’s a commercial construct fabricated by greetings cards companies to make huge profits” I hear you say..... I say: get over it and get yourself down to the shops.

Love is in the air for me indeed and it’s not just for my husband. This new love is deep and brooding with an historical past. It is homely and comfortable like a woolly pair of slippers, yet fresh and beautiful as a spring flower.

This new love, I’m sure, has an exciting future. I must profess my love for thee, Saltburn-by-the-Sea…..even if walking up Saltburn bank with a pram feels like a military endurance contest.

Having lived in Liverpool and Newcastle upon Tyne respectively for the past 15 years we are relative newcomers to the town. And we love it. In a few short weeks of moving to Saltburn I’d met seven or eight of our neighbours who stopped me in the front garden to say hello. When our cat decided to make a runner for it two days after moving in, several of the neighbours went looking for him. I wasn’t quite used to this level of helpfulness and consideration with

neighbours. In fact in Newcastle about 90% of our neighbours were students. I ruined more student parties in a year than I had hot dinners (turning up at the door in my dressing gown) but it was all growing a little tiresome. We were Saltburn bound.

Since moving here we have all fallen in love. We have played on the beach and eaten chips from Seaview. We have travelled up and down on the funicular. Had coffee in Rapps and breakfast in Real Meals. We have attended the food festival and browsed the farmers’ markets. We have strolled in Valley Gardens on a warm day and ridden on the miniature railway, (those guys are true professionals!) We’ve enjoyed a cracking Brass Neck comedy show at Saltburn Community Theatre, all within walking distance of my house. To top it off I have seen Meg the surf dog wearing a cravat and jumping around on the sand. As an aside, I’m a big fan of dogs wearing scarves. However, I feel more than inadequate that a local dog can surf and I can’t.

Overall I am enchanted by this little stretch of loveliness. Old memories of childhood days out along the pier and wandering with my parents into Saltburn sale rooms are firmly etched into my mind with a complement of new ones.

Despite having being battered severely by the weather over the last few months I know Saltburn will bounce back more buoyantly than ever. I’ve decided that I will probably live here for the rest of my life. I’m certainly feeling the love Saltburn. Will you be my Valentine?

Anna Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

15

Are you interested in adopting a child?

Redcar & Cleveland’s Adoption Team have children of all ages waiting to be adopted. These are children who through no fault of their own are not able to live with their birth family. Whilst such children live in foster homes where they are being well cared for, this is not the same as having adoptive parents who can offer them the security, stability and ongoing love that they will need as they grow up.

We are looking for adopters from all walks of life, irrespective of their: Gender, Marital status, Sexual preference, Disability, Employment Status, Religion, Race/Ethnicity.

What is important to a child is having a parent/s that will nurture, love and provide a stable home environment where they can enjoy security and a structured routine.

If you feel you meet the above and want to help us to make a difference to a child’s life, then please ring 01642 304541.

Web link: redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/adoption 16

Saltburn and District Group for Visually Impaired People (VIP) At our first meeting of the year, we welcomed Zoë, an optometrist from Reilly’s in Saltburn. She told us of a pilot scheme in our area which is funded by South Tees Clinical Commissioning Group.

The Low Vision Assessment Service is making more services available in the community rather than attending the hospital. It is a free service to anyone over 60 who is having sight difficulties. If you cannot reach a certain standard on a regular sight test then you may be eligible to be referred to the service. Here you would be assessed for aids which could help you see things better, or more clearly. The service is provided under the NHS and several aids are free and on permanent loan whilst they are of use to you. Some equipment may be recommended, such as electronic aids which are not free, but could help you significantly in day-today life.

If you think you may qualify, you need a referral from your optometrist, or doctor. Reilly’s can be contacted on 01287 622889. The service is also offered at Campbell & McDermid Optometrists in Redcar. They can be contacted on 01642 483611.

Our next meeting is on Wednesday, 12th February, in the coffee lounge, Community Centre, Albion Terrace at 2pm. All are welcome.

Chris Ferguson 01287 204170.

Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

Talking Points DEEP down I think we’ve all known for years. We’ve never been smug about it like a reality TV contestant cashing in on what invariably turn out to be their own 15 minutes of fame. We’ve never needed to. Living by the sea and reaping the benefits is a potentially permanent privilege but it’s all too often underrated.

I’ve done the whole city living lark in Newcastle and Cardiff and it makes you feel as though you’re a guest at a seemingly never-ending party.

F Scott Fitzgerald was right when he said: “I like large parties, they’re so intimate. At small parties there isn’t any privacy.”

In the big smoke you can be nameless and faceless should you wish. You can lose yourself in the hedonism of it all without having to worry about a nosy neighbour casting you a dirty look as their beady eye twitches behind the gap in their curtains.

The city is a Gatsby-esque playground and you merely have to pull up a chair and crack open a bottle of wine. You’ll be welcomed with open arms.

Come the morning though, you’ll be just another commuter in the crowd. The friends you acquired over trendy cocktails will have long since gone and the bar you thought of as your own personal space the night before will be filled with strangers.

In a technological age with unlimited distractions and an endless grapple for our attention, it’s the simple things of small town coastal life that can provide an outlet.

The sense of community in Saltburn - the growth of this very magazine is testament to that alone - is something of a precious commodity. As is the local pub, the small talk with the butcher who happens to know your aunt and the afternoon stroll on the beach with the dogs.

Country living has its benefits of course; the serenity of getting away from it all, being closer to nature and appreciating the spectacular landscape carved out over generations.

But the idyllic image offered up by Kirsty Alsopp

and myriad property programmes doesn’t flag up the small print. The nearest pub with the idyllic roaring log fire can often be too far to walk, freak weather conditions can cast you adrift and the local store that closes early on a Friday means you could be on a collision course with black coffee for the weekend.

Yes they’re first world problems of the middle class kind, but they are problems nonetheless.

The benefits of being perched on the edge of North Yorkshire - a county recently named one of the top places to visit in the world in the Lonely Planet travel guide - should not be lost amid the recent wild weather and a severe bout of the January blues.

Simply pick up a glass of red wine so leggy it would put Liz Hurley to shame and mull it over. And if you’re still unconvinced, then science may warm the cockles of your heart.

It’s thought that those living by the sea are naturally healthier as a by-product of the sea air which is charged with healthy negative ions that accelerate our ability to absorb oxygen.

Plus if you’re close enough to hear the sound of the waves it’s thought that they lull you into a deep and relaxed state that helps to rejuvenate the mind and body (depending on how many you’ve had the night before).

As the country marks the centenary of the start of the First World War, it’s the words of poet Rupert Brooke that perhaps hold the most relevance and resonance. He famously wrote: “If I should die; think only this of me; that there’s some corner of a foreign field that is forever England.”

I’d like to think he meant somewhere like Saltburn with its natural beauty and ability to capture a quintessentially English day out at the seaside. In truth, it’s pretty hard to beat - we just need to remember that once in a while.

Jonathan Whiley

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 February for babies and newcomers to the town

Andy Pollard 07773006361 (based in Saltburn) Residential and Commercial Property Maintenance Plumbing, Drainage, Property Refurbishment, Roofing Repairs, Fencing, Carpentry, Joinery, Painting and Decorating, General/Ongoing Property Maintenance Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

17

Saltburn Methodist Church

S M C

Invites you to a joyful

SONGS OF PRAISE on Sunday 9th February at 10.45am Led by Rev Chris Eddy Come and join us for a good sing

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

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

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

WiFi access Prices - ÂŁ35.00 per night (minimum of two nights) Contact Mr & Mrs Smith on 01287 623740 (home) Or 07988 838956 (Mr Smith mobile) Or 07877 384977 (Mrs Smith mobile)

Shane Slater Plumbing & Heating All aspects of domestic plumbing

Tel: 01287 625657 Mobile: 07812 391418

Followed by light refreshments 18

Bathrooms Showers Tiling

Fires/Fireplaces Boilers Heating Systems

Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

Drawing on the Past: another view of the 1950s When Saltburn resident Raymond Bentley moved to London in 1956 he could hardly believe his luck. He was 17, he’d secured a place at St Martin’s School of Art to study sculpture when the college was on the rise, and he felt liked he’d arrived from the provinces just in time to see things finally wake up after the war.

Even though he and his best mate had only applied for a laugh, Ray took to London life immediately, and flourished both socially and creatively. He made a lot of friends within and without the school, and he quickly found himself singled out because of his instinctive ability. Just a year after arriving his work was exhibited alongside one of the pre-eminent sculptors of the time, and he was feted by his lithography tutor for his exceptional talent. Word soon spread, and some very important teacher-artists used to come to the studio to see his work.

Elsewhere, he was enthralled by the American painters who were being exhibited in Europe for the first time, and he embraced the ground-breaking shifts that were taking place under his sculpture tutor.

Moreover, at a time when British artists such as Francis Bacon, John Craxton and Keith Vaughan were exploring their emotions and desires in frank and challenging ways, and when many of his fellow students were becoming increasingly flamboyant, Ray believed he was at a place where he could live openly and honestly.

He couldn’t have been more mistaken. At the end of his third year an increasingly overconfident Ray told one sculpture teacher he was gay, an admission he naively considered innocuous given the apparent liberalism elsewhere in the school. Instead of keeping his counsel, however, the teacher immediately passed this confidence to his head of department, who in turn shared it with the principal. As Ray’s guardian he was justifiably fearful of the legal ramifications of this confession, but his handling, though initially well-intentioned, was to have a lasting effect on Ray. Ray immediately questioned their response, but was told that “because it came from your own lips, we have to take action”. The principal sent Ray to see the most eminent psychiatrist in London in the hope that he would take – or at least feign – a cure, instructing him that when asked, he was to say that he initiated the consultation himself.

He did nothing of the kind, and he made it quite clear to both the doctor and the dozen-or-so medical students sitting in on the appointment that this pantomime was not his decision, that he was perfectly happy as he was, and that he wouldn’t be returning. While this decision may appear either brave or foolhardy, Ray was also driven by fear. In the absence of any sympathetic guidance and amid a mess of half -truths and rumours, he assumed that he would be admitted for electric shock treatment, aversion therapy or chemical castration. Worst of all, he was scared that he’d be forced to leave his partner, Jimmy, a former Green Howard from Middlesbrough; this, more than anything else, was out of the question.

When he returned to the school “all hell broke loose”.

He was greeted with a tirade from a frustrated principal who made it clear that Ray had no future there, and his stand led to the collapse of his relationship with the more pragmatic sculpture department. The invective he received from one staff member in particular was so persistently debilitating that some of his fellow students complained about his behaviour.

Furthermore, Ray’s house-mates were summoned to the principal and grilled on every aspect of his domestic life in an attempt to uncover any indiscretion which would have been grist to his mill, given that Ray - though outspoken and intransigent - had been seen to have done nothing up until then that was either illegal or in contravention of college rules.

Despite – or even because – of this uncertainty, however, Ray’s printmaking continued to mature at a considerable rate, and his increasingly sympathetic but clearly hamstrung lithography tutor made it known that he had developed talents well beyond his years.

This was all academic, however, because Ray was failed, as he knew he would be. Many of his peers were nonplussed by this decision and they recommended that he appeal or resit, but he knew that either was untenable while the status quo remained. He did approach a solicitor, however, but after sharing his story and his tears he was curtly presented with a bill for five pounds and told that he should “accept his punishment”.

After completing a series of corporate commissions he’d secured in his final year Ray retired as a professional artist and tried to forget everything. He never told anyone else what happened, including his partner, with whom he remained until his death 29 years later. His surviving family will only find out when they read this. He avoided living one lie, perhaps, only to live out another.

The good news, for Ray at least, is that this isn’t the end of the story, because he returned to art full-time over fifty years later at the age of 72. He’s very quickly had an unexpected, though modest success as a painter, and his work has been exhibited throughout the UK. He’s been away for too long to even know what the vanguard looks like any more, but his unashamedly conservative yet intuitive works have won national awards and a small, but enthusiastic set of admirers.

He loves Saltburn, where he’s lived for nine years, and feeds off the energy of the younger artists who’ve moved here, even if his work isn’t as daring or ambitious. He’s enjoyed this late flurry, and he thinks it’s great to live in a time when you aren’t discriminated against because of your age. He’s recently discovered Shirley Fletcher’s Tuesday lifedrawing group, as well, which he says is great fun.

Does he regret all of this? For himself, no; if anything, he thinks it was the making of him professionally, because at the time he believed that nothing worse could happen. He’s sure that in the decade that followed this lent him a toughness that enriched the next stage of his life, even if he took a different turn to the colleagues who went on to make St Martin’s the centre of the art world for a while. He didn’t even think then about what he might have been missing.

It’s fair to say, therefore, that Ray isn’t speaking out now because he feels aggrieved, or because he wishes to point the fingers at the usually-capable professionals who were themselves the victims of history. He can even see why some people would think he didn’t do a great deal to help himself. He’s speaking out because he was one of the lucky ones, and because he wants to put it behind him. He found a way to survive and exploit his creative energies elsewhere, but some people lost more than just their careers and their dreams as a result of the peculiarities of the age; they lost their lives, and this article is for them.

Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

19

Onwards and upwards for Podology Podology the chiropody and beauty clinic based on Milton street reopened on the 20th of January after temporarily closing for a major refit of the premises. The business has extended into the flat above the shop creating a four room spacious clinic with a larger reception and dual manicure area.

The new extension has created two full time jobs and will create more availability for appointments. Business owner/chiropodist Laura Dicken says “We were getting booked up for 6-8 weeks ahead and our tiny reception area was becoming an issue with the volume of clients we were seeing per week. When the opportunity to grow came, we knew we had to take it.”

Podology will be open Monday to Saturday and is introducing some new treatments and late nights on Thursday and Friday evenings. Every Friday 5-7pm a champagne manicure bar will be available.

“We’ve created a lovely sociable space to enjoy a bit of pamper at the start of your weekend. Bring a friend and have a catch up while having a manicure and drinking some bubbles!” Said senior beauty therapist Linzi Passmore.

2014 is looking to be a special year for the pod girls as they are also off to London to the Professional Beauty Awards ceremony at the Guildhall on February 23rd after getting through to the final for ‘Nail salon of the year.’

“We are over the moon to be part of the Professional Beauty magazine finals in February, the full team is heading to London and it’s a nice way to celebrate our development.

We’ve put on a opening special, as a thank you to our loyal clients, if you book an Elemis facial in February, you will receive a free 30 minute massage with our compliments,”

G Hodgson Joinery For Domestic & Commercial Property maintenance, Repairs and Improvements Including

Kitchens Bathrooms Bedrooms Doors Windows Flooring Skirting

UPVC Doors & Windows Tiling Glazing Plumbing Electrics PVC Wall & Ceiling Board Decking

For quality workmanship guaranteed by time served tradesmen at a sensible price call for Free Estimate

01287 623099 07900 492439 20

added Laura.

New full time members of staff include Chiropodist/ podiatrist Silva Cochrane, who is a diabetic specialist podiatrist with a wealth of experience in the NHS and has also worked for Podology for the past year on Saturdays.

Beauty therapist Rebecca Hewitson also joins the team as the new apprentice.

On Friday 14th of February Podology is hosting a special charity event in memory of Georgina Anderson, the local teenager who sadly lost her battle with cancer recently.

All proceeds taken for manicures this day will be donated to the teenage cancer trust in honour of Georgina and her brave family.

To book any chiropody or beauty treatments call 01287 622280 or call in to 37 Milton Street in Saltburn.

Saltburn Primary School winners of the East Cleveland Basketball Tournament 2014 The East Cleveland Primary School Basketball Tournament was held at the Freebrough Academy Brotton with eighteen teams entering and 130 children taking part.

Ailsa Bell the tournament organiser summed up the competition by saying, “surely this is what primary school sport should look like: competitive, enthusiastic, respectful, friendly and most of all, Fun!” The standard of play was high and most of the games very close with no team looking a clear favourite. Saltburn Primary School came through the qualifying games in comfort to meet St. Peter’s in the semi finals which turned out to be a low scoring game with Saltburn winning by the only basket scored. They progressed to the final to meet Handale Primary School who is turning out to be quite an up and coming team.

Saltburn maintained their outstanding record in this tournament by winning their eighth title out of nine. This year they had a small squad of only ten players and managed to enter two teams without any substitutes and credit must be given to Mrs Shirley Lillystone for finding the players and keeping them practising during play times and lunch times.

Malcolm Brown Sports Coach Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

Saltburnbythesea.org Do you know anything about the men commemorated on Saltburn’s War Memorial?

This month we have learned information regarding two of the names Arthur E Hinchley and Erasmus Darwin, and yes, Erasmus had a very famous Granddad.

Can you help turn them from names back to people with lives and loves? Come see us in the library on Wednesdays from 2 to 4 pm.

Do you have something in common with these ladies? For Jackie Bashford, Susan Cook and Deborah Brown, when they walk past the war memorial, one of the names has a special resonance.

They are related to Arthur E Hinchley, who lost his life in the First World War. We weren’t hopeful that much new information would be gleaned about Arthur, so we were absolutely delighted that, because of these ladies’ interest and diligence in collecting and retaining information and photographs, they are helping to give a face to the name and information about the type of person he was.

If you have any information about any of the men commemorated on the war memorial, we would very much appreciate your help to give everyone a fuller picture of who they were and how they lived.

Even if the information you have is scant, it may be more than we already know and a missing piece in a jigsaw puzzle.

Much of the information we have is based on work done by Ian Bedford, Cath and Tony Lynn, which can be accessed through Ian’s book “Behind The Names”. It’s better to hear something twice than to miss out on hearing it, so please don’t assume that, because you know, anyone else does. Come and tell us so we can share it with everyone.

There are unfortunately some men commemorated on the memorial that little is known about. It may be that they joined under a false name as they were underage, or their records where lost.

Your information could open up new avenues for our researchers to look at. We would love to meet you. Come down and see us on a Wednesday afternoon between 2 and 4pm in the library or you can contact us via our front page at saltburnbythesea.org or you can drop into Saltburn library and leave a note in the small post box on the counter.

We are not the only ones who are looking to fill out the information relating to the men on the memorial. We were approached recently by Howard Wilson of the Skelton Historical Group, who are trying to do the same with the Skelton War memorial. If you have information relating to the Skelton War Memorial, they would very much appreciate your help.

They meet on the second Friday of every month in Skelton Library between 9.30am and 12 noon. If you find it hard to get to Skelton, pop into Saltburn library and tell us. We will pass on the information to them. If you are online you can contact them on skeltonhistorygroup@gmail.com.

With the centenary of the First World War, this year, we along with other groups plan to run an event at the end of June. This will be an opportunity for the community to get together to support the town and the many groups that help to make our local area a nicer place to live and work.

We’re looking to involve as many local groups as possible, to look back at how far we’ve come in a hundred years. If you are part of a not-for-profit group that would like an opportunity to showcase what you do, as long as you are not primarily political or religious, we would welcome your input. Or if you can volunteer your services on the 29th of June, we would love to hear from you.

You can contact us on together@saltburnbythesea.org or leave a message in the post box on the library counter.

After seeing our article in January’s Talk of the Town Saltburn resident Dr Joan Heggie, came into the library with some papers about one of the most intriguing names on Saltburn’s war Memorial: Erasmus Darwin.

Dr Heggie is a Research Fellow at Teesside University and, for many years, was involved in cataloguing the British Steel Collection (held at Teesside Archives in Middlesbrough) and making it accessible to the public. In order to demonstrate how business archives can be really useful resources for family historians, Joan researched several people who worked in the industry, one of whom was Erasmus Darwin. The grandson of Charles Darwin, Erasmus moved to Saltburn in 1908 after being appointed Assistant Secretary to the iron and steel company Bolckow Vaughan & Co. Ltd., which had its main offices in Middlesbrough.

The moment war broke out in 1914, Erasmus Darwin volunteered for the army and became an officer in the 4th Battalion of Alexandra, Princess of Wales’ Own Yorkshire Regiment (Territorial Force). Like many 2/Lt Erasmus Darwin lasted only days on the front, dying in an attack on enemy lines on 24th April 1915 in the Battle of St Julien, just six days after arriving in France. He was buried near St Julien, not far from Ypres.

Erasmus Darwin is one of a number of individuals Dr Heggie has studied and we’re delighted that she has agreed to write an article about him for us, which will be available on saltburnbythesea.org once complete.

Fiona Wylie of The Pocket Watch Team Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

21

Saltburn House back and raring to go After a busy Christmas period business is back to normal after the re-opening of Saltburn House by Councillor Philip Thomson in November last year. The house is now owned by Hayes Working Men’s Club and Institute based in Middlesex and it is thanks to them that we are now able to offer the local residents of Saltburn a place to both stay and relax in comfortable surroundings.

These include a make over in the lounge with a newly built bar now serving a variety of lagers and beers at very competitive prices. Bar meals are available throughout the day and Sunday Lunch is available between 12pm - 3pm. Booking is not essential but advisable to ensure availability. Initial teething problems with the menu and serving of food have now been resolved and we can now boast a Sunday Lunch up there with the best around.

A Pool table is now in place as well as Sky TV showing all live football and major sporting events. Free WIFI is also available whilst enjoying a cappuccino or latte.

The resident’s only Lounge area has also been extended and redecorated and is a place to both relax and either read or watch TV away from the main bar area. A computer with Internet facilities will soon be in place for use by residents only.

Live bands and solo artists are also playing at weekends including the fabulous Ska Beat on the 8th of

22

March. All other bands playing will be advertised in house and in other local advertisements. The Saltburn House website is currently undergoing reconstruction and will be back online in the near future. All activities will then be placed on there for everyone to see but we are on facebook so all up and coming events will be advertised on there too.

Membership applications have been fantastic and Manager Maxine Howes would like to thank everyone who has joined to date. Payment of fees is being taken and members are requested to pay behind the bar during opening hours.

May we wish you all a happy 2014 and we look forward to seeing you soon.

New Musical Evening at Saltburn House: We are a group of musicians all interested in the traditional tunes of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales who meet once a month at Saltburn House to learn new tunes and to improve our playing. We welcome anyone interested in joining us. We meet on the second Wednesday evening of the month. Our next session is on Wednesday 12th February from 7.30pm. So, dust off that fiddle, bring out that banjo or squeezebox and come and join us. We aim for a ‘slow and steady’ session from 7.30 to 9pm and then to speed things up from 9pm. For more information please contact Angie on 01287 205153.

Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

Result!

A group of Year 11 students at Huntcliff School are celebrating after receiving their English and Maths GCSE results, which were announced on 9th January.

Early entry for the GCSE English exam, which took place in November proved positive, especially for those on the C/D grade borderline who may have been at a disadvantage after the usual Speaking and Listening assessment was scrapped by the Government in August. This change was the reason for the decision to enter students into their English exam early - something that Huntcliff has never done before as it believes students achieve their highest grades at the end of Year 11. Not having the opportunity to include this element of assessment to contribute towards their final grade would have had a negative effect on some students in this year group as they have already completed their first year of GCSE English; in particular those who were depending on it as their strongest skill in order to increase their marks and ultimately receive their predicted or higher grade overall.

Pleasingly for Huntcliff, the majority From left to right: Year 11 students Robbie Clarke, Sean Gonzalez-Naylor, Nina Smith and Phoebe Smith beam with delight over their recently of students who took the GCSE English exam announced GCSE English results early did receive their predicted C grade or above, with emotions running high on results’ day as students the confidence to believe they can go on to tackle students realised their hard work reflected in the even more challenging work. The feedback from the exam outcomes. enables us to target support for students on an individual Phoebe Smith and Nina Smith, both 15 years old, basis to ensure that they all reach their potential in Maths.” were thrilled with their C grade in English, praising staff Some students, such as 15 year-old Jess Bavin who at the school and accounting the result on their own received a grade C in Maths, will be taking the higher level determination, and also their commitment to engaging in exam in the summer in order to be given an opportunity to every revision opportunity offered to them. improve her grade; she said, “I feel much more confident “Our teacher was partly the reason why we in taking the Higher paper in the summer and could received this grade - she gave us loads of support,” achieve a B grade. Taking the test last year allowed me to commented Nina. experience a real exam situation and it was also a chance Phoebe, who along with several other early for me to practise typical questions.” entrants bordering on receiving a D grade in English, was Bethany Park, who turns 16 this month, said, “I was equally as happy to receive a C. She said. “I’m so pleased really pleased with my C grade in Maths - the highest I with myself; I worked really hard in lessons and made was predicted - and now I can concentrate on studying for sure I attended all the extra classes.” the rest of my subjects.” Although not re-sitting her Maths Subject Leader of English, Jenny Brooks, said, exam, Bethany, along with a handful of other students, will “we are so proud of what our students have achieved,” be working on a functional qualification in Managing She added, “the Government’s decision to remove Money; this will help them to continue working on their Speaking and Listening was one we knew would numeracy skills. dramatically affect some of our students; the decision to Both English & Maths early entrants were given enter them while they could still benefit from this aspect huge support and help from staff to ensure that they of the course was taken after careful consideration. received their expected grades, with extra revision “We are delighted it has served them so well and including out of hours’ classes, a revision day in the half we know they will go on to achieve fantastic things in all term holidays and even a study session at Teesside their remaining subjects this coming summer.”

University.

Some students also sat their Maths exam in Heather Ollerenshaw, advance. Aimee King, Maths Subject Leader, said, “we Community & Marketing Coordinator are delighted with the early entry results; they have given hollerenshaw@slc.rac.sch.uk / 01287 621010 Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

23

Saltburn’s Dr Sara Baxter goes to Antarctica Antarctica has held a lifelong fascination for me. So it was with a deep sense of anticipation and some anxiety that I set out on my expedition from Saltburn on December 9th 2013.

First stop after leaving London was Buenos Aires, a fascinating city and home of Pope Francis, of whom the Argentines are rightly proud. I then flew to Ushaia, southernmost city in the world (and it feels like a frontier town) where I boarded the ship Le Boreal.

Two hundred brave souls set sail from Tierra del Fuego, round Cape Horn and down across the Southern Ocean to Antarctica. These waters lived up to their fearsome reputation. It was a modern ship and I’m a very good sailor. Others were not so lucky and there certainly were some very queasy people on the second day.

Antarctica announced itself by a sharp drop in temperature and our first sighting of icebergs. These varied greatly in size and colour. Our captain actually sailed the ship round a tabular iceberg which was about two miles long. The scenery mainly consisted of snowy peaks and valleys filled with huge glaciers.

There was no sign of humanity apart from isolated research stations and the Royal Mail’s southernmost Post Office. These are cut off from the rest of the world for much of the year.

At the time of my expedition it was mid-summer in Antarctica; thus it never got dark. Sunset was at midnight and sunrise two hours later. Between those times it was twilight outside my cabin. Temperatures rarely dropped below -10oC; however, the wind was biting.

Every day we went ashore or on tours in the Zodiac rigid inflatable boats. A team of marine experts gave lectures on the ship. This team included an historian of fifty years service in Antarctica. This team constantly told us that “this is an expedition not a cruise” and that is how it felt.

Amidst the stunning scenery and crystal clear water we saw species that I had waited years to see. The penguins were showing us why they enchant people and inspire cartoonists. Leopard seals lounged, yawning, on ice-floes. Feeding penguins leapt from the sea, porpoising. At one point the ship was surrounded by killer whales, lifting their black and white heads out of the water to inspect us.

On our final afternoon in this great place, our Zodiacs were surrounded by humpback whales, surfacing and displaying their huge tails. They were so close to us and inspired a strong feeling of protective love; huge and vulnerable as they are.

I returned from this extraordinary place feeling that it had been a pilgrimage of sorts. Being there changed me. This is the one place that we have not tamed and it behoves us to protect Antarctica. It is a wonderful place to visit and, inevitably engenders feelings of awe and humility.

24

Technology or the threat to book learning When I were a lad, an eye pad was a piece of sticking plaster over one lens of a pair of national health glasses, to encourage the ‘lazy’ eye to try harder.

Now an i.pad replaces all the reference books that I had, to research homework.

Ask an impossible question today and some person with a Blackberry (a smart phone and not a hedgerow fruit) will Google the answer in seconds.

When I were a lad, we set off on foot or cycle clutching our one inch to the mile map of Redcar &Whitby (two shillings and threepence) which I still have, a compass which was never used, set to face the world, with jam sandwiches and orange juice (apart from one lad, the one who now works for N.A.S.A. who had Marmite sandwiches).

We never got lost, sometimes we didn’t know exactly where we where, but never lost.

Now sat-nav takes the excitement out of navigating around foreign parts, like the Cleveland hills, a friendly voice tells you to turn right at the next junction.

But with sat-nav you have to enter your start and finish points. We didn’t always know our destination; there were many distractions on the way.

Then! The realisation that we were not going to be home at the time we promised our parents that we would be home. The threat of cold food and a lecture on ‘what time do you think it is’ now loomed over us.

When I were a lad, we had no mobile phone to contact home. We just had to trudge our weary way home, to face the consequences, usually at this point it started to rain, to make us more miserable.

So we arrived home tired, wet and hungry, but undaunted. Next day we started making plans for our next epic adventure.

Who needs technology?

Tyke

25

01287 348548 or 07796 478361

26

Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

Video killed the Radio Star……?

If you’re of a certain vintage you will recognise those immortal words to be those of the title of a 1978 hit for The Buggles, written by Trevor Horn, Geoff Downes and Bruce Woolley. It was a catchy little number that if you’re honest (like me) you’ll probably have ‘bopped’ to it at some point in time. Back then it was considered essential that a successful song had to be accompanied by video no matter how obscure or disconnected from the music and lyrics it might have been.

A few years later another veteran and much loved artist proclaimed that ‘It’s a kind of magic’ as we were increasingly mesmerised by ‘all this vision.’ Freddie Mercury may have been one hell of a show man and I can’t honestly say, at the time, that Queen were indeed ‘my cup of tea!’ If I were asked today what musical event had left a lasting impression on me that would truly stand the test of time: I would answer, ‘Live Aid’ with its amazing feat of transatlantic cooperation and almost nonstop entertainment. There have been plenty of concerts since and I’m sure there will be more as Glastonbury goes from strength to strength and now and again, the weather plays ball.

Times change though, don’t they? I’ve been a fan of most things technological for years with music, radio and photography being at the forefront of my interests. I tried to get into Doctor Who, I admit to being a Star Trek fan and I’ll certainly confess to always wanting a De Lorean like the one they used in the Back to the Future trilogy. I did think the final movie of the trilogy was plain daft, but did Dr. Emmett “Doc” Brown (brilliantly played by the wonderful, wacky Christopher Lloyd) know that albeit some years later, his utopia of almost effortless time travel would indeed become an everyday occurrence?

Now, I can hear you saying ‘cue the guys in white coats!’ Well, I think not and the reason is probably staring you in the face: providing you have a decent broadband connection of course! We expect to be able to turn on our TV and see events happening from just about anywhere at any time. Let me let you into a secret though: thanks to the curvature of the Earth ‘now’ is actually seven seconds ago, but let’s not split hairs.

I am acutely aware that there are lots of areas where ‘superfast broadband’ (which I would deem to be at least 10mb and over) may not have reached but I urge you to make the best of your connection if you can and all you actually need for time travel is access to YouTube! Freddie Mercury himself could not have imagined ‘all this vision’ back then but it’s just about everywhere and nine times in ten is probably free! If you have a SMART TV, then this is the way to enjoy this content at its very best, if not then there are a number of ‘set-top’ boxes that can provide these services, including Virgin Media’s TiVo service, which I think is probably the best.

By time travel, I mean of course being able to immerse yourself in your memories and recreate those heady days with what I truly believe is the universal

language of music. Naturally, as YouTube is controlled these days by the almighty Google you’ll also find stuff you thought you perhaps wish you couldn’t however to me, it’s fascinating!

Let me say at this point that if you are a tech-head like me you will already have this sussed: can I just mention that if you’re using a mobile device, don’t forget to always use your Wi-Fi at home! Nobody likes the shock of data charges outside of their allowances! There are those who don’t like signals radiating around and through them 24/7 but then again they’ve probably still got lead pipes in their houses!

Don’t forget when you depart on this journey by remote control that there are many other countries whose artists have probably most of their finest works already ‘out-there’ in the ether waiting for you to enjoy: the list is endless, just ask Paul Simon. Among the many gems you might like to view, there are a number of performances I would consider essential. Elvis’s 1968 Comeback Tour is a good place to start and while you’re there, search for any of his smaller performances including what the Americans refer to as TV specials. I recall one such concert where the entire audience probably could have been accommodated in Saltburn Conservative Club, it was that intimate.

I’ve steadfastly avoided Beatles concerts; unfortunately many of them are in rather poor black and white with dodgy sound. Nostalgic possibly even historic; however, these would be for the devoted only. Perhaps The Carpenters, Live at the Budokan is for you: she had the voice of an angel, for sure. Coming a little more up to date and as a complete contrast Bruce Springsteen’s Glastonbury set from 2009 has to be seen to be believed.

Perhaps you saw it first time round or even in person, either way it is fantastic viewing for us older types. For the ladies, perhaps, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston performing ‘When You Believe’ will make the hairs on your neck stand up as we’re reminded of just what could have been. If you fancy something of a real blast from the past The Human League Live in Berlin from 2011 is perhaps one of the finest examples of a group knowing their limits and staying within them!

It’s not that long ago that we were able to indulge our tastes in record shops and the better ones would also stock a reasonable amount of music video. These days to enjoy HMV you are probably under sixteen and already wearing ear defenders! Having said that, I’m told that vinyl is making something of a comeback but I’ve long since left the Flat Earth Brigade! We’re all aware that Alan Butler’s beloved ‘t’internet’ has changed all that but all is not lost because this might indeed be the now and more than likely the future. However, that’s where the past lives too and often in glorious Technicolor and stereo sound!

Brush off those crepes, polish up your bumpers and get yourself back to the future because frankly, that’s where it’s at! Should you need any help beginning your exploration of the world before we knew it had passed us by, let me know: I’ll be glad to help you get going.

Richard Dales-Coupland Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

27

MP calls for ‘National Status for Skinningrove Ironstone Mining Museum Tom Blenkinsop MP, on January 16th 2014 called for the Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum in Skinningrove to be made a ‘National Museum for Ironstone mining’. The Labour MP made the remarks on the floor of the House of Commons to mark the 50th anniversary of the last shift at North Skelton mine, the last of the Cleveland ironstone mines.

Tom said: “I made this call on the eve of that closure of North Skelton Mine which happened on the 17th January 1964. This was a significant date, in the words of one local paper ‘Its passing ended a way of life which brought industrial might to Teesside and moulded generations of men of iron’.

“Ironstone mining built Teesside’s industrial preeminence in Victorian years, and laid the foundation for today’s steel industry - still a crucial part of our local economic base today. The mining villages built in East Cleveland are still alive and the memory of their mining

heritage is part of the local consciousness. The miners built up the social institutions - from the Co-ops to the chapels - that still survive today.

“Miners, their families and descendants - and I am one of those descendants - also became community leaders and representatives. Indeed, the first Labour MP in my present constituency, Billy Mansfield, was a checkweighman at the Grinkle Mine in Easington.

“The mining museum in Skinningrove is valuable and unique repository of the industry, the pitmen and their communities. That is why I have asked the Leader of the House to mark this anniversary by designating the Skinningrove Museum as a ‘national museum’ similar to the National Railway Museum in York and the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry. This would allow for the museum trustees and committee to approach a far wider range of sponsors and funders, based as it could be, on a national status.”

The Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum calls for ex-ironstone miners to mark the 50th anniversary January 17th marked a special day in the history of Cleveland as the 50th anniversary of the closure of the last ironstone mine at North Skelton. Poignantly on the eve of the anniversary local MP Tom Blenkinsop raised the question in the Houses of Parliament about conserving the memory of our local industrial heritage which helped fuel the industrial revolution and build the British Empire.

David Dance, Chair of Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum (CIMM) board of Trustees in response to Tom’s suggestion that designating the CIMM a National Museum in line with the National Railway Museum in York said, “We are pleased to be considered for national recognition.

It would be a fantastic reward for the enthusiastic volunteers who run the Museum and a fitting tribute to Tom Leonard whose vision brought about the museum that we have today. We would welcome national status not only for us but also for the valley of Skinningrove; the birthplace of ironstone mining in Cleveland.”

Last year was the thirtieth anniversary of the Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum opening. Originally the Tom Leonard Mining Museum built on Tom’s collection and open for just a few hours each week, the Museum was one of the solutions to high unemployment in the Loftus area. From the idea of a museum to the opening took 5 years with many jobs created in the conservation and preservation of the old mine buildings of the Loftus Mine which is the site of the Museum. The Museum celebrates the ironstone heritage of the area without which many of our local industries would not have started and Britain would not have played such a large part in international growth in the 19th and 20th centuries. Tom Leonard, who was the Evening Gazette’s local reporter, recognised the value of our heritage and as the mines began to close started to save equipment, tools and documents.

28

The Museum is unique in that it is on the site of the old ironstone mine. Visitors are welcome over half term and from the 1st April Monday – Friday 10.00-3.30 and Saturday 1-3.30 all are given a guided tour lasting around 90 minutes.

The museum has grown considerably since the early days of opening with about three thousand visitors 25 years ago reaching a record year in 2012 of 12,000 visitors. Even with the bridge to the village being closed due to flood damage in 2013 CIMM had a record number of visitors to the Christmas Santa weekend. The Museum has a plan for the future to put more of its collection on display in a more ‘hands on’ environment for the visitor. Also to build on the work supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund to broaden and expand on its events and activities. This would include making better use of the existing buildings. Being awarded national status would help the Museum more readily achieve these aims.

The Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the closure of the last ironstone mine is hosting a lecture and inviting ex ironstone miners for a commemorative gathering at the museum, lunch and chat on Saturday, 1st February. All are welcome to the lecture in the afternoon at 2pm which is focused around the closure of the last mine, built on the site of a farming hamlet known as Foggo’s Place, and the end of the industry by local mining author Simon Chapman Photographer Mark Hickson is also going to be at the gathering of ex ironstone miners on the 1st February, photographing the ex ironstone miners. He will be using a photographic technique which means the photos are actually made of iron so they will literally be ‘men of iron’.

Any ironstone miners who would like to meet up on the 1st February should contact Jean at the Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum on 01287 642877 and leave a message or email jean@ironstonemuseum.co.uk .

Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

Redcar & Cleveland Citizens Advice Bureau As the rising cost of living continues to put pressure on household budgets, CAB is offering free advice to help consumers save energy, cut their bills and get all the support they are entitled to.

Redcar & Cleveland CAB can help consumers check they are on the best deal, switch tariff or supplier and take up help to insulate their homes and reduce their energy usage.

By taking action to check, switch and insulate, consumers could make savings on their energy bills: £325 average saving from insulation and other energy saving measures; £100 average saving paying by direct debit rather than cash or cheque; Up to £200 saving for switching tariff or supplier if you have never switched before.

People can drop into any of our advice sessions (opening times below) to find out how to save on their energy bills.

Mrs Chris Wallis, Chief Executive of Redcar & Cleveland CAB, said: “During Big Energy Saving Week – 27 – 31 January we helped consumers to check, switch and insulate to bring their energy costs down. The rising cost of living means that more and more people are finding that their household budgets won’t cover day to day essentials. We’re keen to make sure that no-one pays a penny more than they need to on energy costs. There are practical things that people can do to reduce their energy bills and help ease financial pressure.”

Consumers can get help and advice with energy issues online at www.bigenergysavingweek.org.uk or from their local CAB.

*Free Estimates

*All Aspects of Decorating Undertaken *Realistic Prices

Time Served Telephone 01287 624016

DROP IN ADVICE SESSIONS REDCAR LIBRARY, Redcar and Cleveland House (at the back of the old library) Tuesday and Thursday 10.00am – 1.00pm GUISBOROUGH, Belmont House, Monday and Wednesday, 9.30am – 12.30 SOUTH BANK LIBRARY, Normanby Road, Friday, 9.30 – 12.30 LOFTUS LIBRARY, Every 2nd and 4th Thursday, 1.30– 3.30pm SKELTON LIBRARY, Monday – every 1st & 3rd week, 1.30 – 3.30pm TELEPHONE ADVICE, Friday, 10.00 – 12.00 Tel: 01642 469880. You can also find us on facebook at www.facebook.com/redcarcab.

"Textile Trio"

G . Bishop - Decorator *Interiors and Exteriors

Anyone seeking advice on the above or any other issue can contact the Bureau as below:

*Reliable Service Assured

37 Years Experience Mobile 07757 912575

Saltburn Studios Gallery Saturday 1st March - Sunday17th March inclusive.

Gallery open 12 - 4 Sat & Sun Betty Ditcher, Lynda Jamieson and Margaret Jackson are members of Cleveland Fibre Arts and individually they hold memberships in Priory Arts, Guisborough Embroiderers' Guild and the International Feltmakers' Association.

Textiles to display or wear.

Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

29

Work and Pleasure - Part 2 by Richard Thomas It was when watching Sir Donald Sinden’s excellent series of programmes on TV on London’s West End Theatres that he mentioned a performance of Ivor Novellos ‘The Dancing Years’. It brought to mind that I had also seen this musical during the period when I was engaged on flying operations in RAF Coastal Command. It happened after a normal spell on anti-sub patrols and providing air cover to convoys coming from America and Canada to maintain supplies of vital materials to this country.

We, the crew of Flying Fortress FK195 took off at 04.45 on 23rd March 1943 the crew consisting of Flying Officer Willis Roxburgh (captain) with a complement of Sgt. Meech (2nd pilot) Joe Griffith (navigator) and five Wireless Operator, Radar Operator, and Air Gunner status including myself. What should have been a routine antisub patrol turned out to be anything but. I had finished my hour in the discomfort of the ball turret and taken my next station in front of the radar screen when I noticed a blip (a white spot) some ten miles away. I reported it to the captain and surmised that it could be a fishing boat out from Iceland. We had been flying above cloud relying on radar to pick anything. up. To our astonishment we saw that the object was a U-boat sitting on the surface, conning tower open with two men atop smoking cigarettes. At that moment the U-boat captain started to make a dive for the safety of his vessel and crew sacrificing the men on the conning tower in the process. I can still see in my mind’s eye the sight of the men being thrown into the air, a sight I am never likely to forget. Willis Roxburgh later described how he threw the four-engined Fortress into an approach like a dive-bomber whilst Joe Griffith opened the bomb doors and released the six depth charges. The 250lb weapons fell in a perfect straddle, three on either side of the U-boat. Seconds later a huge spout of water rose into the air as the depth charges exploded. The euphoria in the Fortress knew no bounds We knew that we had carried out a mission for which we had been trained. Many members of our Squadron (206) had never seen a periscope in hundreds of hours flying over the grey, and often stormy, waters of the Atlantic. We were to have a further sighting of a U-boat on the surface. This time the submarine crew fought back using their cannon to fire at the aircraft, In addition to the normal six depth charges we were carrying two newly manufactured bombs designed to home in on the U-boat’s engine and then explode. We flew round the area as the U-boat dived but there were no objects coming to the surface and no oil slicks. For once the enemy appeared to have reached a safe depth. We were disappointed this time but continued our flying careers without any further sightings although we did have a brush with a Focke-Wulf Condor, a spy plane used by the Germans to monitor the movements of any convoys and report their findings back to base. We spent some time trying to engage him in combat before he broke off and turned away.

In these writings little has been said about the bravery of the men of the Merchant Navy. To correct that 30

let me inform any readers of an excellent American film (star Humphrey Bogart) which follows the ever dangerous life on typical merchant ships carrying supplies to Britain. As Churchill himself admitted the fear of the vital lifeline being cut was one of the few things that could keep him awake at night. The men of the Merchant Navy should be praised for facing the hazards they carried out on a daily basis. It was at this time (early 1943) when the U-boats were in the ascendancy hunting in wolf packs of five or more creating panic among the slow moving ships of the average convoy.

It was some time after this incident when we as a crew were asked to attend a specially convened meeting at Northwood in London to give a detailed account of the operation to the people there. Up to this point the Navy had assessed it as a ‘possible’. At the meeting it was disclosed that a message had been received from the French maquis that U469 had not returned to its base, and that one of the photographs taken had shown its stern sticking out of the water at an angle from which it could not have survived. As a reward for our efforts we were granted a special day’s leave to enable us to enjoy the delights of the capital’s night life. Roxburgh broke away to visit friends he had near London. Four of the crew decided that they would make a recce of various night clubs in search of female company, leaving the three remaining members, Joe Griffith, Ray Simpson and myself to find something to do. We walked into London’s theatreland around Shaftesbury Avenue and as luck would have it came to a halt outside the entrance of Royal Drury Lane where Ivor Novello’s musical ‘The Dancing Years’ was playing, We decided to see if seats were available and, after making sure we had somewhere to sleep for the night, found ourselves being ushered to a row quite close to the stage.

Ivor Novello was playing the lead role and I can still remember him sitting at the piano and singing ‘My dearest dear, if I could say to you in words as clear as when I play to you, you’d understand…’ That alone was sufficient to make the evening a pleasure for me but more was yet to come. At a suitable point Novello brought the action to a stop, strode to the front of the stage, and announced that his mother, Clara Novello Davies, was in the audience; in fact she was sitting a few rows ahead of where we were. The announcement was met with thunderous applause. It made me feel thankful for the pleasure it provided for me. Such moments can only come in live theatre. With all the technical forms of entertainment in the home, CDs, DVDs, Blue-ray, nothing can compare with the unique moment when actors, singers, and chorus on stage become as one with their audience. It has a magic all its own.

Looking back down the years of a now very long life I am glad to have had the opportunity to see this show on what proved to be a very special occasion.

Continued on opposite page Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

For the crew of FK195 we remained together finally leaving the Fortress and retraining for the Consolidated Liberator which had a flying time of 18 hours plus; which meant a long day for everyone, getting up about five o’clock, the long trip out and back, returning to base around midnight. This routine continued every other day until August 1943. Admiral Doenitz finally admitted defeat in the North Atlantic and switched his area of operations to the Mediterranean to attack shipping carrying supplies for the British forces in North Africa.

Someone once asked me what happened on the day between operational flights. It was a mixture of work, rest and play. One such routine was to get out of an aircraft on a hard standing into a dinghy and time how quickly it could be done. Another was to fire guns into a target marked out in the sea. It was a good job we were all fit young men at the time, me in particular as I was some 6 years younger than the rest of my comrades. On the play side some elected to take part in football or rugby; on one station there was an exOlympic fencing instructor from whom I learned the rudiments of using a sword.

The dinghy exercise always seemed a bit pointless to me as there was no resemblance to doing the same thing into the heaving waves of the Atlantic.

Air to sea firing probably came into being when Uboat captains found it better to fire back at an attacking aircraft rather than take the time to dive. It is all a long time ago now. My crew members have all died since the war ended leaving me the sole survivor. In more than one article I have tried to keep the memory of their brave efforts alive.

February Fun at Saltburn Library Family Walks: running on each Saturday from February 1st. Join Sustrans for Fitter Family Walks starting at the Library. Time to be confirmed.

Free Bike Checks: on Saturday, February 8th. Dr Bike will be available at the Library to offer a free check on your bike. 11.00-12.30 Family Bike Ride: from February 15th meet at the library each Saturday for a short bike ride. This will be suitable for children and adults, with refreshments available afterwards.

11-12.00pm. These sessions are also run by Sustrans.

Calling all pirates during the February Half term holidays on February 19th Yo Ho Ho for a fun Pirate treasure trail.

This will follow our usual Rhymetime session which runs from 10-10.45am. Come in fancy dress - there will be a prize for the best dressed.

The Community Animateurs are back for another fun filled craft and story session on February 22nd 10.30-11.30.

Plus there will be pirate colouring and activity sheets available all week.

Please phone or pop into the library to book a place for any of the above events. Telephone number 01287 623584.

SALTBURN CRICKET CLUB Marske Mill Lane, Tel 01287-622761

Saturday 1st February “LIVE & PICKING” 5 local bands, each on stage for 20 minutes SHOWCASING NEW TALENT!! free entry Wednesday 5th and 19TH February !! BINGO !! all welcome Friday 14th February BLUES CLUB MARDI GRAS NIGHT featuring

Dale Storrs New Orleans Big Band and Devils Jukebox **All-ticket night** £10 (10% reduction Cricket Club members) Sunday 16th February VALENTINES QUIZ Wednesday 26TH February U3A Quiz Club available for your functions.

Members and non-members welcome.

Contact Club for function details and available dates to book your function Tickets from Club or Celebrations Cards, Milton St

Contact Club for details & tickets Facebook saltburncricketbowlsandtennis socialclub Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

31

Could Three Be The Magic Number for Saltburn Farmers’ Market?

SALTBURN Farmers Market has made it into the finals of the National Farmers Retail and Markets Association’s (FARMA) Farmers’ Market of the Year 2014.

The market has previously won Best Social Enterprise Award twice by Redcar and Cleveland Council.

Lorna Jackson, market organiser, only found out a few days ago in January. She said: “We had a secret shopper from FARMA come round our market last year to see if we cut the crust. We were very nervous about whether we had done enough to get in the finals.”

She continued: “There are strict criteria for it including the quality of the produce, the friendliness of the stallholders and the atmosphere of the market. So when I found out I was extremely pleased that they thought we had done everything right.”

The market is one of six markets across the country to reach the finals of the competition. Ms Jackson said: “It was wonderful winning a local award. Getting a national award would be even better.”

She added: “The whole idea behind the market came from a passion of mine and some friends and business people in the town to give people the choice to buy locally and with a conscience.

“I like to think the market has inspired people in Saltburn to start up their own food businesses – such Alessia and Maurizio Malavasi from Taste Italiano.” Taste Italiano, also of Saltburn, started selling their homemade pasta in 2012 at the market. They have gone from strength to strength and have started selling their Italian products in Saltburn shops.

Maurizio, from Taste Italiano said: “I love being part of the market and it has been a great starting place for us to get a stall a few years ago. We really think Saltburn deserves to win.”

The results of will be announced in late February at a glittering awards ceremony in Warwickshire.

Maurizio Malavasi with his homemade pasta, and Lorna Jackson, market manager, holding two Best Social Enterprise Awards from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.

Saltburn Farmers Market is on its annual break but returns on March 8th.

Mobile In-Home Computer Repair Specialist

Mob: 07739 713474 Tel: 01287 209808 Website: www.homefixcomputers.com Available Daytime, Evenings and Weekends Same Price Anytime!

(No Callout Charge - Set Fee Per Job) Virus/Spyware Removal • Internet Problems Software Diagnostics • Initial Setup Upgrades • System Crashes • Data Recovery Wireless Networks • New Computer Systems 32

Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

Once upon a time in the Wapentake by Tim Beswick These articles were only ever meant to be occasional, and so now, after a lengthy absence broken only by Christmas Specials, the occasion has arrived. Not suddenly arrived, though. I’ve been brooding on it for some time, and have finally decided to sit down and do it, overcoming a series of mighty obstacles of which the mightiest is my idleness.

The subject, as those who know me best might have guessed is trains, trains and the rails they run on, and the excuse to write about them again is HS2, the proposed high speed line from London to Birmingham and thence to Wigan and somewhere just south of York.

I will begin by saying that I believe that large scale investment in the railways is well overdue; for a century, whether they are owned by the state or by private companies, little money has been spent on upgrading existing lines, never mind building new ones, in contrast with what has happened in Continental Europe. I also accept that the system is overloaded: in 2013 there were a million more trains and half a billion more passengers than there were in 2003. And I have little patience with the inhabitants of the Chilterns, or of Cheshire, who don’t want their rural idyll spoiled by nasty trains: the M40 runs through the one, the M6 through the other, and motorways are noisier, generate more pollution and take up far more space than a railway line does, and yet I can recall no great outcry at their being built.

But I do have serious reservations about HS2; I believe the money that is being spent on taking a few minutes off the journey from London to Birmingham could be better spent elsewhere. Apart from anything else, I suspect that getting people to London more quickly might not help business to thrive in the Midlands and the North as is promised, but rather do the opposite. Even if Darlington, which will eventually have High Speed trains, albeit running on the existing lines, does benefit, will Saltburn, still no doubt linked to the main line by ancient rattling and unreliable Pacer trains also benefit?

It might be thought I am showing a bias against London, but I think that most people who live and work in London would admit that their railways, above or below ground, are already overcrowded. So consider this: a few weeks we were returning from Bath to Saltburn, The quickest and cheapest way to do this was by GWR to London Paddington, underground to King’s Cross, and thence by the ECML to Darlington. The most direct way would have been through Bristol and Birmingham, but that was not the cheapest or quickest. Where’s the logic in that?

If you really want to take pressure off the East and West Coast Main Line why not seek out ways of diverting traffic, freight as well as passengers, away from London, and make better use of hitherto neglected lines. Although these measures would allow fewer opportunities for Cabinet Ministers to pose in macho hard hats, I think they would offer better value for money.

First of all: electrification. Because electric trains are not generating their own power but drawing it down from overhead wires they are cheaper to build and easier to maintain and, most importantly, are lighter, so they can accelerate away much more quickly from a standing start,

can climb steep gradients and haul heavier loads. They are not dependent on a single source of fuel as diesel are, (Switzerland, the pioneer of all electric railways uses mainly hydro-electricity).

The Trans Pennine line from Liverpool, through Manchester and Leeds to York is to be electrified, and electric Trans Pennine trains could continue to Newcastle on already electrified lines. But what about passengers to Teesside? Will they have to change onto a diesel train at Northallerton? Surely the few miles from Northallerton, through Yarm, to Middlesbrough could be electrified?

This would not just benefit passenger traffic, but freight as well. Ten years ago rail accounted for little more than 1% of Britain’s freight movements. It now accounts for 10%, and could be a great deal more, with considerable benefits to the environment. But although more freight trains are running on electrified lines, they are still usually hauled by diesels. Why? Because most of them are starting their journeys at ports like Felixstowe, or Teesport, which are not served by overhead wires. If you electrify to Teesport, you’re nearly here. Go the whole way, and we could have those electric Trans Pennine expresses running out of Saltburn, and perhaps when the cross-country line is, one day, electrified, trains running to Birmingham, Bristol and Bath. And perhaps running north as well. There is a line running from Norton Junction, just outside Stockton, to Ferryhill Junction just South of Durham, at the moment used just for freight. Upgraded and electrified it would allow trains originating in Middlesbrough, or Saltburn to take a short cut to Newcastle and beyond, and in the process take some traffic off the Main Line.

Another possibility is the electrification of the Durham Coastal Line from Stockton to Gasteshead via Hartlepool and Sunderland. This route is used by the Diesels of Grand Central running down to London. They could convert to Electrics, which one day might run into a wired up Saltburn, and give us back the direct link to London that we had fifty years ago.

But I’m supposed to be suggesting alternatives to going to London. How about this then? There used to be an alternative East Coast Mainline from Doncaster Southwards, running through Lincoln and Cambridge to Liverpool Street. It’s still almost all there, though somewhat neglected. The missing bit is between Spalding and March, which forces any traffic using it through overcrowded Peterborough, but it’s a line that could surely be easily restored, running as it does through flat country with few natural obstacles, perfect for fast moving trains. The exciting part, to me, is that this route joins the old Great Eastern at Stratford East, which is also on HS1, to the Channel Tunnel. It would make possible through running from the North, and the Midlands, to anywhere in Europe. And no need to go via London.

I can see other possibilities, but I’m running out of space. I finish with one fear: that if HS2 was cancelled the money saved would not be spent elsewhere on the railways but would just disappear. On the other hand it is possible that HS2 will go ahead and there will be money available for everything else that needs doing as well.

Well, maybe.

Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

33

WHY I AM A CHRISTIAN (in 300 words)

by Jeni Pringle * I became a Christian about 20 years ago and my world shifted on its axis. * On a wave of buzzing excitement I immediately became involved in children’s work, leading a home group, church cafes, leading services, going on a mission, prayer meetings, and vigils – all great adventures. * I signed up to go on a retreat, and only on arrival did I realise that it was a ‘silent retreat.’ 3 whole days without speaking! Easy! * I trained to become a Lay Minister. * I officiated at funerals. Once when taking a funeral at the crematorium, the minister of a different funeral didn’t turn up and I was asked to quickly ‘stand in’. Which I did. * I went on another retreat, with the nuns at Sleights and made one of them giggle during the service. * I learnt how to preach. * I went on a mission and only remembered to tell my husband I would be away for a week 5 minutes before I left the house! * I have been going to Sunday services nearly every week of those twenty years and am always humbled by the knowledge that the people who make up my church family, pray for me. Regularly. * While studying for my art degree I discovered that you can reduce a seminar to a squirmy silence by bringing Jesus into the conversation. * I have become a grandmother and been reacquainted with the gift of life. * People close to me have died.

This is just a part of my personal journey of faith. None of those things explain why I am a Christian. To many people, Christian Faith is inexplicable. To me it is simple. I believe in God.

ARTS at EMMANUEL—Spring 2014

SALTBURN YOUTH CHARITY THREAT OF CLOSURE DOORWAYS -

We are looking for entries for 'Signs of Hope', a spring exhibition at Emmanuel Church. Deadline 14/2/14.

Fused Glass Classes 1-3pm and 7-9pm on Thursdays Feb 13, Mar 6, Mar 20

The well known If you want to find out Saltburn based more come to the youth charity faces the prospect of Art Drop-in at the Church Hall on Mondays from 12:30-2:30. closing its doors after 15 years due to financial Book now to reserve a place. pressures. Trustees of the Contact Beth Sigsworth: charity are seeking funding to 07752515382 / sanctuaryartsemmanuel@gmail.com enable it to continue working with vulnerable young adults in Saltburn and the surrounding area who are not in employment, education, training or are affected by homelessness. It costs £4,000 a month to run DoorWays. If you can help, please visit DoorWays or contact Rev’d Adam Reed on 622007 / bilpop@btinternet.com Sundays at Emmanuel Church: 9.00am & 10.45am services with refreshments served from 10.10am Tuesdays at Emmanuel Church: 9.30am service with refreshments served from 10.15am Emmanuel Church: Tel: 01287 622251 / Email: emmanuelsaltburn@hotmail.co.uk / www.saltburnparishchurch.co.uk

34

News and Views from the Valley What a relief! Flushed with success! Okay, we are a bit euphoric about the fact that the Woodland Centre now has a toilet! It is very significant though. It really is the final piece in the jigsaw that makes the centre fit for hire.

So please consider The Woodland Centre as a venue for family and group activities and celebrations. Days are beginning to get longer again. Where better for your children’s party? Tutus and wellies are a fabulous combination and I know this first hand.

The Christmas tree selling venture: well, sadly we are not awash with profit and the committee will not be holidaying in the Caribbean this year. We worked very hard and have just about broken even on our outlay. Lots of people said “If only we had known,” or “There wasn’t enough publicity.” Other people were put off because we could not unwrap all the trees for inspection and we realise that was an important issue. We had very good feedback from people who did buy from us. Many emailed to say their tree was the best they had ever bought and hope we do it again. So thank you to all who did support us and we are having a big think about whether we should do it again and where or how etc. Any thoughts or opinions: contact our web site.

The Task group has continued to meet every Friday.

New undergrowth clearing work has been done in the community orchard and paths opened up for the enjoyment of the public. We are also pleased to report that Millfield Meadow which has been the focus of a lot of our work has now obtained the status of a People’s Meadow in the Coronation Meadow scheme. This is a national initiative to

Hands On Therapy Clinic Remedial Therapy Sports Injuries

Reflexology Relaxation

Louise Clark ITEC Diploma MBSR, GCP, BCMA Reg Saltburn Leisure Centre, Marske Mill Lane

Tel: 01287 625700 Mob: 07775 610745

revive Britain’s lost and endangered wild flower meadow sites (Google Coronation Meadows). Thanks to Katie for all her hard work on this.

This time last year the disabled access path was a churned up building site. One year on and it is looking attractive and full of creative possibility. More work has recently been done in digging up the old ramp which was a slip hazard and putting in some more steps. We are planning to make the top grassed area into a mini meadow and we have the continuing help of the Community Payback Team on projects around the site.

I really hope that we are not facing more onslaughts of extreme weather in the near future. Bring on the spring flowers and new life in the Valley. I can’t wait!

Lorna Moone www.saltburnwoodlandcentre.co.uk Valley Adventures still have an operational base at the centre.

Here is their latest message: “We will be launching our new website in February and offering even more activities this year, such as gorge walking, rock climbing, abseiling, hill walking and stand up paddling.

We have also applied for accreditation by the Adventure Activity Licensing Authority (AALA) to offer these activities to youngsters. Further, we are proud to be working closely with Hunley Golf Course to support their corporate clients and outdoor enthusiasts.

“Thanks to all of you for supporting Valley Adventures in 2013 and we look forward to sharing great outdoor experiences with you this year.”

AMATSU Japanese Natural Therapy A complementary whole body approach to regain health, function and balance by empowering the body’s own natural repair mechanisms.

Eric Birbeck MBRCP Oriental Medicine Master Amatsu Practitioner Telephone 07812 746246 Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

35

36

1st Saltburn Scout Group Into 2014 properly and our first task is to conduct our annual census. This involves recording numbers of young people (by Sections), Leaders, Sectional Assistants and helpers; as well as our Executive (Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Trustees). This indicates hoped for growth in the past twelve months; it also determines how much we pay for insurances etc. Ensuring our young people and adults are as well protected as possible.

Beavers started with six Beavers having “moved on” to Cubs; taking on a new recruit with Gabriel. Easter we will be back up to 20 Beavers as other new recruits join us from our “want to join list” and are of the correct age. Their plans for the year include undertaking work to achieve the Grand Depart Badge (Beaver Scouts are celebrating the start of the Tour de France) in Yorkshire; a District activity at the Play Factory, celebrating the Commonwealth Games and making bat/bird boxes. They will not be bored!

As we closed for the Xmas break 12 of the Cubs achieved their Road Safety Badge, and this will hopefully ensure they are safer when out and about. They started again with 17 on the register, being joined by Blake, Caleb, Harry G, Harry H, Harry L, Jacob and Noah from Beavers. First night was noisy, but enjoyed by all; parents commented that they seemed tired and must have been well exercised! Our two Explorer Scouts/Young Leaders Sam and William seemed as energetic as the Cubs. Aidan and Tom are to be our new Sixers and all are settling in well. Planned activities are preparing for the District Quiz

Saltburn Line User Group Next Meeting: Tuesday, 4th February 2014 Meetings at Saltburn Conservative Club are held on the first Tuesday of the month 19.15pm for a 19.30pm Start. As always, all welcome.

Talk to Saltburn Line User Group.

The Group exists to protect passengers’ interests. See our website: www.saltburnlineusergroup.co.uk

in March, a visit to Emmanuel Church (thanks to our Reverend Adam) and looking at the history of Saltburn.

We now have ten Scouts: Abigail, Alfie and Peter coming from Cubs. More are due to transfer at Easter, so numbers will continue to increase. There are three different District events planned before the summer break: Quiz, Orienteer and a camping competition. So activities need to be directed to preparations for these events and we also have plans to visit an indoor climbing wall, as well as getting out again as soon as possible.

Work commenced on the building over the break and we are about to install a disabled toilet and revamp the other toilet. Saltburn Rotary is to be thanked for the replastering work already undertaken to improve this area.

After the toilets we move on to the main hall. Initial figures for Scout Post indicate that we raised £500 for Group funds (we still need to talk to other Groups to discover who owes or otherwise). Many thanks to parents and all who assisted in ensuring the post got through.

This month also sees the County Awards presentation at the Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough.

Jacob, Matthew, Sam, William and Willow who gained their Chief Scouts Awards will be presented with certificates to celebrate. Parents and families will be there to watch the first of hopefully many from 1st Saltburn achieving the highest award in their Sections.

Congratulations and well done to them all. We are very proud of you.

Many thanks to all who have assisted to date; if you wish to offer assistance or are interested in joining us, please enquire: John G. Hannah on the phone number or email address below.

John G. Hannah – 07811 801627 or johnghannah@yahoo.co.uk

RITSON Tree Care QUALIFIED ARBORISTS

 Sympathetic Tree Pruning  Sectional Dismantling  Hedge Trimming  Storm Damage  Tree Planting  Tree Inspection  Woodchipping  Stump Grinding  All Aspects of Tree Surgery

MEMBER

Local Authority Approved

undertaken

 All Debris Removed  All Areas Covered ALL WORK TO BS3998 STANDARD.

Telephone the secretary on:

N.P.T.C. Certified & Fully Insured Environmentally Friendly

07875 242350

Member International Society of Arboriculture

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL LINE

(01287) 625457

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.

Simply send a cheque payable to “Gbiz IT” for £33.50 to TotT Subscriptions, 9 The Wynd, Marske, Cleveland, TS11 7LD. Don't forget to enclose your name and address. Alternatively, you can call us on 01642 477200 if you wish to pay by credit or debit card.

Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

37

Prizewinners of the Friends of Talk of the Town’s Christmas Draw 2013 Raffle winPrizes ners st 1 Prize Hand crafted Chocolini's snowman

Ticket Number

Contact

2nd Prize

£30 Trendz Voucher

84

3rd Prize

£25 Eveline Brentano Voucher

224

4th Prize

£20 DV Townend Voucher

81

5th Prize

Thomas Kent Clock supplied by Brambles

172

Yvonne Burdis Morrisons, Teesside Park Glynis HandMorrisons, Teesside Park ley Mollie Jeffels Park News, Marske Heather Morrisons, Teesside Park McPhail Andrew Forde Morrisons, Teesside Park

290

Barbara

Sainsbury's Saltburn-by-the-Sea

381

Eric Stewit

Saltburn-by-the-Sea

8th Prize

L’Oréal Travel Kit supplied by Cheveux Frozen Turkey Voucher supplied by J. E. Smith Butchers Bottle of Pimms donated by Garry Roper

317

9th Prize

Norton Software donated by Gbiz It

281

Mandy Howes Morrisons, Teesside Park Ken StarsSaltburn-by-the-Sea more

10th Prize Norton Software donated by Gbiz It

129

th

6 Prize 7th Prize

83

Name

Ann H

North Skelton Library

Saltburn Photographic Society Wednesday 5th February NY&SDPA Projected Images.

Wednesday 12th February Entries in the Moore Trophy competition. Wednesday 19th February A selection of work from Carluke Camera Club. Wednesday 28th February NY&SDPA Prints and projected images.

A Practical night will be held during February; more details available from contact number.

Meetings are held in the upstairs hall, Saltburn Milton Street Methodist Church TS 12 1EB at 7.30 pm.

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.

Tony’s Health Advice

Let’s talk about sex February is the month of love as it contains Valentine’s Day. The 14th February is also National ‘Think about Sex’ day. I therefore decided to use this opportunity to talk about sex. Although it isn’t the taboo subject it used to be it can still be a difficult subject to talk about.

Especially when it comes to discussing ‘safe sex’.

It is not only a difficult subject for parents to talk to their children about, making sure they’ve had the ‘birds and the bees’ discussion; but it can also be difficult for a young adult to ask for advice or support from a health care professional.

The main two points that concern people are not becoming pregnant and not developing a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Chlamydia is the UK’s most common sexually transmitted disease and it affects people aged 24 or younger the most.

One way to help prevent both an unplanned pregnancy and an STD is to wear a condom. Whilst being on the contraceptive pill or having a coil are both 38

excellent forms of contraception neither of them give protection against an STD. However, if you have had unprotected sex, either intentionally or because the condom broke, help is also available. Your GP, the sexual health clinic and pharmacies are able to offer help and support. They can supply the lady with emergency hormonal contraception.

The poorly named ‘morning-after pill’ can actually be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected intercourse and still be effective. They are also able to offer testing and treatment for chlamydia and other STDs to both men and women. (At the moment pharmacies only offer testing for chlamydia but there are plans for treatment to be available soon.) All these services are fully confidential.

If you would like any further info or advice you can call Sexual Health Teesside on 0333 000 0014 or visit their website www.sexualhealthteesside.nhs.uk.

Tony O’Neill, Pharmacist, Boots Pharmacy.

Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

Saltburn 500 Club

A New Year brings with it Resolutions. I have no doubt that many of you will have undertaken to change things in 2014 – cut back on food, stop smoking, cut back on drink and many more. It’s not too late to add another Resolution to your list by joining the many bands of volunteers around Saltburn who are endeavouring to improve and enhance the beauty and natural environment of the town.

The bad weather experienced over the Christmas period caused damage in many areas of the town.

Although major repairs will be done by the authorities, there are many other repairs which will have to be paid for by grant funding and donations from the people and businesses of Saltburn. As I am responsible for organising Saltburn Christmas lights and fittings around the town, I have had first hand experience of what damage has been incurred. There are some repairs which are essential if we are to have a 2014 Christmas display and donations of money or craftsmen’s time would be gratefully received.

The committee of Saltburn 500 Club work throughout the year to raise funding for many projects around the town and these monies have to be fairly allocated to those projects. Any fund-raising ideas you may have can be left at the Library, marked for the attention of the Saltburn 500 Club.

2014 marks the centenary of the First World War. Some of the monies raised by the 500 Club will, with the members’ permission, be going towards Saltburn projects which will mark this occasion. One suggestion that was recently made, as a way of us remembering the fallen, was to sow wild field poppy seeds around the green areas of the town. You could all help in this by sowing seed around areas such as the engine, bandstand and War Memorial. If you think this is a good idea, you should be aware that the seed needs to be sown now if we are to see any poppies in the summer. Sowing seeds would not cost you a lot of money and would let you join in the community spirit – doing your own little bit for Saltburn.

Trevor Welburn Secretary of Saltburn 500 Club/Friends of Saltburn

PDM QUALITY PAINTING AND DECORATING

Specialist in Interior and Exterior work All aspects of the trade Established 1983  HIGH QUALITY AT AFFORDABLE PRICES

 FRIENDLY SERVICE WITH FREE ESTIMATES

 SUPPLY & FIT ALL COVING  GUTTER CLEANING SERVICE WITH CHERRY PICKER

TEL: 01287 280767 MOB: 01916 450203 Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

39

PARK NEWSAGENCY Home News Delivery Specialists       

Cards & Gifts Magazines & Books Blue Nose Friends Toys & Games Confectionery, Drinks, Ice Creams Stationery Lottery

Stockists of Talk of the Town 102-104 High Street, Marske. Tel: 01642 484371

40

Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

Stories from Saltburn Animal Rescue Association

“I must tell you the story of Taylor, a Brindle Staffie, who learned to trust people again here,” says Ann Prosser of SARA. “On his first visit four months after rehoming, he bounded up to Jacqui, our Manager, leapt into her arms and they rolled around the grass together! It was a real privilege to see it.”

Many animals still come to SARA at Foxrush Farm in a sad, neglected state, but the staff and volunteers never tire of doing their best, rehoming them with kind, caring people wherever possible. Recently, they have bought a van to transport animals to and from the vets. Plans to extend the cattery are under way: there will be six new units, each able to take two cats, as long as the pairs get on with each other. There will be new facilities for a pregnant cat and kittens and a quieter dog unit for a pregnant dog or one which is unwell.

Taylor was seven years old, living in a pound in Preston, when he was found by Homeless Hounds. This organisation finds animals that are likely to be put to sleep and contacts charities such as SARA to see if they can help with rehoming. Says Ann, “He looked as if he’d been chained up, as his teeth were broken and they looked as though he’d been struggling to get away. He wouldn’t walk on a lead, but we started giving him some TLC and he gradually started to trust us. Then a couple from Scotland phoned and asked if we had a Staffie. They got to know Taylor over time and fell in love with him.

Taylor learned to bond and went off to his new home in Scotland.”

Arthur was a two year old Red Staffie, a stray taken to a local pound. He had scars over his face and body, some healed and some fresh, so the SARA staff thought he must have been a bait dog. He was very fearful of other dogs. Incredibly, some owners tie up and muzzle their dogs and let other dogs attack them to build up their aggressive natures. Then the fierce animals are sold to take part in dog fights. “Staffies will do anything to please their owners, so are very vulnerable to abuse,” says Ann. “They are very loving towards children, but Arthur can’t go to a home with children, because of his background.” Arthur has been at Foxrush since February and is being trained with other dogs. Now, he never stops wagging his tail and it is hoped that in time he will be

taken home by a kind, new owner.

It’s not common to find a cat and five new kittens under a workplace tumble dryer, but this is what happened in a local residential home last year. The cat wouldn’t be coaxed out, so the staff rang SARA and Abi, one of the Managers went round. With great difficulty, she extricated the cat and then the kittens were easy to move. This fiercely protective mother, named Cally, and her young were taken to the cat and kitten room at Foxrush and left to bond for three weeks. Then human interaction with the kittens had to start, to prevent them from becoming feral. The staff worked on it, but eventually had to move Cally. All ended well as the kittens developed relationships with the staff and volunteers and Cally has recently gone to a new home.

When a caravan park at Whitby was preparing to close for this winter, the owners turned to SARA to find a home for two stray cats and their kittens. The cats, one cream and ginger and one tabby, had been fed by holidaymakers, who were surprised one day to meet the six week old kittens. The two cats were very attentive to the kittens and it was assumed that they had given birth to the kittens at the same time. However, when SARA took them, the staff discovered that the cream and ginger one was male! He was named Malcolm and the female tabby, Martha. “It is very, very unusual for a tom to stay around and look after his kittens,” says Ann. The kittens were in a poor state, full of fleas and worms. One had a serious Grade Five heart condition and was sent to a special foster home. The others grew fit and healthy and most have now been rehomed. Malcolm was neutered and then he went to a new home with Martha.

SARA also takes stray rabbits and currently efforts are being made to improve facilities for them. The staff don’t rehome them into hutches, however, as they believe it’s essential for them to have a run. One day, SARA received a call from a man in Thornaby, whose son had found a stray rabbit on his mate’s garden path. The son was on his motor bike, so he rode over to Redcar carrying Willow, as she was subsequently named, under his jacket!

The SARA staff are very grateful for the help of volunteers and of Tom, a young apprentice through the Routes to Employment scheme. What wonderful work they all do!

Rosemary Nicholls Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

41

Roy, Jan, Helen and all the staff at The Victoria wish their customers all the best.

FEBRUARY GIG LIST Possibly the best February ever!

The Vic Real Ales: with Deuchars IPA being our resident ale, and our ever changing guest ales, there’s no excuse to go elsewhere.

Sunday 2/2/14 – Last Anthem

Tel: 01287 626131

Thursday 6/2/14 – Smashed Glass Sunday 9/2/14 – The Graft Thursday 13/2/14 – Johnny & The Moon Dogs Sunday 16/2/14 – Beer Pigs Thursday 20/2/14 – Gladstone Sunday 23/2/14 – Striking Back Thursday 27/2/14 – 101

O’Gradys Hotel 18-20 Queen Street, Redcar TS10 1AE

February Gigs: Sat 1st - TBC Sun 2nd - Easy St Fri 7th - Delmonts Sat 8th - Smashed Glass Fri 14th - Alpha Place Sat 15th - Cousin Matthew Fri 21st - Flashback Sat 22nd - Paul Tilley Fri 28th - Persuaders 42

The Victoria Quiz Night

THE VICTORIA

Every Wednesday £30 First Prize, £10 Second Prize.

Last Wednesday of the Month: £150 Prize Fund.

The jackpot quiz will take place on Wednesday, 26th February 2014.

4 People Not Profit present

‘Consuming Kids - The Commercialisation of Childhood’ 4 People Not Profit’s film night ‘Open your mind’ returns with our second month of films looking at consumerism in our society with ‘Consuming Kids - The Commercialisation of Childhood’.

The film will be screened as usual upstairs in The Marine, Saltburn and will be on Thursday, 20th February, Doors at 7pm and the film starts at 7.30pm. With time for discussion after the film, and as ever the event is free entry.

Consuming Kids throws desperately needed light on the practices of a relentless multi-billion dollar marketing machine that now sells kids and their parents everything from junk food and violent video games to bogus educational products and the family car. Drawing on the insights of health care professionals, children’s advocates, and industry insiders, the film focuses on the explosive growth of child marketing in the wake of deregulation, showing how youth marketers have used the latest advances in psychology, anthropology, and neuroscience to transform American children into one of the most powerful and profitable consumer demographics in the world. Consuming Kids pushes back against the wholesale commercialization of childhood, raising urgent questions about the ethics of children’s marketing and its impact on the health and well-being of kids.

“Consuming Kids delivers an urgent message to parents, educators, and government regulators about the troubling intrusion of marketing into children’s lives.

Watch this - and then turn off your kids’ TV.” - Pamela Paul, Author of Parenting, Inc. Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

Diamond Guest House Diamond House 9 Diamond Street Saltburn-by-the-Sea Cleveland TS12 1EB Tel: 01287 203912 or 07715 621077 email: diamondhouse9@gmail.com www.diamondhousesaltburn.co.uk

Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

43

10% OFF WITH THIS ADVERT

IPL HAIR REMOVAL

CONSULTATION AND SKIN TEST REQUIRED £15

*£5 Extra per Session We Also Offer LASER TATTOO REMOVAL To book your consultation or find out more information, call 07988 647300 or visit: www.vlaze.me Facebook: Vlaze Laser Tattoo & Hair Removal.

SEA STUDIOS 1-3 Bath Street, Saltburn. TS12 1BJ 44

Saltburn Beachwatch Macro/Micro Plastics Someone asked me recently if micro-plastics were just large pieces of plastic (which pollute our beach and cause havoc in the marine environment) that have been broken down into smaller pieces.

The answers are yes and no! Yes, the action of waves and the exposure to UV radiation mean that macro-plastics (over 5mm in size) get broken into smaller and smaller fragments making the sea become a kind of plastic soup.

Just as alarming is the continued use of micro-plastics or micro-beads in items we all use like household cleaners and personal care products such as skin defoliators, scrubs and washes.

These micro-beads range in size from fish eggs down to microscopic proportions and are unable to be filtered out by sewage facilities thus ending up in the sea. These particles then float on the surface of the water before often becoming colonised by micro-organisms which alter the properties of the plastic leading it to sink to the seabed where it is taken up by, amongst other creatures, filter feeders and then up the food chain ultimately to humans.

Large multi-national companies who use micro-beads in personal care products have been lobbied by scientists and environmental groups who have pointed out the dangers to the environment by continued use of these microbeads. Many but not all have said they will phase out (2015-2017) using micro-beads in their manufacturing process and will use safe natural alternatives which is what they had used before the invention of micro-beads.

The micro-plastics contained in these products are usually labelled in the list of ingredients. The ones to look out for are Polythene, Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polyethylene terephthalate and Polymethyl methacrylate.

If you do not want to use products containing these chemicals, a good source of information for natural alternatives is the Good Scrub Guide website which also has a supporting smartphone app.

While Saltburn Beachwatch cannot pick up micro-plastics off the beach we can do something about macro-plastics and other items of rubbish which despoil our marine environment by doing a litterpick and survey and adding our results to the Marine Conservation Society’s database thus helping to change environmental policies.

If you would like to help at the next Saltburn Beachwatch litterpick and survey in March 2014 please see notices in Talk of the Town or contact me on 01287 204204 or e-mail roye.smith47@yahoo.co.uk.

Roy Smith Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

Happy Hours in the Cons February has sneaked up and arrived out of the gloom, no doubt with more winter weather in store. However, we are feeling positive, the days are starting to get longer. At our January club committee meeting, we decided to jump start 2014 with some good news for members. We are aware that there has been a slight dip in bar sales over the past few months. This is probably due to things such as increases in the cost of living because of the country’s fight against recession. There is more competition in town, which we welcome; however, we feel that we offer our members a much better service than anywhere else.

The good news is that we have agreed on initiatives to benefit our members. Early Doors Happy Hours is to start on 1st February for an indefinite period. Times will be 5:30pm to 7pm week days and 3pm to 5pm Saturdays and Sundays.

Prices will be reduced to £2 a pint for all draught beers and lagers, £1.80 for house doubles, £1.50/£3 small/large glasses and reductions of £1 per bottle of ‘Jack Rabbit’ house wines.

These additional discounts will only apply to members. The committee have agreed to continue to subsidise free live music on Saturday nights. Our club started putting on live music some time ago when there was no other club or pub in town doing this regularly on a Saturday night. Since then, many venues have jumped on the band wagon. The competition has obviously watered down attendances and we went through a period of reconsidering the costs. However, there has recently been a resurgence in attendance which encouraged us to go on for at least another three months. So, if you want to encourage live music and support your community club, I urge you to come along on Friday and Saturday nights and have a great night in your club. Do not forget that we have encouraged many young people, including James Arthur and Abbi Alton, to use our stage as a springboard.

Another initiative has come from Shaun Cook who is going to produce a Charity Karaoke Night. Shaun has the equipment and wants to use his gear and talent along with our stage to raise money for charities. He will choose a different local charity each time, we will raffle some wine, there will be a collection bucket for dropping in contributions for requests and we will give all of the proceeds to the designated charity. Our first Charity Karaoke is on Sunday, 16th February and will be themed to celebrate St Valentine’s night, with romantic ballads. The proceeds will go to Zoë’s Place. If there are any charity fundraisers out there, who would like to be part of this in the future, email me.

Yet another new idea is to have a Champagne Weekend from St. Valentine’s night to Sunday, 16th February. So if you are looking for a romantic night out, with a bottle or glass of bubbly, bring your partner to the club and enjoy our weekend entertainment. We will not be beaten for price, nor atmosphere.

Again we are promoting the formation of groups who would like to use the club facilities of playing games such as dominoes (five and threes), chess, backgammon, bridge, liar poker dice and others. We already have a small chess group. I would be happy to teach basics to anyone interested in fives and threes, backgammon or my favourite, liar poker dice, (all learned at great expense by me at sea). Do not forget we still have a full sized under used snooker table that needs using if it is to stay part of the club.

If members have not paid their annual subscription, please do it now. Cards of those who have not paid will be invalidated during the latter part of February. This will not necessarily mean reapplying membership, as most cards can be revalidated throughout the year on receipt of subs. Lost cards can be replaced, at any time, for a fee of £1; see secretary David Rigg or Michelle the Steward. Some people have commented on the increase to £12 for club subs; I would remind everyone that this was proposed and agreed by vote of members present, at the last AGM in April. Just to show what good value members are receiving at Saltburn, I researched membership fees of affiliated clubs throughout the country and found that the average membership fees of a random selection of clubs was £30. I did not find a club with fees as low as ours.

I have been asked what members get for their £12. Members become part owners of the club, with rights to propose and vote for motions at the AGM, also they have the right to stand for election for Committee positions and consequently help administrate the club. Members get free use of club facilities for parties, formal receptions such as Christenings, funerals and weddings, free use of the only beer garden in Saltburn plus free use of the clubs barbecue equipment for family parties etc, free use of the club’s library and wifi system, occasional free buffets, bar snacks, Sunday finger buffet, free live entertainment, visits to other clubs and other outings. I believe that the best benefits are being part of a lively friendly club, where the company is excellent, the bar and cellar well kept, the atmosphere safe and warm where families with kids are welcome and single ladies may come in, feel at home and be safe. The club has an awful lot going for it, so if you are not already a member come join us, we will make it easy and you will not spend a better £12 anywhere.

This article is being read up and down the country. This month I got a message from someone in Leicestershire who had read our last issue and wanted advice of how to set up a loyalty system. I do appreciate feedback, so please use my email to let me know if you are interested in any of the things contained in this newsletter.

Mike Sellars, Club President. Email mike.sellars@ntlworld.com This article is financially supported by Saltburn Conservative and Unionist Club.

Events to liven up February in the Cons Sat. 1st ‘Slicknick’ Keith Nichols, Guitar vocals and Alan Barnett, keyboard.

Wed 5th Julie’s Quiz. New teams welcome.

Sat. 8th Jazz night.

Fri. 14th St Valentine’s Night start of Champagne Weekend, plus Open Mic with The Silver Fox. Sat. 15th The fantastic band ‘Skinny Blues’.

Sun. 16th A romantic Valentine’s Special Karaoke with Shaun Cook. Charity for Zoë’s Place.

Wed 19th Julie’s Quiz. More new teams welcome.

Sat. 22nd The beautiful voice of Emma Armstrong and her friends.

Every Friday night is open mic night with The Silver Fox. Come along, use the house guitar and strut your stuff.

Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

45

Moola 1 Dundas Street West (Next to Easy PC & Music)

Moola is open from 10.00am until 4.30pm Tuesday to Saturday

Brian Hudson Decorator Interior and Exterior 30 years experience Free estimates

01287 624011

Repairs and Alterations

Sewing Workshops Dressmaking Mobile: 07980 292969

46

Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.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 my name is Ruby; I am a lovely young 14 month old terrier cross. I’m an attractive light sandy colour; I have upright ears, brown eyes and a wagging tail. I’m the one pictured on the left here. Everyone tells me that I’m a wonderful little dog and that I’m very affectionate. I am looking for a family where I can get lots of TLC, playing and exercise. I am good with other dogs and I am still very puppy like in my behaviour; well, I’m still only a baby really. I really love to play and have lots of cuddles, and I am great with people. I would make a fantastic addition to the right loving family.

This month is a little bit unusual, as it’s not just about me, as I’m also going to write about my friend Leo. Leo is in the other photograph, on the right. He a handsome boy with a wide smiley happy face, he is a lovely reddy brown colour. All the people at SARA are desperately seeking help from all the staffie lovers out there for help with their amazing boy Leo. This poor dog has been bounced about from pillar to post throughout his entire life. Leo has been in the pound more times that he

can count on one paw and the same can be said for the number of homes he has had in his short 7 year life. Poor Leo has no idea what is going on and why every time he shows loyalty and affection to a family he ends up back behind bars. He deserves so much better than this, he just needs someone with the time, patience, love and understanding to care for him. Leo has all the traits that make staffies one of the nation’s favourite breeds: he is extremely affectionate, loves cuddles, and like most staffies he wishes he could be a lap dog, even though he is a little too big, but if there is room on the sofa he loves to sit beside you. Leo plays well with children and is generally all around a big, lazy, softy-bum. He wasn’t socialized very well with other dogs when he was younger, so doesn’t really understand how to play properly but he is not aggressive with other dogs. So if you have room in your heart for this poor little man, who has spent about half his life in kennels through no fault of his own, please come down and give him a walk and a cuddle, he would make a wonderful loyal friend to any family.

SARA fundraising events during February The next monthly meeting of SARA will be held in the TocH premises, Albion Terrace, Saltburn, on Wednesday, 5th February, at 7.30pm. New members are very welcome.

Recent funds raised: In December a Middlesbrough

Street Collection raised £248 and in January a Coffee Morning at Marske Leisure Centre raised £172.83.

All proceeds will go to the Foxrush Farm Sanctuary and Re-homing Fund.

Sheila Green See also page Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

47

NEED HELP? • Decorating • Joinery • Cleaning • Gardening

I’M YOUR GUY Based in Saltburn CALL GUY ON

07780 008985

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

Structural & Civil Engineering Structural Surveys Beam Designs Building Restoration Foundation & Underpinning Design Tree Surveys General Building Works

Professional and Friendly Service Gregory Sills BEng (Hons) CEng MIStructE FGS

t: 01287 624644 m: 07960 967865 www.scurator.co.uk

info@scurator.co.uk

SALTBURN EVANGELICAL CHURCH Leven Street, Saltburn Worship Services each Sunday 10.30am & 6.30pm Ladies Fellowship 1st & 3rd Mondays @ 2.00pm Weekly prayer meeting Thursday 10.30am.

A warm welcome to All An independent Evangelical Church "Christ-centred ministry on the foundation of the Scriptures"

Corporate Business Apartments Accommodation available at

www.yorkshire-corporate-accommodation.co.uk Phone: 07969 280499 48

Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

The Saltburn Profile by Rosemary Nicholls Jeanette Wainright “I passionately believe that everyone can sing and that they can be taught how to do it well,” says Saltburn’s Jeanette Wainwright. “As a singing teacher, I take great delight in working with people of all backgrounds and experiences.”

Jeanette was born in Blackpool and brought up in Thornton-Cleveleys. Her Mum played the piano and her Dad played the piano accordion. She attended local schools and specialised in Science at ‘A’ level, as she planned to become a physiotherapist. However, she had always enjoyed singing, having lessons from the age of thirteen. At seventeen, she decided to find out if she could make singing her career, so she wrote to the Royal Northern College of Music for advice and was encouraged to go ahead.

Already a piano and violin player, Jeanette took a year out after ‘A’ levels and went to Nelson and Colne College for a Music Foundation Course. Following this, she was given a place at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London to do an Associate Performers’ Diploma and a Teaching Certificate. “As I wanted to be an opera singer, this course was recommended,” she remembers.

During her two years there, she took part in operas with the Guildhall orchestra and recalls her favourite as Mozart’s Clemenza di Tito.

After this, Jeanette went to the renowned Summer School at Dartington Music Festival and was thrilled to meet experts who were enthusiastic about supporting young singers. She was given the role of Mercedes in Carmen and asked to be understudy for the role of Carmen herself. The Director, Tom Helmsley, asked her to learn the alto solo from Prokofiev’s Alexander Nevsky, which gave her enormous confidence. She was coached by the Russian pianist, Alexander Volvov. Such was her success that she gained an agent, who organised auditions for her and her career took off.

With the European Chamber Opera, she took the part of Dorabella in Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutti and travelled to Hong Kong and Singapore. She worked for two years with Travelling Opera, singing the part of Donna Elvira from Mozart’s Don Giovanni in the Barbican in London. But her favourite job was singing with the Composers’ Ensemble, Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde.

At the age of thirty, Jeanette decided she wanted to develop as a singing teacher, so she could pass on her love of the skill. She met an inspiring singing teacher, who brought on her talents. By now she had met Dave, her husband, through a friend and she moved from Nottingham to Saltburn, where he was living. In due course, their daughter Molly was born and her decision to work locally was confirmed. “I want to be around while Molly is growing up,” she says.

Jeanette finds teaching really satisfying; she understands how nerve-wracking learning can be and strives to give people confidence so they return. She takes students for individual singing lessons and every three or four months, holds enjoyable soirees where students can sing solos to each other. As well, Jeanette runs three different choirs: a women’s, a men’s and a mixed. When they all come together for concerts (at least twice a year), they’re known as the One Hundred Voices. They learn by ear, so don’t have to be able

to read music. This makes singing very inclusive and singers come from as far away as Coulby Newham and Darlington.

“At Christmas, the Hundred Voices and Earthbeat (the Theatre Company for adults with learning difficulties) sang together, which was wonderful,” she says. She also works with three different groups at Earthbeat Theatre Company on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. “The people are amazing,” she adds. “They put on so many shows.”

Free Your Voice is a voluntary association which brings singing to vulnerable people and Jeanette works for them as well. This commitment has taken her to Mind, Eva Women’s Aid and Kirkleatham Special School, as well as Earthbeat. Jeanette makes time for her own performances too and with pianist and vocal coach Jane Robinson, puts on well -attended opera/jazz shows in Saltburn. Many Saltburn people make sure they never miss one.

When she moved into their ground floor flat, Jeanette set about neatening the garden and found she really loved growing flowers. “It is so relaxing,” she explains, “and it’s the first place I go when I’m feeling stressed.”

Jeanette remembers learning to knit from her Mum, who was a very good knitter. When she was expecting Molly, she created lots of baby clothes. She likes to go with the family to Spices or to Alessi’s, Molly’s favourite restaurant in Saltburn. They enjoy strolling down to the beach or to the Valley Gardens: “The walks are gorgeous,” Jeanette says.

They go further afield in their little old caravan and have stayed at Malvern, in the Lakes and at Whitby. They hope to take it abroad in 2014. Jeanette finds the caravan very cosy, especially when it rains.

She appreciates living in such a friendly town, with tremendous community spirit. She found there was immediate interest in the singing experiences that she offered. In the future, she hopes to welcome even more singers into her choirs. Readers of this magazine, especially men, who would like to sing are strongly encouraged to join her classes.

Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

49

Doing it at Home by Alan Butler Here in the darkest days of winter, with thoughts of ice, snow, fog or whatever else nature chooses to throw at us, it is heart warming to have a distinctly Mediterranean scent positively blasting through the house. It’s marmalade time again and Kate, who brooks no interference when the Seville oranges come to town is busy chopping, de-pithing, boiling and bottling. Her large family would never forgive Kate if she failed to notice when this very special fruit is available, so we have to keep our eyes wide open during January.

Leading busy lives these days, it’s rare for kitchens to be taken over by preserving food but it wasn’t so long ago that it was part of almost everyone’s routine, as I am sure many readers will remember. I grew up in a house with an old fashioned pantry and it always contained marmalade and jams, home pickled onions and beetroot, my grandmother’s famous piccalilli, a wealth of different chutneys and even bottled fruits. I suppose it was absolutely essential because for the first few years of my life we did not have the luxury of owning a refrigerator – which after all is a fairly modern invention. The best one could contrive was a cold stone slab in a room on the shady side of the house, with plenty of ventilation and having grills instead of open windows, in order to keep the flies out.

Having achieved independence I tried to continue some of the routines that formed a part of my mother’s year but by that time it was too easy to nip round to the supermarket and buy fresh fruit and commercially made preserves. Perhaps to compensate I turned instead to trying my hand at making wine and beer. My first attempt at wine was using rhubarb from the garden. The results were amazing – a semi-sparkling white wine that did not taste remotely of rhubarb. With beer I was less successful and try as I might, much more of my home brew went down the sink than ever went down me.

One abiding memory that has stayed with me since childhood was the ‘ginger beer plant’. Only once a week a ‘pop’ man visited our estate in Leeds. In those days it was a long walk to the nearest shop and in any case lemonade was expensive and there wasn’t a lot of money about in the 1950s. As a result people would make their own cordials – and in particular their own ginger beer. For this it was necessary to start a ginger beer plant.

Just in case there is anyone reading this who has not heard of the famous – or infamous – ginger beer plant, what you have to do is to put baker’s yeast into a large jar and then add sugar and ground ginger. All of this goes into half a pint of water and the plant is put in a warm but not hot place. It is then necessary to feed the plant each day with more sugar and ginger. Eventually you add the juice of lemons, much more sugar and boiling water. In case anyone wishes to try it for themselves instructions can be found on the internet – but do be aware of what you are getting yourself into.

When I was young very few people actually started their own ginger beer plant, because they were usually 50

given one by a neighbour or friend. The seething, bubbling mass used to remind me of some strange medieval alchemy and every so often the plant had to be split. Half was kept and half given away or disposed of.

It was at this time that the liquid was strained and bottled.

Childhood memories are always tinged with nostalgia but it seemed to me as I looked back, that homemade ginger beer was probably the most delicious drink I had ever tasted. Well over a decade ago Kate and I had been discussing this one night with friends in the Vic and though we were probably both old enough to know better, we decided to start a brand new ginger beer plant of our own.

The problem is that, if tended correctly, the ginger beer plant is very productive. It has to be fed with ginger and sugar every day and split every two weeks or so. I have to admit that, although palatable enough, the resulting ginger beer was not quite as wonderful as it had seemed in the halcyon days of my childhood. In any case, it is only possible to consume quite ‘so much’ ginger beer without going pop oneself. We stored many bottles of the stuff in the glasshouse attached to the kitchen and gave it away to anyone who was remotely interested, and also to many people who were not. The plant grew constantly and as it seethed and tumbled in its glass jar it looked like some awful disembodied brain.

Finally the time came when we could not move for large plastic bottles of ginger beer and in any case we were due to go on holiday. So, with feelings of abject horror I tipped the still foaming mass down the sink and said goodbye to the ‘creature’ that had come to dominate our lives.

That holiday in France was the warmest I can ever remember, and it turned out that the weather had also been good back in Saltburn. We returned to a home filled with ominous creaks and gurglings that were emanating from the glass house. There we found that all our plastic bottles of ginger beer had turned into what looked like over inflated rugby balls. As the man of the house I valiantly volunteered to deal with the crisis and one by one I very carefully took the ‘balloons’ into the back yard. With all the care of a bomb disposal expert I started to slowly move the cap of the first straining bottle.

Before I had barely begun, the cap miraculously unscrewed itself and a fountain of ginger beer cascaded forth, thoroughly soaking the back of the house, the garden and of course me.

All I can say is that I’m much relieved that the days of glass pop bottles were over, or I may not have been around now to tell the story. Suffice it to say that this was the end of our search for self sufficiency, at least in terms of pop. A small shudder of horror still passes through me to this day when I so much as smell ground ginger these days and my mind always returns instantly to that most repulsive of family pets – the ginger beer plant.

Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

MILES, HUTCHINSON & LITHGOW SOLICITORS CONVEYANCING (FREE WRITTEN QUOTATIONS ON REQUEST)

MATRIMONIAL MATTERS CIVIL - CRIMINAL LITIGATION

CHILD CARE IMMIGRATION PROBATE & WILLS INJURY & ACCIDENT CLAIMS LEGAL AID PRACTICE

For a friendly efficient service on all legal matters 27 Milton Street Saltburn-by-the-Sea

Tel. (01287) 623049 (01287) 622056

Neil Wilson Builder and Joiner

Your local professional builder Established 1974.

All aspects of building and joinery work undertaken by qualified, experienced tradesmen.

For free estimate call:

01287 652124 or 07976 628783

Member of the Federation of Master Builders

Cleveland Karate Club SALTBURN LEISURE CENTRE Beginners class Monday 5:30pm - 6:30pm Wednesday 5:30pm - 6:30pm Sunday 10:00am - 11:00am

6 weeks course Limited numbers only £30 For Further Information Contact: Sensei Graham Mableson 6th dan:-

07713 985234 Sensei Jeff Probst 6th dan:-

07813 217331

CHOCOLINI'S NEWS NUGGETS We’re in the Pink!

We are producing a "limited Edition" Range of Strawberry Chocolate Hearts, cupcakes, butterflies and other items for a short time to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Surprise your loved one or treat yourself to one of our lovely gifts such as our “Box Of Love” Special Continentals which are sure to please!

Our Signature Stiletto can also be filled with Chocolates of your choice Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

51

Saltburn Allotments Association Where has all the snow gone? Ah, you’ll say when you read this in February, it’s here. I hope you’ll be correct as a good cold spell would be welcomed by our trees, if not by our birds. You’ll help the birds, though, by feeding them. It’s been so wet though, that we are paddling at our allotments, which is not conducive to much work. Some work though, still marches on. In the town centre garden the third raised bed is being built with the fourth, hopefully, not far behind. We aim next to create two further patches where we plan to grow flowers and shrubs.

One idea is that we will get things going to be replanted in Saltburn in Bloom display areas.

Our Grow and Learn project is now relocated at Tees Valley Wildlife Trust and we have ideas for some more unusual growing, such as a forest garden. At our other location in Saltburn, we are hoping to tame the wildlife garden a little. We have started pruning, which you might have noticed.

There are lots of opportunities for gardening tasks if the February weather allows. If you like Jerusalem artichokes you could plant them this month, six inches deep and a foot apart. They go well along a border or as a windbreak as they grow tall. One advantage of these tubers is that you can leave them in the ground until you need them after they are ready towards the end of the year.

We are still waiting for our potatoes to arrive, although they’ll be here soon. We’ll have first and second earlies, a salad spud and a main crop. When you get your potatoes, it’s traditional to “chit” them. That means to put them in e.g. egg boxes, with the most little shoots facing upwards, in a cool, dry, frost free place. This allows the potatoes to grow stems and begin to sprout leaves before you plant them, thus giving them a good start for the production of more potatoes.

If you have somewhere under cover and you can’t wait to get sowing, February is a good time to start off peas and broad beans, salad leaves and radishes, onions, summer cabbage and turnips. If you have had the opportunity to warm a patch of ground by covering it with cardboard, plastic, cloches, etc. you could use the space to sow parsnips, covering them with cloches after sowing to give them further protection. Most people, though, think that waiting until March is a better bet. Remember we have seeds in our container for sale and will have new stock shortly.

If you have fruit trees and/or bushes, you need to finish off pruning them this month and also give them a good feed. They like to be fed with potash which can be found in the form of sulphate of potash in the allotment containers or if you burn wood on open fires or stoves, your resulting wood ash is high in potash and can be used.

Any autumn fruiting raspberries you have need to be pruned right down to the ground. This year’s fruiting will be on this year’s growth.

Happy gardening, Sue. 52

Try something different at Grasers

Yorkshire Rhubarb The Rhubarb Triangle is a nine-square mile triangular area near Wakefield, famous for its ‘Yorkshire forced rhubarb’ which has won protected designation of origin status from the European Union. The rhubarb sold at Grasers is grown by C Procter and Son at Craven Farm in Farsley. The rhubarb is grown for two years in fields before being moved into heated sheds to grow in darkness over winter. The nutrients stored in the roots are then used to grow the stems so it has a sweet flavour. Another advantage to ‘forcing’ the rhubarb in darkness is that the plant puts little effort into growing its inedible leaves which are consequently shrunken and yellow.

The crop is harvested in candlelight to keep sunlight out!

Rhubarb is of course a vegetable but it is used as a fruit.

Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

The Muses of Jim

NEEDS YOU Saltburn 500 Club is looking for new members to join!

The 500 Club, along with Friends of Saltburn, raise funds to help to improve/maintain the pleasant ambience of the town.

Funds raised pay for, or go towards: Christmas Lights Summer Band performances Flower displays around the town Plus many other activities/displays There is a monthly prize draw which pays a top prize of £100 and 5 other cash prizes.

Membership of the 500 Club is £12 per annum, which can be paid monthly.

Membership forms are available from Jackie’s Saverstore or the library.

People not wishing to participate in the 500 Club can make donations to Friends of Saltburn, which is purely for fund-raising.

I have moved in to the 21st Century. I taxed my beloved three-wheeler on line, rather than at the Post Office as I normally do. My apologies to them, but I still get my pension there. This was due to the fact I couldn’t find the MOT certificate. Therefore, feeling quite guilty as well as rather foolish I used the internet. The dirty deed was quickly done. Which was rather different to my experience in ordering a book from W H Smith, Redcar. Using a book token, Father Christmas left for me, for been a very good boy for all of last year, Volume 11 of Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time, as well as buying Volumes 12 and 13. This deed was done on the 2.1.2014 and I was told that it would be ready for collection on Saturday,18th of January 2014.

Now I can remember, back to the days of steam trains, telegraph boys and post deliveries on Christmas Day. In those days you could order a book at W H Smith, Market Place, Pontefract. and collect it two days later, paying for it on collection. So much for progress.

I was given some yellow stickers, re warning door to door sales people not to call, by the Community Safety Partnership staff. Jackie, from Jackie’s Saverstore kindly agreed to have some on her shop counter and they have proved to be very popular. I wish to thank Jackie on her help and support. I would also like to thank Lizzie Kemp of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council for the assistance she gave me with the British Gas forms to do with my generation of electricity. She sorted out my problems in a flash, that had confused me for days.

Looking to the future, Redcar & Cleveland Older People’s Partnership is planning to hold a major event early in the new year. This should, we hope be of interest to many people, even to people not classified as been an older person, but more of that later. We are still looking for new members and we are planning to hold an event at Skelton Civic Centre.

Last month I mentioned about an American contacting me from California, USA, who wanted to know about my fathers’ experience, during the Second World War. He was stationed there before America entered the war in 1941. No, he’s not a newly discovered half brother! I could not really help him with any extra details of the death of a Polish Air Cadet, where my father was the only witness. The story was printed in the local press in a very graphic way that would not be allowed in this country, explaining that various body parts were thrown in an easterly direction. I have been able to send copies of photographs and other details of my Dad’s stay there and details of his training, from his log book and I will be sending more soon.

Finally, this is both an apology and a request. I have to admit that I am addicted to playing Castleville on Facebook. So I have probably annoyed many Facebook friends by my constant requests for help. For this, I am truly sorry. On the other hand, I am desperate for certain items. So can I ask people to join me in playing Castleville so that I can spread the load? Being a proud Yorkshireman I am reluctant to buy ‘crowns’ to buy items. I need Mortar, Amber, Silver Ore and the like. I am willing to swap items.

Jim Wingham Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

53

The Saltburn Crossword no 152 set by Saxton Across 7 8 9 10

See 13 Across Not a silver lining but sounds like it! (5) The killing of innocents looks like southern hilarity (9) Easily manipulated cement places Isle of Man races inside kind of lentils (5) 12 and 22 Across Machine that will rob you despite its disability!

(3, 3, 6) 13, 7 and 21 Down Local amenity breaking malty rent crumb continues (8, 9, 6) 14 Not entirely without preference (7) 17 See 16 Down 20 Admits defeat or does a prisoner give away territory? (8) 22 See 12 Across 24 She looks after the children like the over-protective state (5) 25 Birds just about shape insects (9) 26 Hot and impetuous with too much spice? (5) 27 American loudhailers show male cattle’s weapons (9)

Down Name___________________________________ Address_________________________________ ________________________________________ Telephone_______________________________

Solution to Crossword no 151

The winner of last month’s crossword was Chris Bell of North Avenue, Saltburn

D. V. Townend & Co Country Outfitters New Shop Premises Open at No. 8 Dundas Street, Saltburn Outdoor Clothing and Footwear, Walking Boots and Socks, Gifts and Knitwear, Hiking Poles and Walking Sticks Plus Lots More...

Tel. 01287 623754 8 Dundas Street East, Saltburn TS12 1AH

www.dvtownend.com 54

1 Plant male gametes in Interpol lenders (6) 2 Able to walk initially anywhere, mostly because utterly lithe and not tickled (8) 3 Song, usually of great significance, sees insect close to the garment’s edge (6) 4 Lack of belief is a puzzle, ie maths (7) 5 A place to live not in the inner city below you are second abbreviated trendily (6) 6 When hot it can smooth out the creases back in neither computers nor IT, Alfred (4, 4) 11 She sounds Russian in swimming pool garden (4) 15 Attractively smelly but would need an N for Valentine’s Day (8) 16 and 17 Across Saltburn artist with his own gallery to win Kay’s hand in assortment (4, 7) 18 Marsupial’s a nag or confused with, OK? (8) 19 Panama has one when this sum is worked out (7) 21 See 13 Across 22 Darwin’s ship dog bailiff (6) 23 Essential that musicians or radio receivers must be (2, 4) Note the new address for crossword entries Send your completed crossword to: Saltburn Crossword no 152, c/o Jackie’s Saverstore, 8 Station Buildings, Saltburn, TS12 1AQ

by Friday, 14th February 2014. First correct solution out of the bag wins a £10 voucher kindly donated by Tim and Sheila of Real Meals.

BATH STREET GARAGE SERVICING ENGINE TUNING MOT PREPARATION REPAIR WORK-WELDING For a fast friendly local service contact: PETER MOORE:

01287 625587 or 622912 Bath St Garage, Bath St, Saltburn TS12 1BJ

THE TOTAL MOTORING PACKAGE Visit us online at www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

55

56