Talk of the Town January 2018

EDITION 199

CIRCULATION 4,600

JANUARY 2018

SALTBURN’S FREE MONTHLY MAGAZINE 1

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SALTBURN’S TOWN TALK Letter from the Editor

Happy New Year, everyone! Thank you to all the advertisers and contributors who supported the magazine throughout 2017 and to those kind people who donated funds to help keep Talk of the Town going for so long. Readers may have noticed on the front cover that we are approaching a special landmark in the magazine’s history. This is edition 199 so next month we reach 200. My personal 200th edition will not be till much later in the year; that will be edition 209 in November. There is a bit of a holiday till next month’s deadline, 6 weeks away, leaving me time to enjoy Christmas and the New Year without too much pressure, but still many things need to be done before then: distributing this January magazine and invoicing advertisers so that I can pay the printer. At the time of writing I don’t know if there will be

any of our essential fundraising calendars left for sale, but if there are, please buy one, as it makes a necessary contribution to the magazine paying its expenses. Jackie’s Saverstore will have them if there are any left. Thank you to all who have already bought one and to the shops and libraries who kindly agreed to sell them for us. A New Year is traditionally a time for resolutions and plans for the future, but I have none other than to keep going, continuing to serve the community of Saltburn by providing this magazine. It is also very popular outside Saltburn but it is only Saltburn that gets it delivered to homes. Elsewhere it can be picked up from various shops, libraries and post offices. We have some new homes, and new streets, coming to Saltburn soon (see the article on page 44) so I shall have to be organising delivering to them too. Love, Ian

Saltburn Farmers’ Market will be taking a break in January Send letters, adverts and contributions for the next issue (by and February but will be back on Saturday, 10th March.

Friday, 19th January 2018) to: The Editor, Talk of the Greetings from Hawaii: Christmas greetings from Hawaii Town c/o Jackie’s Saverstore, 8 Station Buildings, were brought to Saltburn’s Catholic parish, Our Lady of Saltburn, Cleveland, TS12 1AQ. Telephone: 01287 623903 Lourdes, by the Links Singers, who are based at Redcar’s golf (or email: talkofthetownsaltburn@gmail.com). club, on 1st December. A song ‘Mele Halikimaka is the thing Talk of the Town can be found on a new Facebook to say,’ originally sung by Bing Crosby and the Andrews address at www.facebook.com/talkofthetownsaltburn.

Singers, was a highlight of a concert given in the church by the 20-strong Redcar group. They also sang two other carols The Guisborough and District Branch of the Embroiderers’ in German, Silent Night, and in Latin, Adeste Fideles (Come Guild are holding their monthly meeting on Saturday, January 6th, 2018 in Sunnyfield House, Westgate, Guisborough TS14 all ye faithful).

Redcar’s Visual Presentations: We will be resuming our 6BA at 2pm. Our guest speaker is Jessica Grady and her talk is Programme of Visual Presentations on Tuesday, 9th January on “Embracing the Unconventional”. Visitors are welcome, 2018 in the Redcar East Community Centre on Durham Road, admission £5, whether non-stitchers, beginners or more Redcar at 2.15pm when we welcome Peter Appleton whose experienced stitchers. Parking is free in the car park behind the Presentation is entitled ‘700 Years apart’. This will feature the council offices Belmont House. For further information phone lives of two prominent gentlemen from the past, Michael 01642 480344 (or www.randomstitchers.blogspot.com).

Faraday and Robert de Brus. A fortnight later, on Tuesday, Saltburn Studios and Gallery thank all visitors for their 23rd January at the same time and venue, the lives of two less support in 2017 and wish everyone a Happy New Year. Once well-known gentlemen will be featured in a Presentation again we closed the gallery at Christmas and look forward to given by Lynn Lamport with the rather unusual title of ‘Luck seeing you at our Open Studios event in the spring when we reof the Draw’. It could be said of one, ‘How Lucky can you open with a new exhibition. get?’ and of the other, ‘How UNLUCKY can you get?’ Do Craft Club Busy Fingers: 2nd and 4th Thursday of each come along and find out! Admission at the door is £2.50 each month, 1.30 till 3.30pm in the Coffee Room, Saltburn time for visitors but for anyone wishing to take up a Half Community Centre.

Season Membership the cost is £12 for up to 7 Presentations WI Report: It is still only early December as I write this but already we have been very busy. Our main activity has been the in the first half of 2018.

Emmanuel Church Hall Table Top and Collectors’ Sale: Christmas tree exhibition, in Emmanuel Church. I would like to We are taking a break in January but we will be back on 3rd thank all the individuals, groups and societies and businesses February and 17th February 2018. I would like to wish all a who have provided a tree. The church looked beautiful and we Happy New Year and thank everyone for their support last had many compliments. It was lovely to see all the different year. If anyone is interested in booking a stall to have a clear trees and the effort that had gone into them. As for our WI tree, out contact me on the number below. We are also doing our everything on it, bar the lights, was handmade by our craft usual lunches and all day breakfast, fresh home baked cake, group, one of the many sub groups you can be part of if you pies and scones. Home made refreshments and light lunches choose to join us. New members are always sure of a warm are on sale all day. FREE ENTRANCE and a warm welcome welcome at our monthly meeting held on the 2nd Thursday of to everyone. With over 26 stall holders, selling lots of bric-a- each month. Full details can be found on our website brac, books, toys, baby goods, and all sorts of collectables, www.saltburnbytheseawi.wordpress.com or follow us on there is something for everyone. If anyone would like to book Facebook.

Diane Falla a table please contact Denise Marshall on 07929 589538.

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

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SaltburnPhotographic Society Hosts Major Local Photographic Competition

Olwyn Twentyman, Chairman of Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council, discusses the entries with Tony Lynn, President of Saltburn Photographic Society.

Langdales Autumn by Malcolm Blenkey

Why Me? (osprey with catch) by Dave Beadle

Saltburn Photographic Society is a member of the North Yorkshire and South Durham Photographic Association (13-member clubs) who hold an annual photographic competition for individual clubs and a competition for individual members. 2017 was the turn of our Society to organise the competition and host the results evening when all association members were invited to attend. The evening was held in the Huntcliff Learning Campus Hall. The support from Learning Campus Staff and Ladies of Saltburn WI who provided refreshments during the interval was superb, making it a very successful evening.

Saltburn Photographic Society members were very successful in their endeavours winning 5 of the 8 trophies. The Individual Photographic Digital Image: Saltburn, Trevor Shelley. The Inter-Club Photographic Digital Image competition: Northallerton Camera Club. The best digital image in this competition: Saltburn, Dave Beadle. The Inter-Club Prints competition: Saltburn Photographic Society. The best 4

colour Print: Saltburn, Malcolm Blenkey. Best monochrome print: Guy Davies, Stokesley. Overall InterClub winners were Saltburn Photographic Society, and Gallery PG were runners up.

Try and Try again (Kingfisher) by Trevor Shelley

The chairman of Saltburn Marske and New Marske Parish Council, Olwyn Twentyman, opened the proceedings. The audience exceeded 100.

Cath and Tony Lynn

Same chef and owner for over 6 years

SALTBURN METHODIST CHURCH MILTON STREET SALTBURN

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Saltburn Councillors’ Surgeries Saltburn Councillors’ Surgeries, each month - all on Saturdays 1st Sat. Library 11-12 Cllr. Craig Hannaway 2nd Sat. Library 11-12 Cllr. Philip Thomson 3rd Sat. Outside Sainsbury’s Cllr. Stuart Smith 9.30-10.30 and 11.30-12.15 4th Sat. Library 11-12 All Councillors Cllr. Hannaway: 07787 880613. Cllr. Smith: 07557 540628.

Cllr. Thomson: 01287 624883.

MID WEEK MEETINGS Monday at 8 Ladies meeting Tuesday at 10 a.m.

Mums & Toddlers At 1.30 p.m.

Prayer Meeting At 2.05 p.m.

Discussion Group Thursday at 10 a.m.

Mums & Toddlers COFFEE MORNINGS Wednesday at 10 a.m.

Saturday at 10 a.m.

SOUP AND BUN LUNCHES 1st Tuesday the month at 12.30 p.m.

COME AND WORSHIP With us on SUNDAY AT 10.45 a.m. and 6 p.m.

And Mid week worship WEDNESDAY AT 10 .a.m.

Anyone is welcome At any service Our Church is open From 10 a.m—noon Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday.

For Prayer or Sit and have a cup of tea with us.

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Once Upon a Time in the Wapentake I gather that some people were a bit upset at last month’s article, in which I tried to imagine what Christmas was like before Christ. For some, I know, that is an impossibility, for them Christmas is about the birth of Christ and nothing else. However, if we look at what we do at Christmas Time, little of it seems related to that. Nowhere in the Gospels is it written that we must eat turkey with cranberry sauce, or even Brussels sprouts. Spending a fortune on illuminating the outside of your house, behaving inappropriately at the office party, or sending cards to everyone, including people you can’t remember ever knowing, but who have sent you one: none of these things seem to have anything to do with the events narrated in the New Testament. I think we have to accept that these are of fairly recent origin; Christmas cards appeared because a London printer (Raphael Tuck?) had done well making Valentine cards, and wanted to spread the business into other months of the year. Other things, while not commercially driven, are more recent than we might think. Christmas Carols, while undoubtedly old, were never heard in Church until the middle of the 19th Century; they were what people sang in the pub, and often seem to involve very different versions of the Christmas story: ‘I saw Three Ships’ or ‘The Holly and the Ivy’, for example. As for the real Holly and Ivy (and Mistletoe and Wine), that is probably a genuinely old tradition but not a Christian one; some Nonconformists kept the forest evergreens out of their chapels (and their homes?) until well into the 20th Century.

Along with the Yule Log and the Christmas Tree (new in England, apparently, in 1860, but an ancient tradition in Germany from whence Victoria and her German Consort brought it), the most likely origins of these midwinter customs lie in Pre-Christian, or only nominally Christian, Northern Europe. It seems to make sense to me that our pagan ancestors would want to celebrate at that time of the year. As Alan Butler made clear in his Christmas article, the calendar was important to them; knowing that you had passed the shortest day, and things could, in some sense, only get better was a cause of celebration. I can also think of a practical reason for midwinter feasting: before farmers had learnt to make silage or grow turnips, there would never be enough fodder to keep all your livestock alive. Some would have to die.

Much might be salted, smoked and dried, but some was surely eaten fresh (with family, friends and neighbours invited round to share the feast?).

One thing I might be criticised for is suggesting that our forebears had what might be thought of as Christian virtues: generosity, forgiveness, selflessness. Of course, we may never know, but we should not rule out the possibility on the grounds that Christians have a monopoly on virtue.

Everything I know suggests that isn’t true, that other faiths have their own version of the story of homeless refugees given shelter from the winter winds, albeit in a stable, and of the good that flows from acts of kindness.

Well, Christmas is over, so enough of that. Back to Yorkshire. Why should I care? I am, after all, Cheshire 6

born and bred, and Cheshire is on the other side of the hill. I think the reason has to do with the problem of identity. In short, I have never felt English. I have never been able to find anything that I have in common with the image of an ideal Englishman (and it almost always was a man). I did not speak that peculiar version of the language that no real people I knew spoke, but which seemed, in those days, to be the only kind of English spoken on the BBC. I never wore a bowler hat, except for one fancy dress party where I thought I was Steed from ‘The Avengers’. Real Englishmen did, apparently, wear bowlers, except when they were in uniform, for they had all the top jobs: in the City, the Church, the Ancient Universities and the Armed Forces. And they always wore a stiff upper lip at all times. It was a world utterly alien to me.

If I didn’t feel English, then the even more complicated business of being British really defeated me.

The Island of Britain has, for centuries, been home to at least three Nations, to which, more recently, has been officially added a fourth: Cornwall. Then there are the Ulster Unionists, who do wear bowler hats, and insist on being British, even though they live on another island, and have no intention of going anywhere soon. Perhaps it all made sense when they were all united, more or less, in a common purpose, ruling an Empire on which the sun would never set. But the sun did set, as suns usually do.

And so I arrived in Yorkshire, forty-six years ago, and found myself amongst people who spoke rather like the way people had spoken in Cheshire when I was a child, whose attitude to authority, especially when wielded by people in bowler hats, seemed similar to mine, and whose sense of humour was so dry that you might miss it if you weren’t listening carefully. I knew I was Home, if Home would have me. For a while I took it all for granted, even though somewhere in my head was the realisation that I once had taken Cheshire for granted, and now, each time I went back there, there was less of it left: fewer people speaking the language and telling the tale; fewer people knowing the real names of pubs and why they’re called what they are; fewer farms making cheese, even though Cheshire has been famous for cheese since Roman times. Yes, some of them still make cheese, but it’s usually a kind of Brie, which isn’t quite the same. The only farmhouse Cheshire usually available is made in Shropshire. Could the same thing happen here? Perhaps.

But what made me feel militant was going to a marketing meeting where we were told that Yorkshire is a great brand. No it’s not. It’s not a brand, a label to be stuck on things that are probably made in China. Yorkshire is a very beautiful country inhabited by real people. That’s what I wanted to shout, and then I looked around and saw a look on people’s faces that I associate with Yorkshire folk, a look that translates as “Not arguing, but don’t believe a word you’re saying.” I didn’t need to speak after all.

Next Month: What’s next?

Tim Beswick

Real Meals Purveyors of Fine Foods

Real Meals would like to wish all our customers a

Happy New Year We very much look forward to serving you in 2018

And something new for January: Real Meals has been booked by two different food businesses who will be running evening classes on Placebo Diets or Fermented Foods - Keep an eye on our Facebook Page for further information REAL MEALS, 25 MILTON STREET, SALTBURN, Tel: 01287 622266.

New email address: realmeals.uk@gmail.com

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

Councillors’ Column Another year gone another year to come. Are calendars getting smaller or is life passing at a faster rate? Much was promised and there were some achievements.

The Library was reduced in opening hours but the service review and actual best opening hours have still not materialised. Improved policing with a new structure has yet to be demonstrated. Instead newly promoted officers have moved on or retired and the police station remains empty and at times overgrown. Work to safeguard Forest Halt and improve the beck sides has certainly been agreed and resources allocated but progress is frustratingly slow. September 2013 seems a long time ago.

Great plans are afoot to increase tourist visits to the town. The long awaited lighting is now installed on the lower promenade. A welcome sight. The inadequately maintained and now demolished Victorian shelter has finally been replaced. The fibreglass, plywood, cement based boarding facade says little of modern craftsmanship and is not the centre piece that it might have promised to be. The sea wall will remain vulnerable until there is an adequate maintenance plan in place and this applies to all maintenance across the town.

The really good news is that the sea bathing water is once again gaining excellent readings and thanks are recorded to the Environment Agency for the work done. Whilst sea water quality has improved for bathers, the beaches this water washes onto have witnessed an ever increasing volume of detritus. Much is readily avoidable if residents will only use the toilet bowl for human waste. The ubiquitous cotton bud is one of the worst offenders. Saltburn Beachwatch and KIKAS

lead the way in reminding us of our responsibilities to the planet.

Did we write to our MP asking for greater national legislation to curb the use of plastic in packaging and to vastly improve recyclable material use in catering products?

If not, pen to paper, or finger to keyboard and with renewed resolution let the writing begin.

The Boundaries Commission will soon declare its new Ward Boundary proposals, providing fairer representation and more sensible recognition to where lines on maps should be drawn.

The cherished Cliff Lift will be back from comprehensive refurbishment in the Spring, providing many more years of service.

The main road into the town will finally be resurfaced and the 30mph signage repositioned. Challenges ahead include continued requests for appropriate Traffic Management Plans and detailed discussions of proposed further development of the town. All requests for better services will result in further consideration of larger precepts.

Not everyone is blessed with a wage, nor indeed an increasing wage, so greater demands will mean inevitably greater pressures on domestic budgets. Where genuine help is needed it should be given.

Beginning a New Year with kindness in one’s heart and an outstretched hand is a start to be considered by all.

The year past has taken many a dear friend. Let their memories serve to give strength for the journey ahead.

Philip Thomson 7

Saltburn Beachwatch Circular Economy As the amount of litter and rubbish continues to increase on British beaches, new ways of combating this menace include a new approach to the systems we use to run the economy. Today’s linear economy (take, make and dispose) relies on large quantities of cheap easily accessible materials and energy, and is a model that is reaching its physical limits. If waste products were more valued they would be less likely to end up on our beaches.

In contrast, living systems have been around for billions of years; in the living world there is no landfill or waste, instead materials flow, one species’ waste is another’s food, energy is provided by the sun, things grow, die and nutrients return to the soil safely and it all works.

Unfortunately, we humans have taken the linear approach – a new product comes out (phone, car etc) so we ditch the old one and buy another. Each time we do this we are eating into a finite supply of resources and often producing toxic waste. Today 90% of plastics are made with virgin fossil fuels with 6% of global oil production used to make them set to rise to 20% by 2050.

This approach is simply not sustainable. If we accept the living world’s cyclical model we should strive to emulate it by introducing a circular economy.

With biological waste we need to think how we can increase its value (capital) and not reduce it. By rethinking and re-designing products and packaging we can produce safe and compostable materials that help grow more stuff – so no resources are lost.

When it comes to electrical goods we know they do not bio-degrade. Here we need to recycle valuable metals, polymers and alloys to maintain their quality so they continue to be useful beyond the shelf life of individual products. What if goods of today can become the resources of tomorrow? This makes commercial sense.

Instead of the throw-away culture that prevails now, we need to adopt a return and renew one where products and components are designed to be disassembled and regenerated.

We could re-think the way we view ownership.

What if we didn’t own our technologies but simply leased them from the manufacturers? Or if we designed products to go back to their makers and the materials were re-used with any biological parts increasing agricultural value. If we made and transported these products using renewable energy we would create a model that could build prosperity in the long term. The good news is that there are already companies who are beginning to adopt this way of working.

The circular economy is not about one manufacturer changing one product but it is all about the interconnecting companies that form our infrastructure and economy coming together. It’s about energy; it’s about re-designing the operating system itself. We have a fantastic opportunity to open new perspectives and horizons instead of being trapped in the frustrations of the present and with creativity and innovation we really can rethink and re-design our future.

Roy Smith 8

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

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For a friendly efficient service on all legal matters Tel:

(01287) 623049

Our New Address: First Floor, 15 Station Street, Saltburn-by-the-Sea TS12 1AE

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 January for babies and newcomers to the town

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Friday Friends And a Happy New Year to all! We are an independent, inclusive friendship group, based in Saltburn, for people of all abilities over 18. We are a friendly group and welcome new members.

January Friday Friends 5th - Taylors Seated Keep-Fit to music then Bingo, the arts and craft session is drawing aerial perspective in a mountain scene.

12th - Skittles Tournament then relaxing colouring in.

Making a paper machie letter rack.

19th - A talk by Norma on her USA West Coast City Tour then a Quiz. Embroidery.

26th - Indoor bowling at Saltburn Bowls Club, then back to the hall to make a picture using stencils.

We meet at Emmanuel Church Hall on Fridays.

Macnay St, Saltburn TS12 1LE. Activity mornings are 1012.30. Arts and Craft afternoons by Caroline 1-4.00pm.

First taster session is free then £2.50 a session or £4 all day to help cover costs. Door money helps to cover costs as we are non-profit making and volunteer run. Carers are always free. Tea/coffee and board games/colouring-in too. We are a friendly group and you’d be more than welcome!

For more info please contact 07833 895 501 (or Thefridayfriends@outlook.com).

Anjee Charman-Clark, chairperson

Twilight Thursdays by Saltburn shops Nineteen Saltburn shops opened late before Christmas for a ‘Twilight Thursdays’ boost in trade.

The shops varied their opening times on the three Thursdays before Christmas with details being available on their individual businesses’ Facebook pages.

Sisters Michelle Johnson and Laura Kitching, of Brambles gift shop, who were among the organisers, said they intended to hold a similar ‘Shop Local Shop Late’ event in 2018.

Saltburn Evangelical Church Saltburn Evangelical Church (Leven Street Mission) Following Jesus - the Bible our guide Here for you: WELCOME! Sundays 10.30am & 6.00pm www.saltburnevangelicalchurch.org.uk _________________________________

“There is no pit so deep, that God’s love is not deeper still.”

This was Betsie Ten Boom’s stirring declaration of faith days before her death in Ravensbruck Extermination Camp in December 1944.

Holocaust Memorial Day (27th January) is our painful annual reminder of the depths to which mankind can dig. Six million Jews were taken from their homes, herded into cattle trucks, transported across Europe and kept in freezing, lice-ridden, overcrowded prison huts. Those strong enough were put to harsh manual labour; the rest left to rot or sent to the gas chambers. A few survived, finally liberated in 1945. They tell their story to those who’ll listen, but year by year more voices fall silent.

Can we afford to forget? Not while anti-semitism rose worldwide by 11% in the past year. This chilling, centuries-old cancer is spreading in the UK. George Santayana once warned, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Others prefer denial to remembrance.

Christian people owe a special debt of gratitude to the Jewish people. Our faith has its roots in the promises of God to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The Old Testament law and prophets shape our understanding of God’s character, purposes and relentless love. Jesus was born a Jew. And look how he was treated by the Roman military. ` Betsie Ten Boom was not Jewish. She lost her life for hiding Jewish people in her home. Her family paid dearly for their compassion. Watch their story on our website.

SALTBURN EVANGELICAL CHURCH We are a small friendly church located in Leven Street (opposite the Fire Station).

We believe that Jesus Christ is the One who gives us forgiveness, comfort and eternal hope.

We believe that anyone can enjoy peace with God through Him. We come from different backgrounds and all ages, sharing a common faith and desire to share God’s love with others.

PHOTO CALL: Some of the owners of 19 Saltburn shops, which ran a Twilight Thursdays marketing boost before Christmas. They gathered in the town centre for a photo call a few days before the event, which is to be repeated in 2018.

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Sunday services are held at 10:30am and 6pm.

Sunday School is at 10:30am.

Everyone is welcome here, no matter what your background or experience.

Saltburn 500 Club I would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year and hope you all enjoyed your Christmas festivities!

Congratulations go to Mrs C Ferguson for winning First Prize in the December draw; I’m sure the money will be put to good use.

You will have noticed that we were not able to avoid technical hitches with the Christmas lights. Weather conditions were largely to blame and, also, external sockets and transformers are like me – beginning to creak with old age! Overall, the view of many people gives the indication that the efforts of all those volunteering with the lights and parade was greatly appreciated. There were a few critical observations, which indicates that we can’t please all of the people all of the time. One of the comments related to the fireworks that were set off at the start of the lighting-up parade. Could I stress, once more, that fireworks are not included in our plans but we cannot stop individuals from setting them off.

The 2018 Summer Band schedule has been nearly finalised and will be getting released in the town shortly.

One of the band leaders has suggested a Spring concert, involving many of the bands who play at the bandstand.

We will investigate further to look at the feasibility of this.

The model loco, at the entrance to Saltburn, is due to be given some TLC and it will look as good as new for the in Bloom judges showing up.

Membership of Saltburn 500 Club continues to be a concern and I would ask you to try to encourage people to join. It is the funding from Membership that pays for projects such as the maintenance of the loco etc.

A committee has been formed to ensure the successful introduction of a memorial, into the town, for the late Jackie Taylor MBE. Jackie did so much for the town and many people have expressed the view that we should have a memorial. The committee will be meeting within the next week or so and we will keep you informed of our views and decisions.

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

T: 01287 201876

M: 07737 654772

E: darrenflintoff@yahoo.co.uk

Nigel’s VIPs!

A: Unit 2, The Drive, Longbeck Industrial Estate. Marske, TS11 6HB

Website: www.flintoffs.co.uk

Very Important Pets!

DOG WALKING, PET CARE & HOME SITTING Co. Est’d. 2002 NigelsVIPs@gmail.com

TEL: 07891 092007 11

Saltburn in Bloom As we approach the New Year I would like to thank all those who have supported us in any way throughout 2017.

As you know we work all through the year, with the committee meeting almost every month to discuss the way ahead. Fundraising events take place regularly and we are particularly grateful to those who donate raffle or tombola prizes and to those who help or bake for coffee mornings and the Table Top sales at SCAA community centre.

At the recent Table Top Sale in November we made a profit of £570 and we are extremely grateful to those who contributed in any way or who came along to support us. The money will be used to fund floral displays next year.

The support we receive for sponsorship of the floral displays from local residents, groups and businesses, the 500 Club and Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council is truly amazing and enables our work to continue. What would the town look like without its flowers each summer?

In 2017 the baskets were disappointing to start with, but after a regime of daily feeding and watering, they soon picked up and began to look glorious. Thank you to Simon, the Parish Warden who carried out the watering outside his working hours and also to Northumbrian Water who allowed us access to a standpipe for our water. So many people commented on how wonderful the town looked.

We didn’t put sponsor signs on the hanging baskets which upset a few people, but our task of putting the baskets up was therefore so much easier. We did have a Sponsor list printed and made by Thurston Printers and placed in the Council Information case at the Portico. This looked really professional and is still there if you wish to see it.

We start looking for sponsors and people to make donations in February, so if you can help please get in touch. We have an email address where you can contact us (saltburn.in.bloom@gmail.com) and also a Facebook page – just search for Saltburn in Bloom. There are lots of photographs and even a video!

The gardeners have now finished gardening for the winter. Their final task, after an induction, was to don hard hats and high-vis jackets to weed the Fossil Garden, which is now fenced off as a Construction Site as part of the work being carried out at the Cliff Lift. There was some hilarity as we clashed helmets, as we are not used to gardening in such gear – Health and Safety!

Everyone is now enjoying a well-deserved break from gardening and will start again when the weather allows.

Finally, as Chair of Saltburn in Bloom I would like to wish you all a very happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.

Lynda Parkes (Chair)

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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.

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

Deborah

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

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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 www.beamdesignservice.co.uk 13

Literary lunch for Saltburn Three authors are to feature at Saltburn’s first literary lunch to be held in April 2018.

It will be an ‘in-house’ event run by Saltburn District U3A (University of the Third Age), which has a record 800plus members.

The authors are Brotton-based Deborah Barwick, who writes fantasy fiction, Christine King, writer of historical romance, living in Great Ayton; and John Regan, writer of gritty/humorous thrillers and a poet, of Acklam.

Deborah said: “We are all members of a writing group called The Monday Horsemen and meet weekly at the Cross Keys, Guisborough. My second book has just been launched and I did signing events in Guisborough Book Shop and in Saltburn’s Holly Blue Card and Gift Shop, both before Christmas. Christine and John have both recently completed novels (fourth for Christine, third for John, I think), to be launched in 2018.”

The authors will speak at the Saltburn event about their experiences in the world of fiction. The presentation, which will be for U3A members only, will be informal with questions welcome. Copies of their books will be available for sale.

“We are available to speak at other events if invited,” said Deborah.

The group is to hold extra new members’ meetings to introduce newcomers to the diverse organisation, which is guided by a self-help learning principle. This session will take place after the monthly update meeting. And quarterly sessions are to be held for newcomers in 2018.

To join, no qualifications are needed, but members

WRITERS TALK: From left, authors Christine King, John Regan and Deborah Barwick. They will talk about writing at a lunch in Saltburn in April.

must have finished full-time employment.

Members live mainly in Redcar and Cleveland Borough and groups meet in public halls and rooms to promote the values of lifelong learning. This covers subjects from bridge to bird-watching, music to mah jong and walking to theatre visits.

Details can be found on the website u3asites.org.uk/ saltburn and more information about the literary lunch can be had from Deb Barwick (at barwick399@btinternet.com).

Mike Morrissey

Keeping It Clean At Saltburn Happy New Year to all from Keeping it clean at Saltburn. The new year has begun with the purchase of two more 2 minute beach clean boards, generously sponsored by ICL, Potash.

That’s three now, one at the Surf School, one at The Ship Inn and the third at the Pier Amusements. These Saltburn business owners have kindly volunteered to be board “guardians”.

This means they put the boards out, weather permitting and bring them in at night.

Please follow the instructions on the boards and make use of them when you visit the beach to help to keep our beach clean and to do your bit to keep our seas and oceans free of plastic. Take a picture of what you collect and post to our social media pages and also #2minutebeachclean.

Also, please join us on the first Saturday of each month, at the pier car park 11am to 12 noon for our regular beach cleans. It’s fun.

As well as cleaning plastic from our beaches, we want 14

to help to stop once use plastics at source. We can all refuse to use the throw away “once use plastics”, such as straws, bottled water, we can replace plastic bottles of hand soaps for bar soaps, take a look in our bathrooms and kitchens, see what changes we can make and always recycle plastic. Change begins with ourselves.

This new year brings us an exciting and challenging project: we plan to achieve Plastic Free Coastline Status for our area of coastline. This will benefit our area and the environment in general. Volunteers from KICAS, Marske Litter Action and Surfers Against Sewage have joined together and are working with the Council, local businesses and the community to address the problems caused by once use Plastic waste.

Google Plastic Free Coastlines for more information. It feels good to be doing something positive about the worldwide plastic waste problems.

Genie-us jokes in Saltburn 53’s Aladdin panto Ladies and gentlemen….boys and girls - it’s panto time in Saltburn!

Award winning drama group Saltburn 53 present Aladdin at Saltburn Community Theatre from Wednesday, 17th to Saturday, 20th and Wednesday, 24th to Saturday, 27th January.

It’s the perfect production for all the family with fantastic costumes, music, dancing and, of course, a healthy dose of so-bad-they’re-good jokes!

Directed by Dean Heslop, it features a cast of 30 who have been working incredibly hard to bring this new version of Aladdin to the stage.

“It’s always hard work getting a show ready but we’ve had lots of fun in rehearsals and we can’t wait to put this in front of an audience,” says Dean. “Pantos are all about audience participation and this production is something that all the family can really enjoy. It’s the perfect show to cheer up a cold January!”

There are ten performances with evening shows at 7.30pm (doors and bar at 6.45pm) and two Saturday matinees at 2pm.

“Our pantos are always really popular so please don’t leave it too late to buy tickets,” adds Dean.

Tickets are on sale now priced £8/£6 concessions from the theatre, SPAR Gosnays in Milton Street (and online at www.saltburnarts.co.uk).

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SALTBURN CRICKET CLUB Marske Mill Lane, Tel 01287-622761

BINGO – Wed 10th & 24th Jan – eyes down 8.00pm Play FLOODLIT TENNIS all winter – contact us for details SUNDAY NIGHTS – WEEKLY QUIZ – be in it to win it! Teams of 4, Everyone Welcome Sat 27th January SALTBURN BLUES CLUB MATT WOOSEY TRIO – all ticket night, £10 (10% discount for club members)

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM US ALL *Free WiFi in Club* * BIG screen TV showing SKY sports etc * ***FEATURED IN CAMRA GOOD BEER GUIDE!!***

GREAT VENUE for YOUR family events, weddings, parties, funerals & meetings - free use for charity/community groups during normal opening hours.

Convenient venue, free parking, reasonable bar prices.

Contact us to book your event.

Members and non-members welcome.

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

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SALTBURN BLUES CLUB Happy New Year everyone! All the gigs for 2018 have been booked – CATFISH, LEWIS HAMILTON, LA VENDORE ROGUE, THE ELLES BAILEY BAND, JOHNNY DICKINSON, ZOE SCHWARZ, SUNJAY….and more. I’m really pleased with this line-up.

On September 2nd, there’ll be our second H O W Z A T mu s i c f e s t i v a l f e a t u r i n g T H E RAINBREAKERS, THE REVOLUTIONNAIRES, plus others, with THE fantastic STUMBLE as the headline act.

So, lots to look forward to.

To get the 2018 ball rolling, we have the wonderful MATT WOOSEY BAND performing on January 27th. It’s a return visit for Matt who combines acoustic blues, folk and rock and has developed his own very distinctive, unmistakable sound. His live sets are powerful and intense and have earned him great reviews throughout the UK and Europe. He writes his own music and won the BLUES MATTERS’ 2014 Solo Artist of the Year Award. His take on the blues is fresh and his vocals and guitar work superb.

Just what January needs.

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

Don’t forget, my radio show, Still Got The Blues, is on Zetland FM every Monday 7pm – 10pm, on line, or you can catch it later on Mixcloud at a date and time that suits you. Just visit the website, www.zetlandfm.co.uk and scroll down to Mixcloud. It’s 3 hours of the very best of the blues.

Harry

Emmanuel Church Hall, (off Windsor Road) Saltburn Mondays at 9.30am and

Tuesdays at 3.30pm, 5.30pm or 7.30pm.

For Details Ring

Stevie on

01642 474920

Winter Walking Festival Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council’s Winter Walking Festival 2018 will run from Monday, 29th January to Sunday, 4th February. There’ll be guided walks in East Cleveland, including one to Mines Wood on Tuesday, 30th January. Meet at Cowbar Lane car park (TS13 5DA) for a 10.30am start on a circular walk to the former Grinkle Ironstone Mine then on to Dalehouse and Staithes.

On Thursday, 1st February it’s Handale Abbey Trail: meet outside Loftus Town Hall for a 10.30am start on a walk to the site of a 12th century abbey. There’s also a stroll along Skinningrove Valley Trail on Saturday, 3rd February, starting outside KasKane cafe (TS13 4AY) at 10.45am. You need to book a place on the festival walks, details of which can be found at www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/walkingfestival.

A booklet will also be available: please phone 01642 496442 or 01287 631132 to find out where to obtain a copy. You can also send an email to walkingfestival@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk.

Saltburn Station Gallery Saltburn Station Gallery would like you thank all of our customers for their support over the previous year and wish them good health for 2018.

Look out for 10% discounts on selected ranges.

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Skelton Townscape Heritage Mosaic Trail As part of the Skelton Townscape Heritage scheme a Mosaic trail has been researched, designed and produced by the combined efforts of Skelton Villages Civic Pride, Redcar and Cleveland Council Community Development staff, members of Skelton History Group, pupils from Freebrough Academy, local artists Helen Gaunt and Derek Mosey and numerous members of the community who helped to make the mosaics.

The first part of the trail has now been completed and plaques have been installed on thirteen properties with kind permission of their owners. The mosaics depict the former use of some of the buildings or the people who lived there of historical interest.

145 High Street, the mosaic depicts the pay booth at which the estate workers used to receive their pay. This row of cottages dates from the same period as the Wharton Arms. At 101 High Street - The Countryside Florists had previously been a plumbers and a bank. In 1901 it was a hairdresser. The Deli at 85 used to be the home and business premises of a watchmaker/jeweller, namely Mr. George Kings according to the 1891 and 1901 census. In 1891 this was the home of Thomas Willis a wood sawyer, he was employed in the Estate wood yard on Marske Lane. The Old Rectory was built in 1817 and greatly extended in 1857.

The mosaic depicts Herbert Mackworth Drake, who was the rector from 1911 to 1920. York House, South Terrace known to generations as “Stivvies”. Dr. Stevenson started his practice here in 1937 and still held surgery in the early 1980s for his old regulars. The Old Infants School was

established in 1874 as the Infants School where generations of Skelton children received their initial education. 4 South Terrace was converted to a hospital to treat casualties of the Boer War from 1899 – 1902. It was again pressed into service as a convalescent home for the wounded of World War 1 as an annex to the Red Cross hospital in Wharton Hall.

54-56 High Street for many years in the 19th century this was a Seed Merchant. It then became the offices of Skelton and Brotton Urban District Council until 1974. The Fire Station – from the early Ordnance Survey maps show a Smithy on this site. The original location of the Wharton Arms was also nearby. Ringrose Orchard this was created out of an abandoned market garden by Friends of Skelton Community Orchard. It was opened on 18th May 2016. 98 High Street was the home of the milliner Hannah Collier who lived here in 1911 and she would become a voluntary nurse at the Red Cross convalescent hospital in the old Wharton Hall during World War 1. 106 High Street – many of the cottages on this side of the High Street housed estate workers. In 1939 this was the home of Herbert Pigg a Forrester.

The second half of the trail will be completed in 2018 when a definitive trail guide will be produced.

Thanks once again must go to members of Skelton History Group for their extensive research and help with this project and Jo Mead for interviewing home owners. Thanks also go to Josie Bland for designing the excellent interim leaflet which is available in Skelton Library and the Heritage office as well as other shops along the High Street.

Pam Batts, Skelton Villages Civic Pride

What's On at Saltburn House in January We are back serving Sunday Lunch 12-3pm, booking advisable.

Fundraiser for Unique Imelda 13th January Music 2.00pm-late presented by Green Man Hi-Fi and Roots Train Radio.

Two rooms of Music Ticket Event.

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

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

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

All Stay Types include a Complimentary Full English Breakfast!

For further information, contact Ann, Joanna or Andy on: 18

01287 622008

19

20

The Local Landscape and History Workshop October’s Talk of the Town gave me something to look forward to. There was to be in our local Methodist Hall a workshop entitled ‘Landscape and history workshop for East Cleveland’ which promised me a day absorbed in a lifetime interest sharing it with others. Eagerly I booked a place sharing with the organiser my growing mobility problem which made it difficult to climb the hill to the hall. She told me not to worry for a fellow work shopper would collect me by car.

The day was given by the Tees side Valley Wildlife and funded by The Heritage Lottery Fund.

I arrived unsure what to expect but was enchanted from the word go by the depth and scope of the day. Those who spoke were excellent and made the content understandable to us all, adequately illustrated and leafleted. Our interest was engaged by group discussion. There were maps and aerial photographs and we were encouraged to form groups to examine the material. Not only were there verbal and pictorial information but objects such as fossils and rocks were produced. It was all very hands-on as we examined them and tried to place them in their time and environment.

I was very aware that this was East Cleveland: we were talking about the place where I live my daily life and shop in the modern world.

To appreciate this fully I had to empty my mind of all those images and try to see an empty landscape before moors and rocks were formed or the seas had retreated and when we were joined to the continent by the sea.

I had wondered whether it would all be beyond my

comprehension but aided by a vivid imagination such was not the case. Empty tundra paraded by wolves, bears and prehistoric animals became my companions that day.

I came bounding into the present as familiar places were introduced by a well-presented leaflet. We were discussing ‘Free borough’, Roseberry Topping and Huntcliff. I learned that free-borough was formed in the last ice age and was natural and not a burial chamber as I have always thought. Best of all it was named for ‘Freya. the Norse Goddess of love’.

Many a Sunday when I was fit and young have I spent climbing Roseberry Topping but it is only now that I know that as I climbed I made a journey through time taking 500 year giant steps from Redcar mud at the bottom to Salt wick sand stone at the top and passing through the Middle Jurassic Period, stepping nearer in time as I trod.

As for Huntcliff I learned it was formed in a subtropical sea with a base of unusual fossilized starfish.

There was much more leafleted information but in sharing this with you I hope I have also shared my sense of wonder. We have all found ammonites on our beaches and the content of the course is a background to us all.

It only remains to thank the people who gave me the most interesting day I had last year and to hope for more. As a hint of future joy I would mention lastly that the excavation of Skelton village was also being discussed and may happen next June and when it does I will have a project for next summer.

Sylvia Williamson 21

Cleveland Diving Club

Like many of our readers Cleveland Divers have formed their new year resolutions and are focusing on taking advantage of every spell of good weather that comes along to launch the club boat and dive!, dive!, dive!

Also, high on the agenda is engaging others with the experience of scuba diving. Hence the club’s newly erected promotional poster located on the Cricket Club fence, (photo 1).

A long time ambition for the club has been to research and update records of findings from surveying our local shipwrecks, one of which is the SS Clavering, located in the mouth of the River Tees. This unfortunate steamship met its doom during the early hours of 31st January 1907 (111 years ago this month) whilst battling through the stormy waters of a cruel, wintery, northerly gale before becoming stranded near the North Gare breakwater. The account of the ensuing rescue, which covered a gruelling 31 hours, is an astounding testament to the incredible courage, resilience and determination of ordinary but heroic folk. The distress call came in at 8am that morning and by I1:30am the exhausted crew of Seaton Carew lifeboat reported that they had rescued 14 of the 67 people aboard. It was suggested that the Hartlepool Lifeboat crew go to Seaton Carew to take over manning their lifeboat. At the same time consideration was given to using the Hartlepool boat to approach the wreck from across the Tees Bar. However, rough seas made this idea a nonstarter. With telephone communication with the Seaton Carew Station lost and the knowledge that lives were still at risk on the stricken ship, the Hartlepool Station were directed to do everything they could to help. By 3:30pm 90 helpers, volunteers and a team of horses were tasked to haul the North Sands lifeboat over the near vertical sea banks and take it by road (a distance of 5 miles,) to the Seaton Carew Station. At 9:15pm the boat was finally launched from the ‘Inner Deep.’ Together the Hartlepool and Seaton Carew lifeboats fought valiantly in freezing conditions, rough cross seas, flood tides and frequent groundings. Frustratingly, although close enough (within a 100 yards) to hear the voices of the shipwrecked company, as the heavy seas washed over the prostrate wreck, these brave men unwillingly accepted that they were losing ground and at 1:30am on the 1st February 1907 returned to shore mooring at the ‘Snook,’ to await the next tide. At 22

7am the boats again approached the wreck from the Inner Deep. Despite continued turbulent seas the two boats managed to rescue 24 men, being the only survivors left on the wreck. The full account of this rescue makes for venerated reading for the tenacity of those gripped by the event. Follow this link for a more detailed account (http://www.hhtandn.org/notes/1616/clavering-coxswain).

The club’s goal in pursuing the updating of records of current conditions of our local wrecks is born out of respect for the misfortunes of the wrecked ships, for the sea itself and the reverence of those who risk their lives to save others. So it is not surprising that raising funds to support the RNLI is also one of our chief aims and a regular event at Saltburn’s Farmers’ Market, held recently on the 9th December 2017. Shipwrecks are part of our local history and the legacy of SS Clavering’s demise is that her memory lives on for those of us who venture to its deep resting place to explore its wreckage and the creatures for example, anemones, starfish, sea squirts and urchins etc; that have made it their home (see photos 1, 2, 3, 4).

Cleveland Divers are looking forward to informing, amusing and delighting our readers with accounts of our underwater discoveries and photographs throughout the coming year and wish everyone a prosperous New Year. Don’t forget you can contact us on 07960 608529 or at Saltburn Leisure Centre any Monday evening at 8pm. Why not try our 4 week introduction to scuba diving course or if already a qualified diver, discover how to join the club.

June Coomber

Early Cycling in Saltburn Cycling arrived in the North Riding in 1869 at Studley Royal near Fountains Abbey, one of the first cycle exhibitors in the world. Later that year 5two races were held at Richmond for ‘velocipedes’. These primitive ‘boneshakers’ were usually home-made. Yorkshire’s first cycling club, Bradford Bicycle Club, did not materialise until 1874, despite Lancashire, in 1868, laying claim to England’s first cycling club in the Liverpool Velocipede Club.

Middlesbrough Bicycle Club was formed during 1877. (By now the era of high-wheeler or ’ordinary’ bicycle was firmly established. These ’penny-farthings’ were still driven on the boneshaker principle of cranks and pedals attached to the front wheel, which, in order to obtain optimum gearing, increased in size over the years.)

Middlesbrough Bycycle Club’s opening run of the 1879 season took place on Good Friday. “18 mounted to the sound of the bugle at 9.30am. Route: Ormesby, Normanby, Eston, Marske and Saltburn-by-the-Sea, where we stayed an hour and a half. We dined at the Alexandra Hotel, very sumptuously and very reasonably, and mounted at 1.30pm for Guisbro’ by Skelton. A very rough and arduous ride brought us into Guisbro’ at 3.00pm, thence to Broughton, where we had tea, which place we left at 7.00pm for our return journey, reaching Middlesbrough at 8.20pm.”

Many were the problems facing early cyclists. They were often ridiculed or vilified, even physically attacked, whether by stone-throwing urchins, or coachmen who recognised the threat from a faster mode of travel that upset horses. Since the railway had dethroned coaches as king of transport, many roads were badly neglected - East Cleveland one of the worst areas. For this reason, a common court case involving cyclists was riding on pavements, usually a smoother option.

Other contentious issues were women cyclists, Temperance (or rather, lack of it), riding on Sundays, as well as professionalism. F Russell of Saltburn, a racing man, was

described as a ’professional’, though in all probability he was a miner, considered by the National Cyclists’ Union to possess an unfair advantage, being engaged in physical work. (Today, most would view this as a distinct handicap.)

The new wheel chain-driven bicycle began to be produced in quantity from 1885. Known as the ’safety’ this design was akin to that of the modern bicycle (the ‘diamond frame’) gradually superseded the Ordinary and diminished the importance of the tricycle. With the advent of the pneumatic tyre in the early 1890s the popularity of the bicycle soared. In Saltburn they could be purchased directly from the Tower Cycle Works, run by W Thubron, Senior and Junior.

In 1891 a North Yorkshire and South Durham Local Centre of the National Cyclists’ Union was created. W Payne, Saltburn’s tobacconist, became the town’s local centre representative. (His brother Ernie, based at Worcester, was to compete as a cyclist at the Olympics.) Surprisingly, Saltburn never had a cycling club, even though Brotton, Skelton Green and even Charltons did during the 1890s. But the middle classes did join the Cyclists’ Touring Club, including the Reverends Cannell and Irvin, Dr Stainthorpe, E Harris, shipbroker of Ingleside, A Hutchinson (MA) of Bryn -y-Mor and Mr Stockhouse of Bank House.

‘Mr Cycling’ in Saltburn was William Harrison of Warrior Terrace. A tea and coffee merchant, he owned Marton Bungalow, a café built especially for the twowheeled fraternity. An ex-racing man, member of the Cosmopolitan North Ormesby and Middlesbrough Cycling Club, Harrison was Handicapper at the NCU National Championships staged at Grangetown in 1910. Edwin Liddle of the town, watchmaker and jeweller, was another North Ormesby and Middlesbrough ex-racer. But perhaps the most remarkable local cyclist of the day was Mrs Ellen Welch. A member of Thornaby Cycling Club, she raced, from 1887 to 1895, over long distances, sometimes paced by men. On marriage, she became ‘our host’ at the Ship Inn. Bob Goodall

‘Smartest’ tie contest

A competition for the smartest tie worn at the Saltburn and District Retired Men’s Forum Christmas lunch was won by member Mike Doyle, of Saltburn.

Mrs Julie Martin, also of Saltburn, won the prize for the most attractive festive jumper.

The meal was attended by about 60 members and guests at Tocketts Mill, Guisborough.

Chairman Ron Elliott thanked all who had contributed to the smooth running of the weekly talks at the Methodist hall, Milton Street.

He mentioned Gordon Turner, who organised the dinner, Jack Noble, Dave Jackson, Ken Bladen and John Wells plus members who made suggestions about future speakers.

Gordon Turner thanked the tea ladies Gwen, Barbara and Jill, who make tea at the Monday morning meetings.

Members stood in silence for a minute to remember those who had died during the year.

WINNERS: Julie Martin, smartest jumper, chairman Ron Elliott, and smartest tie, Mike Doyle at the Retired Men’s Forum Christmas dinner, held at Tocketts Mill, Guisborough.

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or email: simon.robson1@ntlworld.com

Roseberry Topping On Wednesday, 22nd November three dedicated members of our care team along with a resident’s daughter took on the challenge of walking up and back down our local attraction Roseberry Topping to raise funds for the Residents.

With high spirits and dressed in their Tutus and fairy wings led by Terrific Tammy, Adorable Amanda and Happy Hillary they left Sea View Care Home to meet up with Julie and Colin en-route to complete their mission.

The wind and rain did not deter them and they reached the summit with their companion Molly the dog.

The girls have collected sponsorship from family and friends and are hoping to raise in excess of ÂŁ500 that went towards ensuring that our residents had a great Christmas.

Carol Durant Care Home Manager

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We wish all our customers a Happy New Year 25

Saltburn Athletic FC As we approach the Christmas break at the time of writing, several of our teams have done exceptionally well and at the moment are undefeated in the league.

The Under 10 Sharks are second in the unofficial league with another three victories thus having a record of five wins, two draws and no defeats and have let in only one goal and scoring a total of eighteen.

The under 11 team have a record of having played eight, won seven and drawn one to top their unofficial league having scored thirty-seven goals and nine against.

The under 13s Dolphins are also unbeaten.

Their recent 7-1 victory over North Ormesby with goals from Warnes 5, Robinson and Cree thus having played eight and won all eight scoring forty-one goals and only thirteen against. They top their league by a clear eight points.

The other unbeaten team are the U14s who have played eight and won eight and lie second in the league with three games in hand over the leaders Eaglescliffe Elementis. They have scored a total of fifty-five goals to seven against. Their two most recent wins have come against Mount Pleasant Rangers 12-1 with goals from Mitchell 4, Grady 3, Munro 2, Leather, Wise and Allison.

This was followed by a 3-1 victory against North Ormesby with goals from Munro, Mitchell and Grady.

Four teams out of our seven undefeated are top or second in their respective leagues and this is a superb effort.

The other teams include the Under 10 Dolphins whose recent form shows good improvement with recent victories and a draw leaving them mid table. I am sure they will continue to improve and climb higher.

The under 13 Seagulls are having a struggle this season and let a three goal lead slip recently to lose the game but there is a silver lining as they won 3-1 in the league cup quarter final with goals from Coultas 2 and Doran-Armstrong.

The U13 Falcons are having a much more successful season and although they lost narrowly against Redcar Town Whites by 21 with a consolation goal from Parsons, they then redeemed themselves with a resounding 6-1 victory versus Northallerton Jnrs with goals from Parsons 2, L. Day 2, Welford and Race.

With the U13 Dolphins and U14s still in the cup also we are having a very good season overall.

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all. Many thanks to the supporters of all our teams.

Andy Croll 26

The Countryside Ranger and Volunteers, January 2018 If the long winter nights and chilling weather are getting you down, then a walk in the countryside is an excellent antidote. You should discover all kinds of wildlife treats to lift your spirits.

Siskins are nomadic in winter, especially early in the season when flocks search for habitats with good supplies of food. Most individuals that winter in Britain come from mainland Europe. The numbers that reach our shores vary greatly from year to year, as they are determined by the state of food supplies on the Continent. By late January, most siskin flocks have settled in damp deciduous woodlands, where trees such as silver birch and alder thrive – siskins relish their seeds. Lucky birds may have found feeding stations in nearby gardens. It is thought that some siskins have even begun to specialise in consuming peanuts and commercial bird feed. For all its small size, the siskin is a pugnacious little bird. It is well able to hold its own with species such as the great tit when feeding competition arises.

Kingfishers are influenced by cold winter weather, or at least by the effect that it has on their ability to feed.

During the autumn and the relatively mild start to the winter, birds are fairly evenly distributed along rivers, lakes and flooded gravel pits. Indeed, anywhere that offers a reasonable chance of the birds being able to dive and catch fish, is likely to be frequented by kingfishers. As winter progresses, however, fish living in standing water move to greater depths, making them more difficult to catch. The final straw, from the kingfisher’s point of view, comes if the water freezes over, since the prey is now completely unobtainable. If and when this happens, birds that formerly frequented lakes and ponds move to lowland streams and rivers, and have to jostle for feeding rights with birds already resident there. In extreme situations, kingfishers may even have to move to the coast.

A number of slug species favour natural, undisturbed

habitats where they have little impact on plants grown by people. Many favour woodlands, where the damp, shaded conditions suit their lifestyles and adaptations perfectly.

Among the most characteristic and widespread woodland slug is appropriately called the tree slug. During dry spells, this species often spends the daytime resting under fallen bark and leaves, venturing out after dark. However, in damp, mild spells early in the year, it is often seen out and about by day. Tree slugs can be found climbing up tree trunks. They favour undisturbed, mature deciduous woodland and at least part of their diet comprises algae grazed from tree bark.

Apart from the wildlife within the Valley, you may have also spotted the workings of our faithful volunteers, Spotted each Friday within various locations of the Valley the group have been keeping busy with clearing the banksides below the Albert Memorial. Though the area looks bare at the moment, come the spring the area will be awash with wildflowers and associated pollinators and bird species.

The volunteer group do not only remove unwanted vegetation: they have also been planting young sapling trees around the southern end of the meadow to improve the drainage. The hedge is also being continued with small saplings provided by the Woodland Trust. This will not just benefit current visitors to the valley, but future generations too.

The volunteers will continue to meet throughout the year on Fridays at 10am near the Woodland Centre. Their work can be seen on the website (www.saltburncountrysidevolunteers.btck.co.uk).

If you would like any information regarding volunteering opportunities either within Saltburn Valley, or the wider Saltburn area please feel free to contact: Karen.preston@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk, Sophie.Lyth@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk or myself paul.murphy@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk.

Simon Clarke MP Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland Welcome to 2018!

As you can imagine the second half of 2017 was a bit of a whirlwind for me as your MP with so many things happening and plenty to get on with both locally and nationally. In Saltburn I’ve met with business owners and residents alike who all agree that the town is moving forward and has a great buzz right now but I also saw an awful lot of positives in the wider area.

Looking forward to 2018 we must celebrate the fact that every Primary school in East Cleveland is now rated good or outstanding and I’m aiming to sit down with our Secondary school heads to discuss how we ensure that this progress continues as children move up.

On policing, I will continue my work in Westminster, lobbying for funding wherever there is headroom in the budget but more importantly I will be sitting down with the

new Chief Constable to make the case afresh that East Cleveland does not get its fair level of cover and that must be changed.

Last year also saw positive news on investment. We had a huge breakthrough of money for the old SSI site as well as £59million for local transport which both the Tees Valley Mayor and I believe should be focused on rail. On top of this, in 2018, I will be behind a big push for freeport status at Teesport to put rocket boosters behind our local economy after Brexit as well as working hard to secure a sector deal for steel as part of the industrial strategy and fighting to ensure Teesside leads on Carbon Capture and Storage.

There is so much to get on with but I can assure you I’m relishing the challenge and promise to work tirelessly on your behalf to ensure our local economy has the best possible opportunities to prosper which means Saltburn can thrive as one of the most prominent jewels in Teesside’s crown.

Simon 27

New technology arrives at Podology The Chiropody and beauty clinic The team of Podiatrists at Podology based in Milton Street in Saltburn have added some new revolutionary treatments to their offering, investing in a new Swift Microwave Treatment system for warts and verrucae and also a diagnostic tool for fungal nail infections.

“We are the only clinic in Teesside to offer the new Swift microwave technology treatment which provides a precise and easy way of treating skin lesions. Swift uses microwave energy which is delivered through a special probe applied to the skin to treat the affected tissue,” says Laura Dicken, clinical director.

She added: “We are delighted to bring these amazing new treatments to Podology. Our podiatrists are dynamic and forward thinking. We are so excited to offer solutions to stubborn and unsightly verrucae and fungal nails.”

Podiatrist Silva Cochrane asks, “Do you suffer with discoloured, thickened or crumbly toe nails? If so you may have a fungal nail infection. Infection usually spreads from the skin, where a fungal skin infection may have gone undiagnosed or been asymptomatic. Fungal infections often start on the sole of the foot and spread in between the toes and eventually onto the nails. Infection rates increase with age and nails that are damaged are particularly susceptible.”

Establishing a diagnosis remains an important step 28

in the management of fungal nail infections. Historically this has involved sending off a sample of nail to the microbiology department and then waiting weeks for the result. Due to various factors, including the difficulty in obtaining a good enough specimen for culture, results often come back negative. These negative results are frustrating for practitioners and patients, despite the obvious appearance of a fungal nail infection.

Podology have now introduced a revolutionary new fungal nail test to their ever increasing list of treatments.

The test is simple, painless and the results are available within minutes.

Once a positive diagnosis is made, an appropriate management plan can be discussed. Management will involve regular reduction of the nail to improve its clinical appearance and provide the best base for the application of a topical anti-fungal treatment. If the treatment is severe you may be advised to see your GP to discuss oral medication.

Laura says, “Treatment of fungal nail infections can be difficult and requires perseverance. You can be assured that we will be with you every step of the way!”

To book your course of Swift verruca treatments or book a fungal nail test please call Podology on: 01287 622280. For further information peruse the website (www.podology.info).

Teesside Poetry at Book Corner Saltburn’s Independent Bookshop

Poet Harry Gallagher will be visiting Book Corner on Saturday, 20th January at 11am to read from his new collection.

Northern Lights is a celebration of Teesside’s landscape, community and history. Harry grew up in Teesside in the 1970s, and the book explores the area as it was then, and how it is now in the wake of the closure of the steelworks and the decline of its other industries.

The book is currently available from Book Corner.

Signed copies will be available at the reading. This is a free event, so please come along and listen to some poetry in the bookshop.

Big Bookish Sale from 4th – 30th January Opening Times: 10am - 4.30pm (Closed Sundays and Wednesdays) 24 Milton Street, Saltburn, TS12 1DG

01287 348010 www.bookcornershop.co.uk 29

Some had meat an canna eat In the same way that Hogmanay has travelled south of the border, so too has the tradition of Burns Night.

If Hogemoany, Hoggeranohni or however you wish to spell it, has French, Norse or Gaelic roots; Burns Night is emphatically Scottish.

It was first celebrated in 1801 on the fifth anniversary of the poet’s death but moved in the following year to commemorate his birth, although there was originally some debate as to the actual date. In the end it was agreed that 25th January was correct, or thereabouts.

The theatre will once again host its Burns Night

Supper; on the 23rd January, to be precise. It will feature all the elements that you’d expect including the Selkirk Grace, the address to a Haggis, a three course meal and concluding with Auld Lang Syne which Burns wrote in 1788 although the phrase predates him in older folk songs. Burns, himself, acknowledged the song’s pedigree, saying he ”took it down from an old man”.

The song celebrates friendship and Saltburn Community & Arts Association would like to wish all its friends a Happy and Peaceful New Year and looks forward to seeing a lot of them in 2018.

The Middleton Choir (Formerly The Middleton Festival Choir)

GOLDEN JUBILEE In 2018 it will be 50 years since the late Betty Middleton formed The Middleton Festival Choir. In celebration of this, there is to be a Golden Jubilee Concert in Saltburn on Saturday, 23rd June 2018.

We would like to hear from former members of the choir and would welcome former members to join us in this concert. For further information, contact Christina at christinahubbard@btopenworld.com or on 07955 951833.

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01287 624505

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New facilities for Saltburn Athletic Saltburn Athletic proudly opened their new changing and ground facilities in November and moved forward into what is hoped to be another exciting era for the club.

The ceremony was performed by club patron, Alan Smith, former England football team’s full-time physiotherapist for eight years and Sheffield Wednesday’s for eleven. Originally from Woodrow Avenue Saltburn, Alan began his career as an apprentice footballer with Middlesbrough, but a broken leg at just 17 years old meant that he had to retire. Determined to stay in the game, he retrained and reached the very top of his profession with England Ironically, the original dressing rooms had been built in the mid-sixties largely by Alan’s dad, Frank Smith, who many older Saltburn footballers will remember. The team played on the same Huntcliff site although they had to change in an old Chicken Hutch and there were no showers It was Frank’s dream to upgrade these facilities and eventually he succeeded. Frank died a few years ago, but he will never be forgotten for what he did for football in Saltburn. Sadly, that club later folded and the changing rooms and the pitch fell into serious decline and disrepair, However, as Saltburn Athletic FC grew to 7 teams, the club needed better facilities, changing rooms toilets, and pitches. It seemed logical then that Saltburn Athletic take over this site, but clearly a lot of money would be needed to transform it back to an acceptable environment.

Now many people have made massive contributions to the development of this club since 1998, but none more so than Roy Myers, who has worked tirelessly to obtain grants and tenders and liaise with the many partners necessary to get the job done.

Also, to honour the memory of two of our former players, sadly no longer with us, the club (with the permission of the respective families) named the changing rooms after two boys who epitomised everything this club stands for. Their family names will be familiar to many as they are synonymous with this town, Michael Maidens (whose family, helped build the original changing rooms) and Darren Ingleby (son of a former club chairman and massive supporter of the club).

Saltburn Athletic was formed in 1998 by 3 local police officers, Andy Croll, Tim Raynes and Dave Sadler as a community project to provide a safe and healthy sporting pursuit for young people. The club started from

scratch, literally having nothing and in the early years was supported physically and financially by Rotary Club of Saltburn. Since then club chairmen include Martin Green, Lee Ingleby Peter Medd and current chairman Gary Roper, all of whom, together with the Saltburn public and business community, have provided wonderful support over the years.

As always thanks go to our fantastic coaches, all of whom are unpaid volunteers and give countless hours to provide football for the children. For a time, we also had a lady’s team run by John Simmons, and the club are delighted one of that team, Emma Tweddle of Brainbox Studios designed the new club logo seen here in the photographs, Finally, on what turned out to be a horrid cold wet open day, special thanks must go to current club chairman Gary Roper for providing and cooking many hot dogs and beef sandwiches and the Cricket Club staff for once again looking after us so well.

News from Friends of Saltburn Library Well, here we are: 2018 has arrived, and the Friends are happy to announce that on Wednesday, 10th January at approximately 1.45pm the very popular Saltburn Ukelele Group will be entertaining us all again once more. I cannot think of a better way to welcome in the New Year, as we start 2018’s new programme. Here’s to a Happy New Year for everyone. If you were unlucky enough to miss this treat last year don’t do so this time, for the group are back by special request. There will be the usual 32

welcoming cup of tea available.

Library Announcements A new event for the under fives will be starting on Friday, 5th January, from 11.00 – 11.45am. They will be artistically (or messily) having a craft session. There should be some very interesting results. The library staff look forward to this class being very successful.

Barbara Chaffer

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Health and Happiness: New Year Appreciation This month’s column I want to begin with appreciation for Ian who edits and puts together this magazine.

This desire to show appreciation for him now does not come out of any specific experience that encourages me to appreciate him now more than any other time.

Though it’s a new year and there’s a new sense of opportunity, to start positively to raise the level of appreciation in our life. And also because Christmas has passed and that is often a time when we may have sent gifts out of a sense of feeling obliged to rather than genuinely deeply appreciating another person.

The thing about gifts is that they are really a gift we give to ourselves.

What I mean by that is that a gift given with genuineness is an energetic transference, a physical manifestation of a feeling, the feeling is translated into thought and the thought is manifest into an object or an action. What we are actually giving is time and focussed energy, the translation of love into a material form.

When we take time for another to sit still and really hear them, or to write to them, or to stop in our lives and think of them or buy gifts for them, that focus with loving intent is a powerful missile that we hope reaches the aim of our focus and lands. Yet in setting off the rocket what we are really doing is opening to ourselves and our own inner sense of being able to love.

If we don’t practise opening that part of ourselves regularly we can find it closing down or even sealing shut. Closing down the sense of love in ourselves closes down our self respect and our self valuing which affects how we feel about our own value, which in turn affects how we are prepared to treat ourselves and what food or drinks or drugs we are prepared to put into our bodies. It affects how much we love our bodies and that affects how much we choose to exercise and keep our body fit and healthy. It affects our self esteem and how much disrespect and unhealthy input we are prepared to accept from others. It can keep us in painful inconsiderate relationships because we don’t feel valuable enough to

think we deserve more.

Yet opening to our love reconnects us to our heart and that in turn reminds us to appreciate our body, to treat ourselves well and to treat others well.

The bottom line is it feels good to be nice to ourselves and to treat ourselves with respect and to love ourselves and it feels good to be nice to others and to show them our love, yet we can often pass by the opportunities to do so.

So when someone offers you a heartfelt gift you are also giving yourself a gift and them a gift too by letting them give and appreciating it and that appreciation reverberates between you both. Yet the real gift is for the giver to themselves, for they reconnect to their own ability to open to love.

So today I want to appreciate Ian, as he has let me write freely here in the Talk of the Town for a long while now. In writing this I send out a rocket of appreciation at his gift to me. I get to do what I love, to talk about happiness and wellbeing and to encourage others who want to feel it too. That’s a gift I give out to you who are reading this but it’s one I receive from myself just as much.

Ian puts in lots of his own time and focus and care to make this magazine happen. He wants to give a gift to everyone here who reads it and I believe it is a labour of love for him, and for his sake I hope it is more love than labour. He is highly appreciated by me in what he has created and the gifts he supports spread far and wide and add positively to the journey of many people’s lives.

So it’s a new year, that can mean new opportunities, new opportunities to learn to love ourselves more and to feel better. Who do you really appreciate in your life but you just haven’t told them? Start your year in a heart opened way, as a genuine gift of focus and energy to them, but as an even greater gift to yourself.

Kendal Aitken Happiness and Wellbeing Coach / Counsellor.

Contact: coach@happygreenblueeyes.co.uk or 07944 883961

Memory lane trip for Wanda Wanda Sooby, of Redcar, made a trip ‘down Memory Lane’ when she visited a shop in Milton Street, Saltburn, on 6th December because it was the house she had been born in.

Her father was a WW1 Polish refugee Jozef Gorski, who lived at No. 45 Milton Street, now the new gift shop Holly Blue, which she was visiting for a book-signing event.

“The shop used to be a bicycle repair business in the 1930s and 40s and Jozef died in 1946, leaving my mother Margaret a widow. She started to take in refugees to earn money to pay bills,” said Mrs Sooby.

“The family lived above the shop until moving to Emerald Street in the mid-1950s.”

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Mrs Sooby can only vaguely remember the shop but was pleased to return so Yorkshire author Gervase Phinn could sign three of his books which she had bought for Christmas presents.

“We have seen Mr Phinn at an event before but wanted to meet him. We enjoyed the visit as he is an extremely amusing man.”

A queue of people wanting to have books signed during the author’s 90-minute visit was entertained by hearing his views and anecdotes.

Mr Phinn visited Huntcliff School some years ago when it was rebuilt and gave this advice in an interview for Talk of the Town to pupils: “Read, read, read.”

Mike Morrissey

Piano Lessons with Margaret Shields LRAM, GRSM A teacher with a lot of experience and “endless patience�.

You can start from the beginning, improve your skills, or work towards the ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) Exams (Grades 1 to 8).

100% pass rate; many pupils pass at Distinction level.

01287 624778 Email: margaretshields2003@yahoo.co.uk

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Exciting new SARA Projects

We have recently been granted planning permission to build four new, high quality kennels at our animal sanctuary. The ground work has now started and this is what they will look like when they are finished.

Put the FABULOUS into FITNESS in 2018!!

From learning Burlesque to Disco... Samba to Rock & Roll and more…

Sosa will get you TONED, FIT & give you GREAT BODY CONFIDENCE! For ALL ABILITIES, LOW IMPACT but HIGH ENERGY! Starts Monday 08/01: 7pm - ECHO, Saltburn - £4 (DISCOUNT! £6 for both Zumba Gold & Sosa on Mondays)

In addition to this, our existing eight kennels will have to be closed in the near future for major refurbishment. Our biggest problem is that our kennels often flood due to poor drainage. We are planning to resolve this with a total refurbishment of these kennels to a high standard and it is hoped this work will start in the spring. The expected cost of all the planned worked will be in excess of £120,000!

We are a small animal charity and our overheads are kept to an absolute minimum. Despite this, we are constantly striving to improve our facilities so we can rescue more neglected and mistreated animals, and continue to build on our excellent reputation. We now have this opportunity to extend and improve our current facilities.

How can you help? We have opened a Charity Choice account with a link on our Facebook and website and all donations will be recorded. The four new kennels are costing £15,000 each. If a single donation is made for this amount either by an individual or a business, the kennel can be sponsored by that person or that of a loving pet. However, donations large and small will be massively appreciated.

Regular updates and photos will be on our website and our Facebook page.

If you would like further information about this exciting project, please contact the farm and talk to a member of staff, or if possible visit our sanctuary and we shall be happy to show you round.

Anne Davison, Chair Person.

Central Saltburn new for holiday lets, within a 300 yard walk from Saltburn centre.

This pleasantly refurnished self catering cottage offers a modern well equipped kitchen, lounge and 2 bedrooms, comprising of a double room, bunk beds in the single room, sleeps 4 comfortably (6 if needed with a sofa bed in lounge). WiFi provided and a private parking space.

Bookings now being taken.

Contact Carol for further information on either 01287 651896 or 07817 506784.

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This dance fitness class is EASY TO FOLLOW, TONING and a great OVERALL WORKOUT. Watch out for ‘bums & tums’ targeted dances!

Starts Thursday 04/01: 10am - Saltburn Community Hall - £4 Starts Monday 08/01: 6pm - ECHO, Saltburn - £4 (DISCOUNT! £6 for both Zumba Gold & Sosa on Mondays)

A PILATES, YOGA & BALLET inspired fitness class: Spirals will build up CORE STRENGTH, TONE and DEFINE YOUR FIGURE. It also works on BALANCE and FLEXIBILITY. Starts Wednesday 03/01: 7pm - The EarthBeat Centre, Saltburn

Call ESTELLE on 07887 525234 or visit...

Saving And Re-homing Animals 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 lovely readers! We are Buddy and Luther, and we’d love to wish everyone a Happy New Year from all the animals at SARA. Buddy is about 4 years old. He is a brindle and white American bulldog cross. He came into SARA’s care following an unfortunate change in his owner’s circumstances.

Buddy is such a very intelligent dog, he adores to obey commands for treats, and loves to impress. Buddy also enjoys playing in the pen and going for long walks with the great volunteers at SARA. This poor guy is very stressed and anxious in kennels, so visitors don’t see him at his best. Give you some more time and you’ll fall in love with him. We believe this is why this beautiful boy has been with us for so long. Buddy is looking for a home with an active family, who offer plenty of mental stimulation too. He would need to be an only pet.

Luther is a lovely, lucky 7 year old, green eyed,

black cat who came to live at SARA after being found as a stray. Luther is a very friendly and affectionate boy. He loves spending time with SARA’s brilliant volunteers having cuddles and playing. Luther’s ideal forever home is one where he would have access to the outdoors and would be an only pet too.

Love from Buddy and Luther.

SARA fundraising events during January The next monthly meeting of SARA will be held in the TocH premises, Albion Terrace Saltburn, on Wednesday, 3rd January, at 7.30pm. New members are very welcome.

1st January 2018 - SARA will be holding their New Year’s Day Dip. This will take place at Saltburn Pier starting at 11am. All money raised will go towards the welfare of the animals at Foxrush Farm. This is always a popular event when everyone, including the dogs, enjoys themselves. So please come along whether you wish to take part or just join in the fun. Sponsorship forms will be available from Foxrush Farm, SARA Charity shop in Guisborough or can be downloaded from our website (s-a -r-a.org.uk/).

We are at present building 4 new kennels to help

more dogs and refurbishing our existing kennels. This is going to cost £120,000. We have opened a Charity Choice appeal so if you would like to contribute please follow the link on our website or go to our charity choice page.

Thank you. See article on opposite page.

For more information ring Foxrush Farm Monday to Friday from 10am to 2pm on 01642 488108 (or visit our website www,s-a-r-a.org.uk).

Thank you to everyone who contributed in any way to our events. We are very grateful for all the support we receive. This enables us to carry on the work with so many animals that so desperately need our help, A Happy and Peaceful New Year to everyone.

John Fuller, Press Officer Helpline: 01642 488108 37

150 Years in the Life of Emmanuel 1888 onwards As one century retired and another took the stage, Emmanuel continued to grow physically and with Christian mission to its increasing community under the inspiring leadership of Benjamin Irvin.

The town was showing signs of renewed growth after halting with the untimely demise of Henry Pease and subsequent dissolution of the Saltburn Improvement Company. Although peace had been a norm for most, the Boer wars were an unwelcome reminder of the fragility of nation states and their aspirations. The death of Queen Victoria was a sobering occasion which brought to an end another era of the British Empire. The residents of Saltburn were no less despondent and many wondered what might be ahead.

Emmanuel Church construction continued and the original plan for a tower came to fruition. Standing 113 feet tall, this edifice gave a solid presence in a still bucolic setting and a commanding view over all its parish.

Once the tower was constructed a clock was installed with four dials facing all points of the compass. The clock was dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria and served as the main time piece of the Parish, still working today.

In 1901 a set of 8 bells was installed. These bells were supplied by John Taylor and Co. the finest bell foundry in the land, following a line of bellfounders established in the 14th Century. The Taylor family were not hide bound by tradition, having recently introduced ‘true harmonic’ tuning.

Funding for the bells was generously given by Arthur Dorman, steel maker, in memory of his brother Robert. The 38

dedication was delivered by the Right Rev. R. Crosthwaite Bishop of Beverley on June 9th 1902. The bells were rung for the first time the following day by a band of over 50 ringers from the Cleveland and North Yorkshire Association of Change Ringers Whilst the century was turning, residents would have been aware of changes outside the sheltered enclave of the little seaside town halted in its birth throes by the greatest recession ever experienced and the passing of its founder.

New writings were in evidence. Arthur Conan Doyle creating a well loved character, Rudyard Kipling inspiring children and adults alike with his fables using animals in an anthropomorphic manner to give moral lessons, and Bram Stoker frightening everyone to death.

Inventions meanwhile included a calendar for advent, a small white pill called aspirin, a little box called Brownie and that telegraphic magic from a welcomed Italian immigrant named Marconi. Some with mining experience, and even some without, left East Cleveland with rapidity for Dawson City near the Klondike River.

Time has passed since 1902 and the Cleveland and North Yorkshire Association has evolved into the Cleveland and North Yorkshire Branch of the Yorkshire Association of Change Ringers.

They have not, however, forgotten Saltburn and will be given a very warm Saltburn welcome on Saturday, 20th January, when ringers will once again return to Emmanuel, hold their AGM, and ring out those precious bells over all the land.

QUESTIONS OF LIFE?

BY REV ADAM REED 2017 is now in your past and 2018 lies open before you. What do you hope will be different about 2018 in contrast to 2017? What will you do to make sure 2018 will be different? And I wonder what will happen to you that lies outside of your control that will make 2018 different from 2017.

Maybe one difference you could consider in 2018 is taking the time to explore the Christian Faith. If you are really honest with yourself do you really know Services Times what Christianity is all about? I come across so many people who think they know, but their ideas have nothing to do with the real thing. Perhaps you have questions that you are itching to find answers to, but you’ve never had the opportunity to ask your questions, because you have never found the right person or the right moment. I would like to offer you the opportunity to ask Sundays your questions; to give you a simple starting point, and a safe non-judgemental 9.00am traditional communion space. This will be on Sunday 14th January at 3pm at Emmanuel Church Hall, 10.45am contemporary worship over a cup of tea and a slice of cake (see below).

If you are struggling to think of questions, or if you think your questions are too pointed, what do you make of some of these that Glen Scrivener poses in his book ‘321: The Story of God, The World & You’?  How does a good God fit with evil and suffering?  Is the Bible trustworthy?  How does a loving God fit with judgement?  How can anyone join the church with all its hate, its history and its hypocrisy?  What about other faiths?  Why are Christians so weird about sex and sexuality?  Aren’t believers anti-science?

Whatever your questions are, I wonder if you can agree with C.S. Lewis on the matter of the importance or otherwise of Christianity: “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance, the only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”

Tuesdays 9.30am said communion

Morning Prayer 9.00am Mon-Fri in ECHO Morning Prayer is open to everyone. It is an informal and friendly gathering.

We read from the Bible, share any thoughts that arise and offer to God our prayers for Saltburn and the wider world.

It is a precious time of peace at the start of the day.

Please come along and find out for yourself.

Contact Details tel 01287 622251

email emmanuelsaltburn@hotmail.co.uk

web www.emmanuelsaltburn.co.uk

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Talk of the Town’s monthly

Pride of Saltburn Award

Open 7 days a week Quality Fresh Fruit and Veg at Competitive Prices.

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

Stocking a wide range of health foods, chutneys, jams and honeys.

Monday to Saturday: 9.00am to 5.00pm Sunday 11.00am to 4.00pm

5 Station Buildings

Grasers 07703 884184 Find us on Facebook The winner of this month’s Pride of Saltburn Award is Barbara Helen. She was nominated by the KICAS team.

About her they say, “We would like to nominate Barbara Helen for Pride of Saltburn Award. Over many years Barbara has worked tirelessly to promote causes she believes in the make the world a better place. Quite often working ‘behind the scenes’ never shouting about what she has done. Barbara never imposes her views on those around her, but leads by her positive example. Quite often Barbara can be seen using her amazing music talents to raise awareness of these causes and over the years has raised money for brilliant causes both overseas and closer to home.

Barbara always has a positive outlook on life which is infectious. The world and Saltburn are a better place for having Barbara in them.”

Thank you, Barbara, for being you, the Pride of Saltburn. See also Barbara’s Profile on page 49 and KICAS news on page 14.

Every month, a £30 bunch of flowers, kindly donated by Ruby Lilly’s Florists of Marske, is awarded to someone in Saltburn who has earned admiration, gratitude and love for whatever reason. Talk of the Town invites nominations from readers, to chose whom to receive recognition and a bunch of flowers.

Send your nominations to Talk of the Town’s postbag at Jackie’s Saverstore, 8 Station Buildings, Saltburn, Cleveland, TS12 1AQ or email Ian (talkofthetownsaltburn@gmail.com).

(Please include your name, phone number and the reason you are nominating the person of your choice.) Please also confirm with the nominee that they are willing to receive the award (many people feel shy about it). All the nominations will be read and kept for future use, so even if your choice doesn’t win this month, they might do so next time.

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Try something different at Grasers

Belvoir Non-Alcoholic Wines Perfect for a Dry January, these delicious wines are great for getting together with friends but without the hangover.

Grasers are selling three varieties: a Shiraz, a Chardonnay and a Rosé. They are produced in the beautiful vale of Belvoir in Leicestershire and contain no preservatives, flavourings or anything artificial. As well as grape juice they contain other fruit juices and green and black tea extracts, jasmine and elderflower extracts, even black pepper and vanilla extracts and pure spring water.

Watson’s Carpets and Flooring – on the Move!

“When we were looking for businesses willing to take a lease on our Station Square premises, it was important to us that they shouldn’t clash with existing Saltburn shops,” says Andrew Watson, who puts a high priority on good relationships with other businesses in the town.

Fortunately, Shobu of Lemon Grass Restaurant in Redcar High Street was interested and we now have the benefits of both Coco and Rum Thai Restaurant and Watson’s Carpets and Flooring mobile service.

The Watson family has a long history in Saltburn.

In 1956, Andrew’s father, Alan, began working in the newly formed ‘Saltburn Furniture Centre’ selling new furniture in Station Square, in the premises now occupied

by Signals Bistro. A second shop was situated in Dundas Street in the building where the Victoria Pub now is and the warehouse was in Windsor Hall, the former gym/ school dinner hall of the Towers Girls’ School.

In 1976, Alan took over the ‘Saltburn Furniture Centre’ business and Andrew joined it in 1977. The business expanded and in 1980, the Watsons took a lease on the previous car showroom of K.M. Watson Ltd (no relation) in Station Square, with the garage moving into their new showroom on Windsor Road (which is soon to become a vet’s practice).

The business grew and was now selling carpets, beds and fitted bedroom furniture on one side of the road and three piece suites, dining furniture, chairs, coffee tables and other occasional furniture on the other. In 1994, Andrew took over and Alan retired. The shop that is now Signals had been given up and Andrew was trading from the large showroom (now Coco and Rum) and his warehouse. He later bought the showroom property when it became available.

Andrew has always been involved in carpets: he learnt skills as a carpet fitter and was helping the carpet fitter at weekends, while he was still at school. He prides himself on particularly high standards, which he likes to see met for his customers.

“But over the years, shopping patterns have changed,” says Andrew. “People are heading out of town for furniture, so we had to change our business. We’ve become more specialised, moving away, for example, from three piece suites, for which space was limited to focus on carpets and beds.”

In recent years, Andrew and his wife, Jane, had been working on a plan, which included the development of the former Windsor Road warehouse into their home.

In 2010, they began their building conversion project, which took over a year to complete. “Now we have a modern open plan, deceptively large home,” he explains.

The next stage was to develop the Station Square property. Andrew was aware that it needed a new roof, but his hand was forced by the ferocious storm of December 2015. It took a section of the roof off, so a temporary repair was made, while Andrew talked to an architect. Constructing a new roof would mean emptying the building and ceasing trading for a while. Building regulations now meant that the structure would need

strengthening with more steelwork.

Andrew pondered splitting the premises into two units, but wasn’t sure whether this was his preferred option. He decided that building work would start in September 2016 and he put up posters announcing a refurbishment closure, while carpets and flooring could still be bought on a mobile basis. Townspeople were very keen to learn what was happening, but it wasn’t certain in the first instance!

When he tested the water, there was a lot of interest from various businesses; Costa Coffee even wanted to rent half the building, but Andrew and Jane were wary of the effect of such a leaseholder on other Saltburn traders.

However, he had a longstanding friend in Shobu of Lemon Grass Thai Restaurant and suggested to him that he might like to take a half unit to open a Saltburn Thai restaurant.

The happy end result is that Shobu decided to lease the whole premises and we have a welcome addition to eating out venues in the town.

Andrew hoped to have more family time when running a mobile carpet and flooring business and so it has turned out. Running the shop, albeit with help from Jane and other part-timers, has been very demanding; for example, it has been impossible to take a fortnight’s holiday. He has three grandchildren, with another on the way and he enjoys now having time for them.

Andrew has retained all his suppliers, some dating back forty years. He says: “I have long-standing relationships with both suppliers and many loyal, supportive customers. To all my past customers who supported me in the shop, I’d like to say a very big thank you.” They are mainly from private homes, but he also supplies a number of Care Homes and Housing Associations. Interestingly, a large proportion of his customers are from outside Saltburn.

Andrew believes that it’s important to embrace modern technology: the business has a Facebook page and he has had a new website designed. His van is now signed with a new logo and he can respond very quickly to enquiries. He can be contacted on 01287 622509 or 07977 906575. His email is enquiries@watsonsofsaltburn.co.uk (and his website is www.watsonsofsaltburn.co.uk).

41

Rotary News Rotary Links with Tanzania The Rotary Club of Saltburn has joined the Rotary International “Plant a Tree” initiative and is determined to meet a worldwide Rotary goal, set by Rotary International President Ian Riseley, where every Rotary member plants at least one tree each and changes the environment for the better by Earth Day on 22nd April 2018. Worldwide there could be over a million trees placed in forests which are under threat from disappearing. The benefits of this include:  trees are cheap, so you get more for your money “Plant a tree for 20p”  trees grow quickly, good for carbon retention  agroforestry a key agricultural improvement  trees have greater ‘humanitarian’ value (e.g. school fees, medical costs, reserve bank with value increasing at c. £1pa) as well as all the environmental benefits of temperate tree planting

disadvantaged children around Arusha. The school started with 3 pupils and $10 of funding. It now provides education for 1800 children!

Photographs show Saltburn Rotakids at their Christmas Fair and the possible recipients in Tanzania

To gain maximum benefit from the scheme, Saltburn Rotary Club, which is administratively located in Rotary District 1030, has donated £206 which will buy 1030 trees, Saltburn Rotakids have contributed a further £100 raised at the Huntcliff School Christmas Fair which will buy a further 500 trees making a grand total of 1530 trees to be planted in Africa by Sustainable Global Gardens Saltburn Rotakids are also exploring the possibility of links with St Jude’s School, which is near Arusha in Tanzania and whose children could plant the trees on our behalf. St Jude’s was started some 15 years ago by an Australian Rotarian wanting to provide education to

Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council As previously reported the Parish Council is working in partnership with the Sievert family from New Marske to install accessible defibrillators throughout the Parish. We are very grateful to Saltburn Fire Station who have donated a defibrillator and Gosnay’s Butchers on Milton Street who have kindly agreed that the unit can be located outside their shop. Two further units are being installed outside Coopers Chemist, Marske and The Yorkshire Lass in New Marske. If you would like to give a donation to this cause you can send a cheque to the Parish Council offices made payable to Be Like Tom. The family are overwhelmed by everyone’s kindness and wish to thank all those who have contributed so far.

Father Christmas made a visit to Saltburn on Saturday, 2nd December. The Christmas tree lights were switched on by two local children who had won a Christmas craft poster competition - James Oxburgh and Emily Parfitt.

The parade included Mary and Joseph on a donkey, a unicorn, a festively decorated fire engine, Santa on his sleigh, local children and Stormtroopers and their Star Wars friends, including Chewbacca. Santa brought his sleigh to a halt at the tree so that the competition winners could jump on and accompany him to his grotto located at the Station Portico. Hundreds of local residents turned out to enjoy the 42

festivities throughout the afternoon including face painting, Marko and Tommy Bungle, Circus Skills and Christmas crafts. Zetland FM provided the music for the event. The Parish Council wish to thank everyone who volunteered to organise this wonderful community event and helped to keep everyone safe on the night.

Allotment Rents can be paid at the allotment shop located on the Hazel Grove site from January 2018 - there has been a small increase of 50p (pro rata) to £26.50 per 1/16th acre plot. Tenants are reminded that NO fires are allowed on the allotment sites. Any tenant who has a fire or uses a stove which causes smoke nuisance will have their tenancy terminated with immediate effect.

The Parish Council office was closed from 21st December 2017 to 2nd January 2018 inclusive. Best wishes for a peaceful New Year.

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

‘Old-school’ family doctor dies Tributes have been paid to a Saltburn man - one of the ‘old-school’ family doctors - who has died aged 80.

Dr Derek Ingledew continued to turn out to his Redcar area patients at night and weekends into his 70s.

And he prided himself on his unblemished career.

Dr Ian John, a partner in the surgery based at Redcar’s Health Centre, said: “He was a pleasure to work with. He was a well-respected GP who continued to do night calls and weekend work until late in his career.

“One of the ‘old-school’ of family doctors, he was dedicated to his work and never fobbed anyone off. He trained other doctors and did work for the Benefits Agency to assess claimants.”

Derek Ingledew was born at Grove Hill, Middlesbrough, the son of a master mariner who served in the Merchant Navy in both wars. He passed his eleven plus and went to Coatham Grammar School, Redcar, and on to Oxford university.

Dr Ingledew did two years National Service in the Royal Navy and enjoyed travelling. His serious side came out during those two years and when workmates went drinking during shore leave he would find a Methodist minister to go for a walk with and chat about life “rather than talk rubbish in the bar,” said Ben. He and his first wife Elizabeth (who died in January 2017) both had a love of adventure and joined Voluntary Service Overseas VSO to work in Tanzania, East Africa.

“He rode a motorcycle to hospital with Liz, who was pregnant with their first son Nicholas, on the back.

Driving along the dusty roads was a fantastic adventure, and opened their eyes and hearts to other cultures,” said Ben Ingledew, youngest of the couple’s three boys.

“The experience shook them and they passed on to us a love of travel and an appreciation that others had a very tough life. When they returned to the UK they both raised money for Oxfam and sponsored a child through World Vision.”

His interest in travel and adventure, took him and his middle son Adam to far-flung places - from cycling holidays in Morocco to moped riding through Hua Hin in Thailand.

The Ingledews lived in Princes Road and Victoria Terrace, Saltburn. Later, they moved to Redcar. Tragedy struck in 1998 when Nicholas was found dead in the sea off Redcar. He was earmarked for a brilliant career as a surgeon and his research work is regularly cited today.

“Dad didn’t recover from this and it left a lasting scar on him. He was a good man and a good father,” said Ben, who now lives in New Zealand.

Dr Ingledew’s brother, Donald, of Redcar, said: “Derek would often pick me up and take me out for dinner. He was a big help to all the family.”

Ben paid tribute to Josephine, his father’s second wife, who looked after him for the last five years of his life, which was plagued by physical and mental ill-health.

Dr Derek Ingledew enjoying his daily cup of coffee

Derek was also greatly supported by friends Peter McDermott and Roger Swales. They would go and have a coffee or a game of snooker and keep each other entertained with stories of glory days.

Saltburn people remember the good-looking man in a wheelchair being pushed by a carer along Macnay Street, where he lived, to a town centre cafe every day for morning coffee.

Lorna Jackson, of Real Meals, Saltburn, said: “He had a good sense of humour and was a true gentleman, always asking about our family’s health. He was very polite and continued to come in for coffee until 10 days before dying in late November.”

My memories of Derek Ingledew over the past 50 years, were that he was a good doctor who was always affable when he bumped into friends. He was confined to a wheelchair in the past year but got out every day round Saltburn town centre.

I recall him saying that when he was working with VSO in Tanzania he grew a beard so the Africans would think him older and therefore wiser. He had a dry humour and did a lot for Oxfam in Saltburn.

A funeral service for Dr Ingledew, who had one other son, Adam, and a granddaughter Alisha, was held at Saltburn Methodist church, Milton Street, on Thursday, December 7th.

Mike Morrissey 43

New house sales start Sales of new houses in Saltburn are starting to take off on two sites with the New Year.

Saltburn’s main house building work is going at Larkfields, Marske Road where more than 100 homes are under construction. New Saltburn roads in Larkfields are Corngrave Road and Corbydell Road, named after local farms dating from the 1600s. Also proposed are Oxclose Gardens, Pennyman Close and Corby Dales Close.

Taylor Wimpey says six houses have been sold so far with prices from £190,000-£300,000. Houses are of two, three or four bedrooms.

Half a mile away at Marske Mill Lane, next to the Earthbeat Centre (formerly junior school) the development is called Marske Mill Gardens and contains two new streets, Church View and Scholar’s Rise. Already, two of the 14 houses have been sold. First off the mark were Phil and Pam Miles, who have downsized from a four-bedroom house at The Fairway to their three-bed home at Marske Mill Gardens.

“It’s nice,” said Pam. They use the swimming pool across the road and go to Saltburn Blues Club events in the cricket club and meals and the panto at Earthbeat. They also enjoy running a smaller garden and halving the distance to walk to the town centre.

The couple’s son and daughter both live locally with grandchildren. They have lived in Saltburn since Phil’s work at ICI Wilton was moved from Welwyn in 1982.

Ian Brown, site manager for Geffen Construction, of Stokesley, said prices ranged from £300,000-£400,000 with only two of the houses being of three bedrooms, the rest four-bed.

“We’ve been building houses since 1986 and the most recent site was at Marske in Windy Hill Lane, near the town centre, with local estate agents Selwyn Hedgley being in charge of sales there. He said his company, of which he is a director, had built housing association homes, one-off homes and industrial units.

Sites were at Middlesbrough, Coulby Newham, Stockton’s Preston Farm and Stokesley. Development land had been bought at Washington.

Geffen employs four of its own men at Saltburn and has recently taken on another two locals. There is a shortage of bricklayers.

“We are getting quite a few inquiries about house

Phil and Pam Miles find their new home nice. The garden is smaller than at their previous home at The Fairway, but they have room to park their caravan.

sales. Our work is of very good quality almost identical to the estate at Marske,” said Mr Brown.

Mike Morrissey

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

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

Please feel free to visit us at anytime.

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

Tel: 01287 625700 Mob: 07775 610745 Used Stamps for Charity There is a box in Saltburn Library for used postage stamps which are a valuable source of income to a number of charities. Please drop your stamps in the library. Many thanks for your support. There is also a box in Marske Library.

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

Charity Crafters Charity Crafters will be meeting on Wednesday, 3rd January from 2.00pm to 4.00pm in the coffee room at Saltburn Community Hall. Do drop in for a cuppa and have a natter about what we do and how we enjoy knitting, cardmaking etc for various local charities. You will receive a warm welcome from all of us. For further information please contact Angie on 01287 205153.

Saltburn, Redcar & Cleveland Philatelic Society January report We meet on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at the Redcar Community Centre.

On December 6th – Terminology night – queries were answered during displays, and it was gratifying to see most new members keen to display.

At our Christmas Party on 20th, our President, John Simms, conducted the traditional quiz.

2018 begins with the Annual Presidential Display on 17th January: ‘In the beginning ….’ John (photographed) shows some of his comprehensive collection of unused QE British Commonwealth: so far too good to miss!

On 7th February we shortlist our entries for the competitions to be judged at NEPA’s Annual Convention in April. Last year SR&CPS won all the categories we entered and collected half of all NEPA trophies available.

Contacts: Geoff Reynolds (Secretary, 01642 478229); David D. Turner (01287 624736).

Redcar & Cleveland Philatelic Society President John Simms with a small selection of his British Empire, in this case South West Africa.

45

Happy New Year from The Cons Club To all our members and readers of this article may I wish you a ‘Happy New Year’ from the Cons Club.

The past year in the club has proved to be a very good one for all involved, with a greatly improved membership raising it to an all-time high. Thanks for this must go to the hardworking officials and committee members who have worked tirelessly throughout this period and to Michelle and the bar-staff who are the ‘face’ of the club and who are always seen to have a smile on their faces even when under pressure. Last, but not least, a big thank you to all club members who have supported all club functions and money raising activities that have been organised. It shows what can be achieved when everybody works together as a happy team.

Looking back at the last year it is amazing the progress we have made. Alterations started in March 2017 and have been ongoing all year as money has become available. The partition wall between the bar and the lounge was knocked out to create one room with a new central bar, new flooring has been laid in the bar and function room, new furniture installed, Sky TV installed, the snooker table removed and the room now turned into a function room, a new fire fitted, new curtains fitted, a complete re-decoration, heating improvements made and the list goes on. Future alterations in 2018 include installing a bar in the function room which will be fitted into the area of the current office and the office will move over to what is at the present time the meeting/committee room. Soundproofing will be fitted in the function room and we will also be looking at the possibility of installing ladies/invalid toilets on the ground floor. It is so satisfying to know that all the above has been made possible thanks to the incredible support we receive from our members which has meant not having to seek financial help to carry out the work. In a time when a lot of pubs and clubs are having to close down it has been an incredible achievement. Our members are the best and deserve the best and that is the driving force that motivates us all.

As I write this article we are in the same week as the December Talk of the Town was delivered. The early deadline for the January issue, owing to the Christmas and New Year holiday period, means that I cannot give a report on the many events that will have taken place in December which included the Christmas Draw, Christmas & New Year party nights, ‘Open Mic Night’ Christmas party, presents to the children from Father Christmas and his Elves, Concert Night starring Paul Morrison, Christmas Carols and the Christmas Quiz & Bingo. I know that each of these events will have been supported by large numbers of our members and they will all have been a big success (our members never let us down).

As for January 2018 we are holding a private

birthday party on Saturday, 20th with resident music man DJ Cookie providing the music with Michelle putting on one of her fantastic buffets. On Friday, 26th we will be holding the monthly ‘Open Mic Night’ from 8pm in the function room. As usual the evening will be hosted by ‘Teesside Steve’ and Liz Bishop when everybody is welcome and the entry is free. You get the best live music in town on a Friday monthly ‘Open Mic Night’. We finish the organised events on Wednesday, 31st when we hold the Quiz, Bingo and Pie & Pea Supper starting at 8pm. Tickets are priced at £3.50 each with tables up to 6 people. As always watch the club notice board for all event details or the posters on display around town. The best way to keep informed on all club matters and events is to visit the club Facebook page at ‘Saltburn Conservative and Unionist Club’.

Yearly Membership Subscriptions are due this month.

Payment of £12 per person is required for 2018 membership by everybody who is a present member. It is important to note that with the increased number of members that we now have it is imperative that you renew your membership as soon as possible as we may be looking at putting a limit on the number of members that we have. Failure to pay could mean you having to re-apply for membership and you may have to go on a waiting list meaning you will lose your membership until such time that a vacancy becomes available. Naturally, this is the last thing we want to happen so please make sure you pay your subscriptions on time.

Our regular events continue to take place in 2018 with the club draw every Tuesday at 10pm for Meat Vouchers, Wines and Chocolates. The Drinks Draw (ex Beer Draw) will take place every Sunday at 6pm when we also have the cash rollover, currently standing at £450, and rising by £25 each week if not won with the odds of winning going down making it easier to win the money.

Remember that the club now opens at 4-30pm midweek and 1pm at weekends. Happy Hours are from 4-30pm to 7pm midweek and from 3pm to 5pm weekends with beer at only £2.10p per pint for members. Up and coming events through the winter include a BLGT (Gay Pride) Party Night and an 80s themed Party Night and another club outing is being planned for March.

Please make 2018 a good year for everybody with more ups than downs. As we get older we lose more and more of our friends so enjoy every day you have. With all my best wishes, stay safe and warm and I will be in touch again next month.

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

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

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

Saturday Afternoons: A get-together by ‘The Conmen’ Americana Musicians Jam sessions... 3pm.

46

Saturday 20th: Private Birthday Party Friday 24th: ‘Open Mic Night’ hosted by ‘Teesside Steve’ & Liz Bishop …8pm.

Wednesday 31st: Quiz, Bingo and Pie & Pea Supper, Tickets £3.50… 8pm

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News from Ringrose Community Orchard, Skelton The Orchard was splendid throughout the summer.

Thanks to Skelton photographer Dorothy Pell the meadow featured in an edition of ‘Countryfile Magazine’. One of the photos submitted to the magazine by Dorothy was selected for their reader images page under the title ‘Wild Delight’ At the end of July we welcomed Stephen Richardson who joined us through the Step Forward Tees Valley scheme, which helps people who are facing challenges in their life. Stephen is a keen carp fisherman and Liverpool fan, consequently there’s lots of banter with the Boro and Hull City fans in the group; he works hard and could talk for England!

On 3rd September we entered fruit growing in the Orchard—including a fig—in the ‘Fruit Tray’ section of the Wharton Arms Produce Show, managing to secure 3rd place. More importantly we would like to thank publically the organisers of the Produce Show for their donation of £250, which will be used to provide picnic seating at the top of the Orchard through the willow tunnel.

Our thanks also go to Geoff Evans who has donated a splendid sun dial. Originally a 50th birthday present, Geoff would now like to share this with the community.

On 16th October the Orchard’s mosaic was set in place by artists Helen and Derek Gaunt. This mosaic details the past and present uses of the land and is part of the ‘Mosaic Trail’ that will run through Skelton from All Saints Church to Boroughgate, the site of medieval Skelton. In due course a Trail guide will be available.

Our plan for the Orchard in 2018 is to develop a prairie planting scheme within the large central area.

Prairie planting involves the use of tall grasses and large clusters of the same plants. There will be a mixture of wild and cultivated plants. A grass path will divide the plot into different sections which will include a ‘hot’ bed of vibrant reds, yellows and oranges and a softer bed of pinks, pale blues and peaches. Also, there will be aromatic plants and herbs for the benefit of our visually impaired visitors.

If you would like to become involved in the maintenance and development of the Community Orchard in Skelton, please come along on either a Monday or Thursday to meet our team of ladies and gents, join us for a tea or coffee and find out what we are doing—there’s more to do than dig up weeds!

47

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48

The Saltburn Profile by Rosemary Nicholls Barbara Helen “Peace begins on your plate,” says committed vegan, Barbara Helen. “I believe the only way to find true peace is to respect all life.” For many years, she was a vegetarian, but when she learned about cruelty in the egg and dairy industries, Barbara felt she had no choice other than to live a vegan lifestyle.

Barbara was born in Barton-upon-Humber and was brought up there with Ani, her elder sister. She wasn’t very confident at school and left without qualifications. By seventeen, she was married and a mum to her son, Alvin. She and her husband had friends in Saltburn and when they came to visit, they decided that they loved the area and subsequently moved to Emerald Street. Alvin, then aged ten, thought Saltburn was wonderful.

At first, Barbara did casual jobs: shop work, cleaning and bar work, but in the 1980s, she went to college to get some qualifications and followed this up with nurse training at West Lane Hospital. “I got my confidence back and nursed in the neo-natal unit at what became James Cook University Hospital for twenty-three years,” she says. She retired a year ago.

“I loved the work,” she remembers. “I looked after premature babies and got into the developmental care side. I took neo-natal qualifications and positive touch courses and loved the holistic approach to care.”

Throughout her life, Barbara has been a singer and a songwriter. She taught herself to play the guitar and has played semi-professionally in various musical formats. She writes and sings songs inspired by vegan living and performs her music at vegan festivals all over the country. Having released one CD before she turned vegan, she is now working on another, inspired by vegan living (see www.facebook.com/barbarahelenveganeyes).

Another of her passions is working with a team of like-minded people at KICAS (Keeping It Clean At Saltburn). The group took off in January 2017 and has a Facebook page. “We got together because we wanted to access funding for equipment for everyone to keep the town clean,” Barbara says. “We’ve won grants from Redcar and Cleveland Council and the Love It Campaign and from Cleveland Potash.”

The money is funding three Beach Clean Stations, with two minute Beach Clean Boards, which will be located outside Nick Noble’s Surf Shop, by the pier amusements and outside the Ship Inn (see www.2minutebeachclean for more information). Anyone can borrow the equipment to do a two minute clean and three business owners have agreed to be Guardians, taking the Boards in and out each day.

“As well, we do a monthly Beach Clean on the first Saturday of each month between 11.00 and 12.00, meeting in the pier car park and welcome people to join us,” she adds.

“We get on well with Beach Watch and help them too, but we’re different because we’re not doing surveys and collecting data.”

KICAS is working with Marske Litter Action and Saltburn Councillors to promote a Plastic-Free Coastline Campaign. Barbara and her team have been talking to businesses to persuade them not to use plastic unnecessarily and have taken the Local Beavers out on a very enthusiastic

litter pick.

In the run-up to Christmas, Barbara has had a temporary part-time job at Lush in Middlesbrough’s Cleveland Centre. The shop sells environmentally-friendly cosmetics and shampoos. Everything is pure and organic; nothing has been tested on animals, so she is really comfortable there.

Barbara enjoys her family living locally: Alvin, his wife and their three sons live in Saltburn. Jake has a joinery business: JJP; Nathan works in the care sector and Ronnie is at Huntcliff School.

She walks Wren, her Border Collie, every day on the beach or in the woods. Wren is a reactive dog and is very nervous. She wears a yellow dog harness and the family have had to adapt to her. It was on their daily walks that Barbara became aware of local litter and decided to be ‘the someone who does something about it’.

With husband Les, she likes to travel to quiet places in their restored vintage VW Camper Van. Scotland is a favourite destination. They take their guitars and keep Wren close by. Barbara likes to knit and crochet blankets for the van and for home, while they are away.

As for music, she enjoys Joni Mitchell, the Eagles and Martin Simpson. “At home, I listen to west coast, country and rock,” she says.

Barbara is a keen cook – vegan, of course. She takes home-made vegan cakes into the Lush shop. She cooks mostly from scratch with fresh ingredients and takes inspiration from the flavoursome and colourful food at festivals. In our town, she likes to support local businesses and is a member of the Saltburn Vegetarian and Vegan Group. “We go out as a group to Real Meals, who will create a wonderful vegan meal for us and we love Shanti, our vegetarian and vegan cafe/restaurant. We are looking forward to our Christmas meal there.”

Barbara loves Saltburn and has been inspired by the people here to do something positive with KICAS. She thinks we are fortunate to be part of a really good community, with people willing to stand up for what they believe in. “I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else,” she says.

49

1st Saltburn Scout Group Happy New Year! As this is being read ‘Festive Season’ will have passed and we will be into 2018 and all Leaders await the return of their young people who, having enjoyed their seasonal break, will return with undiminished enthusiasm, the desire to be active and to enjoy discovering their world about them.

For Beavers the year ended with their regular attendance at the Santa Parade, where together with Cubs enjoyed another exciting evening; with not only Santa but Star Wars Storm Troopers and Disney themed characters.

We were well supported by parents and young people, a special thanks to Paul (Joseph in the Parade!) and also to Lydia (members of the Scout Troop); they with other Leaders ensured the safety of our young people. The town centre was thronged and could have been overpowering for the young people, but they enjoyed the ‘limelight’ sensation and proudly waved light sabres. Our thanks must go to Firemen, Council officers and workers who ensured a problem free night and also thanks to Saltburn. Marske and New Marske Parish Council for organising the event.

The Cubs were also at the Santa Parade and enjoyed the experience; like Beavers all received a gift for joiningin. Our newest members Colony have settled in well and are enjoying the experience of being with some of their ‘older’ friends in Cubs; Cubs after creating decorations for the Christmas Tree competition at Emmanuel church (a theme of former Cub badges) with some ‘glittery bits’, had been busy decorating snowmen Christmas cards for family members.

Scouts have been out on the streets in Saltburn – taking out Scout Post – we also had the welcomed parental

Saltburn Line User Group Next Meeting: Tuesday, 6th February 2019 at 7.15pm.

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.

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

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL LINE 50

involvement; the Scouts relished the opportunity to ‘roam’ the streets at night; well wrapped up and with a torch. We only managed one night this year as initial uptake of the service seemed slower this year. Many thanks to Gosnay’s for being so accommodating; the prospect of 24 young people (all well-behaved and polite) arriving through the door and heading for the soft drinks or sweet section must have been daunting. Also many thanks to parents, as well as regular helpers Jonathan, Keith, Sam and Tony; without them we would not have got out.

This year we are really appreciating our building improvements; the biggest difference is the warmth! The pleasure of being able to not have to wear warm clothing when less active pursuits are being undertaken is wonderful. Externally the cladding and installation of the roller shuttered entrance door presents a much better building to the community.

At this point it is only proper to offer our Seasonal thanks to all who have assisted and supported the Group in the past twelve months; I am not going to try and name all as the space is inadequate. But especial thanks to the Executive Committee who have beavered away to ensure our young are encouraged, supported in every way possible and so enjoyed their Scouting; more importantly to all parents for their support and interest.

Many parents continue to offer assistance in a variety of ways and I must thank them for their support.

We are continuing with our recruitment strategy to attract Leaders for the Group and are pleased that parents are becoming involved in ensuring our Sections are exciting and interesting for our young people. If you can offer assistance or are interested please get in contact: 07811 801627 or johnghannah@yahoo.co.uk.

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

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

January on Helvellyn by Alan Butler As I write my article this month I can see through the window that snow is falling steadily. I am not a lover of winter and the moment the first snow flake falls my mind catapults back almost fifty years to one of the most horrific incidents of my life. I was eighteen years old and a cadet in the Automobile Association. I loved the job but my halcyon life was almost terminated thanks to the intervention of a man by the name of Bill Shires. Bill had responsibility for the training of we cadets and it occurred to him for some reason that we might all benefit from a dose of exercise and team building and as a result we were despatched to spend a month at an outward bound centre in Ullswater.

I would no doubt have relished the chance to get away from it all – if only it had been June or July. As it was we found ourselves on Kendal station one January afternoon in sub zero temperatures and with the snow falling heavily. I didn’t really need to be there at all. Prior to the adventure we had to have a medical examination and mine was undertaken my own GP. He looked at me critically as I stood before him, having taken off my shirt.

“Good grief man,” he commented, looking at my ultra skinny frame. “You’re so thin that if the temperature drops much below zero you will snap in half like a dry twig!” I didn’t wish to appear a wimp so I somehow persuaded him to sign the forms.

The first ten days consisted of being unceremoniously tipped out of bed at 6am, after which we had to undertake a two mile run, followed by an ice cold shower before feasting on lumpy and very salty porridge.

In what now seems like a blur of horror I spent hours clinging by my fingernails to sheer and very icy rock faces, was lowered into bat infested and very smelly caverns and was forced to jump into various lakes after having first smashed the ice that covered them.

All of this was supervised by our instructor, whose name I cannot remember but who I will simply refer to as ‘the psychopath’.

Worst of all for a young man of eighteen there was no beer, no cigarettes and definitely no women.

After ten days of this hell on earth it was decided that we were sufficiently seasoned to take our first real expedition. A great sense of foreboding overtook me as two Land Rovers dropped us off at the base of Helvellyn just after midday with the snow falling in buckets. We began the assent against the northerly gale and staggered on up the precipitous slope until just after 3pm when the psychopath announced that as the weather was closing in we would have to make camp. He pointed to a dry stone walled sheep pen, from which half a dozen ewes eyed us in astonishment.

“You’ll have to get rid of the sheep,” he said nonchalantly, before unpacking his own luxury one man tent with sewn in ground sheet and for all I knew built in central heating.

I can still see the look on the face of the sheep I was

ordered to turf out of the pen. It clearly thought that we were beyond mad to even be in such a place and as I finally managed to force it through the entrance it stared at me with such a look of fury that I felt sure it would come back during the night and eat me.

How we managed to pitch the tents I have no idea. By the time we had it was dropping dark and there was nothing else to be done except to climb into our sleeping bags and shiver for about a hundred years until the morning. I can honestly say that I have never been so cold in my entire life. I was wearing all the clothes I had brought and was inside two sleeping bags but I might as well have been naked on a glacier. I spent hours ruminating on Captain Scott and wondering if, like him, I should write a journal, to plead to the unfortunate souls who found our frozen carcases in the spring: “For God’s sake look after our people!”

Morning did eventually come but it brought no relief. It had snowed heavily during the night and we had to literally dig ourselves out of the tents. One especially large drift outside the entrance turned out to be the same sheep that had eyed me with disdain the night before. Its mood had not improved Everything was soaking wet and so when we got it all packed away our back packs were twice the weight they had been during the ascent. It was all I could do to even stand as mine was hoisted onto my back by the psychopath, so it wasn’t in the least surprising that within an hour of us beginning the descent I fell over and began to slide on my back towards the valley far below. After about twenty yards my descent was stopped suddenly as my left shoulder struck the only rock on Helvellyn that had refused to be snowed on. The pain I experienced as I was hauled to my feet was incredible but there was nothing for it but to trudge on in agony until we were eventually picked up by the Land Rovers once again and I was taken off to hospital.

A few hours later, with my dislocated shoulder having been put back into place and with my arm in a sling I was standing on the station platform at Kendal again. No doubt if the same thing had happened to the psychopath he would have gnawed off his own arm and put it in his backpack for later, but since I was so obviously lacking in his masochistic fortitude it was decided that I must go home. It took all the control I could muster not to cheer.

I had smoked three cigarettes and drunk a bottle of beer before the train arrived. As I climbed aboard I swore a terrible oath to myself that a combination of deepest winter and the Lake District would be a personal taboo for ever – and it has been. But perhaps I should go back and find that rock again. It deserves a medal, for stopping my descent and for getting me back to civilization.

Happy New Year Rock and Happy New Year Saltburn.

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Saltburn Allotments Association Christmas is well and truly over for another year and, hopefully, Santa brought you some nice, shiny, new tools, some seed catalogues to browse in or, even some seeds to sow.... if you’re into that kind of thing, of course. As we all have to write our articles early, so that you get your magazine on time, my Christmas list is still with Santa. It includes a new shed, roofing felt, a magic wand for repairing my greenhouse; you get the gist.

Back to reality. You will have made your New Year’s resolutions. Mine is to spend more time in the garden and to start as I mean to go on. I’m always playing catch up but this year’s going to be different: promise. I’m going to make sure my shed, greenhouse and polytunnel are all clean and tidy. When that’s done and I can see the wood for the trees, I’m going to get rid of surpluses, by recycling if possible. Then I can see what I use and what I need. I’m also going to sort my seed packets. Last year I had some very poor germination of seeds from old, opened packets. I’m going to bite the bullet and get rid of them too. When I’m next on allotment container duty, (Sundays between 10.00 and 11.30), I shall know what new seeds I’ll need, what new plants I fancy trying to grow and what compost and fertiliser I’m going to need.

I’m so well organised (in my head) that I’m going to have a go at growing onions from seed, starting some early salad leaves off and sowing broad beans individually in cell trays. The broad beans will be fine in my greenhouse but the onions and lettuce will need some heat so I’m going to germinate them on my windowsill at home.

There are some things you can plant now. These include fruit trees, fruit bushes and cane fruit. I’m not going to do this as I have enough. I’m touching the wooden table under my computer as I say that. I had good crops last year.... fingers crossed. What I will be doing though is harvesting my kale leaves as I need them, with leeks, cabbages, celeriac, Swedes and parsnips. You might have Savoy cabbages (I love them, but mine were eaten by other animals), winter cauliflowers and Jerusalem artichokes too to harvest.

If you have anything in store, keep checking it all over as one bad thing will spread the disease around. I still have potatoes, apples and onions in store and I check them weekly (when I remember). Now I’ve done all this work in January, I’m going to sit back and look forward to February’s article. The main theme is going to be about no dig gardening which committee member Julia Robinson is going to write for us. It’s something I’m keen to learn about as there’s so much more to gardening than weeding all the time. I can see all my good intensions going south when the weeds start jumping about and waving at me.

Happy gardening, Sue. 52

Saltburn Labour Party News Reader, I confess that I am a politician. I have committed politics in thought, word and deed. I am also aware that the reputation of politicians is less than high in the public mind. The general view is that politicians have a tendency to greed and duplicity that a Borgia pope would smile at and pat his tummy. My own view is that, as in other walks of life, sometimes this is deserved and sometimes it isn’t.

But it is certainly true that there are tricks of the trade. One such game that politicians play may be entitled ‘Putting On the Agony’. This is a game for regional politicians, and can only be played when your party is in government. Let’s say that such a politician wants to enhance their own prestige by getting money from government to invest in Project X. In order to achieve this, said politician finds a very high horse and climbs onto it.

They cry out for the public necessity of project X, they demand in the name of the people that this money be granted, they cajole, they threaten doom, in extreme cases they may even weep on hillsides or tie themselves to an important artefact. There are many ways of thumping the tub (if this is possible whilst sitting on a high horse).

But of course, as you’ve already guessed, all this is mainly a matter of making a convincing histrionic performance, as the politician concerned has already been given the nod from government that the money will be granted.

So when £100 million was demanded from the government before the last budget, in order to ‘transform’ the former SSI steelworks site; when there were ‘the months of meetings’ with ministers; when it was demanded that the government put its money where its mouth is, you can see that the game of Putting on the Agony is being played.

It would be silly for other politicians to be critical about this - Labour politicians have also done this in the past; the game is the game.

However, there is a further level of game-playing in this situation which goes well beyond the rules of Putting On the Agony. We are told that the government have given £123 million to transform the site, but it turns out that £117 million of this money goes to the Site Company itself, to keep the site safe and secure; for some demolition activity associated with safety and the deterioration of assets, where the cost of maintaining those assets is greater than the cost of taking them down. This then leaves £5 million for the ‘transformation’ of the entire site, which will, we are told, produce around 20,000 new jobs and add £1 billion to the local economy.

This is such a novel gambit that I’m not sure it still counts as a legitimate move within Putting On The Agony.

I think it may actually be an entirely new game, which we could call Smoke and Mirrors, or perhaps Chase the Whopper.

All of which would be very amusing, if it wasn’t about people’s livelihoods and the future of their families.

Councillor Craig Hannaway

The Muses of Jim As the year has ended I am feeling rather relieved. Odd years appear to have a rather negative effective on my life.

I was born at the end of 1940, just after the start of the Second World War, 1939. The War ended in 1945, but I received no victory medal and was removed from my mother’s bed. Met Betty in 1962, and married her in 1963.

Moved to Boosbeck, 1969, and I still have nightmares.

Moved to Leven Street 1970. Main delight, children. Born 1964, 1966, 1968 and 1970, all girls, all doing well making me very proud. 2011, Betty died, worst day of my life. 2012 Bank contacted me as I had too much money in current account, plus found frying pan. Who in their right mind stores them under the cooker? My mother hung ours on the wall to show how clean it was.

On approaching the new Spar/Nisa/Post Office a young lady drove in by the ‘No means No’ entry end, which is clearly marked and all the other vehicles were parked facing the correct way. There was nearly an accident with other vehicles swerving around her. I do hope that the new Driving Test, which I believe came in this week, takes into account an understanding of the importance of comprehension of the English Language, rather than just an eyesight test. I was on my way to post Christmas cards to my two younger sisters. One envelope of course. One has to be very careful at this time of the year. Due to the kind efforts of Di, all my computers are operating as they should and she is doing well operating a very good mobile service. I wish her every success in this turn in her adventure.

In response to a retired refuse collector, who has just returned from a cruise in the West Indies, who told me he would prefer to hear more about Spud the Cat rather than about my rubbish, here goes: Spud is doing well.

Putin and Trump ring about thrice a week each. I don’t know what he discusses as I have to leave the room, but he does share the caviar and the golf balls with me. Spud is doing well with a postal course in ancient pussies of the Middle East from Oxford University. Also he has been asked to audition for a lead in Cats. You know what normal thing the average Yorkshire cat can normally be expected to be able to carry out? His latest job it seems is emptying her recycling bin for the Queen.

Many of you dear readers will have heard of the formation of a new group and some of you may have attended the public meeting in the Community Theatre in Saltburn last month. This was after a years’ work by a working party made of community groups, organisations and individuals with an interest in the three valleys within Saltburn. Charity status was granted, which allows the group to receive grants. There is a general Membership section which is free. Which we would like for people to join and play a part in assisting to care for the three valleys of Saltburn. Membership forms can be found at the Library, the Parish Council, Marske Mill Lane and Jackie’s Saverstore at the Old Station and of course they can be returned there as well. We do need you. The aim of this group is to maintain, restore, development and improvement of the three valley that are very important to

the people of Saltburn and East Cleveland, Saltburn Gill, and Saltburn Valley beach to the Viaduct and Hazelgrove.

Members will be informed on a regular basis and vote at General Meetings and all the information with be held in the Library. We have a webpage (salturnvalleys.org.uk) which will be launched soon. Please come and join us as we really do need you. I know this will be as successful as the work of the Saltburn Gill Action Group, but even more so.

I am writing this on the last day of being 76, for tomorrow I will be 77. Can’t believe it. I can remember about the age of 7 thinking how far away my 60th birthday was and how old 60 year old people looked then. Only 23 years to my ton. I wonder who will send me my telegraph or will it be from a republic? Only three more years to wait for a major pension increase. When I am 80 I will get an extra amount of 25 pence a week. What a life changing amount. I am not sure I could cope with such a large increase. I feel sure I can, with advice, cope well with the extra cash. Even though the nearest Post Office will be at York and only open 10 till 2 every third Thursday when the buses don’t run.

With that my thoughts turned to the news of Prince Harry’s engagement and I was reminded of when at College, on a fieldtrip to Fountains Abbey when I made a remark to two of the history lecturers. I had said what would have happened if Henry the Eighth’s first wife had had three healthy boys and how that would have changed the face of English and then British History. That started quite a lively discussion. We discussed whether if the Duke of Windsor had been allowed to marry Mrs Wallace, would we have sided with Germany in 1939. Or how British society would have changed if Princess Margaret had been allowed to marry Peter Townsend. Of course it never happened that way, but one can dream about the possible various turns that history could have taken.

I had rather a shock this week when my boiler was serviced. I was informed there was rust in the fluid. This is due to the fact perhaps that the original radiators are 50 years old at least. Dreams of getting a small motorbike are put back further. At least the weather will be better and warmer. It gives me also a chance to put a radiator in the kitchen, perhaps where the old boiler went. Will have to get some quotes and get the work done as soon as possible.

Hopefully the new radiator will be much more efficient therefore saving me money. After all I am only a poor old pensioner, living with my more famous cat Spud, friend of the stars. As well as Spud I have two goldfish who are doing well and because the tank is also yielding a good crop of green algae I bought two cold water algae eaters. I have never seen them since they went into the tank but the greenery is going fast. There’s not even a rock in the tank. I wonder where they are hiding. Maybe Spud knows something.

I missed wishing you all a Merry Christmas in last month’s edition of Talk of the Town. Also can I thank you for all your kinds comments, even in the Pit of Despair I still have a few fans. Thank you all. I still can’t believe it and Betty not even here to help me.

Jim Wingham 53

The Saltburn Crossword no 199 set by Advena Across 1 It’s fitness to heal the inside (6) 4 What song is discordant for one of our East Cleveland neighbours (8) 9 It does this in wet weather after first growth of cereal seeds (6) 10 and 14 Across Rag prove Mark wrong to this East Cleveland neighbour (8, 4) 12 Steal just a small cut? (4) 13 First Great Northern tree species gives an angry bite (5) 14 See 10 Across 17 Another East Cleveland neighbour with Kevin snoring horribly (12) 20 Ludicrously mindless coil of infinitesimal units of time (12) 23 Square angle inside the extent of the space (4) 24 Looks like this drainage outlet could have you in stitches (5) 25 The creature has a thick coat despite what we hear (4) 28 Sounds like this East Cleveland neighbour loudly disapproves of the stream (8) 29 We ourselves follow a roof space to this East Cleveland neighbour (6) 30 A swirling hydro spa gives an ecstatic feeling (8) 31 Young animal or plant in its earliest stage of development, more by transformation (6)

Name___________________________________ Address_________________________________ ________________________________________ Telephone_______________________________

Down 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 11 15 16 18 19 21 22 26 27

Solution to Crossword no 198

The winner of last month’s crossword was Ann Garbutt of Langbaurgh Court, Saltburn.

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

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

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Hens sigh sadly when addressing the Prince (8) Lawless and chaotic chair can reform (8) It’s often the inside of a portable shelter (4) Improper strange dress broke the rules (12) Continually complains to the old horses? (4) Ah or Oh, anyway it’s a cheer (6) Kevin, initially with a wonky screw, reconstructed badly damaged ships (6) Strangely, clue nine fund is not affected (12) Auntie hid to undo things (5) Drive out horrid vice ended by Tina first (5) Turn feet awkwardly to release from restraints (8) Strong hot drink to force into the English Symphony Orchestra (8) In this bar, Bert cuts hair (6) Discord over an ancient Italian town (6) Every Baltic beach shows first of all what the tide does (4) Sounds like an Italian city to wander around (4)

Send your completed crossword to: Saltburn Crossword no 199, c/o Jackie’s Saverstore, 8 Station Buildings, Saltburn, TS12 1AQ

by Friday, 19th January 2018. Please note the early entry date.

First correct solution out of the bag wins a £10 voucher kindly donated by Tim and Sheila of Real Meals.

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