Talk of the Town July 2017

EDITION 193

CIRCULATION 4,600

JULY 2017

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

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SALTBURN’S TOWN TALK Letter from the Editor I was informed that the ‘service provider’ EE, formerly Orange, formerly Wanadoo, formerly Freeserve, was going to discontinue all of its old freeserve.co.uk email addresses. For quite some time now I have had a new email address which most people have been using but I’ve still been receiving emails from my two old addresses, even though I couldn’t use them to reply. It seemed like EE had carried out its intensions because the week before ‘Deadline Week’ I stopped receiving KICASaltburn with be supporting The Marine Conservation Society with their next beach clean on Saturday, 8th July from 10 - 12. Meet us in the pier car park. We are hoping that by joining forces we can clear the beach of even more plastic waste and litter. Please come and join us if you have time.

Market and Festival: With saltburn farmers’ market Saturday, 8th July and the annual saltburn food festival on Sunday, 30th July we have loads to look forward to this month. Both the market and the festival have really helped to put saltburn on the map, but it’s really thanks to the local support that both survive - thank you! See the article on page 14 and this month’s front cover! And see you in July!

any emails through my old addresses. Then suddenly I started receiving again! I’m guessing that EE must have changed its mind after receiving lots of complaints. However, probably it’s far better and more reliable for contributors to use the new address (talkofthetownsaltburn@gmail.com). As always, I say that if you don’t get a reply it means I haven’t received it. It’s nice to acknowledge receipt and reassures people that I have indeed got their contribution/article/advert. Love, Ian Send letters, adverts and contributions for the next issue (by Friday, 14th July 2017) to: The Editor, Talk of the Town c/o Jackie’s Saverstore, 8 Station Buildings, Saltburn, Cleveland, TS12 1AQ. Telephone: 01287 623903 (or email: talkofthetownsaltburn@gmail.com). Talk of the Town has a website: www.tottsaltburn.co.uk and the Friends of Talk of the Town can be found on Facebook.

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

The Annual Saltburn Craft and Produce Show It's nearly time for the Annual Saltburn Craft and Produce Show and we The Guisborough and District Branch of the hoping for lots of entries on Saturday, 8th July in Emmanuel Embroiderers’ Guild are holding their monthly meeting on Church Hall. Schedules, available at local libraries or at Saturday, 1st July when our guest speaker will be Anne www.saltburncraftandproduceshow.org.uk have the full list of 74 classes. The show opens to the public from 12 noon; light Menary and her subject is Fabric of the Universe.

On Saturday 2nd September our guest speaker will be refreshments are available and there will also be a cake stall, .Valerie Wartelle and her subject is Branching Out. raffle and tombola. Trophies will be awarded at 2.30pm, Visitors are welcome whether non-stitchers, beginners followed by a sale of produce, preserves and home baking at Lynn Mitchell or more experienced stitchers. For more information please 3.15pm. contact 01642 314860. The car park behind Belmont House WI Report: Another busy month for the ladies of Saltburn WI. (council offices) is free on Saturday. Contact telephone A group of us enjoyed a trip to Sheffield towards the end of number 01642 314860.

May to visit the Cutler’s Hall. A beautiful place with an Open Studios at Saltburn Studios’ Gallery: Cleveland extremely interesting guided tour then plenty of free time to Fibre Arts are once again exhibiting at the Saltburn Studios’ spend in the city afterwards. I have just returned from attending Gallery. The exhibition is titled ‘Wearable Art and More’ and the NFWI annual meeting in Liverpool. An interesting and runs from Saturday 1st July till Sunday 16th July. Gallery enjoyable experience including two interesting speakers. Now open from 12 till 4pm each weekend. Meet the artists and looking forward to a visit to the Chatsworth flower show on Friday. Our speaker at this month’s meeting was Arthur Smith enjoy nibbles and drinks on Saturday the 1st.

Emmanuel Church Hall Table Top and Collectors’ Sale: who gave us an illustrated talk about The Zetland lifeboat.

The next sales are on Saturdays, 1st, 15th and 29th July and Launched in 1802 this is The world’s oldest surviving lifeboat, then 5th and 19th August. We have a lot of new stall holders the original boat still being on display in the Zetland museum and anyone who would like to join us or just to have a clear on Redcar seafront. It is always a pleasure to listen to a true out can contact Denise on the number below. What a good enthusiast talking about their subject. There is always that little start to the new year we had when a lot of people rang for a extra information that is not in the guidebook.

We are currently in the process of revamping our table so they could have a clear out! We are also doing our usual lunches and all day breakfast, fresh home baked cake, website. Please visit it to see what is going on and details of our pies and scones. Home made refreshments and light lunches many activities, as well as information about joining us, or you are on sale all day. FREE ENTRANCE and a warm welcome can follow us on Facebook. Our new web address is to everyone. With over 26 stall holders, selling lots of bric-a- www.saltburnbytheseawi.wordpress.com but please bear with brac, books, toys, baby goods, and all sorts of collectables, us at present as this is still a work in progress! We are always there is something for everyone. We have now got a lot of pleased to welcome new members at our meetings which are new stall holders selling lots of different and interesting held at 7 pm on the second Thursday of the month in the things. If anyone would like to book a table please contact Methodist Hall on Milton Street.

Diane Falla Denise Marshall on 07929 589538.

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

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Saltburn Children attend events - where are they now?

Above: Watching Punch and Judy show in Station Square August 1985

Below: Saltburn Pier re-opening after renovation Friday 13th July 2001

Cath and Tony Lynn 4

Same chef and owner for over 6 years

SALTBURN METHODIST CHURCH Milton Street, Saltburn.

Looking for that special gift and card?

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

Now also available online.

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

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

Cllr. Thomson: 01287 624883.

There will be a TODDLERS CLUB REUNION There And 6.00 p.m. on 12th July from 7 - 9pm.

Sunday school 10.45 a.m.

Anyone who has attended Toddlers at any time Mid week worship Wednesday a.m.

Mums, Dads, Carers, Grandparentsat or10 helpers Pr are welcome. Please come if you can.

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

COFFEE MORNINGS Wednesday 10am - 11.45.

And Saturday 10am - 12 noon.

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

See notice board for other events.

Although many activities are having a summer break from mid-July our worship will continue as usual.

THE CHILDREN MEET FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL at 10.45am

Morning service - 10.45am.

Come to worship and bring the children.

Evening Worship at 6.00pm.

Mid-week worship Wednesday at 10am Come and join us as we worship God. 5

Once Upon a Time in the Wapentake I feel somewhat devoid of inspiration, so nothing new, just a few fragments of old ideas.

To begin: I have now remembered some of the things I forgot to include in last month’s article…on memory. I mentioned how The Marine Hotel had seemingly been deleted from the video inside my head. (I should, perhaps, insert something here that I should have said last month: The Marine was not deleted, I am sure, because of anything unpleasant happening there. Indeed I have had nothing but pleasant experiences there…as far as I can remember.) To lose a building from your memory of forty-five years ago is understandable: for one to disappear from the present is somewhat more peculiar. The building I am thinking of is Saltburn telephone exchange. In the Seventies, Saltburn became part of Guisborough for telephonic purposes, and, anyway, the introduction of STD meant the end of those old style exchanges with real people inside. Despite this the building is still there. It is still the property of BT according to a sign, which warns that anyone trespassing there will be prosecuted, as will any unauthorised person removing materials. Actually, looking through the, not as dirty as you might expect, windows, it appears that almost everything has already been removed, presumably by authorised persons, though no such persons have been witnessed (at least by me) going in there for a very long time. There seems to have been no attempt made to find another use for the building, or to sell off the site for housing, despite there being considerable demand for such land locally. So what is going on?

That’s the first mystery. The second and, to me, the more baffling mystery is this: usually when I try to talk to people about it, the response is “What telephone exchange?”

“The one on the corner of Windsor Road and Macnay Street…Macnay…where the Church Chippy is…opposite the top of Hilda Place,” I say. But, no they have seen no such building there…despite passing it several times a day. Is it hidden by the silver birch trees that have grown up in front of it? Or is not seeing something because you see it every day a variation on that little glitch that means you can’t remember whether you locked the front door, the one you lock every day without noticing you’ve done it? Which itself is the opposite of thinking you can remember locking the front door when, in reality, you are remembering intending to lock the door…but not doing so, or perhaps remembering doing it yesterday and thinking that was today.

After writing that I took a break and it is now Thursday morning, Bin Day. I awake to the sounds of Bin Men in the Alley. It’s all right; I know I put the bin out last night. I remember wheeling it out…I know I did...I think.

But whatever it is I can remember doing yesterday, it wasn’t that, and, if one day I did do it, it wasn’t yesterday. But whatever the reason…the bin never went out.

A few thousand years ago we humans invented writing as a way of recording things (initially things such as tax assessments, later other things) as a supplement to our fallible memories. Sooner or later these records would be put together to form what we call History. But we have to be careful with that word. It comes from a Greek word, by way of Latin and French, that means simply ‘story’, and when it 6

came into English in the 18th Century it was used for obviously made up stories (“The History of Tom Jones”) as well as what we call History, that is something that we, or most of us, can agree to be a truthful account of what really happened in the past. A matter of Fact, in other words. In the year 1066 occurred the most decisive battle in our History, that which was fought at Stamford Bridge, just outside York, between Harold Godwinson and the King of Norway, that kind of Fact. But sometimes those who lived through things remember them very differently from the way they are described in books. How many of those of you who were around in 1967 remember it as being like the 1967 that is celebrated (or condemned) in 2017? And how do we explain why, when some years ago, people who had lived through World War II were asked which song they most remembered from then, “We’ll Meet Again” by Vera Lynn was number one, and “Who do you think you are kidding Mister Hitler” by Flanagan and Allan was number two? There was no problem with the number one, but “Who do you think…” was written and recorded as the theme song for “Dad’s Army” some twenty-five years after the end of the war. As I have said before, memory can be unreliable and the truth elusive. I have also said that it is still possible to tell the difference between an honest attempt to tell the truth, and a barefaced lie.

Now for something completely different. A few months ago (you may remember) I stated that the new technology, especially the internet, is having far less impact on our way of life than the original industrial revolution, especially the railway, had on people in the 19th Century. If I am going to present this as a Truth, and not the grumbling of an old fellow, incapable of appreciating the inevitable arrival of the Brave New World, a Luddite lost in dreams of steam and smoke, then I will have to produce an argument or some evidence to justify myself. Here goes. The promise of the Internet is that it will abolish Space and Time. We can work and shop and socialise from anywhere and communicate to anywhere almost instantaneously. This should reverse the changes made by the Age of Steam: the concentration of humanity and their industry into cities, and the globalisation of world trade that went with it. Now people can live wherever they want, unless they have other pressing reasons for staying put, rather than in the crowded, polluted and expensive city. But what has actually happened in the last twenty-five years, the Internet years? What has happened is the biggest growth in urban numbers in history. More than half the human race has now left the village and moved to the City.

It is true that some of the old industrial areas, most famously Detroit, have lost half their population, but that is due to manufacturers who didn’t adjust to changing tastes (Americans no longer wanting American style cars), not to the death of the city.

And Ali Ba Ba, the Chinese version of Amazon, is moving west, building a series of distribution centres… along the railway lines that link us to China. The railways form the skeleton that make everything else possible.

Tim Beswick

Real Meals Purveyors of Fine Foods

It's Barbecue season, one of our favourite times of the year at Real Meals.

Try something a little different on your Barbecue - buffalo burgers, boerewors, wild boar sausages or a nice bit of fresh fish?

To finish it off we have some great marinades, spice kits for wedges and particularly good relishes!

Open 7 days a week, including 10 till 3 on Sundays, pop in and pick up a bite to eat!

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

New email address: realmeals.uk@gmail.com

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

Councillors’ Column House building continues apace at two development sites in and around the town. Disruption caused by substantial new highway infrastructure installation will hopefully soon be simply a bad memory. For the less permanent occupant, construction continues on the Lower Promenade where building activity will hopefully result in minimal disruption as the summer tourism season develops.

With residential construction continuing in all parts of the Borough it may have come as a surprise to campaigners against further green field site development that the appeal against planning approval for ‘Land West of Flatts Lane’ has been granted by the Planning Inspector on appeal. The reason being given that the Borough Council could not demonstrate a robust deliverable five year housing supply in line with an Objectively Assessed Need for the Borough. This follows on from the granting of permission for development at Longbank Farm. An appeal decision is expected soon on the development application at Marske to build 900 plus houses and various commercial facilities.

Against this background it would seem reasonable for a thorough review of forward planning of residential development. The current process does not appear to reflect the views of local residents. Residents have opposed all of the recent green field site developments failing to achieve any positive outcome.

With the advent of the Tees Valley Combine Authority and its responsibility for coordinating housing development, a further call for joined up thinking and respecting of community views seems timely.

Some infrastructure is being repaired along the NCN1 route from Marske, including the Black Path and through the allotments, the work being carried out by Northern Powergrid after its cable laying programme.

Saltburn is retaining its Library. A restructuring of opening times and staffing will see Tuesday closure and some new faces. This is a much loved facility that goes beyond the traditional service. However, it does need supporting to confirm that the demand is truly there and to realise the full potential of this precious asset.

The aspiration of full recycling continues. Residents of some specific streets have been leafleted to ask that their recycling bins are used correctly, within the guidelines issued through leafleting and available on the web. The fact that envelopes can readily be recycled will be welcomed as this item along with others had a question mark over its recyclability. The greater tonnage that can be recycled the less requirement there is for incineration and instead a provision of more income to put back into the local revenue pot. Within the same waste reduction aspiration, fly tipping and irresponsible littering is still proving to be too prevalent and consideration of camera installation is on the agenda to assist in addressing this behaviour.

Incidents of fire are reminders, if needed, to be safe.

Preventative planning helps. Property owners, and residents renting, may contact Cleveland Fire Brigade to arrange a free Home Fire Safety Visit. An appointment can be made by calling 01429 874063. Our local Brigade team are also always available for guidance.

Philip Thomson 7

Saltburn Beachwatch Polystyrene Foam Over the last 50 years plastic has become the material of choice for many of the goods we consume. It’s durable, lightweight, easily moulded into different shapes and applications and it seals out oxygen and other contaminants. Plastic is cheap, it dominates single serve food and beverage packaging in the form of polystyrene known as Styrofoam or EPS (expanded polystyrene), used in cups and take-away containers. The finished product is 95% air. Re-cycling rates for Styrofoam are very poor throughout the world with only 1% re-cycled in the USA. In the USA it is estimated that 25 billion Styrofoam coffee cups are thrown away every year. Of the 3 million tons of polystyrene produced in America each year over two thirds ends up in landfill with much of the remainder ending up in waterways and the ocean. The fact that Styrofoam is nonbiodegradable adds to the biological impact whilst in law EPS, being plastic, is deemed inert and currently meets all the food contact standards.

Because of the air content EPS is bulky and expensive to transport. The industry has set up some recycling points but it is only economically viable if all the air is removed before transporting and re-using.

Manufacturers boast that as EPS does not decompose in landfill it does not contribute to the production of methane!

The pieces and fragments that we pick up on our beach could come from packaging or food and drink containers, the majority of which are so small it is virtually impossible to say where they originated. The problem is that from the tiniest plankton to the largest whale plastics impact on hundreds of species in the ocean. We now know that all plastics have the ability to attract and concentrate pollutants from the surrounding seawater posing a risk to those species that eat it. Scientists are studying the impacts of that contamination on fish and shellfish and are increasingly concerned about the potential threat of plastics to species at the top of the food chain: humans. Exposure to these chemicals has been suggested to contribute to some cancers and infertility, as well as immune, metabolic, cognitive and behavioural disorders.

Costa Coffee has introduced a scheme to recycle any cup deposited by customers and to encourage the use of reusable coffee cups. This follows on from broadcaster Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall’s War on Waste campaign which revealed that 2.5 billion cups are sent to landfill in the UK each year and Starbucks has trialled a recyclable cup which could potentially divert huge numbers from landfill. While Styrofoam is set to continue for some forms of packaging the fact is that there are alternatives to EPS in food and coffee cup containers and the way that supermarket and shop produce is packaged. People are being asked to encourage local cafes and fast food outlets to consider using a fully recyclable or biodegradable product alternative. I will report on these alternative products in future issues.

The next Saltburn Beachwatch litter pick and survey will take place on Saturday, 8th July from 10am until 12 noon. Meet at the pier car park where grabs, gloves and bags will be provided. Mid-session free refreshments will be available.

Roy Smith 8

A Youth Play? It’s Elementary Dear Watson!

Saltburn ’53 Youth are back with Sherlock Holmes and the Limehouse Horror by Philip Pullman.

This affectionate spoof on the great detective is full of excitement, disguise, humour and illusion. It comes complete with romantic heroines, sinister villains, gun battles and, most spooky of all, a giant rat!

Directed by Alex Hart, who will be familiar to ’53 audiences as Daisy in Daisy Pulls It Off and The Snow Queen in this year’s panto, the show combines a great plot with plenty of singing and dancing. ‘It’s a brilliant show for all the family,” says Alex. “I’ve cast some new faces in lead roles, as I’m a firm believer that everyone should get the opportunity to show what they can do; but the chorus is populated with incredibly talented singers, dancers and even puppeteers! The game is most definitely afoot and we’re looking forward to everyone seeing our work!”

Sherlock Holmes and the Limehouse Horror is at Saltburn Community Theatre on Thursday 12th, Friday 13th and Saturday 14th July with tickets priced £7/£5 concessions available from the theatre box office, SPAR Gosnay’s in Milton Street and www.saltburnarts.co.uk.

Saltburn 500 Club Congratulations go to J Simpson who won the £100 First Prize in the June Saltburn 500 Club draw.

Saltburn 500 Club AGM was held on Wednesday, 7th June. Current committee members were voted back on to the committee, with no change in the structure of the committee.

Two new members came along to learn more about what the 500 Club did for the town. Other than that, the turnout was most disappointing. We urgently need more members to join the 500 Club as the number of paid-up members is running at an all-time low. Please consider joining and, if you are already a member, try to talk your neighbours into joining.

Although the extra money would be most welcome, we would remind you that the monies we raise cannot be utilised without a team of active members who are prepared to help with fund-raising, help at the Bandstand or help with the Christmas lights. Like other voluntary organisations in the town, we are finding that our teams of volunteers have not got a supply of Peter Pan dust and we are all aging. It would be lovely to see younger faces taking up some of the work and thus ensuring continuity of all of the good work that goes on in Saltburn.

The 1st July starts the Saturday performances at the Bandstand and the schedule for July/early August is as follows: Saturday 1st July – Marske Junior Band; Sunday 2nd July – Northallerton Silver Band; Saturday 8th July – Guisborough Big Band; Sunday 9th July – Hurworth Concert Band; Saturday 15th July – New Horizons Band; Sunday 16th July – Aycliffe & Brancepath Brass Band; Saturday 22nd July – Goodfellas; Sunday 23rd July – Bearpark & Esh Colliery Band; Saturday 29th July – Teesside Wind Band; Sunday 30th July – Lockwood Brass Band; Saturday 5th August – Platinum, Sunday 6th August – North Skelton Brass Band. Please go along and give the bands all the support they deserve.

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

East Cleveland Arthritis Care Group Do you have arthritis or another condition which affects your ability to socialise? T.O.T.R.A.S. was a self help group which used to meet at Redcar Community Hospital, but are no longer able to do so.

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

Meetings take place at Lingdale Village Hall on the 3rd Tuesday of the month between 12noon and 2pm. There will be tea, coffee and biscuits. Meetings 19th July, 15th August, 19th September and 20th October. Contact Anne Lake on 01287 650671 for further information.

Christina Simpson Bespoke Furniture, Joinery Fully Qualified Experienced, Local Carpenter/Joiner

T: 01287 201876

M: 07737 654772

E: darrenflintoff@yahoo.co.uk A: Unit 2, The Drive, Longbeck Industrial Estate. Marske, TS11 6HB

Website: www.flintoffs.co.uk

1st, 2nd Fix Doors, Flooring, Skirting, Loft Conversions Hand-Made Kitchens/Bedrooms, Painted Furniture Paintings Commissioned

No Job Too Small

Call 07773 091727 Email: simpsonc999@gmail.com 9

Friday Friends in July We are an inclusive friendship group, based in Saltburn, for people of all abilities and ages over the age of 18 years.

We have activities in the morning and arts and craft afternoons. We are a friendly group and welcome new members.

We’d like to thank the staff at Holey Moleys Skelton for such a lovely morning playing crazy golf - we all really enjoyed it. And congratulations to Rachel (and Bob!) for getting an amazing hole-in-one!

Our July programme: 7th Seated Keep-Fit to music with trainer Taylor, Bingo.

The afternoon session is making a summer collage.

14th A morning at the beach - meet at 10am, either at top or bottom of Saltburn Cliff Lift. Please note lift not in operation till 11am. Back to the hall, after lunch, to paint pebbles found on the beach.

21st A Games morning including table tennis, Quiz. Paint a summer garden.

28th Bowling at Saltburn Bowls Club, thanks as always to Bowling Bob. Back to the hall to sew a patchwork picture.

We meet at Emmanuel Church Hall, Macnay Street, Saltburn every Friday, activities are 10am - 12.30 then arts and crafts 1 - 4pm. Your first session is free as a taster, then there is a small charge of £2.50 per session or £4 all day. This goes towards the hall rent etc., as we are run totally by volunteers. Carers are more than welcome and are always free.

For more information - 07833 895 501 (or Thefridayfriends@outlook.com).

Anjee Charman-Clark, chair

or email: simon.robson1@ntlworld.com

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

"We love Him because He first loved us."

(1 John 3:19) Please join us as we gather to worship and learn more about Jesus, to build and strengthen our faith, and encourage one another to grow more like Him. We meet each Sunday at 10.30am and 6.00pm.

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Saltburn in Bloom What lovely warm weather we have enjoyed lately, but for us in the work we do, we really need rain. Our waterer started work on June 21st. This is a paid role but sadly we can’t afford more than 10-12 weeks. Our waterer does a marvellous job and we appreciate his commitment.

Like so many organisations in the town, Saltburn in Bloom relies heavily on residents and businesses supporting our work. No money towards any of the costs of the hanging baskets and other floral displays comes from RCBC, but we enjoy a good relationship with them, with co-operation on both sides. Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council are very supportive of our work and give us a generous grant towards the floral displays. There is still time for you to contribute financially as donations are always welcome. Just get in touch!

We were so grateful last year to receive a bequest from the Estate of Mrs Joan Saunders, who died in November 2015. She was a resident of the town and before her marriage Miss Ogilvie taught at the primary school, being promoted to head in 1958. She is remembered with affection by those she taught through the years and Jane and Rob Burke remember her as an excellent teacher, very warm and always smiling. She shared this lovely smile with others throughout her very active life. “Keep on smiling and the whole world smiles with you.” Joan always enjoyed the floral displays during the summer months and kindly thought of Saltburn in Bloom when making her will. After much thought, the committee decided to use some of the money to invest in some new hanging baskets, made from recycled plastic and having a reservoir, which reduces watering. Some of the money was also used in the funding for the Fossil Garden at the Cliff Lift. In Joan’s memory, we have also planted up one of the barrels in Albion Terrace, with an appropriate dedication.

The fossil bed has been sprayed with weed-killer by RCBC and will be planted during July by the Saltburn in Bloom gardeners. According to Roy, the garden will take 3 years to become established and look at its best. He is looking forward to the planting day as he has had 600 plants to look after in his garden – Superstar! Many visitors have taken photos of the other gardens in the Cliff Lift area, all planted and maintained by the Saltburn in Bloom gardeners. Our emphasis is on colour and texture all year round, using pollinator friendly plants where possible. Why not pop down there on a sunny day and look?

Gardening carries on as usual on a Wednesday morning 9.30 – 11.30, when new volunteers are most welcome. It is a lovely group who work hard, but certainly enjoy their coffee break and a chat.

Contact me if you are interested in joining us (by email on lyndaparkes4@gmail.com).

Lynda Parkes (Chair)

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

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

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

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

Andy Pollard

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

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Just Flew in from the Windy City My phone rings and I catch it just in time.

‘Hi’ says an American Teesside voice and I know that my little sister has just blown in from the windy city.

She tells me that my other sister Elizabeth from Somerset is with her. I listen as she suggests a plan to meet together this Sunday and visit the Valley Gardens in Saltburn.

‘Can you sit on the seat by the cliff railway and we will join you at noon?’ she asks. ‘I will tell you the rest of the plan when we are together’ she says.

On Sunday, the plan set, I go to catch the bus to Saltburn using my bus pass. Arrived, I sit on a bench by the funicular and wait. It is rather a dull day and as I look over the sea it is rather like a still steel platform and the windsurfers are making an abortive effort to practise their sport. Today there are no huge rollers, just gentle waves capped by frilly foam. I wait, becoming anxious and impatient.

I watch as the cliff railway climbs toward me, noticing that the cabin’s windows are now made of stained glass. I ask the conductor when they were made, and he told me they date from the nineteen fifties. Probably whilst I was living in Paris, I think. By then we were all grown up and one after another left home for the wide world.

Wherever we wandered, Saltburn was an iconic memory of our north-eastern home. Through my mind flash family connections with this seaside spa town. My grandmother in the eighteen sixties saw its birth and perhaps saw the original Italian Gardens. My mother saw the fruition of the gardens and brought each of us for days out by the sea. As we grew and had children of our own we followed her example whenever we visited the area.

There was a cold breeze that carried my Yankee sister’s voice to me. ‘Hi,’ she said, and turning toward the sound, there stood Dorothy and Elizabeth who hug me and Elizabeth and I cross sticks in greeting as we remember our folk dancing days, and the sword dancing we watched.

Dorothy reminds me how our mother, as she grew older, would often walk along the beach from Redcar to Saltburn.

As we thought about our mother we recognized just how appropriate this venue was for this day’s meeting as we boarded the funicular down to the beach.

We head for the miniature railway, Elizabeth using her stick and moving slowly because of her breathing problems. I am fitter but need a stick because I fell and broke my wrist and now know I must not take risks. We notice and hear the seagulls wheeling out to sea and I smell the pungent smell of rotting seaweed on the beach and the roll of the pebbles seaward as the tide turns. We talk about our plan for this afternoon, recalling our mother as we do so. I wonder whether somewhere she is watching us in our old age as we watched her in hers, and we all remember what a determined lady she was. Elizabeth is showing the same determination in the face of her problem and it is with relief that we board the railway. Here it is very wooded and all around are buttercups and daisies greeting May-time and the summer to come.

We pay our fare and appraise the other passengers.

12

Families with children and even a baby boy enjoying his first adventure. We are all like children, and Elizabeth complements the baby’s mother on how bonnie he is.

Watching the children I know that we are all remembering our lives as teachers and mothers. Dorothy rummages in her pocket and produces mint bullets which my mother always carried on family outings, and sucking the one she gives me I feel bonded in family memory. I am a preschool child again visiting Saltburn with my mother and brother before my sisters were born. In the present I smell wild garlic so strong that it engulfs us The railway follows the stream deeper into the valley and trees are reflected in it and dogs are claiming their freedom and heading for a swim.

Arriving at the terminus Dorothy and I head for the tearoom but Elizabeth opts to sit watching the children enjoying the adventure play ground. We pass the Italian Gardens with their tropical plants and a majestic copper beech like the one we had in our childhood garden.

Memories wherever I look. We find the teashop and Dorothy leaves me there whilst she returns to keep Elizabeth company. I talk to the café owner telling her of Elizabeth’s problems and she volunteers to come back down with me carrying some cream scones instead of the afternoon tea I had planned to treat us to. There are no people kinder than local folk. She accompanies me and we all chat for a while. Refreshed, Elizabeth with determination, agrees we will all walk to get the bus home together. With many rests she makes it.

We are children again. Resting on a tree trunk we gather buttercups and daisies, We make daisy chain necklaces and crowns and shine buttercups under our chins to see if we like butter, but it was a dull day and so the answer was no. A later rest brought a comical dog to lick my hand and I enjoyed his touch. Onwards until we are on the banks of the stream. I run my fingers through the trickling water. I pick up a small flat stone and initiate a game of ducks and drakes, my sisters join in and Elizabeth wins.

We go on to the bus stop on the sea front and sit and wait. I am glad for I have walked what seems like a long way, but it has been very reminiscent of our childhood. Long will I remember this day and how it has satisfied my five senses. Touch. I enjoyed the caress of water, the attention given by the dogs. Most of all the greeting hugs of my sisters. Smell. The wild garlic so strong that I could almost taste it. Taste. The taste of the mint bullet. The jam in the scones. Hearing. The sound of the waves on the shore. The seagulls keening as they head out to sea. The happy laughter of the children. The wind rustling the leaves on the trees. Sight. The sea, the huge copper beech trees. The cactus in the Italian Gardens and more than all of that, the sight of my sisters.

I recall the last line of the song about the windy city thinking how true it is, the windy city is mighty pretty but it ain’t got what we got.

Sylvia Williamson

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Festival Menu Takes Shape

Saltburn Food Festival gets set for fifth birthday It’s already wowed thousands of people, and was flagged up

by The Sunday Times earlier this year as one of the reasons why Saltburn is ‘one of the best places to live in the UK.’ And now planning is well underway for the fifth annual Saltburn Food Festival on Sunday, 30th July – a day that, according to the Festival team, shows the town and the whole community in a hugely positive light.

A firm favourite on the national foodie calendar, the popular Festival looks set to be bigger and better than ever this year, featuring more than 100 stalls for the first time in its busy history.

And, in another first, the Festival’s bustling street market on Milton Street is blossoming into the rest of the town centre for the first time – transforming the town into a buzzing Festival village for a day packed full of good local food for all the family to enjoy.

Milton Street, Dundas Street East and Station Street will be closed to traffic, and alive with the sights and smells of great local produce – with buses simply dropping off and picking up passengers at the top of Station Street at temporary bus stops on Windsor Road.

The Festival’s popular Live Cookery Theatre will also be bigger and better than ever this year, with an incredibly tasty line-up of TV and award-winning chefs taking centre stage right in the heart of town.

Debbie Raw from BBC2’s A Further Step Back in Time, Steph Moon from BBC2’s Great British Menu, former National Seafood Chef of the Year Rob Green who helped transform Whitby’s restaurant scene as host of Green’s of Whitby for 15 years, multi award-winning chef Richard Johns from Rascills Restaurant in Raskelf, North Yorkshire, Matt Hunter from the highly acclaimed The Star Inn in York, and Festival favourite Richard Ingram from Middlesbrough College will all be cooking up a treat for delighted foodies.

People can also enjoy a bustling street market with more than 100 of the best food producers from the North East and North Yorkshire, world street food, veggie and vegan specials, outdoor dining and picnic areas, street theatre, live music, and a busier than ever Festival Fringe.

And budding volunteers who’d like to join the team as Festival ambassadors for the day are welcome to get in touch – with roles including meeting and greeting visitors, litter picking, and even helping out backstage at the Festival Cookery Theatre all up for grabs.

Festival Director Lorna Jackson co-owns Saltburn’s family-run Real Meals Deli and Bistro, and also manages Saltburn’s popular monthly Farmers’ Market.

Lorna said: “The Festival grew out of a very simple idea – to celebrate the great local food we have here on our own doorsteps in the North East and North Yorkshire – and the last few years have just been incredible really. We started out by thinking ‘let’s see what happens’ and have been completely humbled that literally thousands of people have enjoyed some amazing days.

“Now, it’s exciting to have more than 100 great stalls for the first time, and absolutely fantastic to be able to blossom and grow naturally into the rest of the town centre 14

Local foodies looking forward to Saltburn Food Festival photographed by Stuart Boulton. See also this month’s cover.

for the day. It gives us more space to play with, helping us create more dedicated street-food and relaxed family outdoor dining areas, and will be great to see the whole town centre transformed into a buzzing Festival for the day.

“We’re looking to build again on our reputation for finding unusual foods and creating a vibrant street-party feeling right across town. I’m already thinking of all the gorgeous food we can look forward to on the day – a slow roast lamb wrap, an African goat curry, French Moules Marinière or a good old-fashioned Mackerel Bap – and that’s just for starters! We’ll also have a number of gin distillers, over a dozen hand-pulled ciders, Prosecco bars, candy floss and so much more besides – with lots of globally influenced food cooked and served by local food producers.”

And Lorna paid tribute to everyone in the town who gets behind the day so enthusiastically. “There’s an old saying that people make places, and that means we’re all very lucky to have so many amazing people living here in Saltburn.

“The Festival is obviously a very busy day, and the support, warmth and enthusiasm we receive from so many people really helps make the day so enjoyable. I think it shows the town and the whole community in a really positive light, and it was fantastic to see the Festival flagged up by The Sunday Times earlier this year as one of the reasons why Saltburn was one of the best places to live in UK. So we’re all looking forward to seeing everyone again, and we hope that everyone has a fantastic and enjoyable day.”

The Festival will be operating a Park & Ride system from both Guisborough and Saltburn this year, with details available on the Festival website.

Budding volunteers, aged 16+, are asked to contact Festival organisers via the Festival website (at www.saltburnfoodfestival.co.uk).

Saltburn Food Festival: Sunday, 30th July. 10am6pm. FREE Admission. For further info and updates, log onto www.saltburnfoodfestival.co.uk.

Mrs Axe calls it a Day “I’ve been so privileged to work with wonderful Saltburn children and fabulous fellow teachers that it’s been really hard deciding to take very early retirement,” says Primary teacher, Mrs Elizabeth Axe. But after sixteen enjoyable years at our school, she has now chosen to focus on her other interests, especially Creative Writing.

Elizabeth first worked in Financial Management and Audit in Local Government; she was employed by Langbaurgh, Cleveland and Middlesbrough Councils. But she decided to change track and train as a teacher of seven – eleven year olds at Durham University. She specialised in Science and then took a job at Saltburn Primary School, where she has taught Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 ever since.

“There was always something interesting going on, such as the move to the new Campus, so I was never tempted to apply elsewhere,” she says.

Elizabeth was also involved in bringing on Gifted and Talented children and she took a postgraduate certificate in this. Afterwards, she worked on projects such as Space with Durham University cosmologist, Dr Pete Edwards. Last year, the school worked on the Space Seed Project and as part of this, Dr Nicholas Patrick (now an American, but born in Saltburn) spoke to the children on Skype and they met Dr Tim Peake, the first British astronaut. He was working for the European Space Agency and had just visited the International Space Station.

She has loved teaching all the children over the years; many keep in touch with her. Some go off to University and come back to her classroom to do placements. “They like to remember activities they were involved in, especially Year 6 plays such as ‘Olivia’ and ‘Greaserella’,” she adds.

Elizabeth has taken many groups out on exciting day trips and longer excursions. She recalls going to the Life Centre in Newcastle, Eden Camp, the Glass Centre in Sunderland, Eden Walkway Observatory and fun events, such as ice skating. Overnight stays have included Carlton, Winmarley and a centre near Le Mans in France.

Developing the school pond as an outdoor classroom has been a fantastic success. Elizabeth has involved children of all school years. Each year, she has trained Year 6 Pond Monitors, who show the younger ones the wildlife, including the wild resident ducks, moorhens and hundreds of dragonflies.

“It has been lovely to see the pond grow to be a beautiful wildlife area that all the children can love,” she says. “I shall miss it, but it will continue.”

During her career, Elizabeth has stepped up to take part in the development of the school through a position on the Campus Improvement Team. Recently, she has added a valuable perspective to the Campus Governing Body as a co-opted Governor. This has given her a different insight into the running of the school and she is full of admiration for the contribution that all the Governors make: “What a marvellous, dedicated bunch they are, giving hours of their time as volunteers,” she comments.

“But my best memories will be of the children and of the wonderful things they’ve done,” she says. “Every class has been special and it’s been a privilege to know

them all.”

Looking forward to the Autumn, Elizabeth will focus on writing and she hopes to publish some books that she has already written – under a pseudonym! The books are a selection of linked short stories, some science fiction, some futuristic. She developed these when she was studying for a Master’s degree in Creative Writing at Teesside University in 2013, but hasn’t had time to develop them further. Her son, Josh, has just finished a History degree at Teesside and this has spurred her on to plan a change of lifestyle and further study. She would like to do a Doctorate in Creative Writing, possibly at Teesside.

Elizabeth is a big reader – sometimes of science fiction, at other times of classic novels, such as Tolstoy’s ‘Anna Karenina’. She loves Harry Potter and has read all the books and seen all the films. She has made a point of reading a lot of children’s books, so that she has been able to recommend titles and lend them to youngsters in her classes.

“It’s been important to me to do all I could to keep children enjoying reading.”

Her choice of music is equally wide and includes classical and modern. At school, she has learnt to play the violin, the viola, cello and piano alongside the children and then played with them at Tees Valley Music Service concerts. She says that some of the youngsters she has learnt with have gone on to play with orchestras and bands.

Her two dogs, Toby and Bertie, may get some more walks on the Moors. Both are Labradoodles (a cross between a Labrador and a Poodle). Elizabeth may also fit in some term-time travelling, although she has already visited most of Europe, Russia, China, America and Canada; she would like to continue to see more places, organising it herself rather than going on tours.

In these days when we hear teachers are so overloaded with admin and paperwork, it’s wonderful to have known a teacher who has still had time to offer lots of extras to the children. Thank you, Elizabeth, and best wishes for your exciting future.

Rosemary Nicholls 15

SALTBURN CRICKET CLUB Marske Mill Lane, Tel 01287-622761

SLIMMING WORLD – Tuesday mornings @ 9.00 – 10.30am BINGO – Weds 5th & 19th July – eyes down 8.00pm RACE NIGHT – Fri 28th July in aid of cricket section.

Cricket matches most Saturdays and Sundays, mid-week evenings too.

Supporters and spectators always welcome CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR U17s TEAM ON WINNING THE U17s JUNIOR CUP SOUTH!

*Free WiFi in Club* * BIG screen TV showing SKY sports etc * ***FEATURED IN CAMRA GOOD BEER GUIDE!!***

GREAT VENUE for YOUR family events, weddings, parties, funerals & meetings Convenient venue, free parking, reasonable bar prices.

Contact us to book your event.

Members and non-members welcome.

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

Thank You and Goodbye It is with great sadness that we have closed the door for Saltburn Store on Upleatham Street for the last time on Sunday the 18th June.

The Thompson family would like to thank all our customers and staff for their support and custom over the past 9 years. It is the end of an era.

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

SALTBURN BLUES CLUB I’d planned a summer break for the Club in July and August but couldn’t miss out when JOHNNY DICKINSON became available to play on July 19th. I’d recently seen him live and was keen to bring him to Saltburn. Slide guitarist/ singer/songwriter Johnny was a founder member of multiaward winning Paul Lamb and the Kingsnakes. His immaculate slide guitar is reminiscent of Cooder, Lindley and the phenomenal Blind Willie Johnson. With his smooth, seasoned vocals, Johnny’s success continued when he went solo. He’s guested on Radio 2’s folk and blues shows, played on all three stages at the prestigious Cambridge Folk Festival, toured with John Martyn. The list goes on. He’s nurtured the music he grew up with but he’s not afraid to play around with the form or tempo. Bluegrass, blues and folk with a Caribbean or middle-eastern edge, he plays seering slide guitar and has a vocal range to match. Superb.

You shouldn’t miss this one. N.B. Doors: 8.00pm Venue: The Victoria Pub (upstairs), Saltburn TS12 1AH. Tickets: £6 available from: 07960 935263, www.yorkshireticketshop.co.uk, and Whistlestop Wines, Saltburn.

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

Planning to come to the HOWZAT MUSIC FESTIVAL? Save £5 by getting tickets early. A one-day Blues/Soul/Americana/Country & Western festival, organised by Saltburn Blues Club, Rotary and Saltburn Cricket Club, it’s a charity event in aid of The Great North Air Ambulance. Superb music, refreshments including a barbecue, hot drinks and beer.

Sunday, 3rd September 2017 from 2pm - 11pm in the indoor nets hall at Saltburn Cricket Club. The seven first class acts are: REECE HILLIS, THE EMMA WILSON BAND, HOT TIN ROOF, GROOVETRAIN, BIG RED AND THE GRINNERS, THE KAZ HAWKINS BAND and THE JAR FAMILY. Kaz Hawkins recently won the 2017 European Blues Challenge. She really is outstanding.

Earlybird Tickets for HOWZAT cost £20. £25 if bought on the day. All details can be found at: www.howzatmusicfestival.co.uk.

My show, STILL GOT THE BLUES, is on ZETLAND FM, 105FM and online for listeners outside the area. Every Monday night, 7-10pm. 3 hours of Blues, old and new, full-on and chilled. It’s also available on Mixcloud if you want to listen on catch-up. Click on the link at the end of the Zetland FM webpage.

Harry

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

For a friendly efficient service on all legal matters Tel:

(01287) 623049 16

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

01287 624505

Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council At the Annual Council meeting in May, Councillor Twentyman (St Germain’s Ward) was appointed Chairman, taking over from Councillor Lambert.

Councillor V Rider (Longbeck Ward) was appointed as Vice Chairman.

At the Ordinary meeting, grants were approved for Community Groups throughout the Parish including Talk of the Town, The Great North Air Ambulance, Saltburn Community & Arts Association, Saltburn Craft & Produce Show and Saltburn in Bloom.

At the June meeting Mr Peter Jones from ICL UK (Boulby Potash) attended to consult with Members about the future of the mine and its request to renew their planning application to allow mining to continue for a further 25 years. It was noted that the mine employs approximately 700 local people and is an important part of the local economy. As part of the consultation, a questionnaire can be completed to gauge local views and these are available at the Parish Council office.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council are consulting on the extension to the dog exclusion zone at Saltburn beach. Dogs are currently excluded between Hazelgrove and Saltburn pier from 1st May to 30th September each year. They are proposing to extend the dog exclusion zone to include the part of the beach between Saltburn pier and Skelton beck. The consultation runs until 21st August 2017 and you can have your say by completing an online questionnaire. Further information can be found on our website.

Future dates for the diary (for more details on each event visit our website): Saturday July 8th - Saltburn Craft and Produce Show at Emmanuel Church Hall. Thursday 27th July - The annual Joe Abraham allotments competition. Friday 11th - Sunday 13th August - Saltburn Folk Festival. Sunday 10th September - Saltburn Hill Climb.

There is a casual vacancy for a Councillor in Saltburn. No prior experience required, you will receive guidelines and the existing members will readily help you to learn about your role. In order to meet the required criteria you must be: ● A British citizen or a citizen of the Commonwealth or European Union, ● At least 18 years of age. And you must meet at least one of the following criteria: ● A registered local government elector within the Parish, ● Live within the Parish or 3 miles of it, ● Own land or premises within the Parish or ● Work within the Parish. If you are interested and would like further details on how to apply please contact the Parish Clerk.

Tracy Meadows (Clerk and RFO to the Parish Council) 01287 623477 office@smnmpc.co.uk www.smnmpc.co.uk 17

DOG GROOMING www.saltyseadogsgrooming.co.uk

Kelly - 07523 216363

18

19

Guided Walks in the Loftus area The Loftus area is becoming increasingly popular in attracting visitors and local residents to guided walks. Two recent walks organised by Loftus ACCORD Walking Group attracted a total of more than 70, with people travelling from a wide area to take part. More local walks are planned for the next few months including: Saturday, 8th July Lewis Hunton Trail. Meet outside Loftus Town Hall 10.15am for a circular walk of about five miles in the steps of a celebrated local geologist. Please be prepared for a muddy walk of about four hours involving stiles and steep climbs; please bring refreshments.

Thursday, 13th July Grinkle Mine. Meet at lay-by near Red House Farm at bottom of Boulby Bank (NZ767185) 1.00pm for a circular walk of about four miles led by Simon Chapman to the former Grinkle Mine. This woodland walk of about three hours involves climbs and stiles. The meeting point is close to the route of Arriva X4 bus service.

Saturday, 22nd July Street House. Meet outside Loftus Town Hall 6.15pm for a circular walk of about five miles led by Dr Stephen Sherlock to the site of recent archaeological excavations. Please be prepared for a muddy walk of up to three hours involving climbs and stiles.

Wednesday, 23rd August Geological Exploration.

Meet outside Loftus Town Hall 10.15am for a walk of about four miles led by Alan Simkins, exploring geological features in local woods. This walk is expected to last about 20

four hours so bring refreshments.

The walks are free of charge and no booking is needed. Loftus is served by Arriva X4 and 5 buses.

There’s free parking at South View, off North Road TS13 4JL. For more information phone 01287 641000 or email office@loftustc.co.uk (or visit www.walkingloftusandthenorthyorkshirecoast.com).

Saltburn remembers Vin Garbutt Saltburn people have been quick to salute folk singer Vin Garbutt, of Loftus, who has died aged 69.

His name will be added to ‘folkies’ on a bench at Marine Parade, overlooking the North Sea, which he loved.

It will be put there by the town’s annual folk festival of which he was a star for many of its 49 years.

Organiser John Taylor said: “I loved him like a brother.”

The day Vin Garbutt cut short a world tour to help the Middlesbrough diocese celebrate the millennium in 2000 was told by Monsignor Ricardo Morgan to the morning Mass congregation at Our Lady of Lourdes, Saltburn, on June 7th.

He said the star of a concert at Middlesbrough’s Riverside stadium, to mark the anniversary could not attend so a request was made to Vin to step in. Despite him being in Canada during a world tour he immediately agreed and flew to Middlesbrough.

Monsignor Morgan said the gesture was a sign of Vin’s love of his faith.

By coincidence Vin’s father was in hospital at the time and sadly died during his flying visit. Vin was pleased to have been able to be at his dad’s side during his final hours.

Vin Garbutt often attended services at local churches in East Cleveland near his home at Loftus.

Hundreds attended the memorial Mass held at St Mary’s Cathedral, Coulby Newham, on 16th June.

Craig Hornby, the Saltburn film-maker, made a film about Vin a few years ago and produce a DVD which sold thousands of copies worldwide.

Mike McGeary, a former Gazette journalist and Middlesbrough Boro FC media man, said he was preparing a book on Vin to mark his 70th birthday in December and knew the singer well.

“Vin said he wasn’t afraid of death and was grateful to have enjoyed such a full life. His only concern about leaving this world when the time came for him was for the family he would leave behind.”

The ‘Teesside Troubadour,’ who was born at South Bank and worked as an apprentice at ICI Wilton until he was 20, had surgery following a heart complaint a few weeks before his death.

He won many awards including Best Live Act in the 2001 Radio 2 Folk Awards and held an honorary degree from Teesside University.

Mike Morrissey

Saltburn Charity Crafters Saltburn Charity Crafters will be gathering on Wednesday, 5th July in the Community Hall coffee room from 2pm to 4pm. Drop in for a cuppa and a chat (and a biscuit) if you would like to find out more about us and what we do. You will be welcome. For further information contact Angie on 01287 205153.

21

Cleveland Diving Club

Unfortunately the deep-seated optimism, credited to our scuba divers in June, with respect to the dynamics of the British weather and its ability to provide suitable diving conditions have, so far this year, been well and truly stymied.

However, as the saying goes ‘Hope Springs Eternal,’ and thankfully recent weather forecasts are promising periods of high pressures. This has, unquestionably, galvanised our irrepressible members to exploit the upturn in the summer weather as they make plans to get into the sea over the next few days.

We are often asked, ‘What is the attraction of our local coast line?’ Well, the attraction is that the sea offers scuba divers many opportunities to observe the familiar and experience the unexpected. No scuba diver wants to miss out on spotting something memorable, whether it is the playful antics of our local friendly seals or the cut and thrust of life and death drama by confrontational opponents such as crabs’ vs lobsters (Photo 1).

Our local lobster and crab community share obvious characteristics e.g. they are both decapod crustaceans, having 10 legs, including two large claws attached to an exoskeleton body which moults during growing periods and, to some extent, have comparable eating habitats both relishing plant life, small fish and smaller crustaceans.

However, there are some notable differences. A crab’s shell is thick, they generally walk sideways and male and female crabs are sexually dimorphised (more easily distinguished apart), males having the larger claws to attract females. On the other hand, lobsters have a light weight exoskeleton with striated muscles, flexible leg joints that help them move forward quickly and an amazing abdominal tail flip they engage to swim backwards, for a hasty getaway when in danger. Crabs are more social and family orientated using their claws to communicate with each other and in particular, by the male, using them aggressively towards other suitors who have designs on his female partner. However, they also have a tender side and are careful to ensure their partner’s comfort and safety during the egg laying process and, both mum and dad work together to feed their young.

Conversely, lobsters are loners and the physical differences between male and female more discreet. Also, and contrary to what some people believe, lobsters do not ‘fall in love and mate for life.’ Far from it, the alpha lobster in the area mates with any female who has recently shed her shell, (those 22

naughty femme fatales!) who are then left to care alone for the offspring. Another lobster myth claims that lobsters do not die from old age. However, the results of continually shedding their exoskeleton, as they continue to grow, requires increasing levels of energy exposing them to incomplete shedding and the contraction of disease, from which they die. Lobsters are also more carnivorous, eating their moult after it has been cast, or each other if kept in captivity. It is not surprising then that as they also have poor eyesight lobster will eat crabs, as the struggle of crab vs lobster in photo one appears to suggest.

In our local waters there are a number of species of crabs and lobsters that may be spotted on any one dive.

Photo 2 shows a large and familiar edible crab while photo 3 shows the spiny spider crab, more difficult to spot due to being well camouflaged with seaweed and sponge sticking to its spines. Photo 4 shows a small squat lobster with a bright red carapace displaying almost luminous blue markings and photo 5 showing the familiar common lobster sought by local fisherman.

Forever hopeful our members will continue to explore the sea in anticipation of first-hand experiences of the marvels and curiosities of our local marine creatures throughout the summer and autumn. To learn more about our club why not visit our Facebook page ‘The Diving Club- Cleveland or contact us on 07960 608529.

June Coomber

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

Emmanuel Church Hall, Macnay Street, Saltburn

Tuesdays at 3.30pm, 5.30pm and 7.30pm.

Telephone Stevie on

01642 474920

We sell a good selection of Stationery i.e. Envelopes, Labels, Tapes, Mailing Bags, and a wide range of Greetings Cards Plus lots of Saltburn Souvenirs

23

Book Corner News Book Launch: ‘How Saints Die’ by Carmen Marcus on Saturday, 22nd July 2017 at Book Corner, 24 Milton Street, Saltburn, 2.30pm - 4.00pm.

Carmen writes: “I want to have a little local gathering in my local bookshop to celebrate with all of the people who helped make the book happen and cheered me along.

“I’ll do a short reading for invited guests at 2.30ish and then I’ll be around from 2.50pm to sign books and chat booky things so please feel free to drop by. There’ll be refreshments too.

“About the booky wooky: Ten years old and irrepressibly curious, Ellie lives with her fisherman father, Peter, on the wild North Yorkshire coast. It’s the 1980s and her mother’s breakdown is discussed only in whispers, with the promise ‘better by Christmas’ and no further explanation.”

Stephen May wrote: “In How Saints Die Carmen Marcus announces herself as a powerful and original talent. This is a novel as restless, as seductive and as dangerous as the sea that forms the backdrop to the story, while in Ellie Fleck Marcus has created one of the great child protagonists. A compelling story with a warm heart written in language that is both vivid and raw. I loved this book.”

Saltburn’s Independent Bookshop, now at 24 Milton Street!

Fiction Non-fiction Children’s Books Cut-price Books Ordering Service Gifts for Book-lovers Opening Times: 10am – 5pm (Closed Wednesday and Sunday)

01287 348010 www.bookcornershop.co.uk

More Book Corner Events As well as Carmen’s book launch, we have two other events coming up in July. On Saturday, 8th July we have a double book signing with two local authors. Nicola Renae Bruffee will be signing copies of her thriller/suspense novel Beyond Torment, and Diana Rozevskis will be here with her Crystal Waters series for children. You can meet both authors between 11am – 3pm.

Costa Award shortlisted author Stephen May is coming to Book Corner to talk about his new novel, Stronger Than Skin, on Wednesday, 26th July at 7.30pm.

Stephen will also be signing copies of his book which will be available to buy on the night.

The event is being held on a Book Group night, but it is open to all. It’s a free event, but places are limited, so please call the bookshop on 01287 348010 to book.

Jenna 24

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Leap into Spring

Pier Amusements

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

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

Open all year round 10am-8pm.

A packed St Marks Church, Marske was the venue for New Day Singers ‘Leap into Spring’ concert. Led by Paula Day the choir sang a range of modern and traditional choral arrangements ending with a great audience sing along. Guest Harpist Anita Aslin entertained the audience with Japanese, Spanish and jazz pieces as well as more traditional music for the harp. The event in support of St Marks Church tower restoration fund raised £600.

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

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

Please feel free to visit us at anytime.

01287 622498 and 01287 625178 25

Proposed extension to dog exclusion zone at Saltburn beach The council launched a 12-week consultation on its proposals to extend the dog exclusion zone at Saltburn beach on 30th May 2017.

The current public spaces order makes it an offence for dog walkers to permit their dog to enter areas of Redcar and Saltburn beaches between 1st May and 30th September. Dogs are currently excluded during the summer from that part of Saltburn beach between Hazelgrove and Saltburn pier. The council does not currently have any plans to make changes to the dog exclusion zone at Redcar.

The council is proposing to extend the dog exclusion zone area at Saltburn beach to also include the part of the beach between Saltburn pier and Skelton beck.

The council believes this proposed change will benefit local communities, neighbourhoods, and the local economy, by helping in the creation and maintenance of clean, safe and healthy neighbourhoods, town centres, and visitor destinations.

This consultation involves all stakeholders who may be affected, including dog walkers; the general public; Cleveland police; local parish and town councils; schools; veterinary surgeries; kennels; Ramblers’ association; Cleveland connect (neighbourhood watch); housing associations; and neighbouring councils. Anyone can give their views during the consultation period which runs from Tuesday, 30th May, to Monday, 21st August 2017.

We want to encourage as many of the general public and dog walkers to give the council their views, including about whether they’ve experienced antisocial activities involving dogs and dog walkers on Saltburn beach, so the council can assess whether the proposed change is justified.

If supported, the change to the dog exclusion zone at Saltburn beach will be introduced in time for 2018.

You will also find below web-links to the council’s current consultation web-page, where anyone wanting to give their views can access the details of the consultation, including consultation documents, and the on-line questionnaire (http://www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/ consultation and https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ DogExclusionZone2017).

I hope this information is clear, but please do not hesitate to contact me if you require further information or need to discuss this matter further. I can be contacted by telephone, by letter (number and address as below) (or by email on julian.feakes@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk).

Julian Feakes, prevention and partnership officer Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council Redcar & Cleveland House Kirkleatham Street Redcar, Yorkshire TS10 1RT Land-line: (01642) 776 948 Mobile: 0774 893 3946 Email: Julian.feakes@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk Website: http://www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk See also the poster on page 23.

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Health and Happiness: Making Love Sex is going on all around us, people from Saltburn love it, people all over England love it, let’s be honest if you are doing it guilt free and consensually pretty much everybody loves it. We were all made by doing it yet so many people are uncomfortable with it.

In Rome it’s the word of the city. In India all manner of positions are depicted in carvings on holy buildings. In France it’s much more openly discussed. So why in England are we are so shy and withheld when it comes to talking openly about sex and our sexuality?

Repressed or injured sexuality can often be the catalyst to inner self-anger and anger that is then projected outwards to others, often in the form of control or misuse of power. Repressed sexuality can also lead to a repressed expression in other areas of our character. That sense of hiding away can lead to a general lack of self-confidence that can affect every area of ourselves, from our health, to our ability to create equal relationships with others. When sexuality is unexpressed or hurt we can hold ourselves in low enough esteem that we can walk unknowingly into selfharm and self-abuse. We can sleep walk into depression, or into a solitary lifestyle separated from others. Sexuality is at the base of so much we do, it affects our ability to smile, to hug, to look people in the eye and say ‘this is me, I am not hidden, I am openly shining who I am.’

Where sexuality so often seems to twist unhelpfully is very often early on. Most likely our parents were naked when they conceived us and our children when born were undoubtedly naked and yet after a short time parents often feel a need not to show their nakedness in front of their growing child. The child then questions ‘what is wrong with nakedness?’ Children don’t learn from their parents’ words telling them how they should act. They learn from how their parents react and if the parents are happy in their own skins, and if the parents act in a liberated and happy way. If the parents cover up their nakedness as though it is something

to be ashamed of that can leave many children very confused. They wonder, is there something in their nudity and so perhaps in the rest of their sexuality that they should hide and perhaps even be ashamed of?

Tatiana and I run regular Tantra workshops at Earthbeat and much to the misconception they are very little about sex. Instead it is about learning to make love.

And that means learning to love ourselves and our bodies first, for only then can we really have any chance to match with someone else who wants to love us equally. It involves supporting people to become less ashamed and more liberated and so to shine, fully self expressed.

Why do we sometimes find it so difficult to look into the eye of someone else and to hold that connection?

Tantra is about choice and being able to say ‘yes, I want to try that’ and ‘no, thank you I don’t like that.’ It is about open self-expression and building our self-esteem.

Schools often surprise me in what they want to teach children but sex education is one of the most surprising areas to me. They will explain the biology of body parts and sperm and egg and the stages of growth.

Yet they do not encourage young people to practise connection and openness before anything else takes place.

They do not explain to young people what a beautiful, wonderful thing sexuality is. They do not teach children about conscious touch and the importance of saying a clear ‘yes’ or a clear ‘no.’ They do not focus on the value of both partners’ hearts opening before body sharing. And those children become adults and many of them learn that sex is simply a goal of bodily sensation, rather than learning to love themselves first and then making love by finding heart connection.

Please feel free to contact me, or come to our groups at Earthbeat. Kendal Aitken Health and Happiness Coach / Counsellor, on coach@happygreenblueeyes.co.uk or 07944 883961.

Saltburn, Redcar & Cleveland Philatelic Society Saltburn’s Victorian letter box, Milton Street As R&CPS is in summer recess, July’s entry features Saltburn’s famous Victorian ‘Penfold’ Letter Box in Milton Street of which only twenty are recorded throughout the UK. Ours is shown as image 76664.jpg on geograh.org.uk website alongside all others known. Novelist Anthony Trollope promoted the idea of the letter box a few years before John Wornham Penfold (18281909) was commissioned by the British Post Office. Although a distinguished architect and surveyor, Penfold is best remembered for his hexagonal post box design of 1866. (Note whilst ours is of this very first 1866 ‘Mark 1’ type, it only appeared in the 1990s due to the efforts of the Saltburn Victorian Society and the Post Master). Functional, elegant,

and cost effective, it swept away all competition and was soon referred to as the ‘Penfold Box’. In 1874, ‘Penfold Box Red’ was standardised throughout Britain.

Most children of a certain age know Dangermouse originally lived with a friend called Penfold in the Penfold Letter Box near Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson of 34, Baker Street, London. Penfold designed several major buildings in the City of London, and Haslemere Church where he was buried.

York Stamp Fair: Fri-Sat 21st-22nd July at Grandstand, York Racecourse). Free E n t r y S e e h t t p s : / / www.yorkracecourse.co.uk/stamp-and-coin -fair-4.html Geoff Reynolds (Secretary, 01642 478229) David D. Turner (01287 624736) 27

A Dream Transformation from PCB Home Installations

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Saltburn Songsters As summer approaches fast (or to some, it’s already here!), the Saltburn Songsters have been mega busy rehearsing for their annual Summer Concert which this year is to be held at Emmanuel Church in Saltburn.

Featuring alongside the ladies who love to sing will be flute quartet Flautissimo and the Cello/Piano, Father/ Son duet of Stephen and Neil Sild - A night not to be missed!

So please, get out your diaries and make an entry for Saturday, 22nd July 2017 at 7:15pm (doors open 6:45pm) and come along to support this amazing Choir and guests and join us in saying ‘THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC!’ For tickets or if you wish to know more about the Choir or even join our ever growing waiting list, please contact Chairman/Musical Director, Dan Matuszak on 07729 332258.

Saltburn Photographic Society In July, we are holding an evening meeting at 7.00pm at Gribdale. Tuition for photographers will be available.

The Society are currently exhibiting a small number of members’ prints in Saltburn Library which will be changed monthly.

For further details please contact Tony Lynn on 01287 622519.

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Take your partners Partnerships seem to be the flavour of the month at the moment, whether it be performance, poetic or political.

The theatre in Saltburn avoids the political but relishes the other two and is featuring two more examples of musical partnership this month.

On Saturday, 8th July we welcome back the Argentinian musicians that enthralled us last year when they came to town, then as a quartet. This year they are back, but bigger. The Sotavento Big Band is a Jazz and Tango Orchestra formed in Buenos Aries 13 years ago.

The orchestra recreates the golden age of Swing and the Tango, combining the melodic and rhythmic pattern of dance with harmonies and jazz improvisations. Their distinctive sound comes in particular from them replacing trombones and trumpets with saxophones, giving their music a very warm sound, perfect for a balmy summer evening on the Costa del Saltburn.

They have received an enthusiastic reaction in their native Argentina and on tour throughout Europe. The music goes from the traditional beat of Astor Piazzola to the abandoned territory of a more contemporary style.

The support of the Argentinian Embassy and their partnering with SC&AA as one of their preferred venues, means that we can offer this musical extravaganza at the ridiculous price of £10 a ticket; make a friend for life and buy two.

Our partnership with the Samling Academy takes a different form this year. Through performance and learning opportunities Samling nurtures young classical singers and piano accompanists. From students to emerging professionals, hundreds of young artists have benefited since they were founded in 1996. The student’s time with Samling acts as a springboard and inspiration for their future careers. We, at the theatre, see it as a chance again to highlight new talent before they graduate to the main stage. Previously they have lived in Saltburn

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

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for a week as they prepared a performance of Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortilèges, forming partnerships with their hosts in the town. This year they are coming just for the one night and have formed a different partnership reacting to the poem called ‘When I was One and Twenty’ by AE Housman: When I was one-and-twenty I heard a wise man say, “Give crowns and pounds and guineas but not your heart away; Give pearls away and rubies but keep your fancy free.” But I was one-and-twenty, no use to talk to me.

The concert takes young love as its theme, glorying in hope and innocence, regretting the heartbreak of unrequited love and reflecting on the wisdom of experience. The programme will feature some of the most beautiful music ever written including Mozart, Schubert, Schumann, Fauré and Britten. Directed by Samling Artists Miranda Wright and Ian Tindale, this semi-staged performance features some of the North East’s most talented young singers accompanied by Ian on the piano.

Put Friday, 21st July in your diary and bring a partner; you don’t have to be 21, you just have to remember being 21.

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

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Teddy Bears’ Picnic in Gisborough Priory Woodland Gardens If you go down to Gisborough Priory Woodland Gardens on Sunday, 16th July 2017, between 1pm and 3.30pm, you are sure of a big surprise. That’s because it’s the day that teddy bears and their owners will be having a special picnic.

Young and old alike are invited to bring their teddies and their own picnic, or to sample the scrumptious refreshments on offer. Homemade cakes, tea, coffee and squash will be available throughout the afternoon. The woodland picnic area offers a pleasant place to relax. There is a small play area nearby to explore.

Adventurous teddy bears will be able to whizz along on a specially constructed zip wire, giving them a bird’s eye view of the gardens, before landing safely back in the arms of their owners.

Gisborough Priory Project volunteer, Bruce Robinson, said, “The teddy bear zip wire is being made ready so that teddies can enjoy a ride in it.”

There will also be a teddy bear trail – try and find the pictures of some of the bears coming to the picnic hidden in the woods.

On a more relaxing note, teddy bear themed stories will be told throughout the afternoon in the woodland storytelling area. Alternatively, why not create a picture of your teddy using the free art materials on offer or colour in one of the teddy bear picnic pictures.

To get to the teddy bears’ picnic come through the Gisborough Priory entrance, next to St Nicholas’s Church, between 1pm to 3.30pm and head for the woodland gardens.

Entrance is FREE.

Humour v. vandals A Saltburn shopkeeper responded with a dash of humour when faced with vandals smashing two large windows in the early hours one night at the end of May. Jeff Kitching, owner of gift shop Brambles in Station Street, reported the incident to police and put up a notice to say, tongue-in-cheek, that one reason for the windows being broken was ‘we are sick of cleaning them.’

Another was: ‘It draws attention to our shop.’ And a third: ‘We wanted to see if the town CCTV system works.’

Mr Kitching finished his notice: ‘Some toe-rag thought it a good idea to carry out an act of mindless vandalism.’

He ended his four-points by inviting: ‘Answers on a postcard to…’

Mr Kitching, who reckons the vandalism will cost him around £800, said: “I feel a bit of humour keeps a perspective on life. Several people asked about the windows so we put up the notice. Whoever did this didn’t get anything.”

He said he had contacted both the police and Saltburn councillors Philip Thomson and Stuart Smith and had been told the council’s CCTV was reported to be in action at the time but “they didn’t see anything.”

He intends to try to establish if the cameras had been recording. “I’m going to question them further,” he promised.

Mr Kitching said the incident was reported to police 32

Jeff Kitching looks at his four-point notice before getting two windows repaired at a cost of £800. He is checking up on the town’s CCTV system following the 4am incident.

at around 4am. It had forced him to change his mind about taking down window shutters for the summer period.

“I originally thought they detracted from the appearance of local shops with many visitors liking to window-shop. But now I plan to replace the shutters.”

A member of an old-established Saltburn family, he opened his shop seven years ago.

Postcard helps library

Trevor collects £50,000 for kids

A new member of staff at the cliff lift Neil Readman, of Redcar, admires a postcard drawn by Nev Burdett, a former lift operator, at the popular lift.

Trevor Cox is congratulated by two Saltburn donors for his 12-years of collecting in the town centre. Sue Warwick, left, and Anne Bedell voice the thanks of many locals.

A postcard showing the cliff-lift - drawn on an iPad - is being sold to help Saltburn library.

Nev Burdett, of Loftus, a retired cliff-lift operator, drew with his finger and printed copies in aid of the Friends of Saltburn Library. Copies are 50p each.

“I used to sell the postcard for the Air Ambulance at the cliff-lift when I worked there from 2009 for a few years,” he said. “Other cards I’ve made are of Teddy’s Nook and the bandstand.”

Mr Burdett used to work at Cleveland Potash as a shaftman for 34 years.

Prayer session starts in new lounge A weekly prayer session has started in the new explorers’ lounge, upstairs at Destinations, and run by youth project Doorways. It is open to all and the aim of the 15-minute informal service is to pray for the needs of Saltburn and district and its people. The session takes place on Wednesdays at 12 noon. It is open to all and participants are invited to either climb the stairs to the lounge, a former showroom at the back of upstairs, or use the stair-lift. It has been refurbished through a £15,000 Lottery grant.

Trevor Cox, a well-known figure in Saltburn town centre, is delighted at raising over £50,000 in 12 years for Zoë’s Place hospice for children, Normanby.

He is grateful to local people, who put money in his collection tins and to local shops who keep him going with coffee and cake.

Trevor, who lives in the town centre, has been recognised with awards several times by grateful Zoë’s Place chiefs. He even does some collecting in Scarborough when visiting the resort for a few days’ holiday. Trevor was 67 on 15th June.

Mystery £43,000 The Royal British Legion’s head office in London is seeking who can solve the mystery of £43,000 paid for the former Legion clubhouse in Ruby Street, Saltburn.

A public notice has been put up in the town saying the Legion holds £43,271, “which it believes to be the proceeds of 3 Ruby Street used by Saltburn and District RBL. “If you consider you have a claim contact the BPT Team at Haig House, Borough High Street, London SE1 1AA or email BPT@britishlegion.org.uk before 30th June.”

Steve Barnett, manager of the BPT (Branch Property Trust Team, told Talk of the Town they had not been able to find a copy of any property conveyance. If no one came forward with a claim it was likely the money would be spent on Legion welfare needs in the Yorkshire area.

The former clubhouse was demolished a few years ago and is now four new houses.

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Tallest MP returned in election Tory candidate Simon Clarke was elected MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland and takes his place in the House of Commons as the tallest MP at 6ft 7in.

He beat Labour’s Tracy Harvey by a majority of 1,020, nearly half the margin picked up by previous Labour MP Tom Blenkinsop in 2015.

Northern Echo political columnist Chris Lloyd said: “One wonders what would have happened here if the sitting Labour MP had stood and fought his ground.”

Mr Clarke, who promised to move from his York home to the constituency if he won, was harangued by an angry supporter of the Left-leaning Momentum group minutes after being elected.

The third candidate Chris Foote Wood, Lib-Dem veteran, polled 1,354 votes and lost his deposit. He said: “This is the first time I have lost my deposit and it is maybe time to retire, but you can never say never in politics so I could be back for one more time.”

The constituency, which covers from Loftus to South Bank, Hemlington and Guisborough, was the only North-east seat where a Tory overturned a Labour-held seat.

It was a surprise that the Labour majority won by Mr Blenkinsop - after his election following the death of popular Labour MP Askok Kumar - was overturned. One possibility was that Mr Clarke started a vigorous door-todoor campaign early in the New Year.

This was well before Mrs Tracey, of Middlesbrough, was chosen - by a London party committee - only shortly before the election was called in April.

In Saltburn it was noticeable that few Tory posters appeared in the windows of houses while several dozen for Mrs Tracey were spotted.

Mike Morrissey

Local Author’s New Zackery Grimm Investigates Novel Author C.D. Field spent several happy years living in Garnet Street, Saltburn. The Zackery Grimm series of ghostly adventures, aimed at the 9 – 13 years age group launched in 2016 with a spooky tale set in nearby Scarborough: The Ghost of Agapantha Claypole.

Following excellent reviews, the second in this lively series is now on release: Zackery Grimm Investigates: The Peculiar World of Billy Peanut. Join Zak on his latest supernatural investigation, set against the dramatic backdrop of Whitby old town - you will not be

disappointed!

Who is the strange old man, Billy Peanut? Where do the weird twins with their rather odd habits come from and where do they go? Follow Zak on his terrifying quest to find his young cousin, Amelie. Sit with him, terrified in the ruin of the ancient abbey, high on the cliff, waiting with the ghosts of dead sailors and the appearance of the ghostly, Barguest Coach.

How can Zak possibly succeed?

What’s on at Saltburn Library in July We have a few events and activities coming up in the next few months that you might want to pop into your diaries.

We are pleased to say that the library is joining in the Victorian Steampunk celebrations on the 15th July. Come along for some steampunk activities and crafts. We are just confirming details so just give us a ring for times and further information nearer the time.

We launch this year’s Summer Reading Challenge on Monday, 17th July when entertainer and magician Silly Steve will be performing a special show 5.00-6.00pm in the Library. Find out how children can collect stickers and other surprises along the way by reading just 6 books over the Summer holidays,. Please phone up to book a place for this event.

Then during the school holidays local illustrator Katherine Lynas will be running the following children’s craft sessions 2.00-3.00pm: 9th August - Make a frog catching game. Make your own frog and see if you can make it catch a fly. 23rd August - Make your own animal bookmark, and never lose your place again! 30th August Make a lizard or a monkey that can climb up a door.

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Just another reminder that we will be hosting 3 Creative Writing Workshops in August (3rd, 10th and 17th). These sessions will be run as part of the Crossing The Tees Festival and will be run by the writer in residence, Tracey Iceton. They will offer practical advice on the essentials of a short story. They will cost £3.00 per person per session. Please book your place by phoning or popping into the Library.

Friends of Saltburn Library are delighted to welcome Margaret Bennett, one of Saltburn’s best loved “crafters” for our Tuesday talk on July 11th. Her talk entitled “My Yarn Journey” covers her years of knitting experience with many yarns, not just wool. She will be displaying interesting samples of her work from over the years. The “Friends” also intend to hold a stall with bags of knitting wool and knitting needles to encourage you beginners to learn to knit and even old ones too! Don’t miss out. Please note this is a change of date from the original programme.

Tracey Tel 01287 623584

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Saltburn charity wins from Mayor’s fund Saltburn charity Earthbeat will share in a record £24,000 raised in the past year by retiring Mayor Barry Hunt.

The group, which runs a theatre school at the Marske Mill Lane centre (formerly the junior school), shares the cash with Redcar-based homeless charity Coatham House.

Among Mr Hunt’s work during the year were two overnight sleepouts in central Redcar at Christmas and a Boxing Day dip.

The new Mayor for Redcar and Cleveland Councillor will be Karen King, of New Marske. She is a foster carer and governor at Outwood Academy Bydales, Marske. Her deputy is Councillor Malcolm Griffiths. She aims to raise money for Teesside Sands, which supports families dealing with the tragedy of stillbirth, and The Junction, which helps vulnerable young people.

North York Moors Chamber Music Festival August 2017 This annual two week summer event was founded by its Director Jamie Walton, a professional cellist who has being performing internationally for many years. Based in Appleton-le-Moors, a moorland village near Kirkby Moorside, Jamie and his supporters wanted to perform music in the beautiful churches in and around the North York Moors. Thankfully, with help from such organisations as the National Lottery, the festival got off the ground in 2008. Here’s a quotation from the website at northyorkmoorsfestival.com: “International musicians who express their talents in an atmosphere of friendship and celebration, perform in ten of the extraordinary historical churches this region has to offer, nestled within hamlets, dales, remote moorland and coastal villages.

“Each venue contains its own ambience of mystery which the audiences - and the music - bring to life. This chemistry creates a community. Each year we take you the listener through a specific theme, exploring some thrilling repertoire within the context of the environment in which we are privileged enough to be part of. This is when the moors are rampant with heather and the vast expanse of our National Park comes into its own.

“Affordability and inclusivity are prominent aspects of our philosophy which is why you will experience a sense of camaraderie and unpretentiousness, something our late friend and Patron Sir Peter Maxwell Davies was particularly drawn to.

Music is, whilst without compromise, for everyone. . .”

At £12.50 for adults and £5.00 for Students, admission prices are kept as low as possible, and children get in free.

I’ve been tuning pianos for these concerts for 8 years, and I never fail to be impressed by the sheer talent of Jamie and his friends, and deeply moved by the music.

The intimacy and acoustics of the venues generate a superb listening experience. Many concerts get sold out, so if this is for you, don’t delay.

Michelle Rudd MPTA CGLI Dip NTC 36

CLASSES WILL RETURN IN SEPTEMBER (NO CLASSES DURING JULY / AUGUST)

Love dancing? Want to get fit?

This dance fitness class is EASY TO FOLLOW, TONING and a FUN OVERALL WORKOUT. Zumba Gold is packed with Latin rhythms & International beats! Get grooving and get fit …

This class will shake up your routine!!

Starts Monday 04/09 - 6pm - Emmanuel Church Hall Starts Thursday 07/09 - 10am - Saltburn Community Hall

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

Starts Wednesday 06/09 - 7pm - The EarthBeat Centre BOOKING ESSENTIAL

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

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

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

Hello readers. We are Buddy and Max. Buddy the dog and Max the cat.

Buddy is about 4 and a half years old, and he’s an unusual mix as he’s an American bulldog cross. Buddy regrettably came into our care after an unfortunate change in his owner’s circumstances, which meant that he could no longer keep him. He is an attractive lad with a white coat and dark patches over his eyes, and as well as good looks he has a lovely personality. He is an agreeable and quiet dog who enjoys a good long walk. Buddy would benefit from dog training classes where he can further his

training and get to socialise with other dogs more. He is looking for a home as an only dog.

Max the cat is around 10 years old; he is all black apart from his white nose, chin and paws. Max was sadly abandoned and left all on his own by his former person; at this point he was rescued by SARA and given the care he needed. He is a lovely natured cat who has had a rough couple of months, so we think he would benefit from living in a quiet home, as at the moment he is a bit overwhelmed and scared. Once he is settled into a home we feel he will become more outgoing.

SARA fundraising events during July The next monthly meeting of SARA will be held on July 5th, at the TocH premises, Albion Terrace, Saltburn at 7.30pm. Please come along and meet members of SARA and we look forward to meeting more new members.

Saturday 1st July – SARA will be holding their Annual Fun Dog Show from 11am to 4pm, at Foxrush Farm, Kirkleatham Lane, Redcar TS10 5NJ. There will be a wide variety of classes to enter and judging will commence at 11.30am. Entries made on the day at the ringside £1.00 per dog per class. Dogs looking for homes will be on parade between 12.45 to 1pm. Please ensure that all dogs are fully vaccinated. Refreshments will be on sale with homemade food. There will also be a variety of stalls and a raffle.

Come along with family friends and pets to enjoy a fun

packed day. There is plenty of parking on the Foxrush field. All funds raised will go to the ever increasing number of animals that so desperately need our help.

Thursday 27th Street collection Guisborough. If you would like to help collect please contact the centre on 01642 488108.

Funds raised recently: The Sponsored Dog Walk raised £369.35 (more expected). The Chocolate and Strawberry Fayre held at Foxrush Farm raised £765. Spring Bargain Sale raised £523. Thank you to everyone who contributed in any way and made this events such a success.

John Fuller, Press Officer Helpline: 01642 488108 37

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TRUTH & LOVE WALKING HAND IN HAND This July sees the conclusion of our 8 session course ‘Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus.’ As I write we have completed 3 sessions and it is clear that the 30+ people attending have already learnt much about both Islam and Christianity. However, as well as learning about these two religions we have been challenged to compare their respective claims to reveal the truth about God. Nabeel Qureshi has been an inspiring guide, as we follow his journey in seeking after the truth. But his is not just a purely rational journey; rather it is one in which love is bound together with truth. We see this in his writing on the emotive topic of jihad, “Without truth we will not be able to identify the real problem, and without love we will not be able to formulate an enduring answer.” (Nabeel Qureshi, ‘Answering Jihad’, pp.147).

So, I commend to you all his writings; I invite you to the rest of the course (see below); and lastly I encourage you to attend the discussion on this topic at THIRST 4 THOUGHT on Sunday 16th July at 8pm in the Marine lounge.

Services Times Sundays 9.00am traditional communion 10.45am contemporary worship

Tuesdays 9.30am said communion

Morning Prayer 9.00am Mon-Fri in ECHO

Contact Details tel 01287 622251

email emmanuelsaltburn@hotmail.co.uk

web www.emmanuelsaltburn.co.uk

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

Sundays 9th & 23rd 1 - 4pm

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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 Try something different at Grasers The winner of this month’s Pride of Saltburn Award is Roy Smith, well known as the organiser of Saltburn Beachwatch and a volunteer with Saltburn in Bloom. Roy was nominated

by Lynda Parkes, the Chair of Saltburn in Bloom, and about him she says, “I would like to nominate Roy Smith as the Pride of Saltburn. Although he lives in Brotton, he spends a great deal of time volunteering in our community and is worthy of this accolade. Roy took over the organisation of Saltburn Beachwatch about 5 years ago and his enthusiasm has resulted in increased awareness of litter on the beaches, especially the problems associated with plastics, particularly micro-plastics in the sea. He has visited schools to talk to children, with the result that families are much more interested. Beachwatch is certainly seeing a surge in people who are more educated about Marine Conservation and wider conservation issues and want to be more actively involved. Roy is also a committee member and keen gardener for Saltburn in Bloom, spending many hours at home growing plants to sell at Table Top sales or to plant in gardens and containers around the town. In early Spring he purchased 600 plants, which he has been looking after to plant in the recently restructured Fossil Garden at the Cliff Lift. Not only does he grow plants, he generously gives them to members of the gardening group. Gardeners and customers at the Table Tops all benefit from the advice he gives, though he baffles some of us with the Latin names! He is passionate about growing bee-friendly plants and has encouraged Saltburn in Bloom to move in this direction. He is a great asset to our group and we really appreciate all he does.”

Thank you, Roy – you are certainly the Pride of Saltburn!

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Biona Organic Rye Breads Seen here are four varieties of Biona organic rye breads: with pumpkin seeds, sprouted seeds, sunflower seeds and traditional Pumpernickel. The breads are made by various family-owned bakeries in Germany. The rye grains are grinded immediately prior to baking to ensure freshness.

The breads contain nothing but organic ingredients plus a little sea salt and are completely wheat-free. They also contain no added yeast. They contain some natural gluten but are completely suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

The pumpernickel’s traditional recipe contains some organic sugar but the others have no sugar in the recipes.

Sunflower and pumpkin seeds are well-known healthy foods but the Vitality Rye with sprouted seeds contains an incredible eight different seeds. They all taste delicious and are a much healthier alternative to wheat breads.

The Countryside Ranger and Volunteers, July 2017 You may be able to tell the season just by listening carefully to the sounds of nature. Summer has its own distinct acoustic spectrum, comprising the buzzing of bees and flies, the songs of grasshoppers and the calls of birds.

Stream banks, marshes and fens are ideal habitats for meadowsweet, a plant that invariably grows with its roots in soil that is damp either permanently or at least for most of the year. Large leaves, which are pinnately divided into pairs of oval, toothed leaflets, begin to appear in spring. By June, the tall flower spikes have begun to put in an appearance. The individual flowers, which are creamy white with five or six petals, are a mere three to five millimetres across. However, they make up for their lack of size by being borne in large, showy heads, and where conditions suit it a mass-flowering stand can be spectacular.

In mid-July, keen-eyed birdwatchers sometimes think they have discovered an unusual species of woodpecker when a curiously marked bird is seen on a woodland stroll. Although the possibility of a rarity from mainland Europe turning up in Britain cannot be ruled out entirely, the most likely explanation is that they will have seen a juvenile great spotted woodpecker. If you are familiar with adults of this species coming to garden feeders, then a youngster will come as quite a surprise: although the patterns of black-and-white in the plumage are essentially similar, young birds have a striking red cap, far greater in extent than the red nape seen on adult male birds. For a few weeks after leaving the nest, young birds are still visited by at least one of their parents on a regular, but infrequent, basis.

Study a flowery border in mid-July for any length of time and you will soon be aware of the myriad of insects searching for nectar and pollen among the blooms.

Hoverflies and butterflies will undoubtedly be among their numbers, and honey bees will also appear from time to time. So-called ‘worker’ honey bees, all females, are the ones that forage for food. They possess special structures on their hind legs called pollen baskets which are clearly visible as they fill up with orange-yellow pollen. Honey bees are extremely efficient pollen-gatherers but when the flowers are overladen with this fine, yellow material, the

hairs on their bodies inevitably collect a dusting as well.

They can clean this off with their legs and mouthparts.

The dog rose, a rambling plant familiar in hedgerows, takes full advantage of the shrubs and small trees between which it grows, producing long, arching stems that clamber their way over and amongst their living trellis. Sharp, curved spines allow the stems to gain purchase on branches as well as acting as a deterrent to browsers. Their flowers are at their best in early-July and appear in both white and pink colours. Prior to their appearance, the plant can be recognised by the leaves which comprise five to seven oval leaflets with toothed margins. Bright red hips ripen in the autumn and draw attention to the plant once the flowers petals have faded and dropped.

Place a click beetle upside-down on the palm of your hand and in no time it will have righted itself to the accompaniment of a rather loud clicking sound. At this time of year, search for these entertaining insects on and around the flowering heads of umbellifers such as hogweed.

Unappealing though the name may be, ‘gutweed’ is an extremely apt way of describing the appearance of this alga on warm, sunny days. The plant itself is membranous and forms long tubes that lie flat on the substratum at low tide. When photosynthesising, however, the tubes become inflated with gas and will float when inundated by sea water. Constrictions along their length only add to their already gut-like appearance. Gutweed is widespread in estuaries around Britain and by the beginning of July the plant will have produced enough growth to be extraordinarily conspicuous.

The Saltburn Countryside Volunteers will continue to meet by the Woodland Centre at 10.00am every Friday throughout the year. If you would like to see some of the work done by the volunteers, go to 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 paul.murphy@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk

Saltburn and District Group for Visually Impaired People This month we were joined by Dot who is a volunteer from Friends of Redcar Cemetery. What a fascinating and interesting talk she gave! She told us how the group was started 11 years ago and it now has a dedicated group of 42 volunteers who fundraise, garden, give walks and write the twice yearly newsletter. We learned of the buildings and how they were in a poor state of repair, which have now been renovated. The chain-saw sculpture of tulips and the maintenance of the gardens and pathways. Dot told us how casualties from the World Wars have been commemorated by plaques, the children’s un-named graves from many years ago, and how tomb stones have been repaired, restored or replace, the oldest going back to

1874.

A truly great insight into this place of history for the town. Look out for their calendars which are sold at the end of the year to fundraise to help keep up their special efforts. Thank you Dot, and please pass on our thanks to your volunteers.

Please join us on 12th July in the coffee room, Community Centre, Saltburn from 2pm. A speaker has not been confirmed yet, but we will meet as usual.

There will not be a meeting in August. I again put out a plea to people who would be kind enough to come and talk with us on a subject of interest.

Please contact Chris Ferguson on 01287 204170.

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Have you seen a Jack or a Jill in East Cleveland?

The brown hare is nationally increasingly rare. Changes in agricultural practices have resulted in the brown hare being second only to the water vole as the British mammal that has shown the greatest decline. The loss of traditional hay meadows, removal of hedgerow cover and modern cereal farming practices which provide little or no food for hares in late summer or autumn have all contributed to their falling numbers.

East Cleveland is still one of the better places to see brown hares. They are thought to have been introduced by the Romans over 2000 years ago. They are much larger than a rabbit with long hind legs and long ears with black tips. The long hind legs help them reach speeds of up to 70km an hour making them the UK’s fastest land mammal.

They can sometimes be seen bounding across fields using their powerful hind legs to propel them forwards, often in a zigzag pattern. In early spring, Brown Hares are at their most visible as the breeding season encourages fighting or ‘boxing’.

As nocturnal animals they spend much of the day alone in a hollow or depression in the ground known as a “form”. They prefer open habitats and are commonest in

Summer Watercolour Workshops by the artist Kathryn Harrison

All the above photos by Margaret Holland

grassland or arable land and at woodland edges which they use as resting areas. The males are called Jack and the females Jill.

The Tees Valley Wildlife Trust is looking for people who can regularly report sightings of hares and other mammals across East Cleveland to build baseline data on animal distribution to help monitor change. It’s a fun activity to do as a family or an individual! We are interested in reports of all mammals, amphibians and reptiles from the really common such as rabbits to less seen species like otters and adders and, animals of concern such as hedgehogs. If you have a standard journey to work records of animals seen from the car or killed on the road are of interest as well. How many different sightings can you make in a week?

If you would like to help with our conservation work, supported by National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund either visit the reporting page on http:// wildthings.teeswildlife.org/wildlife-today/ or contact us on info@teeswildlife.org and we will send you an instruction sheet.

will take place at Saltburn Methodist Church, Milton Street.

There are three special classes: On August 17th 1-3pm Experimental Painting with Ink. Cost £15. Ink provided but please bring plenty of watercolour paper, water pot and small old brushes if possible.

On August 21st 10-3pm Watercolour flower painting.

Cost £25. Flowers will be provided, but please bring your watercolour equipment and a picnic.

Then there will be an outside Watercolour workshop by Kathryn Harrison on August 31st, 10-12 noon at Guisborough Priory. Cost £15.

There are also a couple of places available for Kathryn’s regular classes which meet in Milton Street, Methodist Church on Monday and Thursday afternoons at 1-3pm.

Ring Kathryn Harrison on 01947 897803.

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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 July for babies and newcomers to the town

This will be the second year of the coming together of Victorian Steampunk Connection & Redcar & Cleveland council. The Event is being finalised for 15th July 2017. We are praying for another hot day.

Following the refurbishment of Saltburn Tramway we were asked for help in trying to make a celebration of its history, and Saltburn’s Victorian Heritage.

Last year was a huge success with hundreds of people enjoying the heatwave and the lovely costumes that were worn on the day. This year we have extended the event adding several new aspects.

We are raising money through donations and the generosity of business and the public, to help maintain the great work and helping the people of Saltburn with their activities and artful endeavours giving joy to the town.

If anyone in business wants to join in by sponsoring the Earthbeat Centre we would willingly show this in our event Program.

Also this year we will be having an increase in our Bizarre Bazaar which will be on the Promenade adjacent to the new beach huts.

For the first time we have a stage being set up at the north end of the promenade where we will have entertainment from the ladies at Tribal Dancers, singers, guitarists, and bands from local area, like Snake Eyes, and stringed music from Aurora Strings. This will enhance entertainment during the day from around lunch time.

At the Woodland Cafe near the Italian Gardens Aurora Strings are going to entertain the public while they relax with refreshing afternoon tea and cakes.

Also During the day will be Tea Duelling at the Library, Bartitsu, a form of self defence, Nerf Gun Duelling, Gangs of Saltburn in front of the Tramway, and a fashion show on the pier.

Around the promenade and town people will be able to photograph the beautiful costumes worn by our group. Also we hope the people of Saltburn will dress in their Victorian Costumes and help to revive the town’s Celebration of Victorian life like in the past.

On the evening we have a Cabaret show taking place at the Earthbeat Centre: doors opening at 19:00hrs with the show starting at 20:00. Tickets are available via email at william.morland@ntlworld.com, or our Facebook page send message to Victorian Steampunk Connection. Payment via PayPal which I will pass on to purchasers in an email, and then post tickets out within a couple of days.

Bill Morland Victorian Steampunk Connection 43

Pupil Leadership at Saltburn Primary School “We aim to develop children’s independence and their life skills, by offering opportunities to them to get involved and lead activities in the school,” says Mrs Caroline Chadwick, Head of School at Saltburn Primary.

“For example, we currently have an Eco-Committee called the Enviros, Rotakids set up with Saltburn Rotary Club and a thriving School Council, which also sends representatives to East Cleveland Children’s Council.

Miss Ellie Lambert, Reception class teacher explains more about the Enviros: “Children from each year group meet every Wednesday to talk about upcoming events, such as the Great British Spring Clean, which we took part in during March. We joined the Redcar and Cleveland Campaign and made a pledge to clean up the school grounds and have appointed monitors to keep on top of the outdoor area.” At the time of writing, children are looking forward to taking part in the National Walk to School Week.

Each class elects a representative, who is on the committee for a year. Older ones gave speeches to persuade classmates to vote for them and they approach Ellie full of ideas, which are promoted on a display board. Certificates were given out to the committee members for their role in the Litter Pick and Parent Governor Mrs Emma Krause came along to support.

The school has signed up online to the Eco Schools website and to the Woodland Trust. They send emails and sometimes free resources, giving impetus to the children involved.

Bradley Ansari, Year 4, says: “I like the cleaning and taking care of the environment. We’ve got lots of events planned.”

Evie Preston, Year 1, comments: “It’s really good when we get badges for picking up litter and the Enviros are going to get badges, so everyone knows who we are. I like it when we try to draw badges.”

Miss Amy Barton, Year 4 teacher, has worked with Saltburn Rotary members Mrs Anne Sadler and Mrs Elspeth Chappell to establish Rotakids. The focus is on raising money for global projects and for the local community. Resources introduced in an assembly generated the children’s interest and two children from each Year 3 – Year 6 class have become Rotakids for a year.

“The first project was running two stalls at the Christmas Fair; one was to raise money for polio eradication. The Rotary Club donated crocus bulbs and the Rotakids held an assembly to invite the children to come to my classroom to plant them and decorate the pots. They were then sold for £1 each,” explains Amy. “The other stall was for Young Carers and the children decided to put lolly pop sticks in sand with raffle tickets showing who had won prizes donated by the Rotary Club.” £200 was raised through their efforts and Saltburn Rotary Club have kitted them out with Rotakids T-shirts.

After helping at a further fundraising event at Saltburn 44

Community Centre in February, the Rotakids held an assembly to tell the other children what they had been doing and attended a tea at Saltburn Golf Club to give a report to the other Rotary Club members.

Rotakids is set up with an elected President, Secretary and Treasurer, just like the adult version. The weekly meetings follow the standard pattern. The Governor of Rotary North-East came to charter the school and to encourage the next in-school project: a stall at the Family Picnic in July.

James Drage, Year 4 Rotakid, says: “I like the fact that you can get to help people. I like giving up my time for people who aren’t as fortunate.”

Katie Overy, also from Year 4, agrees: “I like helping people and raising money for different charities, like Young Carers.”

Two children per class are members of the School Council, which meets fortnightly. Representatives bring ideas from their classes and report back from the meetings. This school year, the children have organised events for Children in Need such as a Dress Up in Spots Day for £1, a competition to design an eye patch for Pudsey and a Baking Sale. The total raised was £690!

They ran a popular penalty shoot out against the teachers and School Governors Mr Richard Morris and Mrs Emma Krause at 10p per shot. Each classroom offered an activity during a Crafternoon and all the children could choose which one they signed up to. School Council members were stationed to help out and take pictures.

At a recent set of interviews for a new Primary School teacher, after thorough preparation a panel from the School Council asked questions of each candidate and presented their impressions to the staff. The Year 5 representatives attend the East Cleveland Children’s Council, whose ambitions for the future include asking the Mayor and the MP to attend one of their half-termly meetings.

Tess Doran-Armstrong, Year 4, comments about the interviews: “It was fun, but it was hard to decide who was best.”

Luke Kesterton, also Year 4, says: “We’ve been chatting about what we’re going to do for more special days, like Red Nose Day. I like having the time to chat with my friends about it.”

Amy Barton concludes: “Children from Reception upwards are putting news about their activities in the halftermly student newspaper ‘The Campus Crier’ too. We are so proud of them all.”

Rosemary Nicholls

Megan’s Mind

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I am loving this hot weather. The light nights are my favourite, I love it when it gets light really early on a morning as well. I’m being really careful with putting sun cream on though because last year I got really sun burnt. It was the very first time I have ever been sun burnt and it will be the last. It was burnt all over my back and shoulders for days. I don’t really tan, but apart from my sun burn last year I don’t usually get burnt so I suppose it is okay. I do hope that the nice weather continues for a while. I hate the cold so I will hate it when winter comes around. The only thing about summer is that it gets too hot on a night!

We had a family day out a few weeks ago: there were my three cousins, Charlie, Molly and David, two out of three aunties, Auntie Jill and Auntie Lisa, Mum, Granddad and me.

Auntie Tracey had been away for a few days and just went home. We went to the beach and spent all afternoon there. It was pleasant. Molly and David paddled in the sea and had fun. I didn’t paddle because I am scared of the sea. I am so scared of sharks and am convinced and paranoid that there are great white sharks in our sea. I know there are not, but I just can’t rationalise it! I used to have recurring dreams about sharks and tidal waves so now I just do not do the sea. Charlie was at a football match for some of the day with auntie Jill and joined us later. It was a nice day; I had a really good time, but Grandma was missing. She would have loved that day.

Granddad has discovered that I have tattoos, I have done well to hide them from him for as long as I have and he has threatened to cut me out of something, but I am not sure what yet. Secretly, I don’t think he is bothered because I am the eldest and favourite grandchild. Hehe.

I spent my first night alone in my new house recently. I didn’t like it much but I get anxiety when I am by myself at night. I’m scared of the dark, but it got dark really late and light really early so I managed. I didn’t get a lot of sleep but don’t think that was because I was on my own: I think it was because I was scared of the dark. I had to leave all the lights on! If my Granddad could see it he would say “it’s like Blackpool illuminations in here!” and it was. I hate the dark. I sleep with a dim light on but I was just unsettled by myself so left the big light on! But it was a big step for me with my anxiety so I’m pleased with my little self. Go me.

My Granddad Frank from Liverpool discovered a lump in his mouth in April, and a test showed it was cancer. He had an operation very soon after his diagnosis and the operation was successful and he is cancer free once more. It was not his first time having cancer but he is tough as old boots and can beat anything. We are one tough family, the Bridges. Megan

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Pride Returns to The Cons Club Welcome to the monthly article from the Cons Club and may I start by congratulating Simon Clarke on winning his seat to serve for Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland in the General Election held in June.

Moving on to events in the club last month where one of the highlights was a Quiz, Bingo & Buffet Supper which was very well attended and a good (and hilarious) night was had by all. Because of their popularity these nights will now be held every 6 weeks, alternating between Buffet Suppers & Pie & Pea Suppers which means that the next event will be held on Wednesday, 19th July with a Pie & Pea Supper (see details later in article).

Club membership is increasing at a fast rate since we started alterations in the bar. We certainly would not have got the number of people into the club as we are getting at the moment had we not improved the layout. At the monthly committee meeting held in June a total of 31 new applications for membership were granted which is by far a club record for a month. Mentioning the bar alterations, we are in the last stages of having the new floor finished. This will then only leave the lighting, curtains and furniture to upgrade before the work is finished. The wallpaper has also been removed in the snooker room which is now ready for redecorating. This room will be fully functional before the ‘Saltburn Folk Weekend’ on the 11th, 12th and 13th August when it will be used for several events that we have been allocated. The ladies toilets are also in the process of being repainted and wallpapered and thanks go to all the committee members who have been instrumental in carrying out this work, especially Chris Bell & Andrew Dales.

Moving into July and we have a full programme of events which start with a SLUG (Saltburn Line Users Group) meeting for all enthusiasts of railways, especially the local line.

The night starts around 7.15pm and all are welcome. Following this on Friday 7th we have a private leaving party, plus barbecue, for a very popular person in the club who is joining the Royal Navy and on the following day, Saturday 8th, we have the first day of the second Annual Gay Pride Event. This event is in celebration of the LGBT community and will take place over 2 days and all are welcome to attend. On Saturday we will have an evening of entertainment with Ruby Diamond, fabulous music and the fantastic female compere Linda Innes who no doubt will keep us all entertained. We will have a barbecue on both Saturday & Sunday afternoon and face painting for the children on Sunday afternoon. Please support our local communities. Come along, have fun and meet new people. Never has there been a time that, as citizens, we need to pull and stand together as we do now in celebration of

diversity and inclusion of all our communities.

Moving on and on: Wednesday 12th the Book Club holds its regular meeting in the club and this is followed on Sunday 16th with a Christening Party. The following week on Wednesday 19th we are holding a Quiz, Bingo and Pie & Pea Supper. Tickets for all our quiz nights sell very fast and you are advised to buy early to avoid disappointment (a vegetarian option is available on request). The evening starts at 8pm and the tickets are priced at £3.50 each. Tickets available from our Stewardess Michelle, Andrew Dales, Chris Bell or the club (tel: 01287 622473). You can also contact myself by phone or email. On the following day Thursday 20th, CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) are holding a private party in the garden. This event is followed on Saturday 22nd with a club outing to Thirsk, another trip organised by our wonderful stewardess Michelle. There is a sheet on the notice board for people to place their names and pay a deposit should they wish to go. We shall be having a great day out testing the beer, shops & restaurants before returning to the club for a buffet which will be followed with a music night until the early hours with Shaun Cook on the decks. Times for departure and return will be found on the notice board nearer the time and also on the club Facebook page at Saltburn Conservative & Unionist Club. On Sunday 23rd we will be holding a barbecue in the best beer garden in town from 2.30pm until 6.30pm. Everybody welcome. The last week of July brings the monthly ‘Open Mic Night’ hosted by Teesside Steve and Liz Bishop on Friday 28th.

This ever popular night brings the best of live entertainment to Saltburn and gives you the opportunity to sing, play, join in or just listen. The evening starts at 8pm, the entrance is free and all are welcome. The last event of the month is a barbecue in the garden on the day of the Saltburn Food festival on Sunday, 30th July. Times to follow later.

As you can see by the list of events and the increase in membership, plus the modifications that we are carrying out, the club is having a very good year to date with more functions arranged throughout the second half of the year, including the Saltburn Folk Weekend wedding receptions, parties and fundraising events. If you wish to be part of our success membership is still open. You can call in for an application form or just call in and give us a try before you commit. You will be made very welcome.

As always keep safe in this world in which we live.

Best wishes, David.

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

Saltburn Cons Club: Future Events to entertain in July 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’ Americano Musicians ‘ Jam sessions... 3pm Tuesday 4th: SLUG (Saltburn Line Users Group) Meeting. 7.15pm start.

Wednesday 7th: Quiz, Bingo & Buffet Supper. Tickets £4 each, available from club… 8pm Friday 7th: Private Party + Barbecue Saturday 8th: Gay Pride: Barbecue on afternoon + Entertainment all night with special guests. Party till early morning.

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Sunday 9th: Gay Pride: Barbecue + Face-painting during afternoon.

Wednesday 12th: Book Club Sunday 16th: Christening Party Wednesday 19th: Quiz, Bingo & Pie & Pea Supper. Starts at 8pm.

Tickets £3.50.

Thursday 20th: CAMRA : private Party in the garden Saturday 22nd: Club trip to Thirsk. Buffet + Music Night on return.

Party till early morning Sunday 23rd: Barbecue in the Garden.

Friday 28th: ‘Open Mic Night’ with Teesside Steve & Liz Bishop … 8pm start Sunday 30th: Saltburn Food festival: Barbecue in the Garden. (Times to follow)

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Saltburn Athletic FC With the season having ended the seven teams are already training and preparing for the new start on Sunday, 10th September.

Apart from the friendly games we had our own Gala days on Saturday, 24th and Sunday, 25th June at Huntcliff campus and a detailed account will be given in the next edition of Talk of the Town.

This is now a good time to mention all those who have been good to this club by providing sponsorship, donations and work commitments to this club over the present and past few years. A big thank you to the following.

Saltburn Victoria Apartments, Gosnay’s Butchers, Johnson Matthey, Saltburn Rotary Club, Craig Doddridge and Sons, Sainsbury’s, Cygnet Family Law, Smiths Butchers, Vasey Roofing, Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council, EDF Energy, Sport England, SUEZ, Redcar and Cleveland Council, Saltburn Cricket Club, Huntcliff Surgery, Saltburn Motor Company, First Class Learning, Cesur Packaging Company, St Peters School, Huntcliff School, NPower, AAA Roofing, Talk of the Town, Ritson Tree Care, Goodswens Solicitors, Saltburn Leisure Centre (everyone active), Jennings Kia, BC and T Consultants, The Clucking Pig, Stonehouses, Ingleby Estates, Saltburn Masonic Lodge.

If I have inadvertently omitted anyone I apologise.

Please let me know.

Andy Croll 07779 648877

`Big Dave' dies at 51 The funeral of a Saltburn character has been held at Durham City where his family lives.

Standing at about 6ft 4inches, ‘Big Dave’ Bridges was a well-known figure in Saltburn town centre. He died aged 51 after living in supported accommodation for the past few years.

“We miss him,” said one of the regulars at the four-mornings-a-week Open Church session at the back of Milton Street Methodist Church.

“We remember his cheery outlook on life and stream of jokes.”

A typical story was of a skeleton who was given both a drink and a mop (to clear it up!).

It is understood that Dave was a miner in his younger days.

He was a popular regular at the four mornings-aweek morning session at the Methodist Church - usually tucking into a plateful of biscuits.

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The Saltburn Profile Olga Davies “For nineteen years, I started my shifts at King’s Newsagents at 4.00am on weekends and one weekday,” remembers Saltburn’s Olga Davies. “I organised papers into sixteen delivery rounds and sent bundles for sale to Hamilton’s in Milton Street and John Smith’s in Upleatham Street.” She got to know the people who were up early well: nurses, doctors and postal workers, working by herself until the day staff came in.

Olga’s long life began in Argentina. Her Italian mother came from the Venice area and her father was Argentinian. She attended schools there, but had to turn down a scholarship to University as her father was sick. She went to night school to train as a secretary, while working for two lawyers. On qualifying, she joined Electrodinie, an electrical company. She spent eight years there, working with people from Poland, the Ukraine and Russia, who had come out of concentration camps at the end of the Second World War. As well as this, Olga had a job as an announcer at a local radio station.

She left Electrodinie to work as the secretary to the manager of the administrative department of a steel company and began to learn the English language to help a group of Americans and their wives working in the plant.

She became able to interpret for them in banks and shops.

At the steel company, she met her husband, Roy Davies, who was a Welshman working in Argentina on a five year contract. In 1967, they left Argentina for Brazil and then came to Britain. After a while in Wales, they came to Teesside, as Roy got a long-term job with Dorman Long.

Their next move was to Macedonia for a year, when Yugoslavia was a Communist country under President Tito. They visited Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Albania and every fortnight went to Athens or Salonika for pleasure. Then Roy decided to retire, so they travelled by car through Europe and chose to settle in Malta.

“It is a beautiful small island,” says Olga. “I did voluntary work for the Church and began to study languages. I found an Italian teacher and did five years of French. I took a correspondence course in English grammar. The education system was very good and I sat exams in Italian-English, Spanish-English, French-English and pure English. I also developed my knowledge of Portuguese, as Roy used to work in Brazil and we visited Portugal for forty years.”

Olga spent fourteen happy years in Malta, but sadly Roy developed Alzheimer’s disease and they returned to Teesside. They settled in Saltburn thirty-five years ago. As Roy’s family were in Wales, Olga was his only carer, but she managed to look after him with the help of five days’ respite care every eight weeks. After he died in 1995, she took his ashes to Malta, where they’d been so happy and put them in the Mediterranean.

Olga has kept herself busy locally. For a while, she taught Spanish at adult evening classes at Huntcliff School and after Roy died, she volunteered for two and a half years at the Day Centre at Guisborough Hospital run by the Alzheimer’s Society. “I was trained by them to look after people with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases,” she explains.

by Rosemary Nicholls

She has taken part in fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Society, making jam, running tombolas and stalls at street markets. She used to work in the coffee shop at Saltburn Community Centre on Saturdays with Jackie Taylor. She is a founder member of the Ex-Carers Group and helps with coffee mornings on a Thursday at Guisborough’s Sunnyfield House to raise funds. For seven and a half years, Olga ran the Neighbourhood Watch for her street too.

Olga is a strong believer in the unity of Churches and she regularly visits three of the Saltburn ones. She attends services at the Catholic Church each Sunday and goes to the Methodist Church every fortnight on a Thursday to have a cup of tea and hear the speaker. When there are together services, she visits Emmanuel Church.

She has one brother by birth, Victor, who still lives in Argentina and one legally adopted brother, Tomas. Every two years, she has been back home to see her family, except recently. After flying from Newcastle to Heathrow, the journey involves a fifteen hour flight to South America, but she used to do it by cargo boat! Tomas, who was also born in Argentina, has had a successful world-wide career in the car industry.

Olga loves classical music, particularly opera; she has a lot of CDs and listens to Classic FM night and day.

Her experience with families affected by debilitating illnesses has led her to put her own affairs in order and she has planned the music for her funeral. It will include ‘Ave Maria’ by Schubert and ‘Adagio’ by Albinone.

Reading in English and French is another of her hobbies. She enjoys newspapers and history and geography.

A favourite book is a Jane Austen biography. Olga goes to Saltburn Library every Friday and for a couple of years, she organised the Friday afternoon teas there.

Olga loves the friendly people of Saltburn. Big cities are not for her. “I like to be involved with people,” she says.

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1st Saltburn Scout Group What a difference the lighter nights and drier weather make to our evenings, giving this year more opportunities to get out and about; much to the satisfaction of all Sections. Outside is definitely best!

All Sections were represented at our annual Presentation Evening and AGM on 14th June; Beavers were much reduced in number on the evening (only Alfie alas!) mainly due to the later start necessary to ensure we had a representative from our District; which was the Assistant District Commissioners for Scouts. The retiring Treasurer whilst presenting the accounts had pleasure in telling assembled parents and friends that the Group turnover for the year had been some £28,000 the benefits of such was apparent both inside and out of the building; with further work to be undertaken with the installation of roller shutters to the main entrance door (with adequate funds still in hand). Much of these monies having been successfully raised via Karen Higgins (Group Secretary and fundraiser) and we owe her a big well done! Our Treasurer Lorna has stepped down having been with us for five years, coming into the role when 1st Saltburn had under £1,000 in funds and leaves with the Group over seven times better off. She has ensured we have kept accurate financial records, ensured we achieve all our spending targets and have monies to undertake our hoped for developments and all of our planned activities. She has been a star and will still advise us on legal matters, but possibly have more time for SCAA (of which she is also Treasurer) and equally be heavily involved. We wish her well and many grateful thanks. Badges were presented in all Sections and all parents were impressed with the

Saltburn Line User Group Next Meeting: Tuesday, 4th July 2017 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

standards work our young people have achieved. Many thanks were presented and the Scouts finalised the evening by standing to end (as all 1st Saltburn Troop nights finish) by repeating the Scout Promise and Scout Laws in superb unison. A stunned silence and then tremendous applause!

Well done to all.

Beavers have been busy out and about, with Beaver numbers now at 24 with Quinn and Jonty ‘Moving up’ to Cubs this last week. Many are also looking forward to their District Trip to Beamish and meeting familiar friends from other colonies.

Cubs have also been out and about, including a great night on the activity area in the Valley Gardens and through the woods. Numbers after the Spring Holiday break will be back up to 24 Cubs, Luca moving up to Scouts, Jonty and Quinn coming from Beavers, with Jude joining us as well.

Cubs are looking forward to their District Trip to Adventure Valley, sadly not as well supported as other years, but this is a busy time of the year for school and family activities, but we know we will have fun.

Scouts have been out; generally doing what Scouts love best, getting grubby and running off lots of energy, and this weekend undertake the District Orienteer, having won this event before; we live in hope! Numbers remain steady with 22 Scouts and the results of their activities was obvious at the AGM, as well as their obvious enjoyment when undertaking any activities. They’re a pleasure to lead.

The Group Executive continues to support all our young people to have FUN. Many thanks for their support.

You will continue to see us out and about till the summer break, but would welcome assistance in all our activities and if you are interested in joining us, please enquire: John G. Hannah – 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.

Season’s Greetings by Alan Butler The title of this article might seem strange bearing in mind that we are presently as far away from Christmas as it is possible to be in terms of the calendar but it has often occurred to me that such a wish is a little strange when offered during the shortest days, when the chill winds are blowing and the prospect of the worst part of the winter is still before us. How much better it seems to be to offer the season’s greetings when a benevolent sun is shining down and the fields and gardens are filled with beautiful flowers.

Since we moved back to Teesside two years ago Kate has been working like a Trojan on our garden and all her efforts are now beginning to pay off. Our small but neat plot is presently a riot of colour and a haven for wild life. This is particularly important at a time when the world seems to have turned itself upside down and when we appear to have been born one morning into a universe that is strikingly different than any we lived in before.

This sense of ‘rightness’ and ‘continuity’ is made all the more real by the fact that our resident blackbirds have become so tame and so keen to have the raisins we give them on an almost hourly basis that we are both beginning to feel like St Francis of Assisi. Kate and I have always loved blackbirds. I personally think that their song is more beautiful than that of a nightingale, especially early in the half light of dawn and they are an endless source of fascination and joy as they work so hard to bring up their families.

What makes the situation all the more entertaining right now is the fact that a young starling has attached itself to both Mr and Mrs Blackbird. I have always thought that starlings were bright but this particular one is an Einstein of the species. When he is not protecting the fat balls and bird feeders from his siblings he follows the blackbirds around as if he was one of their own offspring. They seem quite tolerant of his presence but I don’t think there is any natural affection involved as far as the starling is concerned. He ‘tails’ the blackbirds because he knows there will always be a reward for doing so. His technique is to follow the blackbirds to our garden and then wait in the apple tree until the raisins are thrown, at which time he hops down and joins in the bounty. If his surrogate family are not around he will sometimes sit amongst the foliage of the apple tree and make blackbird-type noises, because starlings are incredible mimics and can copy almost any other bird.

He has fooled me on a few occasions and when he has his reward for doing so I swear that I can hear him laughing.

Whilst all of this is going on the lilies have suddenly appeared, bright orange and stunning, alongside the most ornate poppies I have ever seen and chorused by choirs of Osteospurmum – daisy-like flowers of every conceivable colour. White Alyssum creeps from the flower beds onto the paths, red hot pokers do their torch impressions and the evenings are

filled with the scent of stocks and honeysuckle.

All of this might make our garden seem like some sort of paradise and indeed there are times when it seems to be so but as far as Kate is concerned all of this bounty is hard won. Her perpetual battle with the snails and especially the slugs continues. Despite the devices we have developed to dissuade them from attacking the plants Kate wanders the grounds each evening after dark. She seems to be a sort of Florence Nightingale, with torch in one hand and a small plant pot in the other. But instead of offering solace and comfort to her patients the gastropods she collects them up and dumps them in the green wheelie bin, where she says they have plenty to eat until the council come and take them away once each fortnight. Kate has also battled valiantly against greenfly. She sprays them with soapy water, whilst cursing like a docker and sending up constant prayers to the Goddess of the Ladybirds – because she hasn’t seen a single one this year. In addition to all of this Kate has also declared war on lily beetles – which are wonderful creatures in the most outrageously gaudy clothes but most hated of all by my ever zealous wife are vine weevils. (I retreat to my office when she is doing battle with these particular offenders.)

Beyond our own small patch all the roads here about are lined with trees of every imaginable sort, billowing clouds of green stretching to infinity. Fields present acres of acid yellow, mauve and russet, whilst the young corn is growing strong and tall, waiting for its season to turn gold and give us the bread that humanity has relied upon for thousands of years and across a great swathe of the planet.

There is a glut of strawberries this year and it looks as though the apples will also be good.

So world of intrigue and corruption, do what you will. With an American President who tweets like a teenager, behaves like a narcissist and who seems determined to alienate his proud and great nation from the rest of the world; with a government of our own that is now limping along like a three legged dog and also because we have to cope with people within our own society who use hatred and intolerance as an excuse to curb our freedoms it might appear that we have plenty to worry about.

If all the woes of the world you see reflected daily in the press are piling in and getting you down, here’s a thought. Many gardening experts tell us that newspaper makes a good addition to homemade compost. Nobody insists that we actually ‘read’ what the reporters and article writers are saying before we commit their medium to providing nutrients for next year’s plants and vegetables.

Even if the prophets of doom have already depressed you beyond belief, the bacteria will still spend the winter breaking down the exaggerations and outright lies and the bounty of nature will most certainly appear as usual when next spring dawns!

Season’s Greetings Saltburn and may the beauty of the natural world give you pause for relaxation at a time when we so badly need it.

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Saltburn Allotments Association Soft fruit seems to be early this year. I’ve been enjoying strawberries and yoghourt for a while now, although my gooseberries are heading to be disappointing. It’s made me think about fruit though and the fruit jobs for this month.

With fruit trees it’s traditional to refer to the “June drop”, when June winds blow fruit from the trees. It’s a good thing to happen as it means that the fewer fruits left on the branches have a greater opportunity to ripen into good sized apples, pears, plums etc. If you find, though, that by the middle of the month you still have lots of fruit on your trees, thin them by hand. For apples and pears, thin to leave two healthy, well shaped fruit per cluster and about 4 to 6 inches between each cluster along the branch for eaters and 6 to 9 inches for cookers.

Thinning plums in the same way can really improve the quality of the fruit. It often happens that when trees are allowed to produce a huge crop during one year, the resulting stress leads the tree to produce no fruit the following year. This is often mistaken for the tree being biannual.

With fruit bushes, if you have them in containers on your doorstep, in the garden or in hanging baskets (eg tumbling toms), make sure you keep them well watered and fed as they dry out really quickly, even if it rains. With fruit such as brambles and summer raspberries, keep tying them in to their supports to keep them tidy and to stop branches that are heavy with fruit from breaking.

On the vegetable front, you could still be sowing lettuce and salad leaves, including chicory, Chinese leaves and oriental leaves, radishes (including winter types such as mooli), spinach, leaf beet, peas, khol rabi and turnips. If you sowed these a month or so ago, you could plant out broccoli, winter cabbages and cauliflowers, sprouts, kale and leeks, to replace your new potatoes which you’ll be digging up and enjoying. If you didn’t have the chance to sow these vegetables, have a look around the local nurseries as they will probably have small plants for sale at very reasonable prices.

This month there’s a Farmer’s Market on 8th July and the annual food festival on 30th July. We hope to have our usual stall at the Farmers’ Market and, if anyone has any surpluses they’d like to donate, they will be gratefully received. The 8th July is also Saltburn Craft and Produce Show day at the Emmanuel Church ECHO Building. If you have some good quality produce, come and enter and, anyway, come and look around in the afternoon as part of your Saltburn Saturday walkabout.

Happy gardening, Sue. 52

Saltburn Labour Party News ‘May you live in interesting times’ is often quoted as a famous Chinese curse; I heard Andrew Marr say it on his Sunday show this morning (18th June). In fact, no Chinese source has been found for this dry imprecation. Its first appearance in print is in the Yorkshire Post in 1936, in the report of a speech by Austin Chamberlain, brother of Neville, who knew a thing or two about interesting times.

Hopefully our times won’t be as interesting as his, but clearly the future for us all is very uncertain at the moment. When Theresa May called the snap General Election, the received opinion, even by some in the Labour Party, was that she would achieve the much-increased mandate she asked the country to give her. The poll of polls for May 11th gave the Conservatives 385 seats and Labour 179 - in the event that was 67 more than Mrs May won and 83 fewer than Labour won. I was in London on election night, though I started the day delivering leaflets in Easington in the rain at 7am. When the exit polls came out at ten, I was walking down a street and didn’t dare to look, but then began to notice passers-by stopping in the street and staring at their phones with their mouths open.

We in Saltburn Labour branch are, of course, very grateful to Jeremy Corbyn for the wonderfully direct, inspiring campaign he ran. As well as fighting his political opponents, the vilest parts of the tabloid press, the establishment BBC-types, and some in his own party, I think the most powerful thing he did was to overturn the received opinion of the day that he was unelectable. That is surely the hardest thing for any politician to change.

I shook his hand in Hemlington (more rain) though in the confusion of the crowd if he noticed me at all he probably assumed I was with the loud and determined delegation next to me from the Royal College of Midwives. Election campaigns are by their nature somewhat chaotic, with a sprinkling of comedy at times.

I must say I was very proud of Saltburn branch for their enthusiasm and persistence, and even though we didn’t win the seat on this occasion, if the party’s collective efforts lead to a sane Brexit for our hardworking businesses and workers, and the end of the Conservative austerity policy, which has taken over £90 million from Redcar and Cleveland Council alone, it will certainly have been worth it, and I think that means nothing less than the rescue of our country’s future.

It is also abundantly clear that British voters do not like being told what to think by politicians arrogant enough to assume their own triumph.

Locally, we continue to grow. I am told we gained another 19 members in Saltburn during the campaign; a warm welcome to you all. If you wish to meet with lots of other like-minded people, we meet in Saltburn House once a month: do look out for the emails. We try to keep the business part of the meeting as short as possible so we can have proper discussions. Also, as reported in last month’s Talk of the Town, we have our day-long centenary celebration, ‘100 Years of Hard Labour’, at Saltburn House on Sunday, July 9th, to commemorate the first Cleveland Labour Party meeting in 1917.

More information at www.saltburnlabour.com. And beyond that event, who knows, another General Election perhaps? It could be that living in interesting times is a blessing after all.

Councillor Craig Hannaway

The Muses of Jim Last month I wrote about my visits to James Cook University Hospital. Well, the saga continues. The date for the promised procedure was brought forward by 48 hours and it was promised to us that it would be as straightforward as before. Unfortunately, it was not to be so. On this occasion my body parts decided to resist, so it took much longer than normal. The down side to this was because I had elected not to have the anaesthetic, not even gas and air. I choose this because I live on my own I would have to stay in hospital for 24 hours or have someone to stay in the house with me for the same time span. The procedure was completed after a period of sharp pain and I was allowed to go home.

On the evening of the same day I went for an evening walk and by chance happened to outside the Lune Street Social Club. Surely that was a coincidence because I hadn’t intended to go there, had I? So taking the advantage of the closeness of which it was to wet my whistle, so to speak, I entered.

After one or two, or perhaps three or four, drinks I was at the bar and I suddenly felt dizzy and had to grab the bar to steady myself and my head cleared and I returned to my seat with help from one of the superb staff at the club. Next day I was still very tired as I undertook my usual Saturday tasks. As usual on a Saturday evening I went to the club, to put my tote on and the tote of a good friend who was out of the country on holiday in Turkey.

On returning to the bar after completing my first drink I again felt giddy and passed out. Members ran to my assistance and the decision was rightly made to call an ambulance and I was taken to James Cook Hospital.

At the Hospital I was seen at once and it was discovered that my blood pressure was all over the place and it was decided to admit me as an in patient and I was trundled off to Ward 15, where I spent the rest of the night. In the morning I was seen by the duty doctor and it was decided to have a series of tests throughout the rest of the day (Sunday). Clearly, the NHS is already working seven days, 24 hours a day. Please note this, Jeremy Hunt. I don’t know why you are pretending that it is otherwise.

By Monday my situation appeared to have stabilised so I was sent home, having my medication tweaked and appointments for other agencies made to visit me at home. Daughter number three (Jill) who is based at James Cook, collected me and took me home.

I spent the rest of the day resting at home and through to Thursday. Then I was collected by a friend and taken to the site of the Saltburn Gill treatment plant, which is left of the bypass opposite ASDA supermarket at Skelton. The purpose of the trip was to meet the head personnel of the Environment Agency who were keen to see the site as it had won them a national award. I foolishly I walked around the site with them, because I had been getting used to walking with two sticks by now.

The site is still not operating at a 100% but it is achieving its targets much quicker than planned. Once the reed bed is fully mature who knows what the gill will deliver?

Already, otters and reasonable-sized salmon have been reported in the Gill. I understand that alien trees are being removed to return the Gill valley back to its Post Glacial state, which should well make it a quiet sanctuary from the past. After the visit and a fine lunch at the Ship Inn Saltburn, we finally went over to inspect the latest signage by the steel bridge, where the Gill meets the Beck. There I noticed that the Saltburn, Marske & New Marske Parish Council coat of arms was missing from the Signage. This was promised to be rectified as soon as possible.

On the way home I asked to be drop off in Milton Street so that I could collect my morning paper from the Spar. Once the paper was collected, the next thing I was on the floor again, waiting for an ambulance for a quick return to James Cook, Ward 15. This time I had a C Scan, an Xray, blood pressure reading and blood samples taken regularly. After a few hours I was moved on to Ward 1.

After a few hours it was discovered than whilst my blood pressure was fine whilst sat down or in bed, it dropped dangerously low when standing up. It was just a question of time before it appeared to be normal again. This took sometime until Saturday afternoon and then I was taken home again by Jill. I was very surprised to get a call from James Cook Hospital on Monday to see if I was coping all right and about 10.45am today (Monday, 19th June) I had a visit from a Community Nurse, who took blood samples from my arm. Which was a sudden but welcome surprise as I had just got back from the Huntcliff Surgery after making a appointment for Friday afternoon when Jill will be able to come with me so that I can’t lie to the Doctor.

I am off the London tomorrow, Tuesday, for a meeting so I have to sort my tickets and print out the papers needed for the meeting. I cannot praise highly enough the staff at James Cook University Hospital and all the staff at both Lune Street Club and the staff of Milton Street Spar for their help and kindness in the hour of need.

Also a special thank you to the Editor for stopping the presses for me to finish this piece of work three days after the deadline day. He gets a lot of that you know, people ignoring the deadline because they don’t think it applies to them, and then expecting him to delay publication of the magazine so that they can eventually get round to finishing their contribution. I really must try to get my next article in on time and not exasperate his patience any further. Even worse than keeping him waiting though, was that when I did finally get my article to him, after he had had to come round to my house with a memory stick because my internet wasn’t working, I hadn’t written him enough words and he had to waste even more time adding words of his own to my article. People just don’t realise how much effort he has to make to get the magazine finished and sent to the printers. Some people I have spoken to even think that the magazine creates itself. Have you noticed how everyone’s articles and adverts always fit perfectly on the page? Is it because all the contributors are so considerate that they know exactly how much to write to fill the space? No, it’s the Editor who does it all for them.

Jim Wingham 53

The Saltburn Crossword no 193 set by Saxton Across 9 and 18 Across Saltburn restaurant has Spanish sea view? (5, 3) 10 Grazed or worn areas no brass I arrange after first letter (9) 11 Certainly having chosen (9) 12 Golf clubs or sin perhaps (5) 13 It makes equal, one class (7) 15 Old fashioned word for clothing sounds like Raymond intended (7) 17 Topic, edition or offspring makes Susan? (5) 18 See 9 Across 20 Hurl disturbs worth (5) 22 Favouring a group considered better in feel, it is true (7) 25 and 31 Across Editing Ian bled like a recent film (1, 6, 5) 26 British bird returns in pen nib or ink (5) 27 British insects clearly not cocks (9) 30 Rescue vehicle converts a numb lace (9) 31 See 25 Across

Down

Name___________________________________ Address_________________________________ ________________________________________ Telephone_______________________________

1 Keen backing Diva (4) 2 People who would claim extraordinary powers are side kicks by the sound of it, almost (8) 3 Musical group are forbidden we hear (4) 4 One of three spellings of spicy seed pod is a greeting left by a mother (8) 5 Divine entreaty combines rare with your pension initially (6) 6 House plant popular with Victorians attaches poisonous snake to abbreviated identity to one exploding star (10) 7 Wild dog is shy to back direction (6) 8 Ancient Egyptian god formed by double 3rd person to be (4) 13 Join together sounds like 2nd person plural plus not the day (5) 14 Describes how to follow orders to deny bile confusion (10) 16 Use it to get dry or throw it in to give up (5) 19 Christmas caribou sounds like wet weather, my love (8) 21 The lines which combine two forms of transport (8) 23 Drink surrounded in slim bibelot (6) 24 Skill, a story of the New Testament (6) 26 True, it just needs Meals to be a Saltburn business (4) 28 Child of Babylon (4) 29 He’s a broth (4)

Solution to Crossword no 192

The winner of last month’s crossword was Tina Walker of Easson Road, Redcar.

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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Send your completed crossword to: Saltburn Crossword no 193, c/o Jackie’s Saverstore, 8 Station Buildings, Saltburn, TS12 1AQ by Friday, 14th July 2017. First correct solution out of the bag wins a £10 voucher kindly donated by Tim and Sheila of Real Meals.

Trojan computer viruses in Saltburn The internet has simplified many aspects of everyday life and provided access to services many people wouldn’t have been able to access otherwise. The internet can ignore distance, communication is instantaneous and does not have the expense of stamps or phone calls. However, the very same features which can enhance our lives also make it easier for criminals to commit certain types of crime. In 2016 the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) reported over 4.6 million recorded offences in the UK. That includes all the common offences people would be aware of such as thefts, assaults, criminal damages and public order incidents. Cyber crime and fraud are not counted within those figures; but the total for just these two groups of offences were 5.6 million! Cyber crime is a real threat which becomes more important as more and more people use computers and the internet.

A lot of people state they don’t really use the internet but then state they only use it for facebook, or for emails, or to shop. All of these things may contain information about the victim which a cyber criminal may try to use against them.

The most common intention of crime committed over the internet seeks to steal money from victims and cyber-criminals have developed many ways of achieving this. Common efforts include: Computer service fraud – this is the collective term for a type of fraud usually committed over the telephone. The criminal rings and pretends to be ringing from a computer company like Microsoft, and say your computer is showing as having a problem over the network; but they can fix it for a fee.

Or a phone provider like Virgin, who then says your connection is bad but they can fix it for you for a fee. Even the police, and they may say they have traced child abuse images to your computer but if you pay them they will write the crime off.

All of these things are lies calculated to make you panic and pay the criminal money. They may also involve the criminal taking control of your computer (you would need to allow them access, they would explain how to do it and say its necessary for the fix), if they have had access to your computer they may have installed anything on your computer such as computer viruses.

Computer viruses – There are lots of names out there such as malware, ransomware and Trojan. There are too many to discuss, but the important thing to realise is that you don’t want them on your computer! Installing anti-virus software on your computer and keeping all of your programs up to date is the best way to protect yourself. Trojan viruses will be discussed at the end of the article.

Phishing emails – There are 2 ways emails are most commonly used by criminals. They may have an attachment within it. When you click on the attachment it installs some sort of virus onto your computer. The virus could lock your computer (ransomware) and you have to pay to have it unlocked. It may install a secret virus which then operates without you realising it, sending your information back to criminals (Trojan), eventually allowing access to your online accounts. It may send you to a copy of a website. For example, a common email is from the HMRC saying you are due a rebate. If you click on the link it appears to go to the HMRC website but this is actually a copy. It’s a pretend site set up by the criminal which allows them to record your details. Never click on links in an email you’re not sure about, and don’t use phone numbers from the email. If you had an email like this, close the email then go to the HMRC website via the normal internet or ring them using the number in the phone book or online.

Inheritance fraud – This is where criminals take advantage of finding out a little bit about you and then making an offer ‘that’s too good to be true’. A lot of people are overjoyed at their

apparent luck and then act without thinking. In an example Cleveland Police are currently investigating, a gentleman from Saltburn was emailed stating a friend of his had passed away in a different country and left a significant amount of money. This money was going to be taken by the state but the emailer had found out the victim in Saltburn knew the deceased.

He therefore offered to perform the legal requirements to get the money transferred. These legal processes would only cost the victim £18,000 and once the victim paid it, the inheritance would be released in a few weeks. Remember anything that seems too good to be true probably is and try to verify it before you pay anything. Don’t use contact details the caller provides.

Banking protocol – The case above was found because of the new banking protocol; this is where bank staff have been trained to look out for suspicious activity and question why the withdrawal is taking place. It’s not about denying you access to your money; it’s about trying to prevent that money being stolen by another person. The bank will let you have that money because it’s yours. They will just try to safeguard it first by discussing the circumstances with you first. In the first two weeks of this protocol, over £170,000 was protected in Cleveland!

Trojans – These are one of the computer viruses mentioned earlier. They can come via email or by the criminal getting access to your computer. Once installed they most commonly record what you do, and what you type. Therefore it may get your email address and password when you log in.

The Trojan also sends this back to the criminal periodically. Then the criminal can use the information to access your accounts.

This article was requested because analysis has shown that Saltburn has a particular concentration of Trojans installed on people’s computers and the police want to make sure Saltburn residents are protected. Police are continuing to work to try and identify the actual computers, if they can then they will visit the person to give assistance. In the meantime however, there are several steps everyone can take to solve an existing problem or to prevent new ones before they start: Use a strong password and don’t use the same one across accounts. A strong password may be a combination of three words, at least 8 characters in length and use different characters such as capital letters, numbers and other symbols on the keyboard such as £, & and @.

Install Antivirus software on your computer. There are several large reputable antivirus companies and their products range from free to about £30 a year. Some banks have special offers which make the software cheaper. Remember the cost of being attacked could be much, much more.

Keep your programs up to date. Computer developers are constantly in a race with cyber criminals as the companies try to keep their products secure. Software updates will include security updates and help protect your system. The recent NHS attack was successful because programs had not being kept up to date and made them vulnerable. Don’t fall into the same trap. www.getsafeonline.org is partnered with Cleveland p Police and offers extensive advice on the full range of cyber security concerns. Please view for tips and ideas on how you can protect yourself and your family online.

DC Ian Turnbull Police Cyber Crime Team, Middlesbrough E-Mail: Ian.Turnbull@Cleveland.pnn.police.uk Tel: 101 x1674 See the poster on page 48.

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