Talk of the Town June 2017

EDITION 192

CIRCULATION 4,600

JUNE 2017

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

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SALTBURN’S TOWN TALK Letter from the Editor

Many thanks to the Parish Council for a grant towards the ongoing costs of producing this magazine. It was used immediately to pay half of April’s printing bill. After a discussion with the printer last month it was agreed to make some changes in how the magazine is printed. The cover had been printed on 170g paper while the rest of it was printed on 100g and in two separate printings because of the colour pages and the black and white pages. It will save time and money and make things a lot easier in the future to print the entire magazine on the colour press, including the cover. At

the moment there’s still a price difference for colour and black and white adverts and maybe that will remain. Don’t forget to vote on June 8th! See pages 14 and 15. Love, Ian Send letters, adverts and contributions for the next issue (by Friday, 16th June 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.

Thai Restaurant coming soon: Saltburn’s first Thai eaterie Police are investigating after intruders broke into and set fire opens in June at the former Watson’s furniture store in to a garage/workshop behind a large detached house in The Station Square. Coco & Rum, which will serve fusion food Fairway, Saltburn, in mid-April. The householder called and cocktails, is being run by Redcar’s Lemongrass Thai Saltburn fire brigade at about 7am and an engine arrived “very restaurant. Owner Shobu Barua said he had had his eye on quickly” to douse the flames. The building’s roof was burned. the former furniture store for years and approached the Craft Club Busy Fingers: 2nd and 4th Thursday of each landlord. “Saltburn is becoming known for its food places month, 1.30 till 3.30pm in the Coffee Room, Saltburn and the food festival is growing. There’s lots going on,” he Community Centre. told The Gazette.

The Annual Saltburn Craft and Produce Show is on Housebuilders offer jobs: Both firms building new houses Saturday, 8th July in Emmanuel Church Hall. With over 70 in Saltburn have jobs on offer and have notices up at their classes there’s sure to be something for everyone so pick up sites for vacancies. Fourteen houses are going up at Marske your copy of the Schedule at local libraries or check out the Mill Lane, adjoining the Earthbeat building, and over 100 at website at www.saltburncraftandproduceshow.org.uk now for Marske Road, near the riding centre. more details.

Saltburn Farmers’ Market will be back on Saturday, June The Guisborough and District Branch of the Embroiderers’ 10th, open 9 till 2 in and around Saltburn Town Centre, Train Guild are holding their monthly meeting on Saturday, 1st July Station and The Secret Square! Famous for produce that can’t when our guest speaker will be Anne Menary and her subject is be found anywhere else and a fantastic atmosphere it is no Fabric of the Universe. surprise Saltburn were National Runners up for ‘Market of Visitors are welcome whether non-stitchers, beginners or the Year’ in 2015. Come down early to bag a bargain and more experienced stitchers. For more information please soak up the Mediterranean feel of our beautiful town on contact 01642 314860. The car park behind Belmont House market day! (council offices) is free on Saturday. Contact telephone number Open Studios at Saltburn Studios’ Gallery: Saturday, If 01642 314860. you missed the Open Studios in May and haven’t seen our WI Report: The meeting in May was resolutions evening, ‘Canvas Carousel’ exhibition please come and see it before when we discussed the resolutions being put forward at the Cleveland Fibre Arts exhibition opens on Saturday, 1st July.

National WI annual meeting, this year being held in Liverpool Gallery open every Saturday and Sunday 12noon till 4pm. on 7th June. This year two resolutions are being put forward: Emmanuel Church Hall Table Top and Collectors’ Sale: Alleviating loneliness and Plastic soup. Keep microfibres out of The next sales are on Saturdays, June 3rd and 17th and then our oceans. The meeting voted that both these resolutions 1st, 15th and 29th July. We have a lot of new stall holders and should be supported at the annual meeting through the vote of anyone who would like to join us or just to have a clear out our delegate. After the business of the meeting was concluded can contact Denise on the number below. What a good start to we enjoyed a pie and pea supper, followed by a Quiz, the first the new year we had when a lot of people rang for a table so part recognising 15 famous faces from history and the second they could have a clear out! We are also doing our usual part testing our knowledge of the 2nd half of the twentieth lunches and all day breakfast, fresh home baked cake, pies century. Later this month we are looking forward to a day trip and scones. Home made refreshments and light lunches are on to the Cutler’s Hall in Sheffield, in addition to our usual sale all day. FREE ENTRANCE and a warm welcome to activities of craft, flower arranging, master class cookery, everyone. With over 26 stall holders, selling lots of bric-a- weekly walks and of course not forgetting supper club. If you brac, books, toys, baby goods, and all sorts of collectables, would like to join us we are always happy to welcome new there is something for everyone. We have now got a lot of members, so why not come along to our next meeting on new stall holders selling lots of different and interesting Thursday, 8th June at 7pm in the Methodist church hall on things. If anyone would like to book a table please contact Milton Street. You can be sure of a warm and friendly Denise Marshall on 07929 589538. welcome.

Diane Falla Cover Illustration: The Pond at Rushpool Hall by Heather Lofthouse Disclaimer: Talk of the Town tries to make sure the articles and announcements made on its pages are accurate, but views expressed in letters and articles printed in Talk of the Town are not necessarily those of the editor. Any offers in adverts included in Talk of the Town are made by the advertisers; details should be confirmed with them. Always confirm event details with the organisers, in case of alteration or error. Talk of the Town is printed by DC (Yorkshire) Print, Unit 34a, Lidgate Crescent, Langthwaite Business Park, South Kirkby, West Yorkshire, WF9 3NR. Website: www.dcprintyork shire.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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An act of remembrance inspired by Saltburn War Memorial When the town was raising money to restore the War Memorial, Hannah Lane visited the town on the Sunday we were remembering the start of World War 1. This inspired her to undertake an act of remembrance for her grandfather. We would like to share Hannah’s letter.

Dear Friends, I thought you might be interested in an event on March 2017.

100 years ago, my maternal grandfather, Joseph Farrah, Artificer (Engineer) Royal Navy, born in Yorkshire 1872, died. He was a full time serving officer all his life, not just called up for the war. His ship, HMS Paragon, was patrolling in the Dover Straits with other ships. His ship broke in two and sank after being struck by a torpedo from a German destroyer. Although few were saved the engineers had no chance.

Due to the internet, I found that his name is on the War Memorial at Saltburn-by-the-Sea as opposed to Plymouth where he lived with my Grandmother. I went up there in June 2014 to join in the town’s commemoration of the start of World War 1 having made contact via the internet.

I was the only direct descendant present as Joseph was older than most and was married. So many were young unmarried men, and so had no descendants, but some descendants of the rest of the families were present. It was a very impressive day and I was made most welcome by the town’s people and I was able to visit the house where his parents lived (34 Ruby Street).

Again, thanks to the organisers of a great wreck site on the internet I was given the exact site when the Paragon sank. It was just north of the Dover to Calais ferry line. I had the bright idea of dropping a wreath at sea! After a lot of negotiating with P&O I got permission.

A friend volunteered to come with me. I booked on the ‘Spirit of Britain’ sailing at 12.05pm on Friday, 17th March 2017.

It went very well indeed. In fact it was fantastic. To save the long journey up to London then back to Dover, which would have meant leaving at 6.30am, I got a taxi driver friend to drive us down. I was picked up at 8.30am and we had a good run down to Dover. The weather was perfect: bright sunshine and a light breeze! Not until we got back into Dover did it cloud over and the wind got up a bit. All my seasickness pills were for nothing I am glad to say!

We were greeted on board by the Purser and colleague, and taken up to the lounge where I ordered the wine. The wreath, able to biologically deteriorate as per P&O instructions to allow it to be thrown in the sea, so that all the flowers were inset into a willow woven wreath base. Red and white flowers were chosen for the Royal Navy white ensign. All were flowers that would last as long as possible without water as we could not use oasis etc. So carnations, roses, tulips and lilies. The florist in 4

Photograph of Hannah with the wreath attached

Chertsey made it up last thing on the Thursday so I could collect it just before closing and keep it cool overnight. It lasted great.

Then the two staff lead us to the side of the lower deck. The wreath had to be dropped when the Master said, as he slightly slowed the ship down. Not quite at the nearest spot but on the correct side of the ship to the wreck. They gave me a letter with the exact co-ordinates of where the wreath was to be dropped to go with the exact location of the wreck. I was able to say my dedication to my grandfather and include my father and husband who fought in WW2 and survived, but both have died since. I dropped the wreath and the breeze caught it quickly so there was no photograph. It landed the right way up and floated off to the rear - sorry, the stern! For the granddaughter and daughter of Royal Navy officers, I am not at all nautical in the correct terms.

Then we went back to the lounge where we were presented with champagne for a toast! We had decided not to get off the ship as all of it would be too complicated. We had the main course of a lovely meal, not on P&O, but on the way over. Then scrummy chocolate dessert and coffee on the way back. The two staff came to say good bye and see us off the ship. We had a very good journey home.

Hannah Lane

Saltburn Photographic Society

In June, we are holding an evening meeting at 7.00pm in Whitby, and 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 01287 622519.

Cath and Tony Lynn

Same chef and owner for over 6 years

SALTBURN METHODIST CHURCH Milton Street, Saltburn.

Sunday Services at 10.45 a.m.

Looking for that special gift and card?

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

Now also available online.

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

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

Cllr. Thomson: 01287 624883.

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

Sunday school 10.45 a.m.

Mid week worship Wednesday at 10 a.m.

Prayer Meeting Tuesday at 1.30 p.m.

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

MONDAYS AT EIGHT LADIES GROUP at 8 p.m.

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

SATURDAY 10 a.m. - 12noon

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

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

See notice board for other events.

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

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

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Once Upon a Time in the Wapentake Ian the Editor does not usually encourage poetry, for the best of reasons, but I am going to indulge myself with three lines this month: The older you get The more you have To forget.

Most (if not all?) I write is about memories, so here we go again.

One of the worrying things about getting older is the way our memory lets us down; dementia, we wonder. But perhaps not. Perhaps it’s just that USB drive, that memory stick we carry in our skulls is so full of stuff that it just can’t hold any more. Something has to go, and it’s not necessarily the old, but the new that goes in the bin. That is how you come to be in Sainsbury’s, unable to remember what it is you’re there for, because, instead of being there, you’re standing in the sweetshop with your mum and the ration book, all those years ago, more vividly there and then than you are here and now. Look at the slabs of toffee and ‘nougat’ in the counter, and the sherbet lemons in the jar on the shelf, and you can’t see the things on the supermarket shelves that you ought to be buying, if you could remember what they were.

But how reliable are those old, precious memories?

You listen to a track you’ve not heard since 1982 and it doesn’t sound the same, doesn’t move you the way it once did. But did it ever really sound like that, or move you the way you remember? You’re talking to someone you’ve not seen for years, and you’re talking about something strange that happened when last you met, but they remember it very differently, or not at all. Is that because you’ve made a story out of it and every time you tell it you improve it, and the better it gets, the more you believe it’s true? That’s what most of us do, including your old friend who has a story just like you have… but it’s not the same story.

Perhaps in his version there’s a gap where the whole point of your version was.

And don’t we all have gaps? Some are deliberate, perhaps, those embarrassing, even shameful things we’ve done that with luck we’ll forget. Then there are the memories of things so terrible; things that happen in wartime, for example, that have to be forgotten before life can go on. Some believe that we must recover buried memories. I’m not so sure that this is always a good idea.

A friend of mine said, after therapy, that he now knew what had happened to make him the way he was; unfortunately he could not go back in time to change it.

Another kind of blank that I have only recently become aware of is one that seems to afflict athletes and musicians, who sometimes perform far better than usual. (‘In the zone’ it’s sometimes called.) When asked about it afterwards they often say they can’t remember a thing about it. In some cases it might be the drugs, but not always, surely? I don’t understand, which is why it intrigues me.

A kind of blank that I sometimes experience is best explained by an example. I was recently thinking about 6

where I drank when I first came here in the early 70s, when there were no pubs at all in the town centre, only The Ship down in Old Saltburn. There were clubs: Milton Street; Lune Street; the Legion in Ruby Street. There were Hotel Bars, some of which kept going after the Hotels closed down: The Back Alex; The Crypt below the Alexandra; The Queens; The Great Guns (but was it called that then?) below the Zetland.

And then I thought, surely the Marine was open then? I lived in Diamond Street, just around the corner.

Even if I never drank there, I must have passed it a thousand times. I closed my eyes and imagined myself walking along Marine Parade in 1972. Everything was there until I reached that building: The Masonic Hall in the centre; The Marine on the left, and what was a private club, The Red Lodge (but was it in 1972?) on the right.

But in my mind’s eye there is nothing there, nothing at all. There is no reason why this should be so, none at all, that I can remember. It is possible that, if I had a photo of The Marine in 1972, and looked at it long enough, it would become my memory of it, except that it would probably be a memory in black and white.

The opposite of gaps where memories should be, are the memories that shouldn’t be there, memories of things that never happened. I have a vivid memory of watching the Battle of Britain as a child, the con trails high in the blue, and the occasional plane, trailing smoke, falling out of the sky. But that battle was over five years before I was born. Am I remembering a film I saw? If so, why can I still smell the herb rich turf of The Downs that I am lying on?

I suspect most of us have these memories; perhaps they come from books we’ve read or videos we’ve seen, or from dreams, which themselves might have come from books or films… or perhaps they are someone else’s memories, a story told to you so many times, that you come to believe it is yours. Or perhaps it can be wishful thinking: a story that you wish had happened so much that you begin to believe that it really did. Or perhaps you have been told, by a parent, of something you did as a child. You have since forgotten, but having been told about it so often, it becomes your memory. That is, until your parent remembers it was actually your sister that did it.

There is also the possibility that someone, for their own selfish reasons, or out of genuine conviction, though perhaps misguided, will try to make you believe things that may not necessarily be true, false memories, in other words. That’s worth remembering on June 8th when you go to vote in the General Election. If you are warned that, for example, having public transport or water supply run by local or national government or asking those who have the most money to pay the most tax, is going back to the really bad old days, then, if you’re old enough to remember, ask yourself, or, if you’re not old enough, ask someone who is, were those old days and old ways, really that bad?

Tim Beswick

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

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

Councillors’ Column Recent vandalism at the Woodlands Centre has once again shocked those who care. This is not the first occasion and may not be the last. Fortunately out of this totally unacceptable anti -social behaviour has risen an upsurge of community support, showing once again that neighbourliness and fellowship are indeed always with us. The generosity and goodwill which followed is testament to a genuine caring community of which one can be justly proud.

Observant residents will by now be familiar with the brown zones. These are selected areas around trees and local authority infrastructure to dissuade weeds from disrupting the normal maintenance routines. Over enthusiasm of application has been alleged in some quarters but there may be some scientific rationale behind the approach adopted. Irrespective of this potentially emotive debate there are cold hard facts to be acknowledged.

Foreign objects will invade and inhabit pavements and gullies. These are usually described as weeds. For those with a botanical interest, names such as Doves-foot Cranesbill, Germander Speedwell, Ribwort Plantain, Selfheal and Mouseear Chickweed might be common place. The lay observer will be more conversant with Yarrow and Dandelion. Feline admirers may avoid discussing Cats Ear despite its strength and persistency, whilst Orczy followers may find the Scarlet Pimpernel jolly well less than elusive.

So is there any message here? Can a community hold back the advance of mother nature or should it perhaps work in harmony with her? If all residents took ownership of their curtilage with public boundaries and contributed to

maintaining a weed and litter free urban environment this would indeed be a neighbourly action. Assisting those neighbours who are physically unable to do so would be a further good deed.

Is there any guidance that can be sought to aid these periods of intended industry? At the risk of raising a national debate it may be noted that the Flemish government has agreed to phase out completely the use of herbicides on public pavements. Belgian research, reported, where else, in the journal ‘Weed Research’, gives some useful tips to residents.

To begin with, not all paving materials are the same.

Paving constructed of porous material allows water to drain away from the surface. This lack of surface water inhibits germination and growth of weeds. Thus, porous, free draining constructions are less weedy.

No doubt the majority of the residents are not blessed with this inheritance and will have to resort to traditional methods. These, if we dare listen to parental guidance, include hot water and a frequent stiff brushing.

After all this should one dare to enter into a debate that suggests a weed is really a plant in its own right and just happens, in the eye of the beholder, to be in the wrong place?

Time may be on hand for some to eye the urban and rural incidence of flora. The new highway infrastructure works on Marske Road continue for another month, thus affording drivers plenty of opportunity to view urban and rural flora.

Philip Thomson 7

Saltburn Beachwatch

Thank You

Plastic Challenge 2017

We would like to say a huge thank you to all our lovely family and friends who attended our marriage celebration.

Thanks to their generosity, £1,000.00 was raised for Maisie Welsh: a local girl who suffered life challenging injuries following a terrible horse riding accident.

We first became aware of Maisie’s accident after her friends, who attend Saltburn Primary School, invited us to a charity dance show at Lawrence Jackson School which was organised by Constellations Dance School - where Maisie was a pupil.

From what we have heard since the accident, Maisie has shown a fantastic strength of character and we - along with all her lovely friends - wish her and her family well.

Dee & Steve Robson

With beach litter in the UK at record amounts and plastic marine debris regularly being over 70% of that total the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) is once again encouraging people to take up the Plastic Challenge between the 1st and 30th June 2017. The Challenge aims to change people’s perspectives and highlights how much we rely on single use plastics. Challengers will try to reduce their plastic usage in various ways, like giving up single use plastic bottles, bags and wrapped ready-meals.

People can reduce their plastic consumption by shopping locally at the butchers, bakers, greengrocers and fishmongers who sell their goods “loose” and you can take your own re-usable bag! More retailers are selling micro-plastic-free bathroom products (check the labels) e.g. shampoos, body scrubs and toothpastes. Refuse single serving packaging, excess packaging, straws and other “disposable plastic”. Some products like crisps are found to have multiple layers of plastic wrappings. Ditch the plastic razor and go for the longer lasting metal handle instead.

Some challengers have decided to do more home cooking like making their own yoghurt, hummus, custard, bread etc. In these days of pre-packed ready-made meals, cooking your own food will make a noticeable difference to the plastic in your bin. We use single-use plastics for lots of things from medical and grooming products to buying and storing our food. It is durable and lightweight but it’s these properties that allow it to exist in the environment for hundreds and sometimes thousands of years.

Many types of plastic can be re-cycled but unfortunately most of it isn’t. The MCS and Saltburn Beachwatch want people to stop taking plastic for granted and to take more responsibility for the resources they are using. Plastic Challengers are wanted to spread the message of “reduce, re-use and re-cycle” to reduce the amount of plastic entering the environment. People are being challenged to give up their lifestyle of convenience for a day? a week? or a month: giving up pre-packed sandwiches, ready-meals and drinks-on-the-go and buying just what they need. It’s about changing people’s attitudes towards single- use plastics.

We in our household did not find the challenge easy in 2016 but it did change our awareness of just how reliant our society has become on using plastic, including ourselves. Was it worth it? On one hand we had to make more of an effort to find certain items and to resist the convenience of plastic containers/wrappings. On the other hand we got a feeling of satisfaction for reducing our plastic footprint and we will continue to look for ways in which we can further reduce our plastic consumption in this years’ plastic challenge and beyond.

The next Saltburn Beachwatch litterpick and survey will take place on Saturday, 8th July 2017 from 10am until 12noon. Meet at the pier car park where litter grabs, gloves and bags will be provided. Mid-session free refreshments will be available.

Roy Smith 8

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

East Cleveland Arthritis Care Group

Saltburn 500 Club

A dozen members of Saltburn and District Retired Men’s Forum spent an interested morning at the Tees Barrage on Monday, 8th May instead of attending their usual talk at the Methodist Hall.

With chairman Peter Martin, they voted the session worthwhile. They heard about seals eating salmon at the structure, opposite the Teesside Park shopping centre on the A66, honey being made by 200,000 bees there and 1,000 visits being paid each year.

The seven round-the-clock working staff, who are employed by the River Canal and Trust, would welcome more requests for tours, which include a thorough presentation and a look round the facilities.

These include a children’s fish pool, two massive screws and a white-water rafting course. Contact customer manager 01642 633273.

Congratulations go to L Noble for winning the April 500 Club Prize Draw of £100. Congratulations also go to J Ellis for winning the May Prize Draw. The 500 Club currently have 364 members, which will give you an idea of how desperate we are for additional members. Please consider joining if you are not already a member.

The June Bandstand performances are as follows: 4th Bilsdale Silver Band 11th Bearpark & Esh Colliery Band 18th The Silverwood Band 25th Cleveland Constabulary Band The first weekend of July sees the Saturday performances start with Marske Junior Band on 1st and Northallerton Silver Band on 2nd.

Please go along and support the bands but, unfortunately, we cannot afford to supply you with suntan lotion so you will have to bring your own!

It is good to see that the Woodland Centre is functioning again after the senseless vandalism that occurred last month. The Bandstand has suffered minor vandalism recently but nothing on the scale of what was done at the Woodland Centre. The pleasing thing that came out of this is that it indicates just how many good people there are out there that volunteered their services.

A group of friends have organised a coffee morning and tombola at the Methodist Hall on 3rd June. If you are reading this before that date, please go along between 10am and noon as all proceeds are going towards the cost of Saltburn Christmas lights.

The AGM for Saltburn 500 Club is to be held at 6pm, on Wednesday, 7th June, in the library. Members and potential new members are welcome to come along.

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

Christina Simpson

Saltburn Charity Crafters

Bespoke Furniture, Joinery

Saltburn Charity Crafters will be meeting on Wednesday 7 June from 2pm to 4pm in the Community Hall. If you are interested in crafting for local charities do pop in for a natter and cup of tea/coffee. We are a friendly bunch who will make you welcome. For further information contact Angie on 01287 205153

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 20th June, 19th July, 15th August, 19th September and 20th October. Contact Anne Lake on 01287 650671 for further information.

Seals eat salmon at Barrage

Fully Qualified Experienced, Local Carpenter/Joiner 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 June 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.

Our June programme: 2nd Seated Keep Fit with Taylor, then Bingo. The afternoon session is painting trees.

9th Group trip to Holey Molies Golf course in Skelton then back to the hall for sewing a felt elephant.

16th A morning’s fun with the U3A Ukulele group, and then making cards.

23rd Colouring in, Sign language with Tom then making a plaited pot stand.

30th Bowling at Saltburn Bowls Club then back to the hall for drawing a decorative sun 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 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

Keeping it clean at Saltburn (#KICASaltburn) Again there has been a lot of activity both down on the beach and behind the scenes at KICASaltburn HQ. Over the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd April there was a brilliant turn out at the organised beach cleans held jointly with The Marine Conservation Society and Surfers Against Sewage. Consequently a large amount of litter was removed from the beach and disposed of appropriately protecting our environment and marine wildlife.

There are 2 further KICASaltburn beach cleans coming up on 10th June and 9th July. If you are free it would be great if you could join us. Please follow our social media pages for further details.

We are all waiting with baited breath to hear if our funding application has been successful. We should hear any day now and we will be able to start the ball rolling towards finally purchasing some #2minutebeachclean boards. We are also exploring other avenues for funding to allow us to keep this project running in the longer term.

Other dates for your diary include the next general meeting which will be held on 20th July. Please follow us on Facebook - KICASaltburn, Twitter @KICASaltburn and Instagram KICASaltburn. If you are not on social media but would like further information on any of the events please drop us an e-mail (kicasaltburn@gmail.com).

A big thank you for your support and to those who continue with their own beach cleans. Please do share your photos of these with us on social media or send them to us via email.

Thank you, KICASaltburn.

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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.

Saltburn in Bloom

HELP NEEDED! WHY? TO PUT UP HANGING BASKETS! WEDNESDAY, 21st and Thursday, 22nd June 8.00am onwards each day: Meet at the Station Portico We would really welcome help from as many people as possible and especially some younger people who are not working on those days. So if you know someone who might help we would really appreciate it. Even just an hour is a help to us oldies, though we are young at heart!

We work in groups of 3 or 4, with one person up the ladder, one person footing it and a couple of others delivering baskets to the location, which is all mapped out for us. We have the services of Buoygues Energy Company providing the hoist, which is a great help to us.

Most of the hanging baskets and barrels have been kindly sponsored by residents, local businesses and groups and we have been particularly pleased with the response.

Watering is one of our biggest expenses and we would like to hang the baskets for longer, but we just can’t afford it. We are particularly grateful to Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council for their generous grant. As I’ve written many times, no money comes from RCBC towards hanging baskets and tubs. They are paid for by the town. If you would like to make a donation to the cost of the floral arrangements and watering we would really appreciate it. Please make cheques payable to Saltburn in Bloom and put that with an accompanying note in a sealed envelope and place it in the Saltburn in Bloom postbox in the Library (the library staff will assist).

WE REALLY NEED YOUR SUPPORT! EVERY PENNY COUNTS! Talking about “greening up” the garden, if any small group has been trying to improve an area of the town you might consider entering Northumbria in Bloom’s “It’s your Neighbourhood.” Each entry receives a visit from a NiB judge, who gives advice on the work undertaken and ways to improve. A certificate is awarded to each entry. To know more, google Northumbria in Bloom and click on Northumbria in Bloom/Communities Growing together, then click on It’s Your Neighbourhood. Entry is online and the closing date is 14th June. If you decide to enter please contact Sue Featherstone (saltburn.in.bloom@gmail.com).

As I write, the Fossil Garden is nearing the end of its reconstruction work, but is still awaiting the fossils and soil, not to mention plants. We recognise that there are weeds growing and our plan is to delay planting while we monitor this. Weedkiller will be applied at a suitable time. We do not want to rush into planting as we need to do this part right. If you see us around please have a chat!

Lynda Parkes (Chair)

Dogs on the beach

As mentioned in the May edition of the Councillors’ Column, the current restrictions on dogs entering onto the beach will apply until September. It was stated that ‘the traditional section is being extended’. Consultation is due to start shortly on arrangements for these restrictions to be extended to cover the sands along to Skelton Beck. The process of consultation will be conducted over several months with results being available later in the year.

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.

11

MP opens Explorers’ Lounge

A ‘mistakes’ slogan is featured in this picture at Doorways’ new reception area for the Explorers’ Lounge. It was following a £125,000 makeover, thanks to a Big Lottery grant. The room is available for people to look into ideas such as starting a walking group. Doorways staff are on hand to help.

Local MP Tom Blenkinsop was smartly dressed for his last official engagement in Saltburn, before standing down as the town’s Parliamentary Member after seven busy years.

He opened the ‘Explorers’ Lounge’ for youth project Doorways, above the internet cafe Destinations in Station Street.

The project received £15,000 from a Big lottery fund to renovate an area at the back of Destinations. It will be available for small groups of any age-range, not only the usual 13 to 25-year-olds who Doorways help.

Doorways coordinator John Pearson told the MP and Mayor Barry Hunt the lounge was available to small groups wanting to explore possible activities around wellbeing. This would be facilitated by himself and project worker Vanessa Pearson, his wife, in trying to look into and develop ideas. An example he gave was of a walking group. There would be no charge for using the lounge and their services. “We also have a small meeting room available, which may also be hired,” said Mr Pearson.

The Explorers’ Lounge, which is carpeted and decorated by sayings like ‘mistakes are the proof that you are trying,’ contains two new sofas and a bookcase - which is for an out-of-the ordinary library service.

“We have some reference books and others which have been donated under a swap scheme ‘book shuffle.’

Visitors can bring a book and take one away,” said Mr Pearson.

He revealed that Doorways, under the chairmanship of retired teacher Liam Gardiner, would, in time, be seeking a replacement for himself as he would be 64 in December and wants to see the project continue. He said that for the first-time Doorways had five years of funding in place.

From left: Vanessa Pearson, MP Tom Blenkinsop, Mayor Barry Hunt and John Pearson line up at the opening of Doorways Explorers Lounge. See eye-catching slogan at right.

Mr Blenkinsop recalled visiting Doorways in its former room opposite the clock in Station Square and finding it struggling with funding. “John Pearson has got a better relationship with funders.”

After the ceremony, he said in an interview with Talk of the Town that he had had a busy time as an MP, including working on Saltburn issues. These included helping to clean the ‘red river’ pollution near the Ship Inn, developing the seafront for businesses who were investing in their buildings, and the council’s attempt to impose parking charges in Saltburn. “I took a lot of flack, as usual,” he commented. “I used to live here before moving to Marton where I was born and have seen a lot of change.”

Speaking of his decision to not seek re-election because of the left-wing Labour leadership, Mr Blenkinsop, 36, said: “I’ve made the right decision and have talked the truth to my own party.”

He would not be drawn on his future, but a Northern Echo interviewer said he was most interested in working in the steel industry where he used to represent local workers in the Community Union.

He said he would be canvassing for the Labour Party in the General Election before ceasing to be an MP on Thursday, 8th June. Tracy Harvey, 54, a Middlesbrough Council cabinet member, of Coulby Newham, was selected on 28th April as the party’s candidate.

About Councillor Sue Jeffrey, Labour candidate for the new Mayor of Teesside post (decided on 4th May), he said she was an excellent politician.

Saltburn and District Group for Visually Impaired People At our May meeting we were joined by Marjorie, our local expert on fossils. Marjorie has been collecting fossils for most of her life, both finding and buying.

She brought along a selection of her prized possessions – obviously some were too large to put in a wheelie bag!

Her talk was both interesting and informative, but especially good for our group, as it was also very tactile. Marjorie passed around many samples, from around 150 millions ago – approximately! Yes, we can now all say 12

that we have handled dinosaur pooh! My absolute favourite was of a small sea-urchin, because it was so very cute I could easily have slipped it into my pocket – but I didn’t!

Thank you so much Marjorie for a great afternoon.

Please join us on June 14th when we will be treated to a talk from Dot from Friends of Redcar Cemetery.

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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

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

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Craft Magic

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

13

General Election 2017 I hope we have been fair to each of the three candidates interviewed here by Mike Morrissey. Unlike every newspaper in the land Talk of the Town and its editor are not going to tell readers how to vote. People can make up their own minds. I hope they can do so without being influenced by the rest of the media which is so biased and prejudiced it should be illegal.

There are those who have argued that this is the ‘Brexit Election’. The parties clearly want to talk about other subjects as well, not surprisingly since Brexit is both a 50% vote-winner and 50% vote-loser. Half the people of this country do not want to leave the European Union. Maybe it’s a lost cause but I’m delighted that the Liberal Democrats are offering a referendum on the final Brexit deal. If, after years of wasted time, the British people reject the final deal then we would remain in the EU. The other two main parties are for Brexit, despite both of them officially campaigning against it during last year’s referendum. I do not believe that changing your mind in order to make yourself more popular constitutes a ‘strong and stable’ position, but there you go.

Speaking of slogans, it only took a few days of the campaign before I grew weary of the parties’ slogans. One seems like a massive ego trip, the other like something that any party should be offering. The only slogan I whole heartedly agree with is that of the Greens: ‘The Future is Green or Not At All’ but they don’t have a candidate standing in our constituency. Even worse than slogans are labels. A recent one is labelling those who are ‘just about managing’ as ‘Jams’.

Inventing a label doesn’t mean that the problem is being tackled and only comes across as petty name-calling, fuelling further division and creating ideas of ‘us and them’.

I like the Labour and Liberal Democrat manifestoes. Is there anyone who really thinks that it’s a good idea to have necessary public services run by foreign companies? It doesn’t keep prices down, as the ‘Big 6’ energy companies have shown and it’s been very amusing watching some of the parties trying to copy each other’s policies while at the same time trying to pretend that they are different.

One Conservative policy, though, I find very upsetting and quite shameful. Theresa May has stated her intention of bringing back hunting foxes with hounds. For this she would need a majority of at least 50 since some Tory MPs would vote against it. Whatever people think about foxes it would be a backward and undignified step to bring back such cruelty. (Yes, of course it’s cruelty! Surely even those in favour of it couldn’t argue it wasn’t cruel!) The vast majority of the people of this country would oppose such a move, which would undoubtedly be ‘for the few and not for the many’. Why she should mention such an unpopular and vote-losing policy during a General Election campaign I have no idea. Perhaps she feels that it doesn’t matter because she’s confidant of winning anyway.

And of course there’s been the usual scare-mongering and lies, U-turns and denials of U-turns, and appeals to the national interest and the need (this really gets to me) to ‘have a strong hand’. I didn’t know that negotiating with friends was a game of poker, a game of bluff in other words. I thought negotiations had to be done honestly and openly. After all, friends know when you’re lying. They know you, and can see straight through you if you’re not behaving decently. Empty rhetoric and posturing have no place round the negotiating table. What is really in the patriotic national interest? Voters decide on June 8th!

Ian Tyas 14

Lib Dem candidate

Chris Foote Wood was selected as the Lib Dem candidate for our constituency following his standing for the Tess Valley Mayor election last month.

Veteran election campaigner Chris Foote Wood is the most colourful and best-known candidate.

At 76, he is the oldest and most experienced in fighting elections (this is his 44th), mainly for the Wear Valley District Council where he has lived for most of his life.

The brother of the late comedian Victoria Wood, he said after losing the fight to become Mayor of Tees Valley in April: “I’m ready, willing and able to fight a seat. If anyone wants me, they can come and get me.”

The Liberal Democrats, of which he has been a longstanding supporter, did just that.

Asked a series of questions by email, he said he voted in the referendum for Britain to remain in the EU. “I am a democrat and fully accept the result of an open election, which had a clear alternative IN or OUT and which was decided by a clear majority on a big turnout.

“We are leaving the EU and the only question now is on what terms. I believe the British people should have the final say on the TERMS on which we leave and not just the Tory Party.”

Despite being the product of Bury Grammar School, Mr Foote Wood, a writer, journalist, lecturer and actor, said he was not in favour of new grammar schools. His No.1 priority for the constituency? Jobs.

On his faith in God, he said a comment on this was “not relevant.” He added: “I would hate us to copy the USA in which candidates trumpet their religious beliefs and promote a particular faith or rather their own narrow interpretation.

For me everybody’s personal faith is a matter for them. I respect the right of all individuals to believe whatever they wish.”

Among Mr Foote Wood’s 20-odd books written was one on piers, including Saltburn pier which he says he has visited many times. He is married with

Labour candidate

PARTY’S CHOICE: Labour candidate Tracy Harvey, on right, with local councillor Craig Hannaway and supporter Andrew Morley at the party’s stall on the Station Square patio opposite Saltburn’s town clock. Labour launched its local election campaign in Saltburn on 30th April, just after Mrs Harvey was selected as candidate to replace Tom Blenkinsop as MP. If elected, she would be the first local female MP.

Jobs for local people will be the No. 1 priority of Mrs Tracy Harvey, Labour candidate in the General Election on Thursday, 8th June.

Seeped in Party work, the 54-year-old has been a member of Middlesbrough Borough Council since 2011. She was picked by a four-strong committee of Labour chiefs in London.

“My name was put forward the day after Theresa May called the Election in April and I was interviewed in London,” said Mrs Harvey, a mother and grandmother, over a coffee in Signals cafe, “I was asked if I could commit myself because being an MP is life-changing.”

Mrs Harvey, who worked on developing communities in Middlesbrough’s council estates for 20 years, is the council’s elected Cabinet member for the environment (covering refuse, recycling and school dinners). Her husband works for the town’s MP Andy McDonald.

A Labour supporter all her life, was she happy with her party’s leaders (an issue which caused Tom Blenkinsop to stand down as MP)? “We have honest people with principles, who care passionately about improving the lives of all,” she said.

Mrs Harvey, governor of two primary schools, is against grammar schools “because it would be for the few, who could afford to pay.” On Immigration, she said: “We need people with skills. There should not be net migration.” On Brexit, she voted to Remain. “People decided ‘Out’ in the referendum - that’s democracy. I want the best deal possible (for the UK).”

Asked about her faith, she said she was a member of the Church of England but did not attend church. “I don’t disbelieve (in God) and respect all communities. The Churches have a huge role. I’ve worked closely with them.”

Mrs Harvey, whose father and mother were respectively a bus driver and a cleaner, lives at Nunthorpe. She represents Newport ward on her council.

If elected, she would be the first female MP locally. Gaye Johnstone stood as Labour candidate in 1974 and 1983.

Conservative candidate

Tory candidate Simon Clarke stands 6ft 7inches tall in Milton Street. He has been door-knocking locally since early this year.

Tory candidate Simon Clarke, 32, who voted in the referendum to leave the EU, says his priorities are “delivering Brexit” under Theresa May’s leadership and, locally, to talk up the area’s economic potential.

He pointed to “world leading companies” like British Steel, Skinningrove (specialists in forging steel for earth excavators), and 52-year-old Tees Components at North Skelton, which machines heavy engineering parts for power stations worldwide.

On transport, he is keen to cut Marton Crawl traffic jams in his home area, and to improve patchy bus services in the constituency, which cover from Loftus and Guisborough to South Bank and Hemlington.

Speaking during a lunch break at Rapps, Milton Street, Mr Clarke said he had been meeting local people since early this year when he was appointed Party spokesman for this constituency.

He said he was a “big fan” of Mrs May and of David Cameron - “he left a good jobs’ legacy.”

A product of private schooling, including Yarm School, he also believed strongly in bringing back grammar schools. Mr Clarke gained a degree in modern history and qualified as a solicitor. He has spent 10 years working for Tory MPs and wants to specialise in school policy.

He cont est ed the Middlesbr ou gh parliamentary seat in 2015 and took the Tories from fourth to third place behind Andy McDonald - “we were 1,000 behind UKIP.” A solicitor’s son, he currently lives in York with his wife Hannah and one-year-old son, but said he would move to the constituency if he won on 8th June. He is a passionate Boro fan.

On his faith, he said he was a twice-a-year churchgoer in the Church of England. “I absolutely believe in God,” he said.

15

SALTBURN CRICKET CLUB Marske Mill Lane, Tel 01287-622761

SLIMMING WORLD – Tuesday mornings @ 9.30 – 11.00am BINGO – Weds 7th & 21st June – eyes down 8.00pm SALTBURN BLUES CLUB – Sat 24th June with COLD NORTON All ticket night - £10 with 10% discount for Club members, 7.30pm onwards

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

Supporters and spectators always welcome *Free WiFi in Club* * BIG screen TV showing SKY sports etc * ***FEATURED IN CAMRA GOOD BEER GUIDE!!***

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

Contact us to book your event.

Members and non-members welcome.

Facebook saltburncricketbowlsandtennis socialclub

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

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

SALTBURN BLUES CLUB

For the next few months, with the long summer evenings upon us, we’re putting on main acts only at the Blues Club.

The doors still open at 7.30pm and members of the audience are welcome to come early and socialise as always. Our June 24th gig is the band, COLD NORTON. All the way from Essex, Cold Norton describe their sets as ‘a mix of blues, country-tinged dark western and soul’. In other words, they embrace a wide range of genres, letting the blues dominate. It’s mainly original compositions but Noel Gander’s smoky vocals are also well suited to the covers they play such as the classic, ‘I Can’t Get You Outta My Mind’. Lead singer, Noel, plays guitar, Gary Choules is on double bass, Andy P on Drums and Ian Fulcher plays keyboard.

Doors: 7.30pm. Venue: Saltburn Cricket Club.

Tickets: £10 available from: 07960 935263, www.yorkshireticketshop.co.uk and Whistlestop Wines, Saltburn.

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

REMINDER! Tickets for the Saltburn HOWZAT MUSIC FESTIVAL are on sale. This one-day blues/soul festival has been organised

by Saltburn Blues Club, Rotary and Saltburn Cricket Club and is a charity event in aid of The Great North Air Ambulance. Superb music, refreshments including a barbecue, tea, coffee and, of course, beer! Live music can’t be beaten. Come and enjoy!

It takes place on Sunday, 3rd September 2017 from 2pm - 11pm in the indoor nets hall at Saltburn Cricket Club.

Seven first rate acts have been booked: REECE HILLIS, THE EMMA WILSON BAND, HOT TIN ROOF, GROOVETRAIN, BIG RED AND THE GRINNERS, THE KAZ HAWKINS BAND and THE JAR FAMILY. Belfast blues and soul queen, KAZ HAWKINS, recently won the 2017 European Blues Challenge so a live performance from her is a real coup for Saltburn.

Earlybird Tickets for HOWZAT cost £20. £25 if bought on the day. Still a bargain for so many hours of outstanding performance (all details can be found at: www.howzatmusicfestival.co.uk).

Don’t forget my show, STILL GOT THE BLUES, on ZETLAND FM, 105FM and online for listeners outside the area every Monday night, 7-10pm. An eclectic 3 hours of Blues in all its shades. 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’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

Book Corner Hosts Children’s Author Children’s author Margaret Mulligan is visiting Book Corner on Saturday, 17th June at 11am. She’ll be reading from her book, Katy Parker and the House that Cried, a time-slip adventure story aimed at the 912 age group. It follows siblings Katy and Patrick who wake up to find themselves in 1940s England.

Margaret will also be signing copies of the book until 1pm, and there will be activities for kids based around being an evacuee in the Second World War. There will also be a Q and A with the author.

This is a free event, and no booking is necessary.

Margaret is visiting Book Corner as part of New Writing North’s Read Regional campaign, which celebrates new books from the North of England and brings writers and readers together at events.

17

DOG GROOMING www.saltyseadogsgrooming.co.uk

Kelly - 07523 216363

18

19

COMPLETE PROPERTY MANAGING SERVICES A PERSONAL TOUCH

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Saltburn Food Festival 2017

Lorna Jackson, Richard Willis and Liz Palmer, pictured above, three of the local food producers behind Saltburn’s Annual Food Festival.

As the season for outdoor feasting begins, Milton Street will once again be transformed into a well organised Street Party with food, music, art and seating! Saltburn is one of the prettiest settings for a food festival, and with such a wide range of fringe events around town, there is no excuse not to arrive early, take your time and explore the whole of the Town. There will be over 80 stalls, street theatre, music. dozens of pop-up-cafes and street food areas by day - you’ll need to take a break and head to Saltburn House where there will be a live DJ, and a ‘hand pulled’ cider festival to help you party the night away! Rumour has it the festival may even extend into Dundas Street this year to include our very good friends Ollie B’s - for lovely ladies clothes and accessories - oh and a spot of free prosecco! - and maybe further up into Saltburn to include our great supporters on Station Street - Wags and Whiskers and Lilliandaph - for an enchanted shopping experience like no other!

For what will be our 5th festival we will once again be arranging extra busses between Whitby and Middlesbrough, a Park and Ride in the town and extra Park and Ride facilities from Bow Street Car Park in Guisborough. If you are bringing your 4 legged friends why not talk to Paw Pals in Saltburn to arrange a bit of doggy peace and quiet in the tranquillity of their spacious gardens.

Further details to follow in July and meanwhile keep an eye on saltburnfoodfestival.com and saltburn farmers market facebook page where we will have all the up to date information and be able to answer any questions.

21

Cleveland Diving Club

From 1st June there will be only 8 days until the people of the UK make their democratic decision to elect the next Prime Minister of Britain. For some, but undoubtedly not all, there may well be a sense of optimism regarding the future and the challenges ahead.

Whatever the result, let’s hope the future is bright. Having a sense of optimism is an intrinsic characteristic of scuba divers. It drives the motivation, boos ts ent husias m a nd emboldens divers to take on the challenge to explore in the expectation that beautiful, strange and weird life underwater will be discovered.

Having elected to return once again to Scotland our typically optimistic diving group took the 6 hour drive to Appin, near Oban, in their stride. Predictably, the next day’s test to prepare and don their heavy scuba equipment, under the cool, grey skies of the ‘5th Layby’ dive site, ( so named as it is the 5th layby after the roundabout) before entering the cool waters of Loch Creran was carried out with agreeable cheerfulness. I am happy to say that our band of audacious divers (photo 1) was not disappointed. John, the club’s expert photographer snapped a number of common and less common interesting marine creatures. For example: a queenie scallop, being used as a mobile home by a trio of sea squirts (photo 2); a rather unusually purple-coloured sunstar; they are normally red and yellow (photo3); a very proud plumose anemone (photo 4); a curious tree-like creature, known as a seacucumber (photo 5); and finally a ‘live and let live,’ hermit crab, completely unphased by the magnitude of his neighbouring brittle starfish which was spotted during a dive in Loch Leven (photo 6). After the last pub meal (photo 7) all agreed it was a successful diving weekend, being thankful 22

that the weather had been kind. However, the weather, and in particular the sea conditions, have not been as kind during May but our optimistic members are ever hopeful that regular local dive outings will ensue this year. With this in mind the club’s rib boat has been prepared to ensure it is sea worthy, once summer arrives (photo 8).

If our photographs have made you curious about what else lies beneath the sea then why not elect to take up scuba diving. If you are unsure whether you would like it and want to just ‘give it a go,’ then contact us by phone on 079 60 60 8529, or via our Facebook page ‘The Diving ClubCleveland. Alternatively, pop along any Monday night at 8pm to Saltburn Leisure Centre and have a chat to one of our instructors about our six week introductory course: cost £25, inclusive of equipment and training by our friendly BSAC qualified instructors. We look forward to meeting all newcomers to the sport.

June Coomber

Youngsters Experience the Rich heritage of India through Dance Pupils at Saltburn Primary School took part in an Indian Dance Workshop on Friday, 5th May fronted by acclaimed dance company, Annapurna Indian Dance.

The day aimed to share India’s inspiring culture and traditions with youngsters through the performance of rhythmic dance and storytelling.

Led by Annapurna, who regularly work with musicians, visual artists and Indian composers and choreographers, and who have vast experience of working in schools, the workshops shared best loved stories from Indian mythology and drew from the ancient classical styles of dance such as Bharata Natym and Kathak. The day included 3 workshops for 90 children, beginning with a performance from the dance instructors and ending in a performance by the children for their peers at the end of the day. Traditional costumes, puppets and live Indian music were all part of the experience for the pupils.

Gail Ash, Assistant Headteacher at Saltburn Primary, said, “we are thrilled to be hosting the Annapurna Indian Dance Company and really looking forward to learning about the Indian culture.”

Pupils and staff were excited to welcome the magic and vibrancy of India into school and work with such celebrated artists.

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

Emmanuel Church Hall, Macnay Street, Saltburn

Tuesdays at 3.30pm, 5.30pm and 7.30pm.

Telephone Stevie on

01642 474920

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

23

What’s Happening at

Marske Hall

Sponsored walks - Saturday 3rd June Step out and help raise much-needed funds for Marske Hall. Choose from two routes - eight miles or three and a half around Marske/Redcar area. Everyone welcome including individuals, families and dogs. For your sponsor/entry form contact Ged 07954 783032 or Ruth 01642 482672.

Summer Fair Saturday 17th June - 11am-3pm, Marske Hall grounds. Highlights include children’s games, bouncy castles, donkey rides, craft stalls, cake stalls, jumble, bric-a-brac, plant stalls and many more small business stalls. Entertainment from local musicians and singers and activities on the central display area. Once again, there is a free fancy dress parade for children, and adults, with prizes for the best dressed being awarded at 1pm. Refreshments will be on sale and ice creams, served from a traditional handmade ice cream cart, will also be on offer. There are a limited number of stalls available for hire on the day at a cost of £15. Anyone interested can call Sally on 01642 482672.

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

Funds raised at these events will enhance the lives of people living at Marske Hall. Registered Charity No: 218186. For details of these and other events call 01642 482672 or visit: www.facebook/marskehall.com Marske Hall, Redcar Road, TS11 6AA.

Thank You Saltburn Community Knitters

Can I on behalf of the organisers of the Klondyke cycle race, residents and visitors to Saltburn, thank all of Saltburn Community knitters who after very short notice came together and provided a fantastic cycle themed knitting display along Balmoral Terrace for us all to admire and enjoy.

A big thank you to all concerned.

Stuart Smith Saltburn Councillor 24

Cna yuo rdae tsih?

No? Well this is what a sentence looks like to thousands of children across the North East of England.

In the last school year, over 2,500 children left primary school in the North East of England unable to read to the required level.

Not being able to read to the required level can have severe consequences on a child’s future, for instance: Men and women with poor literacy are less likely to be in fulltime employment by the age of 30; a quarter of all young offenders have a reading level below that of a 7 year old; 1 in 5 adults don’t have the reading skills to find a plumber in the Yellow Pages.

Beanstalk, the national children’s literacy charity, provides trained reading helpers to work in schools to ensure that children across the North East can leave school confident and able readers.

Each Beanstalk reading helper supports three children and sees each child for two 30 minute sessions a week, during term-time, for three terms. With Beanstalk’s support the child’s approach to learning and enjoying reading is transformed.

Volunteering as a Beanstalk reading helper is extremely rewarding, makes a lasting difference to children’s lives and is a great way to give something back to your local community.

We currently have vacancies in East Cleveland and would love to hear from anyone interested.

To find out more, or to become a Beanstalk reading helper, call Beanstalk on 01325 315040 (or visit http:// www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk/reading-helpers).

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Seldons, Saltburn Pier Amusements

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

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

Open all year round 10am-8pm.

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

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

Please feel free to visit us at anytime.

01287 622498 and 01287 625178 25

Flowers at the Grotto

A wandering 2ft oil-seed rape plant lies among colourful blooms at Saltburn’s grotto at Our Lady of Lourdes church, Hazelgrove. The flowers include yellow and red tulips, purple aubrietia and orange wild poppies.

Blue forget-me-nots, roses and lillies are to come.

The volunteer gardener who tends the grotto thinks a bird must have dropped the oilseed rape seed from a local field and he felt it fitted in. More donations of plants are welcome.

Friends of the Valley Saltburn Friends of the Valley have two events in June.

Saturday, June 24th: ‘Fairy and Goblin Day’ Dressing up, making wands and homes and generally lots of things for the tiny people.

Sunday, June 25th: ‘Folk Music in the Valley’.

Acoustic folk music by the Woodland Centre.

Much to our shock and dismay, our Woodland Centre toilet was recently wrecked by some young people.

Much to our surprise and delight, the local community support was fantastic and overwhelming in its generosity.

A heartfelt thank you to all who gave us funds to put it back together again, all who offered their help, skills and goods and made tea and coffee when it was all too much.

We now have a functional toilet and hand basin again for the Centre users. Onwards and upwards!

Please check our Facebook page or our website for up to date information (Facebook: Friends of the Valley Saltburn, Website: saltburnfriendsofthevalley.co.uk).

Bar staff scoop Euromillions Bar staff at the Queens, Saltburn, scooped a total of more than £1 million on the Euromillions lottery, but have yet to decide how to spend it. The six-strong syndicate shared around £156,000 each and celebrated late with customers and friends on Friday, 19th May. “We are all workers and we all work hard, but we are all a bit skint - so it’s lovely,” said syndicate member Rachel Fawcett, one of the two daughters of landlady Jo Fawcett, who herself was one of the syndicate.

The others, who bought tickets at the Spar shop, Milton Street, included Steve Row, Emma Oxendale, Samantha Percival and Becky Caird.

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POSITONE® HEALTH AGENCY Choosing a positive mindset, an ‘I Can Do It’ attitude and a holistic (whole) approach to mental health and physical wellbeing, after 13 years Jenny Tollinton healed from a crippling disability that she was told she had for life. Giving back her DLA (PIP) in 2007 that was awarded for life, she went on from not being able to hold a piece of paper to chiselling, decorating and more. After speaking out to MP’s down at the House of Commons in 2004 about the importance of preventative health measures being mandatory in the workplace she went on to further self-publish (not for profit) a second book detailing her recovery, until being inspired to create her own business. Jenny’s philosophy is that if you choose to believe those who say you can’t get better, then likely you may not (whilst recognising that healing is to the best of your own body’s ability given one’s personal circumstances).

Putting her faith and trust in the hands of her own body’s innate ability to inherently know how to heal itself, believing it is possible for anyone to change, she sees many others all around her too who are living with the amazing proof that body and mind really do know how to heal when we choose to stop and listen.

Jenny believes so much damage is done in society by misunderstandings. In recent years, experiencing more personal challenges that saw both her and loved ones’ encounter stigma, abuse, apathy, condemnation, homelessness, foodbanks, debt… amongst the harrowing process of being caught in a ‘health system’ where the true nature of how ‘labels’, ‘illness’ and ‘dis’-ease impact upon our mental health and well-being are often misunderstood at the core root level.

Wondering why, as certain conditions are recognised by society as ‘illness / dis-ease’, why then does the ‘system’ condemn those whom have been ‘labelled’ as such.

One key area of concern she believes to be is a lack of training in the fundamental basics of mental health first aid.

She feels that not only both her and loved one’s experiences, but that of the masses show a great need for a holistic approach as paramount for everyone’s health and well-being

and looks forward to the day ‘services’ unite in offering a quality, continuity of care for all.

In her own small way, Jenny, has recently opened what she feels is a much-needed Life Coaching service to the business based in the north-east UK. Her approach supports people in improving their mental health and physical wellbeing via guidance on self-motivation to change, achieving a balanced life style, and boosting self-esteem; in addition to offering swimming tuition, a bespoke one-to-one exercise programme and healing therapies. Utilising vast teaching, health and voluntary sector skills along with her diverse life experiences, all have equipped her to provide a quality specialist service to many different clientele from all walks of life. Jenny can be contacted at PosiTone® Health Agency on 07850 591944 or visit www.positone.co.uk for further information.

Saltburn, Redcar & Cleveland Philatelic Society June meetings The final Wednesday meetings for our 2016-17 season held at the Community Centre, Durham Road, Redcar, commencing 7:15 pm are: 7th June Displays by Society members Max Whitlock and Geoff Reynolds. 21st June AGM and Members’ displays. At NEPA’s recent Annual Convention in Durham our Society did well, winning a third of all the available trophies. Phil Harriman (of Guisborough) won the Great Britain Trophy (see photo), David D. Turner (of Saltburn) won the Social Philately Category, also Best in Show.

Please note that the York Stamp Fair (venue, Grandstand, York Racecourse) will be held on Fri-Sat 21st22nd July, when the Association of British Philatelic Societies (ABPS) judges the UK’s summer National Philatelic Display Competitions. SR&CPS will certainly enter, but the deadline for entries was 27th May. For ABPS Entry forms and procedural details see the ABPS Website www.abps.org.uk.

Geoff Reynolds (Secretary, 01642 478229) David D. Turner (01287 624736) 27

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National Park gallery invites artists to submit miniature works of art for summer exhibition Established and emerging artists are being invited to submit original pieces of art on postcards for a summer exhibition at the North York Moors National Park’s gallery.

Each piece of work will feature in Art to Go, a five-week exhibition at the gallery at Danby which begins on 29th July and aims to showcase to visitors just how affordable and portable art can be. The art has to be inspired by the North York Moors.

Artists are invited to submit an application to the gallery by 30th June. Artwork must be submitted no later than 24th July and artists can submit up to 10 original pieces of postcard art using any medium – from drawings, photographs and paintings through to printmaking and textiles.

In a further twist, each postcard will remain unsigned when it’s on display, with the artist’s name only being revealed after each card has been purchased.

Sally Ann Smith, curator for the ‘Inspired by…’ gallery comments: “Postcard art is a recognised medium in its own right. It inspires the ingenuity of the artists, and can be a perfect starting point for the new collector. With the postcards going on sale for £25 each, we’re hoping the exhibition will open people’s eyes to the fact that art can be enjoyed by everybody and that owning an original piece really is possible.”

To find out more about how to submit a piece of postcard art and download the application form, go to www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/join

East Cleveland Batscape Want to know what we discovered about bats in East Cleveland from the East Cleveland Batscape Project?

Unbelievably the 2 year Heritage Lottery Funded project is already coming to an end and we will be running a celebratory event to tell the public all about what we have discovered from all the fantastic data hard working volunteers have been collecting over the past 2 years. Not only have these local volunteers gone out and collected these data, but many have actually undergone training to be able to use Bio-acoustic software to be able to determine the different species of bats.

We will provide an illustrated talk on our findings and then we will go out to look for bats using specialist bat detectors where you can experience a unique wildlife experience by hearing bats in their natural environment.

Booking is advised. Free event.

2nd June. 8pm to 10:30pm (-ish) Loftus Town Hall, Loftus. Sturdy footwear and appropriate clothing for the weather are recommended. Refreshments available. All ages welcome but talk is not aimed at under 7 year olds. There will be a few crafty things to keep the little ones occupied.

Brown Long Eared Bat by Tom Marshall Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Walk will be on uneven ground not suitable for wheelchair users.

Please contact sbarry@teeswildlife.org or 01287 636382 to make a booking.

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Rotakids come to dinner

Rota Kids Treasurer Harris accepting sponsorship cheque from Rotary Club of Saltburn P.P. Don Hibbert PHF

Rotary in Saltburn, including full members, associate members & Rotakids

It was a beautiful sunny night when Saltburn Rotakids, accompanied by teacher Miss (Amy) Barton came to dinner to spread their own kind of sunshine to the members of their sponsor club and their parents. We were also joined by District Governor North East, Peter Chandler with his wife Christine and Rotary North East District Youth Officer Elaine Smith, who with husband Graham made a round trip from Alnwick especially to be with us.

RotaKids (aged between 8 and 12 years) supported by their local Rotary Club, aims to assist our youngest citizens to develop the strength, knowledge, skills, enthusiasm and determination to find ways to change the world, locally and globally, into a better place where people can enjoy their lives. Saltburn-by-the-Sea Rotakids was established in October 2016, when after listening to a school assembly from Miss Barton, children were selected (from a huge response) and invited to their first meeting where a vote was held, and a president, secretary and treasurer elected. Since their formation, they have taken part in the following activities: School Christmas Fair in which crocus bulbs were placed in decorated plant pots and sold for £1 each raising £172 in aid of Polio Eradication. (When trebled by the American entrepreneur Bill Gates, this realised £516.) At the same event Rotakids also held a “Name the Bear” Stall for “Young Carers” which also raised another £100.

Food was sent to Redcar food bank, obtained by

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asking for donations throughout school.

A Christmas jumper day was held in the school, for which people donated 50p to wear their jumpers. £85 was donated to Zoë’s Place, a charity selected by the children.

A Children in Need event was planned by the children by dressing spotty, holding a bake sale and running a competition. It was a whole school event and an enormous success, raising £696.

On Red Nose Day, we dressed in red and held a penalty shootout, students v teachers. We charged 10p per shot and raised £314.

Another “Name the Bear” Stall at Saltburn Community Centre during the Rotary’s tombola, raised around £170 (again trebled by Bill Gates, making it £540), all proceeds to Polio Eradication.

Various assemblies have been held throughout school and in addition have been interviewed for our school student newspaper to tell people what being a RotaKid entails.

Also at the meeting a cheque was donated to Rotakid Harris, to sponsor a 5km swim which he completed with his sister Hattie and Mum Janine. The £50.00 was part of the total of £532.50 raised by RotaKid Harris for Marie Curie and The Swimathon Foundation.

The pride and passion Saltburn Rotakids displayed throughout their visit to the Rotary Club was inspirational. An enormous debt of thanks to Saltburn Learning Campus and the staff of Saltburn Primary School. We firmly believe that these young people are citizens of today, not citizens in waiting.

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Knowing what’s on, knowing Yulia We know that you’ll be glad to hear that this year’s series of classical concerts is starting on Thursday, 8th June with pianist Yulia Vershinina, playing in the theatre. We know that she’s good because we have to get the Steinway tuned before her performance and we know that it is classical music because the composers don’t write words to the tunes. We know that she is Russian (her name is a clue) and that she has already played at Carnegie Hall when she was 16 years old; we also know that last year she won the International Piano competition in Wales. We know that you won’t forget the date because it’s Polling Day and what better way to relax after you have voted? We know where it is because you can’t miss us and last month’s Open Day reminded everyone what a gem the building is.

Yulia was born in Korolev, near Moscow and started her piano studies at the age of eight. She has performed at many prestigious venues including the Bridgewater Hall, the Hamburg Musikhalle and the Grande Salle des Concerts of the Brussels Royal Conservatoire; and now SC&AA. At thirteen she won her first international competition and at sixteen was invited to perform at a gala concert in Carnegie Hall, New York. She performed in the Rising Stars concert at the 5th International Music Festival in Vianna Do Castelo, Portugal. In 2016, she won First Prize at the Wales International Piano Competition in Caernarvon.

Yulia studied at the Royal Northern College of Music and is now on the MMus programme under Richard

Ormrod. On the evening at Saltburn she will be playing: Beethoven Sonata in A flat major op.26, Schubert Sonata in A minor D784, Schönberg Piano Suite op.25 and Bach French Suite in E flat major BWV 815 The theatre continues to provide the best of live music and drama performed by professional touring artists and companies. Promoting live performance is one of the main objectives of the centre and it is by doing this that the community can benefit from all the varied activities that take place in our jewel of a building.

Knowing what’s on is the first step to coming and supporting us, which is how Talk of the Town helps.

Free Guided Tours of Gisborough Priory and Gardens Volunteers from Gisborough Priory project will be leading regular guided tours of G i s b or o u g h P r i or y a n d Woodland Gardens throughout 2017.

The tours will take place at 2pm on the first Sunday of each month (4 June, 2 July, 6 August, 3 September and 1 October) and also on the third Thursday of each month at 11am (15 June, 20 July, 17 August, 21 September and 19 October).

There is no need to book in advance – just turn up on the day. The tours will start from the visitor centre in Gisborough Priory. This is just next to the priory visitor entrance on Church Street in Guisborough.

Tours will last approximately one hour. They will be free of charge but visitor donations will be welcome.

The volunteer leading each tour will bring the ancient stones of the medieval priory to life by telling the story of the priory, the people who lived there and the great families associated with it. The tour will include a visit to the woodland gardens to find out about the development of magnificent gardens for the Chaloner family.

Gisborough Priory Project volunteer tour guide, 32

Steve Jones, said, “I am looking forward to sharing the secrets of the past with visitors, helping them to learn more about this fascinating and beautiful place.”

Because of the uneven ground of this ancient monument there may be some areas that disabled visitors may find difficult to access. The tour leader will try to accommodate everyone’s needs as far as practicable.

Please note that tours may vary or be cancelled because of the weather or site conditions or other unforeseen circumstances. Children aged 16 or under should be accompanied by an adult known to them.

We remember the year 1917 for so many things: the Russian Revolution, for instance, the year that America entered the First World War – and, of course, the year in which Al Capone became ‘Scarface’ from a knife fight in New York. But let’s narrow the focus for a moment and see what was going on in our own back yard. Worldchanging events on the same scale as the Russian Revolution or the First World War? Perhaps not, but certainly of great importance to the political life of the area: the formation of the Labour Party as a constituency organisation in Cleveland.

This landmark occasion occurred in June 1917 when a meeting took place in Saltburn’s Central Hall to discuss the formation of a branch of the Labour Party.

This would become a new constituency covering what is today Redcar, Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland seats.

This information came to me from the excellent Dave Walsh, local historian and local Councillor for Skelton, when I was beginning to collect a series of biographies of Labour Party members in Saltburn. As an incomer and fairly new branch member, (I’ve only lived here for about twenty-five years), many of the names he mentioned didn’t mean much to me. However, some of the stories began to resonate and soon I was being drawn into fascinating tales of the early development of Saltburn and pivotal events around the First World War. My original idea was to get new and old Labour Party members to write their own profiles and then put them into an archive for future generations to access. Then our grandchildren maybe would be able to read about their ancestors, their varied journeys which brought them

to living their lives in Saltburn, how they connected to the Labour Party which was going through quite a time of challenge, and perhaps reflect on how times had changed since 2017. Collecting members’ biographies still seemed to me an excellent idea – but now I began to think about the possibilities of celebrating this important occasion for our constituency. And that is how the idea of 100 Years of Hard Labour came about.

A group of enthusiastic members from several different branches across the constituency and Redcar joined me for some initial planning meetings. To start with we thought of a series of talks involving local speakers on historical subjects. But this soon expanded, with the magnificent support of Saltburn House, to include a whole day of celebration involving not just talks, but film, drama, discussions, displays, music and food of the era.

1917 – 2017: One Hundred Years of Hard Labour, but also one hundred years of massive change for all of us. So we are looking forward to seeing you, regardless of political persuasion, on July 9th in that wonderful old building of Saltburn House, the previous convalescent home, to celebrate a unique event. We will be starting at 9.30am for coffee, and then we have a cornucopia of speakers. Some speakers will be focusing on world events of 1917 and others will reflect on life around then but nearer to home. Food will be available and music, including a singalong, will feature throughout the day. Please look out for flyers nearer the time (or find more details on saltburnlabour.com).

Loll Thorne

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Smiley waltz success brightens a grey day A whistle blew. Magically, the drizzle stopped. And over 700 dancers (including me) stepped out along Saltburn’s lower prom.

We mostly had smiles on our faces. It was ‘crazy,’ as organiser Pat Chambers, of Age UK Teesside, put it.

We failed on Friday, 19th May to beat the world record of 1,500 waltzers, but topped Bath’s UK record of 710. And there are hopes the event will become an annual effort.

Mrs Chambers told The Gazette it aimed to “highlight the loneliness and isolation issue.” Reporter Ian Johnson said, “it worked. Strangers danced hand in hand.

Pensioners waltzed with kids. Everyone was smiling throughout.”

Photo by David Moore A photo of Emmanuel’s vicar Adam Reed and his wife Estelle, a dance teacher, summed this up. So did Regular dancer Beryl Moore, who has won many ones of oldest participant Eddie Straight, aged 97, D-Day awards for dancing, said: “It was good fun for both those hero from Four Seasons care home, dancing with four taking part and spectators. Children found it particularly fellow residents Sadie Curnow, 90, Nada Millington, joyful. It’s a pity Age UK felt it had to charge a £5.90 87, June Barber, 76, and Arthur Lawson, 66. registration fee, which must have put a lot of people off Saltburn primary school pupils also took part. joining in.”

Amanda Skelton, chief executive of Redcar and Despite many problems since the idea was dreamed Cleveland Borough Council, watched from the cliff and up last autumn and hiccups on the day, the Big Waltz adds called the day ‘fabulous.’ to the town’s list of publicity/PR success of the past two Peter Barron, of The Northern Echo, wrote: “Come decades. Saltburn and its community is richer for what one rain or shine, don’t fret - this won’t be the last waltz for paper called a ‘glorious British failure.’

Saltburn-by-the-Sea.” Mike Morrissey

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

The week beginning June 5th is National Bookstart Week – this is an annual event celebrating the joys and benefits of sharing books and stories every day. Celebrate with us at our regular Rhymetime sessions Monday, 5th June and Wednesday, 7th June 10.00-10.45am. There will be bunny crafts and a free copy of Book Trust’s special story booklet “Every bunny dance” to take away.

For all you children who love fairy tales, we have Timothy Edwards coming along to do a special performance of poems and folk tales. Be prepared to be enthralled by some dark tales and funny poems. Timothy is a great performer and will have you all entertained. This session is suitable for children 6 and over and is on Saturday, 17th June at 11.00am.

Here in the library we are starting to look forwards to the summer holidays and our summer reading challenge.

This year we are calling children to be Animal Agents!

There will be goodies to collect along the way including bookmarks, door hangers and key rings with illustrations by the fantastic Tony Ross. All they need to do is read six books over the summer break! This year’s Challenge will start on Monday, 17th July with an exciting launch event where we will have entertainer and magician Silly Steve performing a special show 5.00-6.00pm in the Library. We are in the process of organising an exciting programme of children’s summer activities including a presentation event 34

for those who complete the reading challenge, so watch this space for further details!

Plus advance warning 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. They will cost £3.00 per person per session.

We will hopefully have more details available by next month, but feel free to pop into the Library to express an interest in attending.

The Friends of Saltburn Library will be holding their Annual General Meeting and Election of Officers on Saturday, June 10th at 3.00pm. Everybody is welcome to attend.

On Tuesday, 20th June at 2.00pm The Friends of Saltburn Library are very pleased to welcome back our own Liz and Steve singing both a selection of Old Time Musical Hall songs and their own favourites. If you want you could help us to remember the music hall era by joining us in dressing in costume or even just by wearing a hat. There will be a prize for the best hat! Always a very popular event, don’t miss out on a wonderful afternoon of songs that will have you singing along and tapping your feet! We will be serving refreshments at the start, so you will be able to sit down, relax, and enjoy the music with a cup of tea.

Tracey Tel 01287 623584

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North Drift Re-Opens at Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum Love dancing? Want to get fit?

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

The time came last month. From Monday, 14th May, visitors can descend into the North Drift and discover the complete Ironstone Mining experience. After extended maintenance work, the North Drift reopened to the public as part of our 1½ hour fully-guided tour.

For over 90 years, ironstone was extracted from the mines through the North Drift, one of the original haulage drifts of Loftus Mines, and carried up to Carlin How steelworks. In 1916, as Zeppelin airships raided the nearby steelworks, the people of Skinningrove took shelter in the dark, damp Drift tunnel from the falling bombs. Now, with the maintenance work complete, visitors can once more experience this fascinating part of Loftus Mine; the last Ironstone Mining museum, on the site of a mine, in the world.

Jane Birdsall, Director of Operations at the Museum, said “We’re delighted that the North Drift is open to visitors again. The Drift is a unique opportunity to experience going underground in a real Ironstone Mine.”

It is more exciting news for the Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum, which has just been awarded £800,000 by the Coastal Communities Fund for Room to Grow; the museum’s £1.6 million landmark project set to bring expansion, employment and tourism to Skinningrove’s Iron Valley. With half of the funding secured from the Coastal Communities Fund, the museum is optimistic of further success in the second-round application to the Heritage Lottery. If successful, construction is set to begin in Autumn 2017.

Our 1½ hour tours are fully-guided and suitable for everyone, including those with accessibility needs. Tours are available Weekdays from 10am and Saturdays from 1pm; last tour leaves at 3:30pm. Our tours cost £6 for Adults, £5.50 for Over 60s, and £3.00 for Children; under 5s go free and discounts are available to Families and Prebooked Groups. We look forward to seeing you.

If you would like to volunteer or gain work experience, the Museum is eager to hear from you! Learn new skills, boost your CV or give something back to the community through our wide range of roles: Tour Guides, Artefact Collections Team, Education Assistants and Maintenance Team. Just contact Jane Birdsall at the m u s e u m o n 0 1 2 8 7 6 4 2 8 7 7 ( o r e ma i l jane@ironstonemuseum.co.uk).

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

Wednesdays 7pm - The EarthBeat Centre, Saltburn.

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

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

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

Hello Saltburnians! We’re Ebony and Rosie. Ebony is a female lurcher who is about 5 years old; she came to SARA after her owner couldn’t care for her any longer.

She is black and grey in colour and very pretty and dainty looking. She is a lovely natured, sociable dog that enjoys lots of company both from people and other dogs. We feel that Ebony would be best suited in a home with another dog, as well as with someone who wouldn’t leave her on her own for long periods of time.

Rosie is about 5 years old. She is a gorgeous girl, all black apart from white on her tummy. She looks so healthy, which is a far cry from when Rosie arrived at SARA at the end of November 2015 as a stray. Back then Rosie was absolutely skeletal and her coat was in poor condition. Once she had been examined, it was obvious that she was extremely dehydrated and her gums were white! She was rushed to the vets where she immediately

drank five bowls of water and was then placed on a drip. She was in such poor condition that she had become diabetic! She has been as good as gold the entire time.

The vets are still confident she will recover from her diabetes. Rosie currently has insulin injections after her meals which are 12hrs apart. She will actually finish her dinner and come over for her injection; she is such a good, patient girl! In the past year or so, it has been amazing to see how far she has come. Even more amazing is how she has taken it all in her stride. Rosie enjoys her walks with the other dogs and playing with squeaky toys but her most favourite thing is having her tummy tickled.

She will lie down on the grass for a tickle and I am sure she would lay there for hours if she could. There isn’t a single day where Rosie doesn’t make people smile. She is a truly spectacular dog and really deserves an amazing home of her own.

SARA fundraising events during June The next monthly meeting of SARA will be held on Wednesday, 7th June, in the TocH premises, Albion Terrace, Saltburn at 7.30pm. We would love to welcome new members. The meeting gives a great opportunity to come along and find out more about our Charity. Please come along. We look forward to seeing you.

Sunday 4th June: Chocolate and Strawberry Fayre at Foxrush Farm, Kirkleatham Lane, Redcar 1-4pm. Dogs, family and friends are very welcome. There is plenty of parking on Foxrush field. This is always a lovely event with homemade refreshments and stalls. Stalls include tombola, books, raffle, pet stalls and bric-a-brac. Come

along and enjoy a pleasant afternoon with members of SARA. Your support is very much appreciated and you will be helping the ever increasing numbers of animals that so desperately need our help.

Funds raised recently: Our thanks to everyone who supported our spring stroll; a good time was had by supporters and dogs. Our thanks to everyone who supported the Spring Bargain Sale. Sam (cocker spaniel) is going from strength to strength and is using his leg well.

John Fuller, Press Officer Helpline: 01642 488108

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YOUR MEMORIES & PHOTOS + COFFEE & CAKE! On Saturday, 28th June between 10am and 12noon we are holding a special coffee morning at ECHO, Emmanuel Church Hall. We are hoping you may be able to help us, for in this 150th anniversary year of the foundation of Emmanuel Church, we are trying to gather together a collection of photographs and memories of the church and its people. You may have photos or press cuttings of parents, grandparents or other relatives at the church. They could be attending a wedding, a baptism, or some social event. Also, you may have some unique photos of the church building, the church hall and the grounds.

If you do, and you would like them to be considered for a public display later this year or in 2018, please bring them along to our coffee morning. We will have a scanner set up to make a digital copy, and the opportunity to describe what your photo depicts. Furthermore, it will be an opportunity to catch up with friends and spend some time chatting about your memories, photos and press cuttings. Do spread the word, and we look forward to seeing you at our...

Memories Coffee Morning Saturday 28th June from 10am at ECHO We hope you enjoyed May’s THIRST 4 THOUGHT on the theme of Evolution: Theory or Fact? This month we shall discuss What's so good about being English? on 18th June at 8pm in the Marine lounge. And finally, a reminder about our major study and discussion in 2017: ‘Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus’. It begins on 1st June and is open to everyone and promises to be 8 weeks of interesting and thought-provoking reflection.

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 June

Saturdays 3rd & 17th 10am - 4pm

Sundays 11th & 25th 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 Michael Smallwood who works at Saltburn Pharmacy.

Michael was nominated by Diana Stevenson. About Michael she says, “I would like to recommend Michael as the pride of Saltburn. He is always very helpful and knowledgeable. He seems to remember every person, by name and their various medical problems. He is very aware of what medication we are on, and recommends things that will not clash with our, sometimes extensive, existing medication. He is a true gentleman, and a very welcome addition to our Saltburn community. I have never received such a personal service anywhere else.”

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

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

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

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

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Rocks and Belvoir Fruit Cordials Rocks drinks are made using only the purest natural ingredients: organic cane sugar, the finest fruit and pure spring water. Because the drinks are made from whole fruit (100% squished!) they include the fibre often lost in more commercially produced drinks and have no need for anything artificial. Have a look at their website at www.rocksdrinks.co.uk for delicious recipes and more information. Belvoir fruit farms are in Leicestershire and they have been making fruit cordials since 1984, beginning with elderflower and now producing over forty different kinds. They also use only natural ingredients and contain no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.

They too have a website full of recipes and information (www.belvoirfruitfarms.co.uk). Try both these delicious fruit drinks: just right for summer!

The Countryside Ranger and Volunteers, June 2017 Welcome to this issue regarding all things going on in the Valley, naturally speaking of course. Sadly, I start with bad news: you will all be aware of the recent spate of vandalism happening within the Valley. From graffiti at the Albert Memorial, the appalling targeting of the Woodland Centre, wilful destruction and removal of memorial trees planted in the memory of loved ones passed. The list is sadly not exhaustive, and the problem is ongoing.

Can I please ask all visitors to the Valley to inform the police of anyone contributing to or taking part in antisocial activities/acts of wilful damage. If no one reports these acts, then it makes it harder for any action to be taken to tackle the problem. However, all is not doom and gloom: taking a walk through the Valley at this time of year will lift the spirits of any visitor due to the amount and variety of both flora and fauna. June is a time of great interest in the countryside, with abundant flowering plants, nesting birds galore and insects in profusion. A local walk is all you need to get your fill of British wildlife at the moment.

Primroses are among the most popular of spring flowers, and clumps growing in woods and hedgerows are a cheering sight. However, this familiar plant has several superficially similar relatives that are also worth a look at at this time of year. The flowers of the oxlip are pale yellow and borne in a nodding, one-sided cluster. It is only locally common, being confined mainly to woods in central and eastern England. The false oxlip is a hybrid between oxlip and primrose and intermediate in appearance between the parent species. The flowers are borne in umbels like those of oxlip, but are closer in size to primrose flowers. The cowslip is an attractive grassland plant mainly associated with chalk and limestone soils. The comparatively small, deep yellow flowers are borne in umbels.

Unobtrusive and well camouflaged in its woodland habitat, the tree creeper is never easy to locate. Come midMay, the appearance of leaves on the trees makes the species almost impossible to spot. However, with a bit of practice, you may be able to detect the presence of these birds by

listening for their thin, high-pitched calls and song. Observers with a keen eye may even be able to predict spots that are likely to be frequented by tree creepers. This is the height of the breeding season, and many pairs will be rearing young therefore the birds are likely to be found near cavities formed by splits in trees or where bark has begun to peel away from the trunk, which is where they prefer to nest. The tree creeper probes cracks in tree bark in search of insects and spiders, using its down-curved, needle-thin bill in the manner of a pair of forceps.

Horsetails are primitive but rather elegant perennial plants whose jointed stems appear in spring. There are three particularly common species. Common horsetail, sometimes called field horsetail, is a patch-forming plant of waste ground.

Its tolerance of soil disturbance means that it can become a garden weed. Marsh horsetail favour marshes and damp ground and can reach heights of 40cm or more. Wood horsetail is reminiscent of a miniature conifer tree and favours woodland rides.

Although now open again, the bottom path through Rifts Wood had to be closed temporarily due to vandals destroying the fence. This has brought forward repairs, several task days will be taken up replacing the sections worst affected. The whole of the fence is to be replaced eventually with the old timber being used to hold the path back and stop it from disappearing into the beck. I can’t understand the mentality of the people who ripped up so much of the fence, what pleasure can they gain from doing this?

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

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

Children Outside with Nature We have the joy of June, July and August to look forward to, as our Summer months. The days are long and the nights are short and we have every reason to be outside as much as possible. Saltburn is looking well and attracting many visitors, especially families with young children. There is much to be enjoyed, play parks to jump and climb on, see saws and slides alongside swings and a hut to hide away in.

The beck and beach are attracting paddling and water fun of all kinds and dimensions. The simplicity of throwing sticks and stones into deep or shallow water bowls is what childhood has embraced for generations. It puts a smile on my face to see the youngsters enjoying our environment, which is heavily maintained by a huge community of volunteers, who do what they do, for the love of the great outdoors. There is an unspoken respect, which operates silently amongst most of us, culminating in our beautiful space being kept clean, tidy and colourful.

It is very sad and disconcerting to all of us who give our time, energies and enthusiasm to making this place special, to find Fairy Glen littered with continental quilts, pillows, beer bottles and broken glass. Whilst out on an

early morning dog walk it is so demoralizing to find the remains of smashed vodka bottles on the Camp Bank footpath and a cherry tree recently planted, broken in half on two separate occasions! It is so disappointing to see that some of our community fails to clean up after themselves.

I wish all our young people the best of luck in their exams in the weeks to come and when the GCSEs and A levels are over and the celebrations begin and when the crowds descend into the Valley Gardens, please respect the great outdoors and those who wish to enjoy it the day after, especially the younger children, who toddle down those pathways, unaware of the debris and dangers of the broken glass. These beautiful spaces are for everybody, so please look after them. We all have the benefit of enjoying the Valley Gardens but that comes with a big responsibility.

It may a good idea to discuss in our friendship groups, communities and families, what the issues are and ways to keep these beautiful areas, as they should be – safe, accessible and for everyone.

Rosalyn Boyes Beach School Practitioner 41

Saltburn Masonic Hall Open Day Saturday 24th June 2017, 10.00am to 4.pm Celebrating 300 years of Freemasonry

Free face painting by Sophie

(10.30am to 2.30pm) Free tea and coffee (Alcoholic drinks available)

Free raffle for TLC teddy bear

“It’s not a secret” What is Freemasonry? The facts!

Come along to The Saltburn Masonic Hall 45 Marine Parade, Saltburn by the Sea, TS12 1DZ Ask questions, dispel the myths and find out what it’s all about!

Saltburn Freemasons Celebrate a 300 Year Anniversary 2017 is an important year for English Freemasons as it marks the Tercentenary of the founding of the United Grand Lodge of England and local Freemasons will be celebrating the event.

As part of these celebrations the Masonic Hall in Saltburn will be open on Saturday, 24th June between 10.00am and 4.00pm to any visitor who may care to come along and take this rare opportunity to see inside the building and talk to local Freemasons.

In 1862 the area of land where the Masonic Hall now stands was owned by Henry Pease and Partners. About ten years later a developer built a terrace of three substantial properties, the middle property now being the Masonic Hall. In the late 19th century one of the adjacent buildings was used as a hotel.

Opposite the hotel was a mound of rock and soil some eighty feet high. The hotel owner complained to the Saltburn Improvement Committee that this mound spoiled the sea view for the hotel residents. The mound became locally known as ‘Spion Cop’ after the famous hilltop of Boer War fame and this name can be found on old maps of Saltburn. Some years later, in the early twentieth century, the mound was removed by digging out hundreds of horse and cart loads of spoil and the area was eventually grassed over.

During the second half of the 19th century Saltburn was a developing town. John Handyside, an active Mason decided that the town should have a Masonic Lodge. In 1876 he therefore founded Handyside Lodge no 1618. Until 1885 meetings were held in the Zetland Hotel. For the next ten years the Queen Hotel was the venue, and from 1895 to 1926 the Parochial Hall in Diamond Street was used for meetings. The Parochial Hall later became the Saltburn Saleroom.

During the Great War of 1914-1918 many Masons were killed and it was several years before Masonry in the town returned to normal activity. Many of the returning soldiers 42

missed the comradeship of their fellow men and Freemasonry experienced a great surge in popularity. By 1923 the Masonic membership in the town was at a level to enable a second lodge, Huntcliff Lodge No 4539, to be formed in October of that year.

In 1924 it was decided that Saltburn should have its own Masonic Hall and the search for suitable premises began.

It was decided in 1926 to purchase a house previously known as ‘Red Lodge’, now called ‘Shenley’ on the upper promenade. In September 1926 the Saltburn Masonic Trust Ltd. agreed the purchase of the building from Mrs Sarah Dickinson, the wife of Thomas Johnson Dickinson of Marton.

The premises cost £2400 of which £600 was paid with £1800 on mortgage. The mortgage was discharged 11 years later in 1937. To make the building suitable for a Masonic Hall cost a further £1200. The land had previously been owned by the ironmaster Henry Pease who had attached some conditions of sale. These stated that no business must be carried on in the premises of a Tanner, a Currier, a Fellmonger, a Soap Boiler, a Candle Manufacturer, a Tallow Melter, a Night-man, a Blacksmith, a Farrier or a Silversmith, nor one which sells beer or spirits. These conditions were only removed many years later when a Liquor Licence was granted.

The meeting room of the building was constructed by joining together two bedrooms and a bathroom. This explains why there are seven windows visible on the first floor, three windows for each bedroom and one for the bathroom. The seven windows were curtained initially but after a few years were painted black as seen today. The outside of the building had an ornamental balcony similar to the buildings on either side, but it was found that local youths often climbed up and disrupted proceedings by knocking on the windows.

Continued on next page

Around 1929 permission was granted to remove the balcony for security reasons. This would not be permitted today as the building is Grade 2 Listed.

Downstairs the wall between the lounge and the sitting room was removed, as were two chimney breasts, to make a large dining room. Additional security was provided to the front and back of the building. The official opening of the building, planned for November 1926, was delayed for 4 weeks. The reason given in the Minutes of the Saltburn Masonic Trust was that the wine racks had not been constructed in the cellar!

After the official opening Articles of Association were drawn up and four Past Masters from each of the two lodges were voted to form a committee to manage and maintain the building. Between 1926 and 1939 there was little to report. For part of the time the country was in severe depression, there was much unemployment and the trust had little money to spend.

With the onset of the 1939-45 war the Local Defence Authority took over the top floor of the Masonic Hall to use as a coastal watch station. The Air Raid Precautions Authority took over the cellars to use as their area headquarters. The ceilings

were reinforced in case of case of shelling, and an escape tunnel was dug permitting escape to the back street in case the building collapsed. The entrance to this can still be seen today.

As late as 1952 there were still banks of telephones located in the cellars.

During the war years military uniform was allowed to be worn at all meetings and visitors, including those from overseas, were often asked to take part in ceremonies.

When the war ended there was once again a great surge of interest in Freemasonry from returning servicemen. This ‘boom time’ led to the formation of a third Lodge, named Hazelgrove Lodge, in 1947.

In 1994, for the first time, members of the public were admitted to the building during Victorian Week. In 2002 the first open day was held and was a great success. In 2008 the building was used for the Saltburn Folk Festival.

All these events mark milestones in a culture of openness by the local Freemasons, who hope to see and welcome many curious visitors when the hall is once again open to the public.

Health and Happiness: Mindfulness and the robot brain Mindfulness is a concept that has entered the boardrooms of big business and individual households alike. It is the acceptable face of personal development when back in the eighties and nineties personal development was mocked and rejected as something only Americans did and that the British were ‘too intelligent’ to fall for. After all we had our stiff upper lip to fall back on and no need to understand ourselves any more than we had to.

Nowadays the wonderful mix of people who live on this island, especially the younger generation, are brought up with at least a general acceptance that it’s not weird to spend time looking deeper inside themselves, exploring how we tick and going beyond the robotic behaviourism of parrot fashioned learning and two dimensional selfunderstanding.

Ellen J Langer a Harvard Psychology professor writing about Mindfulness in 1989 spoke about the key theme of personal development being “the need to be free of unconsciously accepted habits and norms”.

Well, we all know that a computer works through binary codes and a simple program can lead to highly complex computations. Yet humans could be said to learn in exactly the same way. We can build on logical bases, we can learn times tables in a repetitive fashion, learn to follow orders and live life by rules we are told to follow. This creates a sense of security in ourselves and as Langer puts it “gives us a sense of psychological certainty and saves us from the effort of challenging our own beliefs”.

However we have the potential to be far more than just a robotic learning machine. In order to do this though we have to go past logic in a sense and into the world of intuition. It is about trusting ourselves beyond what we can see, beyond mere logic, and we can begin to practise this by practising mindfulness.

In Happiness Coaching mindfulness is the essential first step towards the longer term goal of sustainable good feeling, as we attempt to align our choices in thinking with what feels good to us.

So how is this first step done? Well, it is about

contacting ourselves in a way that we may not normally do unless we take specific time to do so. It is done by sitting still and first of all spending time with our senses, taste, touch, hearing, smell and sight. It is the practice of sensitising our awareness and so heightening our connection to who we are beneath our robot reactions that take us from aim to achievement, through action steps.

These actions often achieve plenty materially yet without stopping, taking in and contacting a deeper part of ourselves, just ‘achieving things’ can leave us feeling shallow and unfulfilled.

Some people might call this regular practice of stopping and getting in touch with our deeper sensitivities ‘meditation’ but it’s what I would generally refer to as ‘focus’. And focus is one of the essential keys to changing how we think and feel.

The second part is taking the time to be inquisitive about what our thoughts are thinking. Now that might sound a strange idea, yet some thought patterns we simply fall into without much thought at all. And that is often the reason we go on feeling more or less the same year in and year out. We can repeat patterns much like robots who are programmed into or we can be ones who more consciously program ourselves.

In order to change something you have to know what it is you wish to change and then you have to know what you would like to change it into.

So give mindfulness a go if you are interested in the first step. Sit alone in silence and contact each sense individually, give them time and focus. Then relax into letting your thoughts float through your head and let them settle in stillness. This takes practice and regularity, yet it can lead you to meet with the deeper you from where you can find direction from a more intuitive place beyond the robotic, which is often a journey into a place of deeper freedom and deeper happiness.

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

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Saltburn WellBeing Centre: Providing Opportunities for Everyone In times of austerity, gaps in health and social services arise and caring organisations can find themselves in competition for the same funding streams, working in isolation. The WellBeing Centre in Saltburn is run almost wholly by volunteers, providing support for everyone.

“The WellBeing Centre puts people first, gives them a voice and brings them together,” says manager, Kathryn Luczakiewicz. “We encourage joint working with likeminded organisations. If we don’t work together, people slip through the net and get lost in the system, causing avoidable crises.”

Staff, therapists and volunteers are passionate about helping people to make a difference. Anyone is welcome for yoga, reiki, complementary therapies, personal development courses, spiritual development, counselling and coaching – or to volunteer!

“We provide support ourselves and signposting to other organisations, but we need funding to do this,” explains Kathryn. “We have been given a one year grant by the National Lottery which partly enables us run a project called ‘Bridging the Gap’ for one-off help for people who don’t know where else to go with problems like bereavement, addiction, depression, carers’ issues, veterans’ difficulties and distress.

The generic nature of the Centre means there is no stigma to visiting. People may come in to visit the Gift Shop, for tai chi, or to buy a gift voucher for any of the Centre services. The recently developed shop sells gifts including jewellery, greetings cards, art and crafts.

Many statutory agencies focus on box-ticking, unrealistic targets and quantitative outcomes – counting numbers, not the quality of experience. “The voluntary sector understands working with real people. Qualitative outcomes are important, despite being hard to measure,” says Kathryn. “For someone who is depressed, getting dressed can be a major achievement. This is disregarded in our target-driven society. The WellBeing Centre creates services around the people who need them.”

Tees Valley Community Foundation is helping The Centre to develop a sustainable business model, and it is starting to deliver contracts for agencies, as well as applying for grants. It has a contract with Coast and Country Housing for employee support, delivering counselling, NLP coaching and complementary therapies like acupuncture and massage for staff well-being, and giving staff tools to help themselves with stress management. In Saltburn and Middlesbrough, the WellBeing Centre provides free counselling and support for veterans and their partners who are struggling to cope. They can self-refer and telephone to book an exploratory appointment. The service is supported by Cohen Charitable Trust.

Exercise for All classes are funded by Sport England and include Yoga, Tai Chi and low impact fitness activities.

“Sport England classes are for those over eighteen who have barriers to exercise of any kind. This might be through anxiety, depression and low confidence – or simply for those who wouldn’t feel comfortable exercising in a leisure centre or gym,” explains Kathryn. “They are very low cost and offer a first step for people who don’t usually exercise.

They also provide opportunities to learn new skills, meet 44

new people and build confidence.”

In 2016, projects for carers were run through a WellBeing Recovery College, funded by the South Tees Clinical Commissioning Group. Attention was given to stress management, complementary therapies and pathways into other organisations. Feedback from attendees was excellent: “I really appreciate the group. It is an anchor in my life that helps me to cope,” said one.

“I have made new friends from this group and it helps me feel less depression and worry. It has changed my life,” said another.

A Well-Being Recovery Group runs weekly for people in recovery from previous addictions. This is supported by Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation and is offered free.

There are also private services available at the WellBeing Centre, including counselling, NLP, life coaching, psychotherapy, hypnotherapy and a wide range of complementary therapies – head and shoulder massage, auricular (ear) acupuncture, ear candling, reiki, spiritual healing, meditation for relaxation, spiritual connection and also a session provided by Buddhists from the Atisha Centre in Darlington.

“The WellBeing Centre is holistic in its approach, focusing on the mind, body and spirit,” says Kathryn. “We’ve seen an increase in people with spiritual issues: people who have had experiences, sense spirits or know things before they happen. We provide groups and one-to-ones to support them. We run a ‘Spirituality in Professional Practice’ group and for anyone interested, we offer Spiritual Development Circles, readings, events and courses.”

The Centre is proud of its team. Kathryn especially welcomes volunteers in admin, or with computer or marketing skills. Funding has recently been obtained for parttime administrative support, but otherwise the Centre runs on a shoe-string and goodwill. Kathryn herself is a volunteer, albeit a highly experienced, trained BACP counsellor.

She confirms: “People feel safe here. They are treated equally. Rather than focus on a problem, we focus on their well-being. Trusting relationships develop here.”

Visitors are encouraged to call in at the Centre at 6a Station Street (beside Ingleby’s Estate Agents), during opening hours, Tuesday – Friday between 9.30am and 4.30pm. A monthly activities timetable is available. On Farmers’ Market days (second Saturday of each month), the Centre is open from 9.30am to 2pm. The phone number is 01287 204400 or 07855 990 491.

The website is www.saltburnwellbeingcentre.co.uk (and the email address is info@saltburnwellbeingcentre.co.uk).

Rosemary Nicholls

Megan’s Mind

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

Tel: 01287 625700 Mob: 07775 610745

I sometimes struggle to know how to start or even what to put in because I always think I either don’t do anything that anybody would be interested in or that I just don’t do anything! Although I suppose it does inspire me to want to do more exciting things just so I have things to talk about.

I did go to London again though a few weeks ago. I didn’t really do a lot whilst I was there, just ate a lot just like every other time I go on holiday! You can tell that I am not from a big city though because the underground and the travelling round London gives me anxiety. I like to just be able to walk places without worrying about big crowds or waiting for trains or whatever. I hate how much everybody rushes about in London especially in underground stations.

But I did think it was exciting when we went on the metro when I went to Paris with my mum. We only got it about 3 times because we walked everywhere else. That probably wasn’t the best either because we walked so much that my feet were actually bruised at the end of the day.

I still want to go on jolly holidays this year. I think the plan is still Brighton for this year but then I would like to go abroad next year. Haven’t decided where but I really want to go to Italy. My mum doesn’t like flying so I am not sure if she would be able to come with me. She might want to go back to Paris because we weren’t really there long enough last time to be able to do everything that there is to do so we only did some of it. Maybe we could go back and do the rest.

Oh, no, Disneyland, I want to go to Disneyland because I might be an adult but I think that it might be my favourite place in the world. You can’t be sad in Disneyland because it’s just magical. I don’t really like the rides apart from the Small World one but you can still enjoy it all and get the full experience without doing the rides. There’s all the shops and parades and the restaurants. I have two massive fears: one is sharks and one is people dressed up in a costume and I know Disney isn’t really a good place for someone with those fears but just because it’s Disneyland I can deal with it. I just try to stay away from them as best as I can! Although I suppose if I went it might be all Frozen things and the newer Disney films and I prefer the old ones, The Aristocats is my favourite one and The Sword in the Stone as well because I really like Merlin and Madam Mim. My favourite bit is when they go off to have a wizards duel! I don’t think I would mind if Disneyland had Merlin and Madam Mim characters walking about and the cats from the Aristocats as well. I think I’d be fine with all of those. We went to see the new Beauty and the Beast at the cinema and it was good, but I wish they would remake my favourite.

Megan

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It’s Warming Up in June at The Cons Club Welcome to the monthly article from the Conservative Club.

Activities and events are certainly on the increase as we approach the warmer months and I will go into these later.

During the last month we held a Quiz, Bingo & Pie & Pea Supper which was very well attended with approx. 75 members and guests present. Michelle, our fantastic stewardess, sets all the quizzes and Julie Towell asks the questions and calls the bingo. Another Quiz Night & Bingo, this time with a Buffet Supper, has been arranged for Wednesday, 7th June at 8pm (see information later in article).

Because of their popularity we are planning to hold these Quiz & Bingo nights every 6 weeks, alternating between Pie & Peas & Buffet Suppers so keep your eyes on the notice board or see the posters in the town. The Disco Music Night, hosted by Shaun Cook, held on 6th May, was another big success with a good attendance.

Regarding the Club alterations, the painting and wallpapering is now finished and we started to lay the new flooring on Monday, 22nd May and the work will take 5 days to complete. In the fullness of time new furniture, curtains and lighting will complete the work. Work on the alterations has taken a lot of organising and I must say again how much the work of Joe Cockfield & Dave Harris is appreciated by all members of the club. I also have to report that we have taken out the Snooker Table. This facility brought us in very little money and it was not a viable option to continue using such a large area, with such stunning views, as a snooker room.

Committeeman Chris Bell, with some help from Andrew Dales, has stripped the wallpaper in this room in preparation for redecorating. The plan now is to turn this area into a function room which hopefully will be made ready in time to be used by the Saltburn Folk Festival in August. After this the room will be available (free of charge to members) for private parties, social functions, meetings, charity events, wakes etc.

Membership at the club is continuing to increase at a fast rate with 18 new members approved at the May committee meeting. Membership is still open and if you wish to apply for membership in June it will only cost you £7, repayable every January at the yearly cost of £12. As a member you receive 15% off the price of all alcoholic drinks plus ‘Happy Hours’ between 5-30 to 7pm weekdays and 35pm weekends and Bank Holidays when you can buy alcohol at greatly reduced prices with beer at only £2.10p. There are also many other advantages to being a member and I am confident that you will not regret joining us.

Moving into June and, as I mentioned earlier, we have a Quiz, Bingo & Buffet Supper on Wednesday 7th. Tickets for this night can be purchased, at a cost of £4 each, from the bar or you can ring the club on 622473 or contact myself by

email at the address shown below. Remember, tickets sell fast so don’t leave it too late. Barbecues in the garden were due to start on Sunday, 28th May (weather permitting) and will be held every 2 weeks. The 2 dates for Barbecues in June are 11th & 25th starting approx. 2.30pm and finishing at 6.30 / 7pm. Volunteers are required to help at these events and a list is up on the notice board for you to place your name. On Saturday, 10th June Shaun Cook will again be hosting a ‘Party Music Night’ from 7.30pm until late.

Entrance, as always, is free with everybody welcome. We are the best place to Dance & Party in town so come along and let your hair down. On Saturday, 17th June we are hosting a private party night (birthday celebrations for members) We conclude the June activities on Friday 30th with the monthly ‘Open Mic Night’, hosted by Teesside Steve and Liz Bishop, starting at 8pm. This night gives you the opportunity to sing, play or just join in on a night of fabulous live music at its best. A night not to be missed!

Entry is free and all are welcome. Remember you can keep up to date with all club events by following the club’s Facebook page at ‘Saltburn Conservative & Unionist Club’.

Looking slightly further ahead and stewardess Michelle has arranged another of her famous club outings, this time to Thirsk, on Saturday, 22nd July. at a cost of £10 per person. A sheet is on the notice board for you to place your name if you wish to go and you must pay a deposit when doing this. Places will sell out very fast for this outing so to avoid disappointment (which happened on the last outing) place your name and pay your deposit to Michelle as early as possible.

In the garden we have now planted up the borders, pots & hanging baskets. I still have the big barrels outside the entrance to plant but this will be done very soon. The marquee will be put up during the first week in June and everything is looking good for a full season of activities in the garden. It would be really nice to see as many of you as possible supporting the Barbecue, which is open to everybody. Many events are planned plus the Gay Pride Weekend in July, Saltburn Folk Weekend in August and a Wedding Reception in September. It really is warming up to being a good year. Join us and be part of it!

Wishing you the very best for a good month and I look forward to contacting you again in July.

Keep happy and safe. 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 June 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 6th: SLUG (Saltburn Line Users Group) Meeting. 7.15pm start.

Wednesday 7th: Quiz, Bingo & Buffet Supper. Tickets £4 each, available from club… 8pm Saturday 10th: Disco Night hosted by Shaun Cook. 7.30pm.

Sunday 11th: Barbecue in the Garden… 2-30pm until 6-30/7pm Saturday 17th: Private Birthday Party Sunday 25th: Barbecue in the Garden… 2-30pm until 6-30/7pm Friday 30th: ‘Open Mic Night’ hosted by Teesside Steve & Liz Bishop… 8pm.

46

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Saltburn Athletic FC

The season is now well and truly over with eight teams having competed in the Saltburn colours for the season 2016/17. Sadly, we will be losing one of the teams next season as the under 14s have folded due to extenuating circumstances. Best of luck to those players who are seeking new teams to play for.

In the under 9s section the Sharks finished 3rd and the Dolphins 5th in Division four. The under 10s finished mid table. The under 12s had three teams running and pride of place must go to the Dolphins team for winning their divisional title for the second year in a row thus gaining promotion from division 5.

The only blip for them was an unfortunate set of circumstances which saw them lose a league game for the first time in two years through default when they were unable to field a team on the weekend when Boro played Man Utd at the Riverside. The opposition refused to change the date and/or time of KO leaving a sour note.

The Seagulls finished a very credible 4th in Division 3 and the Falcons fishing 8th in Division 7.

The under 13s under the new coach of Bob Mitchell finished 4th in Division 6 and lastly the under 14s finishing 10th in their Division.

Presentation day for the club took place on Sunday, 14th May at Saltburn Cricket Club. In the under nine section major trophy winners were Luke Kesterton, James Drage, Will Robinson, Ben MalbonGreen, Ronnie Brunskill-Smith, Will Grayson, Sam Malbon-Green, Daniel Franks, Charlie Bright and Leo Hall.

The under 10s major winners were Isaac Bennett, Matthew Richards, William Brown, Oscar Mudie, Adam Nicklin and Daniel Summerfield.

Under 12 Seagulls winners were James Barnes, Bradley Devereaux, Ben Russell, Theo King, Callum Coultas and Cole Morrison. Under 12 Dolphins winners were Kai Surtees, Brad Warnes, Lewis Jackson, Cole Brogan and Tom Jeffels. Under 12 Falcons winners were Rayan Barnard, Cole Cruickshank, Joe Lloyd, Liam Day and Matthew Bennett. The under 13s winners being Luke munro, Mark Carkett, Charlie Mitchell, Dean Matthews and Christian Allison.

There was a delay in the u14s winners list which will be printed in the next issue.

The Michael Maidens shield for the club’s player of the year went to the under 9s Sharks Luke Kesterton.

Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to all coaches who put a lot of volunteered hours into the season.

Also thanks to the support of all parents and to all sponsors. A list of sponsors is to be published later.

Work has now commenced on the renovation of the Hob Hill changing rooms and plans are now in place for the removal of an unwanted mound which will give more playing area.

Andy Croll 07779 648877 47

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48

Volunteer at Sue Ryder Have you ever thought about volunteering? We are looking for new volunteers to join our Saltburn and Whitby shops.

You are very welcome to ask for a taster session, come along, have a cuppa and try it out first.

Our volunteers are truly incredible as they help Sue Ryder raise vital funds to continue to provide hospice and neurological care for people living with end of life and long term conditions including cancer, stroke, multiple sclerosis, dementia, Huntingdon’s, Parkinson’s and more.

We really value and appreciate our volunteers who help to sort the wonderful donations we get and run our shops. We also do long service awards for volunteers.

Would you say you were helpful, friendly, happy to be part of a team? Interested in charity and retail work?

Looking for something interesting to do while being involved in your community? Or even hoping to add to your CV? Then you may be just who we are looking for!

Come and join our friendly teams and meet some new friends.

If you can lend a helping hand for as little or as much as you can, and would like to learn more, we would love to hear from you.

In Saltburn, 19 Station Street, TS12 1AE, tel: 01287 623054 and ask for Rosie or Liz. In Whitby, 13-15 Skinner Street, YO21 3AH, tel: 01947 825453 and ask for Margaret.

The Saltburn Profile Jez Davis “In 2011 I contacted a couple of old school friends to set up Planet Saltburn with me, a Facebook page dedicated to highlighting the positives as well as general news about our town,” says page administrator Jez Davis. It now has thousands of followers who frequently check in and add their own comments. Just google the name for a taster.

Jez is a true Saltburn lad, born at Overdene Maternity Home late in 1971. His brother, Gavin, who still lives in the town and teaches computing to apprentices, was born three years later there too. They went to Saltburn Infants, Juniors and Huntcliff Schools. At Prior Pursglove College, Jez studied ‘A’ level Maths, Physics and Computing. He followed this up with a Maths and Computing degree at Sunderland University. He then trained to be a Maths teacher there and his present post is at Stokesley School.

While at Sunderland, he qualified as an archery instructor, ran the university archery club (his dad is into making longbows) and in holidays he worked as an archery teacher and lifeguard at a summer camp held at a private school in London. His varied list of summer jobs during his university years includes working in a butcher’s shop, manning the petrol pumps at Lingdale Service Station, working as a sandwich dispatcher in Middlesbrough and as a barman at Rushpool Hall, the Vic and the Queen’s. Ever versatile, in a short break from teaching he also qualified and worked as a plasterer. He now tutors Maths privately in addition to his day job and maintaining the Facebook page.

Over the years, as the main contributor to the page, Planet Saltburn has inadvertently taken on his voice.

Originally set up as a hub for citizen journalism, it aims to give a positive, largely apolitical stance on matters concerning Saltburn. The page welcomes contributions from local photographers, artists and events coordinators and includes ‘anything that will get the town going’. People message him about a wide variety of subjects, ranging from publicising local events to helping to locate lost keys and pets. “It once had a regular Sunday morning recipe slot and we even talked about setting up a competition to design a unique Saltburn dish,” he remembers. Jez takes an interest in the actions of local Councillors and applauds those who put their communities before their parties. “Local Councillors need to take their town’s ideas forward,” he says.

In spare moments, Jez loves to learn and is currently teaching himself Russian on his morning drive to work; he is looking for a Russian speaker to converse with.

He has long practised the Russian sport of competitive kettlebell lifting (girevoy sport), which he learned in workshops both in London and Darlington from world champion lifters Sergey Rachinskiy, Sergei Rudnev, Ivan Denisov and Denis Vasiliev. (A kettlebell is a weight of up to 32kg/five stone; typically, one is held in each hand and lifted for ten minutes, non-stop.) “Its origin is in the Russian agricultural community and they are even mentioned in Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina,” he says. Jez taught a kettlebell class for a couple of years in Saltburn Scout Hut to people ranging from eighteen years to their mid-fifties.

He also qualified as a black belt in karate at Saltburn’s

by Rosemary Nicholls

Wado-Ryu Club and for a while taught juniors under Sensei Jeff Probst.

Though clearly fascinated by the country, he hasn’t yet been to Russia, but would certainly like to. In general, travelling isn’t a priority for him, though he loves Paris and remembers a recent school trip to Berlin fondly. He considers we are lucky to have such a lot of varied culture across the Channel and he’d like to see more of it.

Jez has new demands on his time this year as he and his wife, Carmen, have a baby son, Magnus, born last December. He enjoys being a dad and seeing the daily changes in Magnus. “He is a naturally cheery baby, always smiling. Being a dad certainly challenges you to be a better person,” he comments.

Jez has a wide taste in music. He enjoys listening to the contemporary Estonian composer, Arvo Pärt and his music collection extends to Happy Mondays, Alabama 3, Saint Etienne, Queen, Boards of Canada, Thievery Corporation, Kruder and Dorfmeister and much more. At school, he learned the cornet for a year or two and since then, Saltburn photographer and musician Kev Howard has taught him to play the didgeridoo. If he had more time, he would like to learn to play the guitar.

In the kitchen, Jez makes a good paella, his salmon marinade is becoming famous amongst friends and cooking is an interest he’d like to pursue. He visits Saltburn restaurants, especially Alessi’s, Jadoo and The King’s Grill – although December’s arrival has put paid to that for at least a few months.

Jez has a road bike (which he doesn’t get out on as much as he’d like), an indoor rowing machine and he belongs to an online rowing club. He enjoys watching films and his favourites are ‘Le Grand Bleu’, a French film about competitive freediving and the old classics ‘Kelly’s Heroes’ and ‘Passport to Pimlico’, the old Ealing comedy that in his opinion, post-Brexit, seems disturbingly relevant.

49

1st Saltburn Scout Group We had an excellent St George’s Day parade and church service at Saltburn; parading from Riftswood end of Upleatham Street to Emmanuel church.

Alas we were lacking a band owing to problems with communications! A fabulous sermon from the our District Chaplain and Saltburn rector, Adam Reed ably assisted by Julie (Curate), reminding our young people that they could change the world helped encourage them to enjoy the parade back to our start point for the parade to dismiss. Good weather, a reasonable attendance and plenty of parental support meant a pleasant afternoon for all. Our young people were a credit to Saltburn; all in uniform, well behaved and a reasonable level of attendance; despite it being the last Sunday of the school Easter Break.

Beavers now have a membership of 24, as following the non-attendance of some Beavers were joined by Aaron, Ethan and Nate. They are already settling in, enjoying their crafts and the opportunities to get outside; with an early evening walk planned (regardless of weather) in the next week. They are also looking forward to their District trip to Beamish next month.

The Cub Pack membership has dropped slightly to 22 Cubs, with one deciding to pursue his footballing desires, but Quinn moved up from Beavers at Whitsun and Jude our new recruit has also joined us. Cubs have also managed to get out; the essential game of Rounders on the beach started us on our nights out; leading to comments of: “if only it was low tide every week”. But as there is so much of Saltburn to explore they are never bored with the evening’s offering; be it beach woods, play park or even looking for signs and relics of old Saltburn.

Scouts maintain have a membership of 23, following Luca moving on from Cubs and more are expected after the summer break. They also have been out for wide games in Hazel Grove, as well as another memorable evening, climbing

Saltburn Line User Group Next Meeting: Tuesday, 6th June 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

and sliding on the clay bank onto the beach. Parents were warned so ‘no good Scout trousers were damaged in this experience’! They are also preparing for the District Orienteering event and we should have at least two teams entered (when last held Saltburn were join winners), so we live in hope.

Following the parents’ meeting in April to discuss the future of the Group, a follow-up session was held in May and it has resulted in several parents volunteering to undertake a DBS check and be part of the regular team. Jamie has joined the Beaver Colony as a Section Assistant; Richard, Julie and Julie have joined as Section Assistants at Cubs; whilst Ann and Tony are joining us at Scouts. Keith has volunteered to take a role as assistant Scout Leader and at the same time we have ‘acquired’ an Assistant Scout Leader with Paula; she was to work with a Redcar and Eston District Troop. However, owing to work demands she finds herself in Saltburn and able to assist with our Troop. There are more to follow so the situation is eased considerably; hopefully some of those who have stepped forward will find they enjoy the experience and take up a uniformed role; we live in hope. More work will be required to ensure the long-term future of the Group, but the fact that more parents are aware of the necessity of supporting all the Sections ensures our young people are safe and can get out well supervised.

The Group is also preparing for the regular AGM and Presentation Night; an opportunity to view the financial year of the Group and plans for the coming year, but more importantly to see our young people’s achievements in their Awards. The majority have been presented at the Section meetings; every young person gains recognition of their achievements; with a listing of their year’s development.

We will be seen out and about as summer is now upon us; but we continue to 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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So... by Alan Butler I was originally going to begin this article with a rant, based on the fact that the world has gone even madder than it was before and that people have now begun to torture our mother tongue to a greater extent than they were doing hitherto. This state of mind on my part came about during the last couple of months during which I realised that Britain has been afflicted by one of those linguistic infections that crops up from time to time. On this occasion the malady is based on the word ‘So’.

People of all ages have quite suddenly taken to using the word ‘so’ to prefix the answer to any question that is put to them, but they are doing so in a quite inappropriate way.

A good example might be when the host of a quiz show such as Pointless asks a contestant a question about themselves or their life. A typical response at the moment might be, “So my name is Daniel and I come from Hertford.” When then asked what Daniel’s hobbies might be he would respond, “So I like to watch sport.”

What was a minor linguistic infection is now turning into a veritable epidemic and politicians especially seem to have been badly affected. There are so many instances of sentences beginning ‘so’ outside Westminster at the moment, as politicians seek to get their message across that I’m finding it harder and harder to watch the daily news.

Mulling over this situation it eventually occurred to me that all that is actually happening here is that our wonderful English is merely developing and that if there is a problem it doesn’t belong to the people who have adopted this affectation but to me because like almost everyone else I assume that ‘real’ English was spoken when I was young and that everything that has happened to it since is a fearful and regrettable aberration. Clearly this is nonsense because all English speakers, right back to the Venerable Bede probably believed the same thing.

At what point was English ‘real’ English? Does our language have its brightest moments in the ‘received English’ of the news broadcasters, was it represented by the late Middle English of Shakespeare or is it to be found in the creations of a rapper from South London?

The truth has to be that they are all correct because English, like all languages is not set in stone and constantly adapts to suit individuals and circumstances.

The more I thought about the situation the greater became my awareness of what our language actually is – nothing less than a comprehensive history of both our islands and the broader world and one that goes back to the dawn of humanity’s ability to communicate. English is not merely the means we use to talk to each other – it reflects every twist and turn of the rolling centuries and it contains some amazing information if we choose to look for it.

As an example I remember well during the days I lived in Otley, West Yorkshire hearing elderly men in the town reflecting on their own childhood and referring in particular to how they used to play in the ‘dub’. In

ancient Celtic dub meant black, as in Dublin, which means black water. What the old men meant was that they used to play in the mud and the puddles. I have never heard this term used anywhere else except in that part of Yorkshire and it surely reflects the fact that Celtic domination endured far longer in a strip of land between the rivers Wharfe and Aire than it did anywhere else in England after the Saxon arrivals. This survival of Celtic rule in what was known as Elmet allowed at least one precious archaic word to become locked into the local dialect – where it was still being used fourteen hundred years later.

English is the most comprehensive language that has ever existed. It has at least 172,000 words in common use, compared to 100,000 words in French - though it has to be said that a large proportion of English words were originally French in any case. All of our most robust fourletter swear words along with many others are Anglo Saxon in origin and English also carries many thousands of words that originated with the Vikings. At its very base English is tied to both Latin and Greek and both of those languages derive root words from ancient Sanskrit. It could even be that some of the words we still use on a daily basis came with humanity out of Africa when Homo sapiens first ventured north and crossed into Europe.

Much more recently English borrowed words from the Empire, such as bungalow and pyjamas and believe it or not a new word comes into our language on average every ninety minutes or so – with redundant words passing into obscurity at around the same rate.

English is spoken across the world by at least one billion people and its use is growing by the day. It almost invariably seems that of all the races of the world the English have to be the most humble and self effacing – to the point that we virtually apologise for existing at all but it cannot be denied that our linguistic legacy is utterly unique in the history of the world. It is also almost certainly the case that if ever humanity speaks with a single voice, that voice will be speaking English. That’s not bad for a group of tiny islands such as ours.

Having talked myself into a much more positive frame of mind I promise to stop moaning when anyone answers a question beginning with the word ‘so’ even though it is clearly inappropriate in terms of the language that I inherited. Also, without being in any way jingoistic I will continue to look at English as a living, developing and constantly changing language. It was the tongue of Marlow, Shakespeare, Dickens, Austen, the Brontës and literally thousands of other writers, all of whom have contributed immeasurably to the human experience. What an absolute joy are the limitless tapestries of thought, experience and opinion created in the most mongrel, diffuse and rich language the world has ever known. It may be totally inappropriate to be proud of being English but the fact that we speak it and revel in its tremendous diversity is surely a cause for joy. All languages are incredible but all arrogance aside, English is probably the most incredible of all.

51

Saltburn Allotments Association We are well into summer now and allotments are looking busy and crowded, which is great. There are lots of jobs to do and if June is anything like May, watering will be quite high on the list inside and out. I planted up a new bed of asparagus earlier this year and, unfortunately, haven’t seen any signs of life yet.

However, not everyone is in my sorry position, I’ve seen some lovely asparagus beds while walking through the allotments and, if you’re one of the lucky ones, you should be enjoying asparagus every day.

If you have peas and broad beans, you might be nearly ready for early harvests. Keep protecting pea shoots from pigeons as they are quite a delicacy for us too and something you can add to salads while you wait to pick your first fresh peas. Broad beans should also be coming on well but the tender tips attract black fly. Pick out the tips before they get infested and give them a quick wash and a light steam for a tasty alternative green.

Do you like beetroot? I was reading a really interesting article about beetroot in last month’s Kitchen Garden magazine. It was talking about the various different shapes and colours available as well as about growing and taste. Apparently some people are more sensitive to a chemical that red beetroots, in particular, produce which makes them taste earthy. You can, though, get seeds of white, yellow, pink and orange varieties that have little or none of the earthy taste. I can’t be very sensitive as I really like beetroot but I think I will try other varieties, possibly next year now, and compare the tastes.

There’s still time to sow beetroot and lots of other things too, including; chard, spinach, lettuces and other salad leaves, spring onions and radishes, various brassicas including kale, turnips, cauliflower, calabrese and broccoli; peas, dwarf and climbing beans, courgettes, carrots, leeks, onions and herbs. There’s probably more.

If you are a keen veg. grower, you will probably be enjoying harvests of early peas and broad beans, various salads and brassicas and, possibly strawberries.

Certainly if you have some pots of strawberries under cover, you should be getting fruit now. If you have a surfeit, remember our stall on the Farmers’ Market on 10th June and bring us some produce to sell.

Some people will be preparing for a summer of shows and thinking of prizewinning onions, marrows and much else. Saltburn Craft and Produce Show is quite an early one and is on 8th July this year. This is the same day as the Farmers’ Market, which gives those of us who like to do the rounds of Saturday Saltburn attractions something else to enjoy. I’m sure there will be show schedules available from the library, the containers and other outlets soon so have a look and have a go. There are foodie classes and plenty of opportunities for crafters as well as us fruit, veg. and flower growers.

Make the most of midsummer and happy gardening, Sue. 52

Chris and Bev’s move to Saltburn filmed by the BBC Little did Chris and Bev Pope realise when they decided to go for a coffee in the attractive Victorian seaside town of Saltburnby-the-Sea that their lifestyle was about to change, or for that matter, that they were about to feature nationwide on the BBC. An advertisement for a residential home just up the hill at Tingdene’s Hazelgrove Park piqued their interest. The couple were living in a three-bedroom house but the children had grown up and left and they were looking for a change of pace and environment.

“We visited the park that day,” Bev recalls, “and found we could buy a new residential home. When we looked around the show home that did it really; the next day we put a deposit on our plot in Hazelgrove Park, located right alongside the woods.”

Bev and Chris made the trip down the A1 to Tingdene’s National Visitor Centre, an under cover exhibition space in which buyers can take their time choosing options.

Bev explains: “We stayed overnight because there are big decisions to make when selecting everything that is going into your house. It was a great experience – we loved doing it.”

At this point they had no idea though that their residential home would become the focus of so much national interest when it retraced their own journey along the A1 in November.

“We got into discussions with independent television production company, True North, who were about to film the first series of BBC1’s A1: Britain’s Longest Road.

Tingdene Park’s sales director Ian Collier explains. “We manage around 80-100 deliveries of new residential homes from our sister company, Tingdene Homes, to our parks in a typical year. Some of those travel parts of the A1 – but none as far as homes destined for a jewel in our crown – Hazelgrove Park – framed by the North Yorkshire Moors on the one side and an unbroken 36-mile stretch of beach on the other. The timing was perfect to be able to show what is involved when a residential home is transported from the factory to its new owners. The television crew came in the night before the move to film Mr and Mrs Pope’s 40ft by 20ft Tingdene Barnwell home being loaded onto the two specialist transporters. They were up again in the early hours of the morning to follow the progress of our transport partner, Titans Siting and Transport, along the A1, before finally recording Jason Wainwright and his team as they were locating the home on its plot.”

Bev continues: “It’s not every day that your house moves up the A1! We were both there to see it arrive. We moved in the following month and our home is wonderful, being all on one level. Everything is new, clean and easy to maintain. We’re in a lovely position and the sea is just down the road. Saltburn is beautiful and the coastline is lovely. We wanted to be in a community where everything was handy and you can just walk into town – we love it.”

“It was a speculative visit along the A1 that first brought the Tingdene team to Hazelgrove Park,” Ian concludes. “Since acquiring the site we’ve completely redeveloped it as a unique residential park and opened more plots so that others can enjoy the outstanding beauty of the area here at Saltburn. Hats off to the BBC for celebrating this most iconic of British roads as the A1, and the people that work on it, continue to serve everyone in so many ways.”

The program was broadcast on 9th May.

The Muses of Jim It must be summer now as my usual annual house guests have arrived. Four house martins have returned. These visitors give a lot of pleasure to the street and it is always uplifting to see them return. Unfortunately, other news regarding Saltburn was not so pleasurable. Of course I am referring to the shameful act of vandalism of the Woodland Centre. It is difficult to comprehend why anyone would what to destroy such a thing of joy and pleasure to many people. I understand that the individuals involved are about 17 years old. There is a movement afoot to perhaps lower the voting age down to 16, the action of these three youngsters could perhaps set back this progressive move. This therefore, presents a moral dilemma for at the moment we protect the names of children under a certain age, but if the age of majority is reduced I ask myself will that protection be lost? What of the children themselves, what must their parents think, their grandparents, family friends? I spent twenty years working in a remand home, with no time off for good behaviour. Whilst most of our residents were, as you would expect, from what we would call working class, occasionally we would get somebody from a higher social class. After due course they would be dealt with and we would never see them again, unlike our normal customers. We once had three generations of the same Hartlepool family. Just is life I suppose.

The election of the Tees Valley Mayor (who I shall be meeting soon to discuss certain things) caused me some concern. Let me explain. The BBC was talking about how the main parties were not electioneering because it was customary not to do so on voting day to give the poor public some respite. So therefore, I was concerned when on getting my morning paper delivered, The Gazette, on the front page was an election leaflet from a political party, and I was of the opinion this was contrary to what the BBC had stated. Later on in the day I happened to chance on a senior council officer, who was acting as an Inspector of Polling Station for the day. I explained what was happening and he agreed to pass my concerns on. Which he clearly did as later on in the day I received an email from the clerk of Saltburn, Marske & New Marske Parish Council, saying she had been contacted by the Borough Council. They were of the opinion that I should inform the police. Which I did, only to be told that they could not do anything. By contacting me via the Parish Clerk they must have clearly been of the opinion that I was speaking as a Parish Councillor, which I was not as I did not have the authority of the Council. I then contacted the Gazette but got no answer.

During this time I also spoke to other people and they thought as I did. I decided to contact the returning officer so I emailed him over the weekend. I then decided to contact the Electoral Commission. Which I did. It appears whilst it is an offence to display an electoral poster in sight of a polling station it is not an offence to covertly take in a newspaper with an electoral address on its front page. End of story.

A little bird has told me that the new houses that are been built adjacent to Wilton Bank will, after the Boundary Commission has met, become officially part of the Ward of Saltburn. How can it be so if they have yet to consult with the community? Surely the people should decide? After all are not we the masters? Just a thought.

Unfortunately, I missed the grand Waltz due to other commitments. The event showed in spite of the poor weather and many people did turn up and our town made again the national newspapers. Support from out of the town was amazing and the sight of the five double-decker buses sailing around the town like stately Spanish galleons was a sight well worth seeing.

I take no real pleasure about the next piece. This Saturday I had an appointment to see a specialist at James Cook University Hospital. I will not say what area of concern it is apart from saying it stops me skydiving and well as deep sea diving and tightrope walking. So you see it does affect my life style somewhat. To my surprise the hospital was very busy. Clearly some one has not told our Jeremy Hunt (Health Secretary), because he has been complaining he can’t get people to work weekends. The result of my visit was to have a Scan and another appointment with a camera. I returned to the same hospital the next day for another scan. This time to discover whether my brain has ever been used. Second scan was done today, at the time of writing. I get the results in a few days at my own surgery here at Saltburn. James Cook Hospital was just as busy as the day before, with a constant flow of people coming and going to and from the Clinics.

Questioned Hunt’s comments regarding the need of a seven day working week and my head was rightly snapped off by staff as they had already been doing it for years. We must vote to save OUR National Health Service. I know am. Why should international companies make a profit from the needs of the people? Especially when they interfere with the efficient running of the service.

Finally, I have been invited to take part in a B.B.C. North TV programme. I hope it’s about the General Election rather than the fine old art of beer mat skimming, because I have not got a license for that particular skill. No, because it is at Gateshead and it must therefore be about the General Election.

I know I occasionally poke fun at the club but I assure you it is just in jest. I have received a lot of help and support from its members over the years. Losing Betty was eased by members’ kindness. I must admit I was surprised at the poor low numbers at the AGM and the fact that this year’s Election was unopposed. In my opinion we need new members on the committee, not that their present ones aren’t worthy, because they are. New people bring new ideas, that improves the mix of the committee and is for the betterment of the club for all. In fact we could do with new members in general. The Staff are trained to safeguard new members from the evils of the demon expensive drink. So their families can rest easy that their beloved ones are safe.

Jim Wingham 53

The Saltburn Crossword no 192 set by Erinyes Across 1 5 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 18 20 22 24 25

Name___________________________________ Address_________________________________ ________________________________________ Telephone_______________________________

26 28 29 30 31 32 33

Down 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 17 19 21 23 25 27

Solution to Crossword no 191

The winner of last month’s crossword was David Holdcroft of Hazelgrove Park, Saltburn.

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Send your completed crossword to: Saltburn Crossword no 192, c/o Jackie’s Saverstore, 8 Station Buildings, Saltburn, TS12 1AQ

by Friday, 16th June 2017. First correct solution out of the bag wins a £10 voucher kindly donated by Tim and Sheila of Real Meals.

Saltburn Bandstand Concerts 2017 Organised by Saltburn 500 Club Saturday Concerts 2.30pm – 4pm July 1st Marske Junior Band 8th Guisborough Big Band 15th New Horizons Band 22nd Goodfellas 29th Teesside Wind Band August 5th Platinum 12th Doc Noir & Friends 19th Goodfellas 26th Rockulele Sunday Concerts 2.30pm – 4pm June 4th Bilsdale Silver Band 11th Bearpark & Esh Colliery Band 18th The Silver wood Band 25th Cleveland Constabulary Band July 2nd Northallerton Silver Band 9th Hurworth Concert Band 16th Aycliffe & Brancepath Brass Band 23rd Bearpark & Esh Colliery Band 30th Lockwood Brass Band August 6th North Skelton Brass Band 13th Northallerton Silver Band 20th Cleveland Constabulary Band 27th Teesside Wind Band September 3rd Cleveland Concert Band 10th Bilsdale Silver Band 17th The Silverwood Band 24th Marske Brass Band October 1st South Bank Band

Audrey Collins, ‘saviour’ of Saltburn Pier, dies at 90 A doughty champion for Saltburn, Audrey Collins, who has died aged 90, was a champion both for the town and the James Cook University Hospital where she was lovingly tended by staff.

Audrey Collins recalled in a interview looking out of a window at Teddy’s Nook, on Saltburn Bank, and seeing the end of Saltburn Pier smashed in an overnight gale. That was early in 1973 when a 300ft stretch of the pier was swept away.

She led a campaign to stop the 19th century pier from being demolished by her council, Langbaurgh, now Redcar & Cleveland, in 1974.

“I’m not going to sit back and see it demolished and I don’t think the people of Saltburn will either!” said the then Conservative leader of the Labour-controlled council. The issue went to a public inquiry and it was decided to spend £113,000 on preserving a shortened pier.

Audrey contributed in 1999 to a second ‘save our pier’ campaign by writing from her Great Ayton home to Cultural Secretary Chris Smith urging him to help. Since then over £1 million has been spent on renovating and preserving it.

Audrey Collins, who was a member of the King ice cream family in Redcar, lived at Teddy’s Nook from 1960 to 1987. She left Saltburn after husband Peter, owner of a factory at Skelton’s industrial estate, died, because she could not stand the thought of living near her old home, “our view” of Huntcliff and the sea.

She was a keen supporter of local Tory MP Sir Leon Brittan, “a wonderful MP for Saltburn.” She was involved with threats to close Huntcliff school, the closure of Overdene maternity hospital, off Victoria Terrace, and the building of Saltburn leisure centre.

Audrey Collins is also remembered on Teesside as chairman of the South Tees health authority, which built the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough. She died there peacefully on 14th April and a thanksgiving service was held at Christ Church, Great Ayton, with several Saltburn people attending. Many wore a splash of colour to help to celebrate her life, as requested by the family.

Audrey Collins, who was awarded an MBE for her health and community work, leaves a son Nick and two grand-children.

Bill Murray MBE, former chief executive of the hospital trust, said Audrey was always the first to volunteer to take on a task. A “marvellous listener,” she was always cheerful and visited patients on the wards daily.

“She was passionate about Teesside” and lobbied Ministers a lot, wining and dining them when necessary.

In Saltburn she worshipped at Emmanuel church and led the Tory group on Langbaurgh District Council.

During the last two weeks of her life Audrey was well looked after in James Cook’s Ward 11. A junior doctor told her: “We know what you did for this hospital and are working flat out (for you).”

Mr Murray finished by saying: “She was a great lady, a great champion. Goodbye!”

A collection was taken after the Christ Church, Great Ayton, celebration service for one of her favourite charities the Free From Pain group at the hospital.

Mike Morrissey 55

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