Talk of the Town September 2017

EDITION 195

CIRCULATION 4,600

SEPTEMBER 2017

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

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SALTBURN’S TOWN TALK Letter from the Editor Many people pay tribute to Jackie Taylor in this month’s about the town she loved and she treated everyone with respect magazine. She was very kind to me when I became the editor and encouragement. She forgave those who caused her grief in 2002. She was sympathetic when I suffered a personal with occasional unkind remarks which she certainly didn’t trauma shortly afterwards and every month she used to deserve. She knew she couldn’t please everyone but she telephone me to congratulate me on the latest magazine brought out the best in people. I know people who would not saying, “lovely issue, dear.” She did that for many years and normally consider volunteering but when they helped Jackie when she rarely missed me out it felt like my monthly routine they enjoyed themselves immensely. Jackie understood what was incomplete. I described her as ‘a very dear soul’ on many being in a community was all about and she was an example to occasions. When I introduced the Pride of Saltburn bouquet us all. See also pages 4, 9, 12, 15, 46, 47 and 53. Love, Ian as a feature in the magazine I naturally offered the very first Send letters, adverts and contributions for the next issue (by one to her, but she declined it. She didn’t want the publicity Friday, 15th September 2017) to: The Editor, Talk of the for herself but she contributed a regular piece for her Saltburn in Bloom news. All her projects were never about her, but Town c/o Jackie’s Saverstore, 8 Station Buildings, Saltburn, Cleveland, TS12 1AQ. Telephone: 01287 623903 Do you play badminton? Do you want to give it a go? The (or email: talkofthetownsaltburn@gmail.com). Talk of the very friendly and thriving Cleveland Cobras BC is now based Town has a website: www.tottsaltburn.co.uk and the at Huntcliff School in Saltburn. All standards and ages are Friends of Talk of the Town can be found on Facebook. catered for. We reconvene on Sunday, 10th September.

Juniors 4-6pm £4 and Adult beginner/Social 6-7pm £2. Main Saltburn Farmers’ Market: The popular market returns after adult club 7-9pm. Interested? Ring Dave Johnson 07940 its annual summer break for a brand new season on Saturday, 534927 or Dave Knights 07870 565767. Or just turn up!

9th September, with more than 40 stalls brimming with good Saltburn Historic Motor Gathering and Hill Climb takes locally produced food, drink and art. This follows an amazing place on Sunday, 10th September from 10am to 4pm. Further day at Saltburn Food Festival in July - see our report page 14. details can be obtained from www.motorclub.uk.net (click on Craft Club Busy Fingers: 2nd and 4th Thursday of each the link to Saltburn Hill Climb). month, 1.30 till 3.30pm in the Coffee Room, Saltburn The Guisborough and District Branch of the Community Centre.

Embroiderers’ Guild are holding their monthly meeting on Happy birthday: Greetings from The Queen and Pope Francis Saturday, 2nd September when our guest speaker will be were among many cards received by Veronica Tait at The Valerie Wartelle and her subject is Branching Out. Crescent when she celebrated her 100th birthday on 1st August.

Visitors are welcome whether non-stitchers, A party held at the golf club had no speeches but lots of smiles. beginners or more experienced stitchers. The car park behind Christmas Tree Exhibition: Saltburn WI are hosting a Belmont House (council offices) is free on Saturday. Contact Christmas Tree Exhibition in Emmanuel Church between 2ndtelephone number 01642 314860.

16th December 2017. Decorate your own tree with a theme of Saltburn Studios Artists: Our 3D Evolution continues, 8 your own choice. If your group, organisation or business artists working on each other’s sculptures over 8 weeks in the would like to take part contact us at saltburnwi@outlook.com gallery. Come and see what’s evolving! Open every Saturday for more details and to confirm your interest. and Sunday 12- 4pm with a final exhibition on 23rd and 24th Saltburn Craft and Produce Show 2018: New Management Team Required. After 11 years the organisers of the Saltburn September.

Emmanuel Church Hall Table Top and Collectors’ Sale: Craft and Produce Show are bowing out. There’s a lot of hard The next sales are on Saturdays, 2nd, 16th, and 30th of work and we’ve had great fun putting the show on but feel that September and then 7th and 21st October. We are still up and it needs new people to take it further. If any organisation running regardless of some strange rumours that we aren’t would like a new challenge please contact here anymore! We are definitely here and will always be! In saltburnwi@outlook.com for details.

August is a quiet month for the ladies of the fact we have a lot of new stall holders and anyone who would WI Report: WI. It’s time to take a relax and then be ready for September like to join us or just to have a clear out can contact Denise on but there have been a few activities going in. We’ve kept up the number below. What a good start to the new year we had our Saltburn stroll every Friday morning, enjoying the sights when a lot of people rang for a table so they could have a clear out! We are also doing our usual lunches and all day and the weather; and the committee had lunch at The Spa, breakfast, fresh home baked cake, pies and scones. Home which was a chance to mix socially without any business 18 members joined four local WIs for a made refreshments and light lunches are on sale all day. discussions.

FREE ENTRANCE and a warm welcome to everyone. With summer lunch at Hunley Hall golf club organised by Hutton over 26 stall holders, selling lots of bric-a-brac, books, toys, Lowcross WI and were entertained by The Seasonal Singers. A baby goods, and all sorts of collectables, there is something lovely time was had by all. The highlight of the month was our for everyone. If anyone would like to book a table please outing to see ‘Larkin with Women’ at The Esk Valley Theatre, Glaisdale. Not bad for a quiet month!

Lynn Mitchell contact Denise Marshall on 07929 589538.

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

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Jackie Taylor Memories through Photographs

We have worked with Jackie on many projects in Saltburn-bythe-Sea over the years. We have selected photographs which have significant indications of some of her involvements. The Bandstand is one of the town attractions which continues to be enjoyed. Her efforts, organising the bands, volunteers and fundraising to maintain the momentum has been a great success and is enjoyed by both residents and visitors. Fundraising, recruiting volunteers, spreading the word of events in the town,

sitting out in all weathers in the Station Portico talking to passers-by was a real dedication showing her love of the town of Saltburn-by-the-Sea. The last photograph taken of Jackie was at the War Memorial following the restoration, very fitting as she put a lot of energy into this project. Jackie supported other schemes that she believed in, such as the project to build a large steam engine from scratch, the success of the “Tornado� project which she supported from its conception until its main line runs.

Cath and Tony Lynn 4

Same chef and owner for over 6 years

SALTBURN METHODIST CHURCH MILTON STREET, SALTBURN. Looking for that special gift and card?

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

Now also available online.

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

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

Cllr. Thomson: 01287 624883.

Su n

p.m.

Come to us for worship On Sunday at 10.45am & 6pm Wednesday at 10am Bring the children to Sunday school at 10.45am Prayer meeting Tuesday at 1.30PM

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

MID WEEK MEETINGS MONDAY LADIES MEETING at 8pm.

TUESDAY KNIT & NATTER at 2pm.

THURSDAY (fortnightly) LADIES MEETING 2.30pm

TUESDAY & THURSDAY MUMS & TODDLERS at 10am.

COFFEE MORNINGS Wednesday 10am - 11.45.

And Saturday 10am - 12 noon.

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

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Once Upon a Time in the Wapentake I finished my last article with Brexit, so this month, with great trepidation, I will begin with the subject. When those in favour of leaving the EU said things like “Because of Brussels/Immigrants/Foreigners, we can’t get proper jobs or anywhere decent to live,” the predictable response from the Remainers was ‘prejudice/ignorance etc’. Fair enough but… (and a big BUT) …they weren’t listening to the second part of the complaint: a demand for decent jobs and affordable (noninflammable?) homes (and hospitals and schools). It might come as a shock to younger readers but those were the things that governments used to provide, that was what they did, that was what they were for.

Once upon a time the Labour and the Conservative Parties would compete over who could get the most Council Houses built. (I think the Tories won that one.) It was assumed that if any Government let the unemployment total go anywhere remotely near one million, then it was doomed.

If a major employer looked like going bust, then it would be taken into public ownership. (It was thought better for the economy to have people earning wages, and spending them, and paying taxes, than having them on the dole.) Accordingly the 1970-1974 Tory Government nationalised the Ship Building, Motor, and Aerospace Industries, which were failing, largely owing to poor management. (Perhaps it was also done because there were people around who remembered the War and thought that we might need ships and lorries and planes again one day.)

But since 1979 successive governments have insisted that ‘it’s nothing to do with me, guv.” Everything must be left to the unhampered workings of the Free Market. (If things are in short supply, then the price goes up and more goods are produced; if there are more things than people want, or can afford to buy, then the price falls, and the less efficient producers go out of business.) With nobody taking the responsibility, nobody to blame, is it any wonder that so many of the dispossessed (with not a little encouragement from the, mostly foreign owned, daily papers) turned on the nearest scapegoat; foreigners of every description.

What does this ‘Free Market” mean in practice? It means an end to state regulations (‘Red Tape’). In 2013 the then Secretary of State for Environment, Vince Cable, called for a ‘Bonfire’ of building regulations, an unfortunate choice of words. In practice it was not necessary to actually get rid of the rules, just get rid of the inspectors who enforced them.

It means breaking the unions that had protected workers’ wages and conditions. It means greater flexibility of labour; no more jobs for life, but lots of zero hours contracts, lots of pretend self-employment. That is justified as giving people greater freedom to pick and choose when and where they work. Those who have skills that are much in demand but in short supply might enjoy that freedom, but for most people the reality is different: you work when and where Management wants you to work, or not at all.

It means cuts in Benefits, less money and more humiliation in getting it. (“They make you poor and then punish you for being poor.”) It means cuts in those services that used to be free, parks and libraries, for instance. Pleasures that come for free are very important for families on low incomes. It means the private sector getting involved in public services, in the NHS, the Prison Service and Education. The private companies (Serco, Capitas, Group 4) will then do the 6

job more cheaply, and they will do this by employing fewer people at lower rates of pay. A Carer, instead of seeing twenty clients for two hours a week will see thirty for an hour a week. That is bad for the worker, and even worse for the vulnerable clients.

It can also mean the privatising of whole industries, sometimes privatising them to death. An example would be Leyland buses, which once built most of the country’s buses (as well as being a successful exporter) in what was probably the most up-to-date plant of its kind in Europe.

Privatised, it was bought by Volvo, who closed Leyland down, apart from the distribution network, which they used to distribute their own buses. (No I’m not blaming foreigners. I’m blaming home grown idiots who allowed it to happen.)

Then there are the Railways, my own special obsession. Privatising them was supposed to replace a state monopoly starved of investment with a variety of competing companies offering greater choice and cheaper fares, financed by billions of private investment. So what actually happened? Instead of private finance, billions of taxpayers’ money in subsidies, five or six times as much per annum as British Rail ever received, and more billions of public money to finance mega-projects such as London’s Crossrail and Thameslink. As far as choice goes, consider us here in Saltburn. Public Transport used to mean buses from Cleveland Transit and United, or trains from British Rail, all, in their different way, publically owned, but genuinely competing. Now we have a choice between Northern Rail (operator: DB Arriva) and Sapphire Buses (operator: DB Arriva). DB stands for Deutsche Bahn, German State Railways. The Government still runs public transport; it’s just not the British Government. And getting on a train means getting on a clapped out Pacer. They were not BR’s finest hour. Unable to afford proper trains they hit on the idea of sticking steel wheels on a Leyland bus. It was only ever meant as a desperate, temporary arrangement, but now, after twenty-five years of privatisation, and billions of our money spent, we still have to rattle and bounce along in a Pacer.

I won’t do more than mention PFIs or the way the tax system has been rigged so the poorer you are, the more you pay. I’ll merely point out that the most significant affect of these policies has been to make millions of people desperate. Is this what was meant to happen? Was it meant to make people so desperate that they would take any job, however lousy? If so, it hasn’t worked. The desperate unemployed are in places where there are no jobs, and can’t afford to live in places where there are jobs. So to do those awful jobs we have to import slave labour, tens, possibly hundreds of thousands of slaves. (“Freedom is Slavery”) Tell me please, just how much progress have we made in the last two hundred years?

I would like to go on and explain why the Free Market Theory is so flawed, why it’s so attractive to economists, and to politicians who like an easy life, doing nothing more arduous than being entertained by the superrich, but I’ve run out of Time and Space. Next month I better do something completely non-controversial: Independence for Yorkshire, perhaps.

Tim Beswick

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Councillors’ Column ‘This year is going so quickly,’ is commonly heard.

Many will have found that the calendar has turned at an ever faster rate. This may be resulting from a pace of life or the unseasonal nature of our weather sending out conflicting signals.

September is a month which heralds Autumn. For meteorologists the defining starting point is the 1st of the month. For traditional season watchers Friday the 22nd is the more relevant date. So, soon the days will shorten and trees will begin the reduction of their food production cycle in preparation for winter. Autumn leaves will begin to fall and local authority street sweepers will see their workload increase as falling leaves do not recognise man made boundaries.

Whilst Autumn may not be such good news for some, for others it has been cause for jubilation. Followers of the Journal of Aging Research have noted that babies born during the Autumn months are more likely to live to 100 than those born during the rest of the year.

September should bring on to the stage several programmes of foreshore work that have been waiting, impatiently perhaps, in the wings. The replica heritage shelter replacing its predecessor, brought down in the sea surge of December 2013, should make a grand entrance. Heritage lamp posts, lit from the pier to Hazelgrove, should bring atmospheric illumination to the lower promenade. Completion of the tie bar refurbishment on the pier legs will return confidence to those walking the boards. Hopefully the back stage crew will read the newly updated script, that the hole in

the sea wall is ever increasing, and this will be fitted into the programme before the stalls are flooded again.

Following a motion at full Council a Housing Forum will be established. This Forum is charged with reporting back within six months, detailing recommendations for a Housing Strategy that will take into account community and individual needs, not a game plan which is simply driven by market forces, undefended for spurious arguments that have little planning foundation and incurring needless consultancy and legal fees. A positive Housing Strategy will assist in shaping the future development within the Borough and contribute to housing development within the wider Tees Valley now that the TVCA has devolved powers for residential and commercial development.

September will also herald the commencement of a year of celebration, commemorating the 150th year of the Parish Church. Lord Zetland laid the foundation stone those many years ago and for the next twelve months parishioners will be celebrating all that the church, as a centre of community worship and thanksgiving, has brought to the town and its people.

The Festival of Thrift will be upon us with a surfeit of ideas on recycling and healthy living. Attendance, whilst not obligatory, may assist in filling the calendar with thought provoking ideas.

Autumn may have been the alleged season when Persephone was abducted by Hades but others may remember it better as a ‘season of mists and mellow fruitfulness.’

Philip Thomson 7

Saltburn Beachwatch New Products 1 With marine scientists predicting that if we continue to use and discard plastic products as we do now, the ocean may contain as much plastic by weight as all the fish in the sea by 2050. Governments, industry and the general population are waking up to the fact that this cannot continue. Innovations in what can be loosely termed “Green Industry” are leading the way to produce technical fixes or products which can be easily fully recycled or are 100% biodegradable.

Take the problem of plastic micro-fibres, where research has shown that clothing containing these fibres release thousands of tiny pieces at each wash. The fibres released by clothing containing plastics are so small they do not get filtered out at water treatment plants and therefore end up in the sea. Analysis shows that Nylon, Acrylic and Polyester account for 85% of the man-made microfibres on our beaches and these fibres are now present in all mussels.

It is unrealistic to stop production of clothing containing plastics although we know that higher quality fabrics shed less fibres in the wash so it would be better for the environment if these fibres could be made stronger and less prone to shed in the wash. A German standards body is looking to create a metric that will show the rate/ amount of fibre loss of a given textile. So eventually it may be up to governments to regulate the sale of high shedding synthetic fabrics. One solution could be to modify washing machines. European white goods manufacturers are considering the production of an external filter from a prototype developed by a Canadian engineer. These filters would be built into a machine’s drainage pipe to stop the tiny plastic fibres from escaping.

It is estimated that this technology could filter out 75/90% of fibres. If you are going to buy a washing machine ask about filters. If manufacturers and retailers are aware of a demand, filters are more likely to become standard sooner which will help alleviate this problem. In the USA a washing machine lint filter is available. This revolutionary filter can extend the life of septic tank systems by preventing plastic fibres from entering the septic system.

Meanwhile over in Germany two entrepreneurs have come up with a simple crowd funded solution by inventing the Guppy Friend which is a wash bag which independent testing has said can filter out over 90% of microfibres released from textiles in the wash. You just put in synthetic clothes, zip up and wash as normal and then dispose of the residue responsibly. The estimated cost of this device will be approximately £20-£25. The Langbrett Community Interest Company is now seeking to partner with industry to set up large scale production in the near future. In addition to this they are developing a filter for washbasins and commercial use.

From their inception over 100 years ago plastics have become indispensible to our daily lives but as businesses are forced to address their environmental impact attention is turning to viable natural alternatives.

More on this in future issues.

Roy Smith 8

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

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

Help! Your local Playgroup needs you!

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

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

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Saltburn 500 Club I returned home from holiday to the sad news that Jackie Taylor had died. I have known Jackie for some years now and she was always there to give me advice in my attempts to take certain things over from her – organising Christmas lights etc. Given that Jackie had far more on her plate than I have, I often wonder how she did it. I always come back to the same answer – Jackie’s life was, more or less, totally centred around the well-being of the town. Rest in peace Jackie, you’ll be sadly missed.

Congratulations go to P Miles for winning the £100 first prize in the Saltburn 500 Club August draw. At the risk of repeating myself, you’ve got to be in it to win it! Don’t forget, we also give out three other cash prizes each month so your chances of winning are a lot better than winning the National Lottery. Membership of the 500 Club has seen a slight increase in the past few months so let’s hope that it is a continuing trend.

Saturday bandstand performances finished at the end of August but we still have the following Sunday performances to come: 3rd September, Cleveland Concert Band; 10th, Bilsdale Silver Band; 17th, The Silverwood Band; 24th, Marske Brass Band and 1st October is our final performance of the year, which is South Bank Band. I would like to thank all of the supporters for turning up to listen to the bands and, of course, all the volunteers who organise seating and collections. Without your support, the Bandstand would become a part of the history of Saltburn which would be a great shame as many of the bands class it as their favourite venue.

I sit on the committee that organises the Christmas lighting-up evening and we are well on with plans for this year’s event. We hope to be in a position, soon, to announce what will be taking place.

There is a table-top sale in the Community Centre on Saturday, 9th September and all proceeds are going towards the Saltburn Christmas lights. If anybody wishes to contribute towards the lights, cheques (made out to Friends of Saltburn) can be left in the Saltburn 500 Club jar at the library.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

01287 624778 Email: margaretshields2003@yahoo.co.uk 9

Friday Friends and Macmillan Coffee Morning

or email: simon.robson1@ntlworld.com

We are an inclusive - all abilities welcomed - friendship group, based in Saltburn, for people over 18. We are a friendly group open to new members.

I’d like to take the opportunity to invite you to our Macmillan Coffee Morning on September 22nd. We hosted a great one last year and are hoping this year’s will be even better! From 10.30am onwards, please pop along and support this excellent cause.

And wishing all the best to Siobhan who is running for us in the Great North Run on Sunday, 10th September!

September programme 1st - Seated Keep-Fit to music with trainer Taylor then Bingo. Arts and Craft session is drawing a decorative hand.

8th - The Valley Gardens Walk, meet outside the hall at 10pm or at the Bandstand near the Valley Gardens at 10.15. Then back to the hall to make felt brooches.

15th - Story telling by Timothy Edwards 10-11. Then word games. Making a butterfly mobile.

22nd - Macmillan Coffee Morning from 10.30 - 12.

Painting a tiger picture.

29th - Bowling and lunch (if pre-ordered) at Saltburn Bowls club indoor bowls/outdoor boules. Annual General Meeting 12.30 at the hall; all members are respectfully asked to attend. Followed by sewing a small bag.

We meet at Emmanuel Church Hall on Fridays.

Macnay St, Saltburn. Activities 10-12.30. Arts and Craft

by Caroline 1-4.00pm. First taster session is free then £2.50 a session or £4 all day to help cover costs. None profit making and run by hardworking volunteers. Carers are always free.

For more info or if you’d like to sponsor Siobhan in The Great North Run, please contact 07833 895 501 (or Thefridayfriends@outlook.com).

Saltburn Photographic Society Meetings commence on Wednesday, 13th September with Edward Foster and Mick Howe: a mix of print and digital projection work entitled “As long as it’s Black and White”. Wednesday, 20th September: John Webster “The Way I See It”. Wednesday, 27th September: A very experienced monochrome worker Peter Dixon shows his latest work. Wednesday, 4th October: Results of the first Monthly competition subject “Open”.

A selection of members’ work is on display in Saltburn Library. This is changed every month.

Practical nights will be held frequently; more details available from contact number or web site.

Meetings are held in the upstairs hall, Saltburn Milton Street Methodist Church TS12 1EB at 7.30pm.

Visitors are welcome to any of our meetings, there will be a small charge. For more information, visit our web site www.saltburnphotographicsociety.co.uk or contact Tony Lynn 01287 622519.

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

"We love Him because He first loved us."

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

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Saltburn in Bloom Today, Wednesday 16th August, people gathered in Emmanuel Church to celebrate the life of Jackie Taylor MBE. The occasion provided an opportunity to reflect on the contribution that Jackie made to Saltburn over the period from 1986 onwards when she moved to the area from Suffolk. With time on her hands, she quickly became involved in activities in the town, galvanising volunteers, raising funds and beginning to make a real difference.

From being a rather run-down seaside place in the 80s, the town has benefitted from many projects which Jackie has influenced, with Saltburn becoming the lovely place it is today. Its beautiful natural setting has been enhanced by the Bandstand, the War Memorial, the Picnic garden and the gardens near the Cliff lift, not to mention all the floral displays every summer and the Christmas lights. Jackie was dedicated to Saltburn and with sheer determination she achieved things when others would have given up.

Jackie received the Freedom of the Borough in 2016 and in accepting this great honour, she paid tribute to the army of volunteers that worked behind the scenes in our community. Without them nothing would be achieved.

Saltburn in Bloom is determined to carry on the good work that Jackie began and to which she dedicated nearly 30 years of her life. Like the Friends of Saltburn currently, we need new faces volunteering in various capacities to be able to continue. Hanging baskets and Christmas lights do not magically jump into place and gardens always need maintenance. Volunteers carry out all this work. The local council certainly doesn’t do it, as they are struggling because of cuts to their budgets.

Date for your diaries – the hanging baskets are being taken down (by volunteers!) on Tuesday, 19th September 7.30 onwards, meeting at the Station Portico.

Can you help in any way?

We certainly need new people who are willing to give some time to their community. In Jackie’s early days she would ring a bell, asking people to give an hour of their time. Perhaps you could help keep Jackie’s legacy alive for the future.

Contact me by phone 01287 209518 or email lyndaparkes4@gmail.com if you would like to help in any small way.

Lynda Parkes (Chair)

Craft Magic Looking for that special gift, something different and handmade? Then you have come to the right place. Craft Magic stock unique handmade goods and some quirky new goods.

Craft Magic, 4 Dundas Street West, Saltburn.

Open Monday to Saturday 10am-5pm Closed Wednesday and Sunday 12

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

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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)

Andy Pollard

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Saltburn Food Festival tops the menu Great local food transforms Saltburn town centre into buzzing Festival village Great local food took pride of place on the menu, as thousands of people enjoyed an ‘amazing day’ at the biggest ever Saltburn Food Festival on Sunday, 30th July. The hugely popular Festival celebrated its fifth birthday by transforming the whole town centre into a buzzing Festival village, alive with the sights and smells of fantastic food.

Festival visitors enjoyed a bustling street market on Milton Street, with more than 100 of the best local food producers from the North East and North Yorkshire, including world street food, veggie and vegan specials, outdoor dining and picnic areas.

A busier than ever Festival Fringe in and around the town centre saw a host of the town’s buzzing independent shops and businesses embrace the day, adding to a vibrant art & craft street market on Dundas Street East - with a miniferris wheel outside Saltburn’s newest restaurant Coco & Rum giving children the best views of the day.

And a tasty mix of TV and award-winning chefs including Debbie Raw from BBC2’s Further Back in Time for Dinner and Steph Moon from BBC2’s Great British Menu wowed the crowds at the Festival’s Live Cookery Theatre on Station Street.

Festival Director Lorna Jackson, who also coowns the town’s Real Meals deli and manages the town’s monthly Farmers’ Market, said: “The Festival was just an absolutely amazing day. We started out five years ago thinking ‘let’s see what happens,’ and once again we’ve been humbled by the overwhelming warmth and support of thousands of people. It was a day that really brought out the best in the community, and showed the town in a fantastically positive light to tourists and visitors from all over the country.

“Our previous four Festivals have been incredible, days we never ever take for granted, but this year surpassed everything we’ve ever done before. This year was the first time we’d been able to extend onto Station Street and Dundas Street East, really allowing the town centre to shine, and it made a huge difference to the whole day. It gave Festival visitors more room to relax, it allowed the Live Cookery Theatre to take centre -stage in the heart of town so everyone could have a great view of the chefs cooking up a treat, and absolutely transformed the whole town centre into a buzzing Festival village for the day.

“And we take our hats off to all the town’s fantastic independent shops and businesses who really embraced the Festival, taking to the streets and shining like absolute stars all day long. We could see from our social media posts in the run-up to the Festival that lots 14

Photographs by Stuart Boulton

of people were looking forward to the day - talking about meeting up, and what food they were looking to enjoy. It was like watching a whole community get together right there in front of us.

“It all started with a very simple idea a few short years ago – a street party to celebrate the best local food we have right here on our doorsteps. It all made for an absolutely amazing day, and long may it continue.”

And, as part of a busy Festival Fringe, two local businesses raised a combined total of almost £2,400 for cancer charities.

Laura Dicken and the Podgirls at Milton Street’s Health & Beauty specialists Podology raised £1,936.30 for Breast Cancer Awareness by selling cupcakes and carrying out beauty treatments on the day, with all proceeds going directly to charity.

Laura said: “The Festival was an incredible day.

Our team of Podgirls came in and donated their time for free, and we just cracked on. It’s a cause close to our hearts, we always like to do an annual event, and we decided to do it this year by embracing the Festival.

“There was a lovely atmosphere all day long, it was great to see so many people in town, and people are already saying we should do it all again next year.”

Christina Easton of The LillianDaph Store, who raised £400 for Cancer Research, said: “We loved being involved in the Festival and Jenni Di-Niro of Ruffled Flowers created a huge floral display on top of the post box right outside our shop, which got people talking and taking photos all day long. We also sold hand-dyed bows which visitors wore on their heads, bags and even their dogs. That helped us raise £400 for Cancer Research, and it just topped off an amazing day.”

Foodies can enjoy more great local food, when the hugely popular Saltburn Farmers’ Market returns after a summer break on Saturday, 9th September, 9am-2pm.

Jackie Taylor MBE 1936-2017 Among many tributes paid to Miss Jackie Taylor MBE, a Saltburn stalwart who has died aged about 80, was one at the Glenside bandstand, which owes its existence to her work.

North Skelton Brass Band’s conductor on Sunday, 9th August told the 70-strong audience the hymn ‘Nearer My God to Thee’ would be dedicated to Jackie’s memory.

Audience members recalled her chivvying in the mid-1990s to raise around £100,000 to build the irongated bandstand.

One memorable story was her writing to the German ambassador in London to ask for a donation as a German bomber had offloaded a bomb on the bandstand then in the Valley gardens - one night when returning from raiding Teesside industry.

He wrote back to say he could not help officially or he would be inundated with similar claims from all around the country. But his staff had had an office whipround. He enclosed a donation for an unspecified amount.

Lorna Jackson, organiser of Saltburn’s food festival, recalled Jackie’s useful, if not unique, advice: “You can’t please all the people all the time.”

Stuart Smith, independent councillor, wrote a list of her achievements in his monthly newsletter and commented that he had worked with her for over 20 years.

“If it hadn’t been for this lady, who had the drive, leadership and aspiration for Saltburn, it would not be the place it is today, a beautiful, economically-thriving town.”

Stuart provided the photograph of Jackie seen here, from his newsletter.

Her achievements included the Marine Parade picnic area, refurbishment of the war memorial, Christmas lights and creating the first ‘In Bloom’ group in the borough.

“Jackie, when in good health, could be seen sitting out every Saturday under the Station Portico raising the profile of the 500 Club and capturing those who were caught off guard and recruiting them as one of her community volunteers. Jackie has contributed greatly in putting Saltburn on the map and raising its profile nationally.”

Dave Robson of The Gazette, said she was a retired nursing officer who came to Saltburn from Suffolk in 1988 and instantly took the place to her heart.

“She felt something should be done to galvanise a community spirit.”

She went out into the town centre with a hand bell shouting “Please give 10 minutes for Saltburn.”

My own memories included seeing her running a clothing stand under the Station Portico for the ‘less fortunates’ in the town and calling to a youth across the station square: “Please pick up your litter.” He did so, partly thanks to her charm and politeness.

She looked after her mother for many years in Cleveland Street before she died a few years ago. Both her brother John, who runs Folk Festival and the Sunday flea market in the station square for the lights and ‘Bloom’ flower tubs, and family were great supporters.

Jackie died peacefully in Clayton House care home, Victoria Terrace, where she lived for her last few months.

Emmanuel church clerical and lay members visited her regularly for prayer.

Councillor Philip Thomson first encountered this ‘volunteer fund-raising legend’ when chairing an open meeting of Project Saltburn, the offices of which were situated above the Victoria in Cleveland Street.

“A goodly audience listened to the aspirations of this newly-founded organisation until at question time a small voice suggested starting a 200 Club to raise funds for the town. It was agreed that this was a very good idea and it was further suggested that the person suggesting it should take it on. After some hesitation “Oh, all right. I’ll give it a go!” was heard from Jackie. What a ‘go’ it turned out to be.

The well-attended funeral service was held at Emmanuel on Wednesday, 16th August. More than 300 people - from Mayor Karen King, of Marske, to litterpicker volunteers - attended the ‘thanksgiving and celebration’ funeral service for Jackie. Sister-in-law Heather Taylor spoke for the family to thank all for coming and particularly staff at Cloneen and Clayton House care homes for their ‘hand-holding’ work. She recalled the incident which put Saltburn into national headlines in the early 1990s when a mystery vandal ruined hanging flower baskets with weed-killer. She also remembered Jackie ringing a hand bell to invite residents to ‘give 10 minutes’ to Saltburn. Heather also said that Jackie particularly appreciated getting her own copy of Talk of the Town at Clayton House so she could keep up with Saltburn’s news. £190 was collected for Macmillan Nurses.

Seeds sown in the 1990s are still apparent in the form of families enjoying the Marine Parade play area, the bandstand, hanging baskets and Christmas lights.

Mike Morrissey Other tributes to Jackie can be found on pages 3, 4, 9, 12, 46, 47 and 53.

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SALTBURN CRICKET CLUB Marske Mill Lane, Tel 01287-622761

Sun 3rd Sept HOWZAT MUSIC FESTIVAL 7 GREAT BANDS 2.00-11.00PM. Tickets from Saltburn Cricket Club.

Proceeds to Great North Ambulance.

BINGO – Wed 13th Sept – eyes down 8.00pm Sun 17th Sept – CRICKET MATCH - 12 noon onwards BAR 11 v SALTBURN ROTARY & FRIENDS If you want to see cricket played in good spirit (if not totally skillfully!), you’re welcome to watch and join the fun - bar open CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR U19s TEAM ON WINNING THE NYSD 20/20 COMPETITION after final played at Durham Riverside Ground!

Sat 30th September Saltburn Blues Club “SWAMPGRASS” – all ticket night, £10 (10% discount for club members) *Free WiFi in Club* * BIG screen TV showing SKY sports etc * ***FEATURED IN CAMRA GOOD BEER GUIDE!!***

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

Convenient venue, free parking, reasonable bar prices. Contact us to book your event.

Members and non-members welcome.

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

01287 624505 16

SALTBURN BLUES CLUB By the time you read this the September Talk of The Town will only have been out for a few days but hopefully there may still be time for you to buy a ticket at the Early Bird Price of £20 for the fabulous HOWZAT MUSIC FESTIVAL on Sunday, 3rd September. (If there are still some left, that is!)

Seven acts will perform throughout the afternoon and evening, from 2pm – 11pm in the spacious indoor nets hall at Saltburn Cricket Club. The headline act is the hugely popular and brilliantly entertaining JAR FAMILY. It’s a sell-out whenever they are on the bill.

Equally brilliant is the penultimate act, THE KAZ HAWKINS BAND, winner of the 2017 European Blues Challenge. Superb.

The other performers are REECE HILLIS, THE EMMA WILSON BAND, HOT TIN ROOF, GROOVETRAIN and BIG RED AND THE GRINNERS. It’s a very fine line-up of mixed music genres including soul, blues, country, rock and Americana and I’m proud to present them all.

The festival is a charity event in aid of The Great North Air Ambulance and has been organized jointly by Saltburn Blues Club, Rotary and Saltburn Cricket Club.

Refreshments include a Barbecue, hot drinks and beer.

(Please note: the artificial turf flooring in the Hall means stiletto heels may not be worn.)

Advance tickets: £20. On the door: £25. Available from: www.yorkshireticketshop.com, Whistlestop Wines Saltburn, Saltburn Cricket Club and 07960 935263.

All details can be found at: www.howzatmusicfestival.co.uk.

It would be excellent to see you there.

After this festival the Club will be returning to its normal last Saturday of the month gig and on September 30th at our usual venue the Cricket Club we will be welcoming a top class Rhythm and Blues Band ‘Swampgrass’.

Swampgrass play the mighty blues, steaming things up with a mix of swing and funk grooves, dancing and a whole lot of fun. With around 200 gigs in the bank Swampgrass are travelling throughout 2017, touring from Glastonbury to the Isle of Wight, Leeds, Saltburn, London and points in between. Expect heavy grooves, loud guitar and one of the hottest up and coming female vocals on the circuit.

Tickets are only £10 for this gig, £9 for members, and can be obtained from Whistlestop Wines Saltburn, www.yorkshireticketshop.com and 07960 935263.

Don’t forget if you want to hear more Blues in the comfort of your own home why not tune into my radio show Still Got The Blues on Zetland 105FM or listen online on the station’s website, Monday evenings 710pm.

Harry

Cliff lift problems warning - and a tourism boost Passengers using Saltburn’s 133-year-old cliff lift have been warned about possible problems if the lift breaks down, as has happened early this summer.

The notice says that in the unlikely event of a breakdown, passengers who are elderly, disabled, parents of children, including babies, would be rescued after other passengers had been rescued. This was because of the ‘complex nature of the rescue.’

Several people were on board early in the summer when the lift broke down. It was some time before they were taken off.

The lift, which is owned by Redcar and Cleveland Council, carried a record 188,000 passengers last year at £1 per trip.

Councillor Stuart Smith, of Saltburn, said £325,000 was spent on the lift last year and more money is planned to replace rails and track timber later this year.

This would include creating a ‘central and emergency escape route for passengers.’

Tourism brought in nearly £2 million to Saltburn’s coffers last year, according to figures compiled by the Scarborough Tourism Economic Activity Model. This was a slight increase on the previous year.

The economic impact was £67million and individual spending averaged nearly £41 per visit with the number of jobs supported being 904 (Full-time Equivalent).

“Saltburn remains Redcar & Cleveland’s most

Tony Lynn, of Saltburn, reads the public notice warning about problems if passengers are trapped in the cliff lift.

popular destination,” said Councillor Smith. “Each of the three main visitor destination towns (Saltburn, Redcar and Guisborough) saw a modest increase in both visitors and economic impact.”

Meanwhile volunteers running Saltburn’s popular miniature railway have been thanked by the Mayor, Councillor Karen King, for their work. The volunteers will this year be celebrating the railway’s 75th year in the valley gardens.

17

DOG GROOMING www.saltyseadogsgrooming.co.uk

Kelly - 07523 216363

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450 folkies stage ‘superb’ folk festival at Saltburn

Folkie’s fun: Crowds were wowed at Saltburn’s folk festival when Feet First, the Appalachian clog dancers from Chesterfield, gave a vigorous performance at Station Square.

Photo by Ken Bladen, of Saltburn.

Some 450 folk dancers and singers put on what organiser John Taylor called a ‘superb’ folk festival over the weekend of 12th-13th August.

Treasurer Paul Lucas said numbers were slightly down on recent years. “We have to work out what turns will work and which will not,” he said.

International singer Vin Garbutt, who died in May, was missed, but hundreds enjoyed shows. More than 30 concerts were free out of a total of 46 with halls all over Saltburn being in use.

In addition to the 450 participants friends and family added to the total number of visitors. Cafes, bars, pubs and accommodation renters did a good trade.

Mr Taylor said: “The weekend was superb.”

The only hitch reported was electricity going off during a display in Station Square during a Saturday afternoon rainstorm. But, apart from that, the sun shone and crowds turned out.

Mr Lucas said: “Everyone enjoyed the fun and heritage being recalled.”

Local photographer Pam Ainsley gave postcard images of Vin Garbutt in singing action for the South Cleveland Heart Fund (Vin was treated in the James Cook University Hospital for a heart condition). A minimum donation of £1 per postcard was asked for.

Postcards can be ordered through www.pamainsley.co.uk or Guisborough bookshop.

Why not learn a new skill this Autumn?

Watercolour class meets at Milton Street Methodist upstairs room (there’s a lift!) on Monday and Thursday afternoons 1-3pm, £80 a term. It’s a fun and friendly class, would suitable for a complete beginner.

So go on, come and join us. Learn something new, free your inner Van Gogh! And make new friends!

Ring Kathryn on 01947 897803 and have a chat about it.

21

Cleveland Diving Club

Typically the weather, sea conditions and their effect on Cleveland Divers’ local diving experiences has been discussed in every published article so far. However, contrary to the negative impact on divers there is, as they say ‘always a silver lining.’ In this case it is the East Coast of Yorkshire’s legacy of a sizable record (possibly the largest) for catastrophic sea disasters resulting in ships being wrecked around the British Isles. The reason being that, although the North Sea is not large the intensity of northeasterly gale force winds and a particularly hostile coast line from the Tees to the Humber (a quarter of that from the Firth of Forth to the Humber,) instils, rightly so, a sense of trepidation for seafarers who are well aware of the consequences of stormy weather and hazardous seas.

This legacy of misfortune and tragedy, however, offers divers some interesting wreck-diving experiences. For example, a recent dive on the wreck of the Casamance, just off the coast of Skinningrove proved to be an unexpectedly interesting dive for our group’s first visit to this site. At the time of the dive the wreck was located in about 10 meters of water with a pleasant 8 to 10 meters of visibility. Diving off into the blue our divers quickly came across the first remnants of the wreck before the dark shadow of the ship’s hull came into view. Sunk in the early 40s relentless sea surges and groundswells have unlocked the intriguing inner workings of the ship. Approaching from its stern sections of its majestic frame (rib) of the wreck could be seen standing tall and proud above its broken keel (photo 1). Beneath this the prop, colonised by red seaweed and yellow sponges could clearly be seen running free of its shaft towards its mid -ship, (photo 2). Fish, crabs, lobsters and starfish have all taken up residence within many of the holes and crevice of the wreckage, (photo 3). Circumnavigating the wreck we returned to our shot line via the ship’s boilers with many of its protruding elements still in place (photo 4).

The story of this ship’s misfortune (built in France in 1921) began in tempestuous seas that her captain prayed 22

would subside overnight. Unfortunately this was not the case. In the morning the decision was made to launch the 1st lifeboat, a steel boat that carried 37 crewmembers to safety. A second wooden lifeboat was launched but was unable to make it to shore. Some of the crew members who lost their lives are buried in a local churchyard.

After, or before, diving a wreck it is fascinating to read the ship’s historic account which develops a real respect for the ship and her lost crew. Check out this link if you are interested in learning more (http:// www.wrecksite.eu). Diving a wreck is exciting but discovering long lost relics is also an experience that divers relish. For example, during these summer months a small group of divers unearthed three cannon balls off the coast of Redcar. Historically this part of the coast line was used for target practice. Our budding photographer spotted them in their sea state (photo 5) before having some fun and sprucing one of them up for a single photo shoot, (photo 6).

Think you would enjoy discovering the secrets of the sea? Then learn to scuba dive. At the moment Cleveland Divers are having a summer break from pool training sessions but if you are interested then contact us on 07960 608529 or pop along to Saltburn Leisure Centre around 8pm on a Monday night on or after September 4th to find out about our taster sessions or club membership if you are already a qualified diver.

June Coomber

Horses head for the hills to raise ÂŁ400 MORE than 40 horse riders saddled up to complete a 16mile fun ride from New Marske to Eston Nab in late July.

The route covered bridleways and private farm tracks in Upleatham, Wilton, Guisborough and Dunsdale with kind permission from Thrushwood Farm, Bank Top Farm, Court Green Farm and Capon Hall Farm.

Around ÂŁ400 was raised by Saltburn and District Bridleways Group to help protect the bridleway network across Redcar and Cleveland.

View the event photo gallery (at www.saltburndistrictbridleways.co.uk).

Photo by Rob Lynas.

Morning group: on Mondays at 9.30am at Emmanuel Church Hall, Macnay Street, Saltburn.

Emmanuel Church Hall, Macnay Street, Saltburn

Tuesdays at 3.30pm, 5.30pm and 7.30pm.

Telephone Stevie on

01642 474920

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

23

Saltburn and District Group for Visually Impaired People Like a lot of other groups, we took a break in August from our usual session. However, we are ready to start again in September and have some excellent speakers lined up for the rest of this year.

Please join us on September 13th from 2pm in the Coffee Lounge, Community Centre, Saltburn when we will welcome Roy who is telling us of Beachwatch and all the important work that helps to maintain the beaches and coastline we love.

We would love to have some more people join us, either with a visual impairment or not. If you are interested in the local area and would like to come along – please do.

Contact Chris Ferguson on 01287 204170.

Saltburn helps Skelton’s mosaic trail Saltburn artists Derek Mosey and Helen Gaunt are preparing mosaics for Skelton’s ambitious Townscape heritage scheme in the High Street.

Some of these will form a mosaic trail, designed with the help of local school students. The first mosaic was put in place during July. A large mosaic depicts the history of Skelton figures on a new wall built in front of land adjoining the Co-op. This complements the bottom of a new garden and orchard built and tended by Friends of Skelton Community Orchard.

The Townscape scheme, originated by local group Skelton Villages Civic Pride, is backed by a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of nearly £1 million and supported by both Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council and Skelton and Brotton parish council. The latter have funded the mosaics which will be a major feature and are aimed at both ‘illustrating history and helping tourism.’

The artists involved made the Saltburn history mosaics - with the help of hundreds of local people - on the wall of Sainsbury’s supermarket a few years ago. They are a source of interest for people who walk by on their way to and from the precinct area.

Information on the Skelton Townscape project can be found on the Project website at www.skeltontownscapeheritage.org.uk or at the office at 97 High Street, Skelton. Tel: 01287-659150.

Saltburn Charity Crafters If you enjoy knitting, crochet, card-making etc please come and join us.

We have our monthly gathering on Wednesday, 6th September from 2pm to 4pm in the Coffee Room at Saltburn Community Hall. We can supply you with wool and patterns to get you going and we offer tea, coffee, biscuits and a warm welcome. We look forward to seeing you. For more information please contact Angie on 01287 205153.

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Oxford Awaits!

We would like to congratulate Emily Rowland on her outstanding achievement of obtaining a place at Christ Church, Oxford University. Her fantastic A level results of 3 A*s and 1 A have ensured her a place there.

This is all the more impressive as Emily has been Home Educated in Saltburn.

We are all so very proud of her, with love and best wishes for a dazzling future from Mum, Trudi, Willow, Andrew and both sets of Grandparents.

G . Bishop - Decorator *Interiors and Exteriors

*Free Estimates

*All Aspects of Decorating Undertaken *Realistic Prices

Time Served Telephone 01287 624016

The Big Game at Saltburn Athletic Football Club Saltburn Athletic Football Club is today celebrating the news that it has received a £30,000 funding boost from SUEZ Communities Trust (formerly SITA Trust) for a grounds improvement project.

The project is in two parts: Firstly, an existing mound of soil, running the full length of our field (approximately 3500 square metres) will be removed and drainage will be installed into the field before reseeding with grass. This will increase the field size by approximately a third enabling the club to bring teams that are currently playing away from Saltburn back to their home ground. Secondly an area of land that is sited adjacent to the playing field will be enhanced. The derelict five-aside pitch will be removed and the land re-utilised as a new grass pitch.

Dave Sadler, founder chairman of Saltburn Athletic Football Club said, “this award enables the club to make further progress and cater for all 7 of our teams on our home site. Support of this type allows us to achieve our aim of providing junior football for the young people of Saltburn and beyond. It is a fitting reward for all the hard work and dedication of the countless volunteers of the club who make it happen on a weekly basis. On behalf of those people I cannot thank SUEZ Communities Trust enough.”

Pete Sessions of SUEZ Communities Trust added, “Saltburn Athletic is a popular and growing club which plays a very important role in the community. We are thrilled to support the club’s hardworking volunteers in their ambition to accommodate all of the teams at the home ground. SUEZ Communities Trust provides grants through the Landfill Communities Fund. This important source of funding has been available since 1997 and has provided such worthy projects with more than £1.4 billion.”

*Reliable Service Assured

40 Years Experience Mobile 07757 912575

Saltburn Athletic FC The new season is rapidly approaching and kick off for all teams is Sunday, 10th September.

Meanwhile most teams are engaged in pre-season friendlies and the odd tournament.

The under 10 Sharks recently played in the Normanby tournament and with several regulars missing the team did very well, losing in the final on penalties. The team were well supported by recent recruits and every player on that day played their heart out against teams in higher divisions from last year.

There will be seven teams running come the season start. There are two at under10 level, one at under 11, three at under 13 and one at under 14.

We have high expectations this season so let’s hope it all works out and the teams perform.

The renovations to our changing rooms are all but finished with a few bits and pieces to be painted and a general tidy up to be done.

We are hoping to have a date at the end of September for an official opening when members past and present together with sponsors will be welcomed to attend.

Andy Croll 25

SALTBURN’S EXCLUSIVE DOG WALKING SERVICE. Reliable Saltburn man offering an exclusive dog walking service.

No pack walks.

Only your dog will be walked and exercised.

Fully Insured.

Only £10 per hour.

Please call or email Pete on:

07585 227435 exclusivesaltburn@gmail.com

Item of Jewellery Found An item of jewellery was found in Milton Street, adjacent to the scout hut, on Saturday morning, 22nd July 2017.

We have asked at a general meeting of the residents of Hazelgrove Residential Park if anyone had lost an item of jewellery but the answer was no.

The local police station is not open to the public but we did manage to speak to a sergeant in Redcar. We handed the item of jewellery to Sergeant 1523 at Redcar Police Station on Wednesday, 2nd August 2017 at 1300 hours.

Trevor and Amelia Bailey 01287 205539

New doctor for Saltburn A new doctor is to join Saltburn’s Huntcliff practice, based at Bath Street, in October.

This follows a ‘sudden influx’ of new patients following the closure of Marske Medical Centre, the practice has announced.

Dr Max Patrick is moving from Middlesbrough where he has been a GP for 12 years. He said he grew up in Wiltshire but had lived in the North-east for 23 years, qualifying at Newcastle in 2000.

“I first worked as a GP in New Zealand. I have been employed as a GP in a great practice in Middlesbrough for over 10 years and am now excited to be taking a GP partnership in beautiful Saltburn.

“I love the variety of general practice. I am especially interested in urinary tract conditions, ear, nose and throat conditions and psychosomatic conditions.”

Dr Patrick has been married for seven years and has two young daughters. He is a school governor at a primary in Stockton and enjoys walking on the moors and the coast - “you might see me out!” he says.

“Unusually, I am not replacing a retiring GP. Our practice is expanding and welcoming new patients.

I look forward to being one of your local doctors.”

26

4 People Not Profit return to the Old Saw Mill Garden Party Festival Saltburn’s premier party starters 4 people Not Profit return to run a stage at the Old Saw Mill Garden Party Festival for the 2nd year in a row. The Old Saw Mill Garden Party festival is the most exciting new festival in the North East combining crazy creativity with a stellar line up and general outlandish absurdity! Running from the 15th to the 17th of September in a secret location in the North East (near Northallerton).

After a successful sold out event last year, the festival is back bigger and better than ever with music spread across six stages, including The Tash bar stage, Pikey Pirates House, Mash Up Jungle Roots stage, and our very own 4 people Not profit stage. With top festival acts playing such as 90s legends The Utah Saints, Gypsy Unit, Silver Trees, Mike Freear, Father Funk, Captain Hotknives, Biscuithead and the Biscuit Badgers amongst many more.

The 4 people Not Profit stage will run on the Friday night headlined by Scarborough’s 14 piece reggae group The Sofajunkies, supported by The Almighty Uprisers, punk ska from Newcastle and a host of local talent including Serinette,

Oceans End, Slack Roll Carol and Esprit De Corpse. The stage on Saturday will be taken over by the Lost in the Woods crew who recently ran the successful Lost in the Woods festival. The Sunday will be a punk takeover with a host of punk rock revelry headlined by the storming Counting Coins.

This year’s event has nearly sold out but tickets are still available at the Drift Surf shop in Saltburn and at the Old Saw Mill, Kirkleatham, Redcar.

A full weekend ticket is just £59. See http:// www.theoldsawmillgardenparty.co.uk/ for more details. Get them quick as this event will sell out and will be the talked about summer event of the North East.

“Now that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you do a festival in its 1st year, f***ing boom! Could these guys be the next Boomtown?” - Dutty Moonshine.

“Kings of leftfield parties on Teesside” - The Gazette.

Saltburn, Redcar & Cleveland Philatelic Society September report We meet on the first and third Wednesdays of each month between September and May (7:00 for 7:15pm) at the Redcar Community Centre. Our 2017-8 programme begins on Wednesday, 6th September with Members’ recent acquisitions; 20th September: Postcards and ephemera. These general subjects are suitable for visitors and new members to attend. To find out more, come along and be assured of a warm greeting. For those who wonder if philately can be absorbing, our photo was taken without our completely engrossed colleague knowing! During North East England’s Annual Convention (NEPA) in April 2017 R&CPS won over half of all the competition categories judged. This proves we remain one of the strongest societies (amongst 16) in the NEPA region. We pride ourselves that new members are encouraged in such a way that they find they also want to display in their first season!

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

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 27

Holly Blue Saltburn’s brand new card & gift shop

We stock a large range of Quality Greetings Cards, Wrap, Bags, Balloons, Social Stationary, Jigsaws, Orchard Toys, Calendars, Diaries & much more.

Quarterly Prize Draw & Loyalty Card System.

45 Milton Street (Opposite Sainsbury’s Car Park) Tel: 01287 624283 28

AvaiLeable Light The recent exhibitions at SCA2gallery of B&H adverts from the 80s have evidenced the ways in which young designers and artists created a new visual language for mainstream advertising that had complex origins but immediate interest.

They were initially strongly influenced by mainstream, and not-so-mainstream, painters and sculptors of the 20th century.

That same searching for a new direction was also true in the Fine Arts themselves and in no area more so than in sculpture and no place more than in Britain. During the late 80s and early 90s sculpture was increasingly widening its boundaries to include performance, writing, walking, geology, film ... and, perhaps most obviously, photography.

The arguments that a photograph couldn’t be a sculpture included: Anyone can take a photograph; They are flat, not three dimensional; They aren’t bound by a tradition of personal skill.

This debate was central not only to the rise of the Young British Artists (YBAs) but to a wider group who weren’t under the financial control of Charles Saatchi and didn’t go to Goldsmiths. Some of these were artists from an older generation whose work had become commonplace even if their names weren’t: Andy Goldsworthy’s temporary collages of nature, the only record of them being through photographs; Richard Long’s walks which left traces in the landscape or maps and lists of sites; Richard Wentworth’s furniture; Keith Arnatt who merited a retrospective at The Photographers Gallery in 1989 and was an artist because he photographed himself saying he was... By the time the RBAs came along there was also the notion of a sculptor being a publicist, so Tracey Emin’s bed, Damien Hirst’s shark or Marcus Harvey’s Myra all became famous and ultimately made the artists rich. There were slightly more conformist artists who still were interested in finding ways of redefining sculpture, such as Rachel Whiteread’s casting of solid voids or Antony Gormley’s field of clay figures and there were photographers who thought that their works transcended the label photography – Sam Taylor Wood, Mona Hatoum or, come to think of it, David Hockney.

If you look back at the catalogues of those years you will regularly see one name that didn’t find fame and indeed seemed to suddenly disappear completely. That name is Lea Andrews who ‘did a Kate Bush’ and stopped working as an artist/photographer at the time when his work was becoming a success both critically and commercially.

The little exhibition opening at the SCA2gallery space at the beginning of September is primarily a reminder of his contribution to the debate about the recognition of photography as a vehicle for sculpture; it is also the beginning of him starting to produce new work. The narrative has changed since he left the storyline and nobody is quite sure what his role will be, which is quite exciting. It won’t be the same as it was for these photographs because not only has society changed but the nature of photography has completely altered. It is no longer the preserve of the few with the right equipment and the darkroom experience – it has become completely democratised to the extent that most photographs don’t have a material form, they are glimpses on a mobile phone that are shared immediately and often never viewed again. Some are taken and never seen and all are potentially stored in some great album in the cloud that is accessible but not necessarily immediate.

Lea’s work in Saltburn is therefore something of an

historical piece and in a way is interesting in that the whole debate has moved on so far since these images were first shown. It is not a retrospective show although it does touch on some of the common themes in his work – family, perception, identity – it is rather a reflective show both from a personal viewpoint for the artist and from an art historical viewpoint for the chronicler or academic.

The connection between Lea Andrews and Amelia Coburn may not be immediately obvious but the theatre may again be looking at a performer who was recently on the same stage as the big names of contemporary music and may in the future join them. Fresh from her success as being nominated as one of the contenders for the BBC Radio Young Folk Artist of the year Amelia was on the bill for this year’s Cambridge Folk Festival alongside Cara Dillon, the Oysterband and Shirley Collins.

Amelia is a local Teesside girl whose performances playing the ukulele have captured the imagination of audiences and critics alike – noticeably Mark Ratcliffe who was also recently at the theatre. She plays a combination of her own songs which are poignant private reflections and other people’s material, some of which you would not immediately associate with the ukulele, including the aforementioned Kate Bush.

Her persona on stage is fresh and straightforward but her playing is actually disciplined and sophisticated and fun. She is on at the theatre on Sunday, 17th September at 7.30 – tickets are £8 and won’t be that cheap the next time we book her.

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Saltburn SC&AA awarded grant The theatre in Saltburn at SC&AA has been awarded a grant of over £14,000. The Theatres Trust promotes live theatre throughout the country and has combined with the Wolfson Foundation to set up an Urgent Repairs Scheme to assist architecturally significant theatres in the upkeep and maintenance of their buildings.

The new fund helps theatres in need of immediate repair and maintenance which otherwise could face closure and the scheme is open to all theatres who can demonstrate a commitment to excellence in architecture and programming of live performance. The theatre at Saltburn is one of only three recipients, the other two being: Trinity Centre, Bristol and Royal Court Bacup.

Director at Theatres Trust, Jon Morgan says: “We received a range of applications from theatres of all sizes for this scheme and evidently there is an urgent need to fund works throughout the UK. We are pleased to be able to support these successful applicants to keep their theatres open for their local communities to enjoy.”

The money for Saltburn has been earmarked to be spent on the emergency fire systems and internal safety lighting.

Drisc Wardle, Secretary to the Board of SC&AA

says, “The desire to keep providing a rich theatrical experience must always be allied to the need to maintain public safety. We are enthusiastic supporters of the need to keep ‘live’ theatre alive and well in East Cleveland and this generous award will enable us to continue to do just that.”

Success at Sainsbury’s For the past year SARA has been Sainsbury’s charity of choice at Marske and Saltburn after a vote by customers. After fantastic fundraising by the staff cheques were presented to SARA. In addition to the stores’ efforts teams from SARA were invited in to fundraise. Combined totals at the end of the charity year were Marske £1516 and Saltburn £4220.

SARA’s thanks to both stores for their outstanding efforts.

In the next charity year SARA has been voted charity of choice

by Saltburn customers again and we look forward to working closely with the store. Thanks again!

John Fuller Press Officer SARA

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

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

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

Deborah

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Simon Clarke MP Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland Without doubt one of the highlights of my summer has been the opportunity to speak to young people on the National Citizen Service course. These young adults come from all around the area and are aged between 15 & 17. I want to say a big thank you to everyone who made these events so much fun and in particular to Dave King, the brilliant course coordinator!

I’ve been asked some very interesting questions covering a wide range of topics from Brexit to how to engage the youth vote, as well as questions about my role as an MP, like how do MPs make a difference, and who inspired me to enter politics?

It’s been great to see so many local young people taking a keen interest in politics and engaged in helping our community. I am very much looking forward to attending their future events and will look to give my support whenever I can.

Last month Saltburn was voted the 13th best place to live by the sea in the Sunday Times magazine so now everyone knows that it is one of the prettiest towns in my

constituency. What they may not know, however, is that its tourism potential is huge and deserves full support from both the Council and the Government.

I visited some of the great businesses in the town with Councillor Philip Thomson, including the outstanding Seaview Restaurant - I’m pictured here with owner Glenn Pearson.

Both the pier and Valley Gardens looked stunning, not to mention the Cliff lift and I particularly enjoyed all the hand-knitted sea creatures on the pier handrail!

As your MP I promise I’ll work hard to promote policies to ensure Saltburn thrives and that includes developing the Yorkshire brand, which is such a powerful draw both at home and abroad.

Simon

Friends of Saltburn Library

Help sought in solving WW2 mystery

Friends of Saltburn Library are delighted to welcome David Turner, the extremely well informed philatelist to entertain you, at our September monthly talk. David has some interesting tales to tell, some historical, some amusing, as well as recounting his authentic knowledge regarding stamps of the world.

One does not necessarily have to be a stamp collector to enjoy his lecture. Cups of tea will be served on arrival as usual.

Please note: Due to Library time changes our new monthly meetings will be on the second Wednesday of the month at 1.30 until 2.45.

We look forward to seeing our regulars and hope to see some new faces too.

Barbara Chaffer

Help is being sought in solving a mystery of 77 years concerning a warship newly built at Smith’s Dock shipyard, South Bank. It was a French-owned corvette, shaped like a whaler with a scurvey hull, which could ‘turn on a sixpence.’

La Bastiaise, named after a Corsican seaside resort, was due out of the yard for trials in Tees bay on 22nd June 1940, according to the Coastal View columnist Hollie Bush. The night before the trial German bombers dropped magnetic mines into the shallow coastal waters off Redcar and Saltburn.

The idea, reported the Northern Echo, was to catch ships passing overhead. It caught the newly-built corvette and workers at Warrenby steelworks saw it being ‘blown out of the water.’ Forty-three of the French crew plus 18 to 23 civilians died.

The French commander Captain Georges Lacombe was among those rescued, but died later.

News of the tragedy was hushed up, possibly for propaganda reasons, but in 2008 the Friends of Smith’s Dock Park War Memorial started fund-raising and hope to have a monument and memorial walk ready for later this year.

“Funding has been obtained from Entrust, who handle monies raised from the landfill levy, and design for the plinth is now underway,” wrote Hollie Bush.

Liz Chambers, chairman of the Friends, said: “The memorial will include all shipmates. As it is on public display we don’t want to get it wrong.”

Any information on the ship or men who died would be gladly received by her - email liz.chambers@hotmail.com or 01642 294349 or 07759 107318.

Mike Morrissey

Saltburn Library Opening times have changed to Monday 10.00am-5.00pm Tuesday Closed Wednesday 9.00am-3.00pm Thursday 9.00am-3.00pm Friday 11.00am-5.00pm Saturday 9.30am-12.30pm Sunday 10.00am-1.00pm 32

Rotary News

It has been a hectic start to the new Rotary year for President John Wilby and the members of the Rotary Club of Saltburn including being placed in the stocks at the Saltburn Junior School Summer Picnic where Rotakids made over £100 and had a lot of fun.

A Quoits night & bar meal on the moors followed, an outing to the T20 Cricket at Headingly, and club members were privileged to be involved in the Darren Ingleby memorial walk which was raising funds for Zoë’s Place. The Mayor of Redcar & Cleveland, Karen King spoke to the club, and a club night at Saltburn’s newest eatery Coco & Rum is planned for the end of the month.

September promises to be no less busy. Rotarians had a presence at the Saltburn Food Festival, selling event & raffle tickets for our biggest fundraiser of the year the

“Howzat Music Festival” at Saltburn Cricket Club on Sunday, 3rd September. Excellent value at £25 for 7 bands and 9 hours entertainment. All profits from this event will benefit the Great North Air Ambulance.

This will be followed shortly after with a family fun day, on Sunday, 17th September, also at Saltburn Cricket Club, featuring a giant bouncy castle and a special cricket match where a Bar XI will take on a Rotary XI. (Any resemblance to this and cricket will be entirely coincidental!)

Photographs show President John Wilby being drenched by Rotakids and his good lady Julie (with Rotadog Derek) during the charity walk.

For further information on our activities or if are interested in joining visit our Website or Facebook pages.

Redcar & Cleveland College to host The North-East Feast Redcar & Cleveland College is set to host its first food and drink festival on Saturday, 2nd September.

Taking place at the College from 10am to 4pm, the ‘North East Feast’ food festival will see the local community treated to a selection of food and drink, alongside performances from some of the area’s leading upand-coming bands. There will also be a variety of craft and photography stalls, and giant inflatables will also be on site.

James Hunter, Engagement Officer at Redcar & Cleveland College, said: “We’re a local College here to meet the needs of the local community, but we know that there will be many local residents who have never actually stepped foot on our campus, and we want to give them the opportunity to come and see what Redcar & Cleveland

College has to offer.

“We want to create an open environment where the entire community can feel comfortable, so we’re encouraging the whole family, to come down and enjoy good food and drink at the North East Feast.

“This is the first time the College has hosted an event like this, and we’re confident that it will be a roaring success.

We’re even hoping to make it an annual event.”

The Redcar & Cleveland North East Feast food festival takes place on Saturday, 2nd September from 10am – 4pm, with live music beginning at 11am.

F o r mo r e i n f o r ma t i o n , p l e a s e e ma i l jhunter@cleveland.ac.uk or contact the team on 01642 473132.

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Mike Steere MBE 1946 – 2017 Every Fire Station in the county had its flag at half mast to mark the passing of Fireman Mike Steere in June 2017, such was the esteem in which he was held. Twenty-one years earlier, he was awarded an MBE by the Queen for service to the Fire Brigade and Saltburn Fire Station continued to be a big focus of his life.

Mike was born in Avon Cottage, Saltburn in 1946, but when his father became Superintendent at the cemetery, the family moved up to Cemetery Lodge. Mike had one brother, Herbert, but he was sadly killed in a road accident. Mike went to Saltburn schools until he began to work as a Council gardener, alongside his father, who was also a Sub-Officer at Saltburn Fire Station.

As a teenager, Mike joined the Auxiliary Fire Service, where he met his wife, Ruth and they were married in 1966.

They have a daughter, Caroline and she and her husband, Carl, played a big part in organising a Golden Wedding celebration at the Marine for Mike and Ruth last year.

Mike became a Retained Fireman at Saltburn and was the youngest Sub-Officer in the county at the age of twentyone. He continued until the rules at the time forced him to retire in 2001. He was very disappointed that he had to leave, but still kept up his interest in the Station by going down every Saturday to talk to the new recruits. They referred to him as ‘Boss’.

Ruth explains: “Mike liked the fact that he could help people; he was very publicly-minded. He loved the camaraderie and bringing youngsters on.” Indeed, the family received lots of letters and condolence cards this summer from young Firemen, including one from Abu Dhabi from a Fire-fighter who said he owed his career to Mike.

In the hot summer of 1976, Mike was heavily involved in fighting fires in New Marske Woods. The men were very dedicated, working over the ends of their shifts. In 1986, Mike took part in overcoming the big fire at Philmore’s (now the Spa) and later he was given an RSPCA medal for rescuing a dog, which had gone over Huntcliff.

An RSPCA Bronze medal was also given to him and the crew for rescuing cows in a slurry pit at Corngrave Farm, near Four Lane Ends.

But he was not only a Retained Firefighter. In his early days, he left gardening and joined ICI Wilton as a fulltime Fireman; he became an expert on fires and chemicals.

At the time of the ICI fire in 1995, he was in charge of looking after Firemen across the county.

Mike’s MBE recognised his leadership, the fundraising that he did to get a defibrillator on to the fire engine at Saltburn and his part in the Fire Service’s participation in the switching on of the Christmas lights. He used to wrap 250 selection boxes for the children’s grotto each year! He got the Mayor’s commendation for working on Saltburn’s Christmas lights and a Community Award in March this year: his last public engagement.

After his retirement from Saltburn Fire Service, Mike was persuaded to join Coastwatch on Redcar Seafront and he continued this each Sunday until he no longer had the strength to climb the stairs. At Coastwatch, he showed his exemplary dedication and directed vessels away from wind turbines, rocks and gas pipelines, using computer screens 34

and flashing lights. Interestingly, Mike’s grandfather was a Coastguard at Whitby, before he was posted to Saltburn and lived in Coastguard Cottages on Huntcliff.

As a Fireman, Mike was interested in adequate access for fire engines and joined Saltburn Road Safety Committee. After the death of Reg Blacklock, he became Chairman. He enjoyed working with local Councillors and civilians.

Mike’s early interest in gardening developed into allotment holding at Camp Bank, just beyond the children’s playground on the way down to the Valley Gardens. Ruth remembers growing potatoes there, although rabbits often ate much else: it was a pleasure to be there, working together.

Mike’s resourceful father also taught him painting and decorating and he liked to help out people he knew. His standards were very high and in typical fashion, he would go the extra mile for friends. He enjoyed woodworking too.

Music was one of his great loves and he had a hankering after learning to be a conductor. He was keen on James Last and 1980s music and passed his passion on to Caroline. They collected vinyl and catalogued it together.

Mike’s grandfather was a Colour Sergeant in the Royal Marines and Mike loved Royal Marine Bands. Every June for twenty years, Ruth and Mike went down to London with tickets for Trooping the Colour.

But even on family holidays around the country, Mike couldn’t resist visiting Fire Stations for a chat or following Fire Engines with flashing lights to see what they were about to tackle! His interest was insatiable.

Mike loved Saltburn; he once turned down an invitation to move to the Shetlands. He was happy in the woods, on the beach or sitting on the top prom looking at the sea.

Many people will agree with Caroline: “He is sadly missed. He has left a big hole in a lot of people’s lives.”

Rosemary Nicholls

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100th Birthday at Seaview Care Home Love dancing? Want to get fit?

CLASSES ARE BACK!!!!

Want to groove and get fit? This dance fitness class is EASY TO FOLLOW, TONING and a fun OVERALL WORKOUT. Packed with Latin rhythms & International beats...

Watch out for BRAND NEW ‘bums & tums’ targeted dances!

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

Spirals Elsie was born in Blackburn on 6th May 1917. She grow up in Blackburn, left school at 14 to work in a bakery and then went on to join the NHS to train as a nurse where she had a great career.

Elsie married and had a daughter Gillian who went on to give Elsie two grandchildren, Helen and David, and earlier this year she was proud to attend David’s wedding. Elsie is also going to celebrate the birth of her first Great Grandchild later this year.

But on May 6th we celebrated Elsie’s 100th birthday at Sea View Care Home. She is our first resident to reach this mile stone in life. On the morning of her special day residents, family and staff gathered to wish her Happy Birthday before the family whisked her away for a day of family celebration. As we all waited on the morning for the card from the Queen to arrive time was moving on and Elsie needed to be away to meet with her family. So Andy went looking for the postman and when he arrived I was proud to sign the delivery of the card and Elsie was able to take it with her to show to family.

We have continued to celebrate Elsie’s 100th birthday at Sea View with holding an afternoon tea for residents’ families and staff. Happy Birthday Elsie Barnes. Love from us all at Sea View.

Carol

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A PILATES, YOGA & BALLET inspired fitness class: Spirals will build up CORE STRENGTH, TONE and DEFINE YOUR FIGURE. It also works on 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 readers! We are Vixen and Thomas. We are both on the lookout for forever homes.

Vixen is a beautiful brindle brown three year old Mastiff cross bitch with soulful brown eyes. She is an adorable lass, who really enjoys running around, burning off energy and playing with her toys and with her friends, as well as enjoying a good cuddle at the end of the day.

Vixen is looking for a home where she will be the only dog; she could possibly live in a household with older

children, aged 10 years and upwards.

Thomas is a delightful young male cat. We think that he is aged about 4 years old. He has a black coat and golden eyes. Luckily for Thomas, he was brought into our care after he was found on the streets as a stray. This poor lad looked like he has had a very hard time living on the streets. Thomas is a friendly cat, good-natured and easy going cat who enjoys a good fuss and feeling warm, comfortable and safe. Thomas just needs a bit of TLC.

SARA fundraising events during September The next monthly meeting of SARA will be held in the TocH premises, Albion Terrace, Saltburn, on Wednesday, 6th September, at 7.30pm. We look forward to meeting anyone interested in animals and the activities of our group.

Saturday 9th September - SARA will be holding its Open Day at Foxrush Farm, Kirkleatham Lane, Redcar, from 11,00am to 4.00pm. Events held throughout the day will be as follows - 12noon – 2pm: Mini Fun Dog Show with a wide variety of classes. 2.00pm - 2.30pm: SARA dogs hoping for new home will be introduced. 2.30pm 3pm: Doggy games. 3.00pm: We will be holding our big Raffle Draw.

There will be conducted tours of the sanctuary.

This enables people to see the progress that has been made possible with the help that has been given throughout the year, for which we are very grateful.

The usual stalls will include a pet stall, tombola, face painting, bric-a-brac, and many more. Homemade refreshments will be on sale. There will also be a barbecue and cake stall.

There is plenty of parking on the Foxrush field.

Come along with family, friends and pets to enjoy a lovely day.

Saturday 30th September We will be holding a Street collection in Saltburn. If you can help please contact the centre on 10642 488108.

John Fuller, Press Officer Helpline: 01642 488108 37

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29th September 1867 29th September 2017 On 29th September 1867 the then Earl of Zetland laid the cornerstone of Emmanuel Church. Exactly 150 years later on Friday 29th September 2017 we will remember this event at a service at 6.30pm with the Bishop of Whitby. This service will be special for two reasons in particular. Firstly, because it will commemorate an important occasion in the history of Saltburn, the founding moment of one of its most recognisable landmarks and a building held in high regard by many in the town. And secondly, because it will be an occasion for a number of people to publically declare their trust in Jesus Christ as their personal cornerstone by being baptised and confirmed. They will be taking to heart the words of Isaiah, the Old Testament prophet, who wrote: So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.’ (Isaiah 28.16)

Services Times Sundays 9.00am traditional communion 10.45am contemporary worship

Who or what is your cornerstone, your sure foundation?

Like those being baptised and confirmed I choose to build my life on the foundation of Jesus, whose words and actions give me hope and peace not just in the present but for all eternity. He is the ‘tested stone’ who endured the cruellest devised death imaginable, bearing the dreaded weight of sin out of love for you and me. He is the ‘precious cornerstone’ who rose from the dead, ascended to heaven, and puts His Spirit into the hearts of those who trust Him. Whatever storms, calamities, failures and brokenness that I may endure, whatever my feelings of being lost or betrayed, I know that Jesus is utterly reliable and dependable. He is the ultimate ‘sure foundation’, in the few years I live on earth and for the eternity I hope to live beyond the grave.

So, as we celebrate the laying of the cornerstone of Emmanuel Church 150 years ago, may you reflect on the foundations upon which you build your lives.

FRIDAY 29th SEPTEMBER 2017 6.30pm A SERVICE OF BAPTISM, CONFIRMATION & CELEBRATION FOR 150 YEARS WITH THE BISHOP OF WHITBY

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

find us on

Visitor and Exhibition opening times in Sept Saturdays 2nd, 16th & 30th 10am - 4pm Sundays 10th & 24th 1 - 4pm SUNDAY 17th SEPTEMBER 2017 10.00am A SERVICE FOR HARVEST THANKSGIVING WITH A BRING & SHARE LUNCH 39

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 The winner of this month’s Pride of Saltburn Award is Lisa Bennett of Saltburn’s Craft Magic shop. Lisa was nominated by her friend kerry Paterson. About Lisa, she said, “I’d like to nominate Lisa from Craft Magic in Saltburn for the Pride of Saltburn award. Lisa is so passionate about her little shop. She works so hard and her shop is like an Aladdin’s cave full to bursting with handmade treasures. Can’t see it? Ask Lisa, she will try her very hardest to make it for you and all at absolute rock bottom prices but quality. I know this because she has made so much for me. Lisa struggles with health problems but she rarely lets this get her down. She loves her little shop, but it wasn’t paying its way. So she works in the post office too. I just feel that she deserves a pick me up. To know that she is appreciated and to keep working hard to keep her little shop going. And to each and every one of TotT readers please use Craft Magic, shop local and celebrate Lisa’s hard work. You won’t be disappointed I promise. Thank you for being the very special lady that you are, Lisa, a good friend to me. Enjoy your flowers, lovely.”

Thank you, Lisa, 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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Grasers 07703 884184 Find us on Facebook Try something different at Grasers

Panda Liquorice Seen here are four different kinds of Panda Liquorice: single bars of the Original Natural and three bags of Raspberry, Original and Blueberry. Liquorice (sometimes spelt Licorice) grows wild on mountain slopes in Southern Europe and has long been cultivated for its medicinal uses as well as its great taste. Panda Liquorice has been made in Finland since 1927 and is suitable for vegetarians, being completely vegan, and contains less than 0.5% fat. It is made using all natural ingredients and no additives. In former times Liquorice was believed to protect against evil spirits! Now it can just be enjoyed as part of a healthy diet.

Keeping It Clean At Saltburn (#KICASaltburn) There’s a lot of good news to report this month so I will keep it brief.

Some of you may have noticed that the first #2minutebeachclean board has arrived on the lower prom.

We have a number of people to thank for this. Firstly the team at shore projects who have sponsored a number of 2 minute beach clean boards and the team at 2 minute beach clean who have gifted it to us to get us started. We must also Say a big Thank You to Nick Noble who has kindly offered to be a guardian for this board, and will place it outside Saltburn Surf School as often as he can. It is there for the whole community to use, so if you are going for a stroll on the beach please pick up a set of ‘grabbers’ and a bag and do your own 2 minute beach clean. All we ask is that you return the grabbers back to the board once you have finished with them and place and litter collected safely in one of the bins nearby. If you are able please photograph what you have collected and share it with us on: facebook.com/ kicasaltburn, Twitter - @kicasaltburn, Instagram @kicasaltburn, (or e -mail it to us @ kicasaltburn@gmail.com).

In other good news, our grant application to ICL, Cleveland Potash has been successful so we are in the process of purchasing a further 2 minute beach clean boards which will be placed along the lower prom once they arrive.

Redcar and Cleveland Council have also been supportive and have awarded us money to cover our insurance and other costs which will allow us to keep the beach cleans

running so that we can continue to remove litter from the beach. We are also working with the Borough Council to look at ways in which we can reduce the amount of litter that accumulates in Valley Gardens during summer months.

Rather than leaving rubbish next to an already full bin, why not find another bin or take your litter home? By leaving it on the ground next to the bins, it quickly gets blown into the beck and washed out into the sea.

Hope to have more good news to share with you all soon. Thank you all again for your ongoing help and support, KICASaltburn.

Two-minute beach clean plea Beach users at Saltburn are being asked to help with keeping the area clean by spending two minutes after visits. The scheme is a national one, sponsored by a firm, and is run locally by a small group.

Nick Noble, of Noble’s Surf School and Hire, said the scheme was being well received.

An A-board to publicise the cleanup plea stands near the lifeguards’ base in the middle of the lower promenade.

He said his four-day surfing course was going well with a lot of people booking places.

Meanwhile, the new colourful beach huts nearby have started taking bookings for the summer. Eight have been put up so far out of 45 planned.

Marshall’s Beach and Leisure Huts Ltd., of Middlesbrough, which is linked to a roofing and cladding business, is taking bookings on its website and at a hut on the lower prom.

When I called, on Saturday, 12th August, Saltburn resident Djenane Watkins, of Zetland Terrace, who was there for the day, said: “It’s marvellous. My party of seven plus two dogs has a lot of stuff for our visit to the beach and we need a good base for the day. The daily charge (£40 during the week and an hourly rate being available) is fine

and we shall hire the hut again. Some people think it is a bit much, but you pay for convenience.

“It’s lovely to watch people walk by. And the huts are fine for visitors with different activities planned like the amusement arcade, crazy golf, surfing, eating fish -and-chips, going for a walk and building sand- castles.

Some people think the huts are out of character but I don’t agree. We want things bright looking.”

Daughter Lara Salem, of London, said “The hut is great, ideal for a family.”

Meanwhile Redcar and Cleveland Council, which owns 20 beach huts overlooking the pier car park, is currently inviting tenants if they want to renew leases at £756 a year. Normally there is a waiting list.

Mrs Jane Phillips, of Ruby Street, who has rented a hut for many years, said her surfer brother used it a lot in early mornings.

41

Chapter One – A First Birthday Once upon a time, not too long ago (18th August 2016 to be precise) a new shop was quietly opened in Redcar, consisting of 60 boxes of books, 5 volunteers and not a lot else. These willing volunteers were given a task that sounded both simple and daunting: to create a charity bookstore on behalf of the Global Educational Trust (GET), a UK charity with the aim of improving literacy levels both in this country and around the world. Fast-forward to today and the place is virtually unrecognisable.

Back then the stock consisted of books saved from landfill, while the ‘shelves’ were made from banana boxes.

Now it’s filled floor to ceiling with books donated by the public, stacked on a hodgepodge of shelves and bookcases, giving it a quirky and homely feel. If you were to go into the shop today, you’ll most likely find it abuzz with people donating, browsing, buying and borrowing books, with a team of friendly and knowledgeable volunteers on hand to help.

Unlike other shops, we don’t charge for our books.

Instead we operate under the charity’s ‘Free Books’ initiative, whereby all the books are available free of charge to anyone who wants to read; providing an opportunity for everyone to have access to books. We do, however, have a donations box (handmade by one of our talented volunteers) and welcome any donations you’d like to give. 100% of these donations go back to the charity so they can continue their work to improve global literacy. It’s a win-win for everyone.

None of this could have been achieved without the now 20 strong team of volunteers, whose hard work and dedication are paramount to the shop’s success. These volunteers work on every aspect of the shop: from sorting and tidying the books, to creating eye-catching window displays, updating social media pages and providing a friendly and helpful welcome. Our shop couldn’t function

without them, and I’m sure you’ll agree their work is definitely paying off.

To celebrate our one year anniversary, we hosted a tea-party on Friday, 18th August, for all our customers and volunteers. The Mayor was in attendance to cut our celebration cake and there were lots of homemade scones, snacks and drinks available too.

The response we’ve had to our shop has been phenomenal. We’d like to thank the whole of the local community who have supported us from day one. For all the donations of books, shelving units, biscuits and tea-bags, as well as your generous monetary donations which help GET carry out their charitable work. A few were sceptical at first “A bookshop? Do people still read?” but we’ve proved them wrong: books are more popular than ever. So here’s to the next chapter!

If you’d like more information, or even wish to volunteer your time, you can drop into the store MondaySaturday (108 High Street, Redcar), or find us on facebook and twitter @getbooksredcar.

Heather Gittins

Skelton History Group Heritage Weekend Skelton History Group will hold their annual Heritage weekend on Thursday, September 9th until and including Sunday 12th.

During this time the Old All Saints Church in Church Lane will be open to the public from 10:00am until 4:00pm.

Among other exhibits of interest will be a display covering the background and development of the Town Trail Mosaics to be installed around Skelton.

Another feature of the weekend will be the opportunity to observe the work of a nationallyrecognised art conservator Annabelle Remnant, who will be working on the two hatchments shown here in the two photographs.

These paintings, commissioned to commemorate the deaths of members of the Zetland family in the 19th century, have been subjected to some fairly rough treatment since their removal from the little old Church of St. Andrew in Upleatham.

Mrs Remnant will be making relatively minor cosmetic improvements prior to them being reinforced to allow their transport to be rendered a little less precarious.

42

John Connolly Chair, Friends of Skelton Old Church 01287 65924

Mr Wood Calls it a Day “What I've enjoyed most is seeing the children understand something new. That’s what has driven me as a teacher,” says Mr Carl Wood, who has just retired from Saltburn Primary School, after seventeen and a half years' service.

He came into teaching as a mature student, having worked overseas in oil exploration. He followed a two year B.Ed course in physics education at Sunderland University and then worked on short term secondary teaching contracts. But he didn’t feel comfortable and returned to oil exploration, working in several more European countries over the next three years, before he decided to try primary teaching.

Carl attended a one term course intended for returners to teaching at the College of Ripon and York St John, the only man amongst sixteen women. He became fully acquainted with the Primary National Curriculum and took on supply work at Saltburn Primary School. He subsequently was appointed to a permanent post and has worked here happily ever since.

He says the highlights of his time have all had to do with the children. Promoted by the Government of the day were Computer Clubs for Girls and in 2008, Carl had a thriving group working on a fashion show of the decades from 1960 to 1999. The Year 6 pupils produced many multimedia clips, stories, videos and websites to show parents and friends. “They created jingles for radio adverts too. They loved it,” says Carl.

“We started video conferencing in the old building and had fun asking Henry VIII questions at the British Museum. It really brought history to life,” he continues.

Year 6 also did video conferencing with pupils in the old Infants’ building and established a link with a school in Hartlepool. Pupils from each school talked about famous things in their town.

During these years, the school had a wonderful volunteer basketball coach, Malcolm Brown, who was also a Commodore at Scaling Dam Sailing Club. Carl is a keen sailor too and they worked together to set up two day opportunities for Year 6 children to try out double handed and single handed boats. Over seven hundred pupils have had the chance to try sailing there. It was very popular and some children have taken it up as a sport as a result.

Other great experiences were the residential trips which Carl has helped to run. He instigated the overnight stay at Whitby Youth Hostel for Year 4s and co-organised the longer visits to Carlton and London for the older ones.

“We built up their confidence to take Year 5s to an excellent venue near Le Mans in France for a week,” he says. “I set up a blog, so parents could keep in touch from home. It was a wonderful experience for the children, some of whom hadn’t travelled far out of our local area before.”

Carl is proud of the 2016 school Maths Day that he organised as maths subject leader; the event was supported by mathematician Paul Godding. He came with games; others put on some aspect of maths, such as measurement, problem solving and computer maths. Year 6 took ownership of how it all worked and parents came in after

school to talk to the children about what they’d done.

Carl has enjoyed moving through the computer age with the children. When he came to Saltburn, very few of the children had access to a computer, but now almost all the children have. With John Armstrong, a parent volunteer who is a software engineer, Carl has run the Code Club for four years and been thrilled by the way the youngsters have taken to computer coding. “It's been very satisfying to get the children to use the technology and before long, they’re better than you!” he remarks.

Plans for Carl's future include more sailing. He is now Training Principal and an instructor at Scaling Dam. His dinghy is a Laser, a single handed racer and he is interested in taking it to regattas at Ullswater, Filey and Bridlington. He would love to do some sailing in the Med at some point.

He intends to build a summerhouse in his garden with storage, plumbing and electricity. He enjoys DIY (especially working with wood) and will be doing some for his daughter in Manchester too. He may do some reading: he enjoys biographies and auto-biographies and favourite authors are Bear Grylls and Bill Bryson. He is fond of watching documentaries on TV, such as those made by Attenborough.

Cycling will be another of his hobbies. He has a road racing bike and on holiday, has twice cycled nineteen kilometres up Mont Ventoux in Provence. The second time was in temperatures of thirty-seven degrees!

He loves following the Tour de France and by hiring a bike over there, would like to cycle more of the Alpine peaks made famous by the race. As a result of his earlier work abroad, he speaks French and German and a bit of Dutch, which may come in useful in his retirement travels.

Between all these activities, he may do a bit of supply teaching in primary and maths tutoring for individuals. The children will love it if he returns to their classrooms!

Rosemary Nicholls 43

News from Loftus ACCORD Walking Group It’s been a busy few months for Loftus ACCORD Walking Group, with several guided walks taking place as well as work on footpaths around the Loftus area. The group has also been distributing copies of the four walks leaflets it produced with funding from Awards for All. It’s planned and led six guided walks so far this year, with a total of some 150 walkers taking part; the group also delivered walks for Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council’s Summer 2017 Walking Festival.

Footpath repair and enhancement work has been taking place in locations such as Swalwell Wood, Handale and along the path between Liverton and Waupley. The photo shows repair work in progress at Waupley Ford. This work has involved close collaboration with the borough council and the North York Moors National Park Authority. Marshall Best, Chair of the group says, “Loftus Parish was awarded Walkers are Welcome status in 2015 and since then volunteers have worked hard to provide walks, keep paths in good condition and promote the district as a place for visitors and local residents to appreciate and enjoy. We also work with the borough council to put on weekly health walks that start outside Loftus Town Hall at 1.15pm on Fridays. New walkers are very welcome to join us on a choice of a short or longer walk.”

This autumn features the following guided walks, which all start outside Loftus Town Hall: Loftus Town Trail on Thursday, 7th September, starting at 10.30am. Marshall Best will lead a short walk that highlights the early history of the town; this is one of the events for Heritage Open Days 2017.

Newtown Gill Wood on Saturday, 30th September, starting at 10.30am. Join Marshall Best to explore aspects of local history on this six-mile circular walk. A good level of fitness is needed for this walk; please bring refreshments.

Fungi Foray on Wednesday, 25th October, starting at 11.15am. Alan Simkins will lead an exploration of local woods in search of the wide range of fungi usually found at this time of year. A reasonable level of fitness is needed; bring refreshments.

There’s free parking at South View off North Road TS13 4JL; Loftus is served by Arriva buses X4 and 5. No booking is needed for these walks; for more information phone 01287 641000 (or email office@loftustc.co.uk).

For more general information about walking in the L o f t u s a r e a , p l e a s e v i s i t www.walkingloftusandthenorthyorkshirecoast.com (or email info@walkingloftusandthenorthyorkshirecoast.com).

Archaeology Walk and Talk

8th SALTBURN BEER FESTIVAL

Dr Stephen Sherlock and his team will be undertaking their annual excavations at Street House in September. Dr Sherlock will be available on Saturday, 9th September to inform walkers of the latest progress with this year’s excavations. Meet outside Loftus Town Hall for an 11.00am start on a walk to the site, led by members of Loftus ACCORD Walking Group. Free parking at South View off North Road TS13 4JL; Loftus is served by Arriva X4 and 5 buses. No need to book for this walk, which is an event for Heritage Open Days 2017. For more information phone 01287 641000 (or email office@loftustc.co.uk).

Friday, 10th and Saturday, 11th November Saltburn Community Arts Association

The organisation this year is different to previous years although the same Festival organiser and many of the volunteers needed to run this event are the same. This year we are not running it as a CAMRA festival, but for the first time it is a joint venture with SCAA with all the proceeds going to them for the upkeep of the Community Centre.

Opening times will be Friday 11am – 5pm and 6:30 – 11pm and Saturday 11:05am – 10pm. Tickets will go on sale on 1st September from the SCAA box office (opening hours Wednesday 2-4pm, Thursday and Friday 11-1pm and 2-4pm) or ring 01287 624997, and also Whistle Stop Wines. For more information please go to www.saltburnarts.co.uk.

To support this good cause we are aiming to have all 36 casks of real ale sponsored. You can do this by contacting Karl on karl_jakubowiak@yahoo.com or tel. 07576 967538.

We hope you will put this date in your diary and come along to support this major fund raising event.

44

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 Beanstalk During this year in the North East alone Beanstalk volunteers have supported just over 400 children. The dedicated one to one support on a regular basis to each child makes such a big difference to the children both in confidence and academically and I would just like to take this opportunity to say Thank You to our Trained Reading Helpers for their dedication, time and their commitment to inspiring local children to read.

Reading is essential in today’s world and unfortunately, many children struggle to learn to read for all sorts of reasons. Beanstalk is a national charity that gives one -to-one literacy support to children in primary schools and we are looking for volunteers from local communities to work with children who have fallen behind with their reading. By becoming a reading helper, you’ll give a child the one-to-one attention they need to build their confidence and help them catch up with their reading. You’ll give them a chance to learn at their own pace and adapt the sessions to suit them. Volunteers work with three children and see each child for two 30 minute sessions a week, during term-time, for a whole year. Together, they will read, play and talk.

With their support, the child’s approach to learning and enjoying reading will be transformed.

We now have ambitious plans to double the number of children supported during 2017/2018 and in order to do that we need more volunteers. If you would like to find out about the opportunities in your area please give us a call on 01325 315040 or email durham@beanstalkcharity.org.uk.

More information can also be found on our website (www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk).

Emma Rose, Beanstalk North East

I can’t believe it is August already. Well I suppose this is September’s issue. I have been writing this column for a while now, over a year definitely. It’s gone very quickly although I suppose it is twelve a year which doesn’t seem like much. Soon I will be writing about what I got for Christmas and saying I can’t believe it is 2018. My mum and I have decided to put up our decorations super early this year and have a long and great Christmas. Christmas hasn’t been the same since Grandma died and will never be the same but we are going to try and have the best one we’ve had since.

Last year we didn’t have much of a Christmas because we moved house just before Christmas and the only decoration we had was one fibre optic tree! Neither of us got each other many presents either and we normally do, so we have to have a big one this year to make up for it! It will be our first proper Christmas in the new house as well which is exciting.

It’s also my birthday in October but I’m not feeling too excited about that. I just want Christmas to come. I’m trying to lose a little bit of weight before Christmas as well. I knew I had gained a bit but I’ve had multiple people tell me I’ve put some on or make fun of me for it which isn’t nice at all. But the good thing about fat is that you can lose it! I’ve been cooking most of my food in the slow cooker because I think it’s the best way to cook meat and you can just throw it all in and forget about it for eight hours and then when you come back it’s all done lovely and then just dividing it up into little tubs to eat at meal times with porridge for breakfast with chocolate or cinnamon protein powder mixed in and topped with berries, usually blueberries and strawberries. I don’t like plain porridge so I have to add things to it and protein powder boosts up my calories and gives me a good amount of protein. Although if I get bored of porridge, which happens quite a lot, then I will have protein pancakes which are probably the best but I don’t want to have them all of the time because if I do that then I will probably make myself sick of them and not be able to eat them again, just like I did with fish when I was losing weight in January. I still find it hard to eat fish now! I’m not usually a very big eater so eating a few smallish meals a day is perfect for me and I’ve lost 9 inches already even before people started telling me to lose weight!

I’ve given up Diet Coke as well. I used to drink so much of it but now I have given it up I’ve actually noticed that my skin is better and less puffy! I didn’t realise how much Diet Coke and full fat coke bloats up your face and makes your skin look bad. It does dehydrate you though so it was probably that! Hopefully it won’t be too long until I’m back to my normal weight.

Megan

45

Another Busy Month at The Cons Club Welcome to the monthly newsletter from the Cons Club.

I read with interest that the Council, in partnership with the landowner, have advertised for interest in developing a Holiday Park within Saltburn to provide short stay holiday accommodation. The area mentioned for this development is east of the town off Saltburn Lane opposite Cliffden Court and the developer would also have to create a suitable pedestrian walkway from the site which will lead down to the promenade.

The Council wishes to encourage a mixture of camping, touring pitches, motorhome pitches, pods, caravans and lodges for holiday letting purposes only according to one of our Councillors. In my opinion I feel that the road would prove very difficult for motorhomes and extremely difficult for caravans to travel up and down the bank. Put into the equation the building of a pathway which would make a narrow road even narrower and the constant use of this bank as a parking area overflow from the bottom of the bank and I anticipate this being a recipe for disaster.

May I also say how sad I was on hearing that Jackie Taylor had passed away. Her drive and leadership for Saltburn knew no bounds and had it not been for her the town would not be where it is today. It would be nice if a plaque could be erected in the town to commemorate everything she has achieved. Lastly I would like to thank Jackie’s brother John Taylor for the tremendous work he puts in organising the Saltburn Folk Weekend. It takes a lot of time and effort to plan such an event and he did this very well, although he was let down on the Saturday by the weather with persistent heavy rain all afternoon.

On to the Cons Club and I have to report that the Folk Weekend brought us many visitors who entertained us with singing, playing and dancing and a good weekend was had by all (they all seemed to be on the hungry side as we sold a large amount of food from the barbecue). Work is still ongoing on the club renovations and the next stage is to put new Tiffany lighting in to replace the current lights and lamps. Work is also still required in the old lounge area at the stage end and we still have to fit new curtains in all rooms. All of these issues are in hand and I will have more progress to report next month. We have received many complimentary remarks regarding the work that has been completed and it has obviously created an impression as we accepted a record 38 new members to the Club in August.

Moving into events in September and we start with the ‘Open Mic Night’ on Friday 1st. This has been carried over from the previous week owing to the Folk Weekend. As always the evening will be hosted by ‘Teesside Steve’ and Liz Bishop and will be held in the Club’s new function room from 8pm (names taken to entertain from 7.30pm). Entrance is free and all are welcome to attend. It’s a night of live music at its best. The following day, Saturday 2nd September, our MP Simon Clarke will be at the Club from 2pm to 4pm. All supporters are invited

to attend when Simon will also be handed his Honorary Membership. The barbecue will also be serving food during his time with us. Tuesday 5th sees the monthly meeting of SLUG (Saltburn Line Users Group) where all railway enthusiasts with an interest in the local lines come together.

This is open to all and usually starts around 7.15pm. One of our big events of the month is our first ever wedding reception for two of our members. This is a Black Tie event and is by invitation only. A big marquee will be placed over the full grassed area of the garden. We wish the happy couple our very best wishes for the future. On Saturday 23rd the Club are hosting a Christening Party for another of our members. This will take place from noon onwards. On Friday 29th we will again be hosting an ‘Open Mic Night’ with ‘Teesside Steve’ & Liz Bishop in the new function room from 8pm. Once again entrance is free and all are welcome. We finish the functions for the month on Saturday 30th when we are holding a LGBT (Gay Pride) night. Following the success of our recent Gay Pride Weekend we know we will have a big attendance. Music and entertainment will be in abundance and a great night will be had by all who attend. Entry is free.

Barbecues will also be held on the Sunday afternoons of the 10th & 24th in the best beer garden in Saltburn.

As you can see we have many functions to entertain our members and if you join in September you only pay £4 to the end of the year. Membership is then due again for all members in January at a cost of £12. Remember as a member you have the opportunity to hire rooms free, which some our members are doing this month, and you also have the entitlement of ‘Happy Hours’ which are from 5.30 to 7pm weekdays and 3 to 5pm weekends with beer at only £2.10 per pint. We hold a club draw on Tuesdays at 10pm where you can win a meat voucher, wines & chocolates and every Sunday we have the Beer Draw when you can win gallons of beer and also have the chance to win the cash rollover which, as I write, is standing at £375 increasing by £25 each week if not won. The draw takes place at 6pm and only members can win the money. To keep up to date on everything that’s happening at the club use our Facebook page at ‘Saltburn Conservative & Unionist Club’.

One late piece of news is that the club are installing Sky Sports to enable our members to see the best of sport in comfortable surroundings We have a tremendous atmosphere in the Club where everybody gets on without any problems. It is the perfect place to come and make new friends, if that’s what you want.

You won’t regret it.

Stay safe, keep healthy and be happy, 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 September Every Tuesday: Club Draw Nights for Meat Voucher, Wines & Chocolates… 10pm Every Sunday: Beer Draw & Cash Rollover. Increases by £25 each week if not won … 6pm.

Saturday Afternoons: A get-together by ‘The Conmen’ Americana Musicians ‘ Jam sessions... 3pm Friday 1st: ‘Open Mic Night’ hosted by Teesside Steve & Liz Bishop … 8pm Saturday 2nd: Visit by Simon Clarke MP plus Barbecue …

46

2pm to 4pm Tuesday 5th: SLUG (Saltburn Line Users Group) meeting …

7.15pm Sunday 10th: Barbecue in the Garden … 2.30pm until 6.30pm Saturday 23rd: Christening Party … from 12 noon Sunday 24th: Barbecue in the Garden Friday 29th: ‘Open Mic Night’ hosted by Teesside Steve & Liz Bishop Saturday 30th: LGBT (Gay Pride) Party Night … 7.30pm

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Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council On Thursday, 27th July the Joe Abrahams Memorial Allotment Competition took place. The results in Saltburn were as follows: 1st Plot 1 Zetland Terrace; 2nd Plot 91B Hazel Grove; 3rd Plot 89A Hazel Grove.

The overall site winner this year was Cliff Terrace, Marske. The allotments were judged by Mr Paul Murphy, Countryside Ranger for Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council.

Employees from Northumbrian Water carried out a beach clean 27th July and got some good feedback from beach users after explaining what they were doing. By the end of the 3 hours they took 35 bags of rubbish away (as pictured).

Member of the Federation of Master Builders

The next Donations and General Purposes Committee will take place on 3rd October and any community group wishing to apply for a small donation must have their completed applications to the Parish Council office by 15th September 2017. Further details can be obtained from our website.

Saltburn Historic Motor Gathering and Hill Climb takes place on Sunday, 10th September 10am to 4pm. Further details can be obtained from www.motorclub.uk.net (click on the link to Saltburn Hill Climb).

Plans are well underway for this year’s Christmas light switch on event which will be held on the first Saturday in December. Once again a craft competition will be held and the winners will get the opportunity to switch the lights on. Further details will be available in due course.

Finally, the town said farewell to Jackie Taylor MBE recently, with a celebration of her life taking place in Emmanuel Church to a packed congregation.

The Parish Council had worked alongside Jackie on many projects in Saltburn and she will be sadly missed.

Condolences are extended to her family and friends.

Tracy Meadows (Clerk and RFO to Saltburn, Marske & New Marske Parish Council) The Conference Centre, Saltburn Learning Campus, Marske Mill Lane, Saltburn, TS12 1HJ 01287 623477 email: office@smnmpc.co.uk www.smnmpc.co.uk 47

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Our upstairs bar has reopened!

Come join us every Thursday, Friday & Saturday evening between 6 & 11pm.

As well as serving cocktails, we now stock a selection of premium gins, craft beers & quality wines. Please note that we no longer serve evening meals – we do however have light snacks available for purchase including Joe & Sephs gourmet popcorn, olives, crisps, nuts & confectionary

Hot meals, breakfast, snacks & drinks served all day, every day Sunday-Thursday 8am-4pm and Friday & Saturday 8am-6pm.

Fully licensed. www.signalsbistro.com 48

The Saltburn Profile by Rosemary Nicholls Peter Martin “When I drove down the road from Brotton and saw the Zetland and the terraced houses in the distance, I knew this was a place I could settle in,” says Saltburn Retired Men’s Forum Chair, Peter Martin.

Peter was born in Hove, Sussex with an older sister and brother. He went to Portland Road Infants and Junior Schools and on to Hove Grammar School. He remembers being a choir boy for many years and while he was in the Air Training Corps, he learnt to fly a glider. After school, he went to Portsmouth College of Education to train to be a teacher, but it didn’t suit him and he left. He took a job with the National Provincial Bank, writing in hand ledgers, but a year later he was successful in his application to be a BBC technical assistant working in transmitting stations. Peter moved to the training transmitter at Penrith and two years later, transferred to Rampishan, a transmitting station in Dorset.

“At this time, I met Julie, my wife,” he says. “She was a teacher in Lancing and I saw her at weekends.”

With new technology coming in, Peter transferred to Bristol TV studios and worked in electronic maintenance. He married Julie and moved to Leeds TV studios as an engineer, maintaining and operating equipment for programmes. Their children, Adam, Nathan and Rebecca were born and his job changed. He dropped the engineering side and became a technical operator in studios. He went on outside broadcasts and worked on a satellite truck which was used for BBC News.

“I started my amateur acting career in Dorset, where I was in the chorus of ‘Kiss Me Kate’ and acted in ‘Spring and Port Wine,” he remembers. “At Bristol, I did sound, lighting and stage managing for an amateur group. In Leeds, I appeared in children’s pantomimes and operated sound and lighting for other shows.”

While they were in Leeds, Julie trained to be a Minister in the United Reformed Church. She worked first in Leeds and then in St Helen’s, across the Pennines. They lived apart for seven years, making train trips to see each other. “I sometimes enjoyed a drink in the Real Ale Bar at Stalybridge Station midway,” he says.

After thirty-six years with the BBC, Peter took early retirement and moved to St Helens. Next, Julie got a Minister’s post at Barnard Castle and Swaledale. Peter began a stint of six years as a supermarket fishmonger at the local Morrison’s. “It was fascinating,” he reports. “I learnt how to sharpen a knife at the age of sixty!”

While there, he volunteered at Radio Teesdale, helping out on the technical side and they lived in the Manse in the town. They were advised to buy a property about an hour away from Barnard Castle for eventual retirement, so they started looking at our coast and came across Saltburn, which ticked all the boxes. They bought a flat in De Brus Court and used it as a bolthole for a few years, until they decided to buy a house for more space in retirement and found what they wanted in Zetland Terrace.

Peter has thrown himself into Saltburn activities: he is Chair of the Retired Men’s Forum this year and is enjoying the excellent range of speakers scheduled. He has joined the 53 Drama Group, for which he creates, edits and finds sound effects and plays them back during shows. He commends

director Sue Pierce for her very good use of sound effects and has been to Knaresborough, Richmond, Port Sunlight and Bridgewater to support the plays technically at Drama Festivals.

Peter is a committee member on the Saltburn Community and Arts Association and is in the repairs and maintenance group. He also volunteers in the office, on the bar and at the front of house. He is a volunteer with Saltburn Miniature Railway, selling tickets in the ticket office, easing the pressure on the conductor. However, he admits he is more of an electric train man. He enjoys a railway journey and remembers going to Brighton Station to watch trains when young.

Reading is one of his hobbies: he likes action stories and spy thrillers, by authors such as John le Carre, Andy McNab and Gerald Seymour. He has joined Saltburn Bowls Club and Saltburn U3A, where he appreciates the political history lectures.

He and Julie used to have cats, but now have two cold water fish. Julie is proud of one fish they had for twelve years, when life expectancy is three to four! When Julie was working as a Minister, Peter used to be responsible for the Sunday roast, but now they share the cooking.

Their family is thriving: Adam is a senior lecturer at the University of South Wales, Nathan is an administrator at Leeds University and Rebecca is a community nursery nurse in South Leeds. There are two granddaughters and two grandsons.

So what is Peter’s verdict on Saltburn in retirement?

He says: ‘I love the friendliness of the people and the fact that there’s a lot to do. It is a nice quiet town, where you don’t need to use your car. The train service is good and we like going to Whitby on the bus!”

49

1st Saltburn Scout Group Written in August this article will be being read as we prepare to return to normal following a fairly pleasant summer break, some good weather and a reasonable amount of sunshine for our young people to enjoy. But to prove that Scouting never ceases entirely during the summer period, we have had the outer walls of our building re-rendered and a very noticeable white finish applied (many thanks to East Cleveland Youth Housing for this work, as well as Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council who part funded the works). We are still awaiting the installation of roller shuttering to the main door area. This will ensure a proper and secure building. Also during the summer the Group Executive met and discussed future fundraising to include a bag pack at Saltburn Sainsbury’s in December and our regular annual Scout Post, plus hopefully a ‘Race Night’ for parents and adults to enjoy of which more details later. In the meantime we still continue the finer detail inside the building, with more painting and varnishing of woodwork to be completed. We will be finished one day!

Beavers, Cubs and Scouts will all have new members in their Sections after the break; Beavers with Elliott, Evie, and James joining, Dylan moves from Beavers to Cubs and Luca joined us at Scouts as we closed for the summer break. There are others we know awaiting the call, but Leaders need to meet and sort out who moves on from

Saltburn Line User Group Next Meeting: Tuesday, 5th September 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

Beavers and in time from Cubs to Scouts. The end result is likely to mean that by Christmas Beavers will have a roll of 24, Cubs will have a roll of 24 and Scouts will possibly be 26. Thank goodness for the additional adults at Scouts!

Our priority is going to be sorting out additional adult support for Cubs (Gary our Section Assistant has to work away on week days with a contract so will be missing for a while). In the meantime both the young people and their supporters; be it parents, Leaders or our Section Assistants and helpers deserve a well-earned summer break. But they all deserve a round of applause for their commitment and interest; many thanks.

Finally a really big THANK YOUS to Tesco we have gained support through their “Bags of Help” funding scheme of £1,000, also to our loyal Caravan Social Group who use our building at weekends with another fantastic donation, as well as Alex and Karen who have been using our building during day times for activity sessions. All monies are gratefully received: as our fundraiser Karen said, “We will have the best Scout building in Saltburn and possibly the Cleveland area.” We cannot thank them enough!

As we move on into the next year of Scouting @ 1st Saltburn and before anybody asks; YES I am still here, but my time is now limited! Many thanks to all our parents and helpers who have stepped forward to assist, but we still need help. In the meantime our parents and friends continue to be involved in all our endeavours; for which we are very grateful.

We would still be grateful for any assistance in all our activities (however little!) and if you are interested in joining us, please enquire: John G. Hannah – 07811 801627 (or johnghannah@yahoo.co.uk).

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

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

The Crane Stone I got an email from friends in America the other day and attached to it was one of the strangest pictures I can remember seeing. The photograph related to something odd that my friend and colleague Janet Wolter had come across whilst on a walk with her husband and friends in some fairly remote woods in Minnesota. The photograph showed the base of a tree within the roots of which was a very large and more or less triangular stone. The face of the stone had been chiselled flat and upon its surface had been carved the most exquisite representation of a large bird, which could only really have been intended to be a crane. Janet was understandably puzzled by coming across this most unusual sculpture in such a remote place. It wasn’t even on an established path but had actually been found by one of her dogs. Knowing that I love a mystery she mentioned it to me to see if I could throw any light on what it might be.

It didn’t seem to be a very auspicious start. As professional and beautiful looking as the representation was it could simply have been someone’s flight of fancy – though it has to be said that it can’t have been easy to get the stone to the place where it has now obviously been for a number of years. That much was obvious because the roots of the tree had begun to wrap around it.

As it turned out Janet herself offered the first clue when she happened to mention that with them on that walk had been a couple of friends, one of whom has the surname Cranston. Of course he was delighted to see the carving on the rock because of the random but fascinating association between his own name and the carved bird.

It turns out that Cranston is a fairly common surname in that part of Minnesota but the man in question had never bothered to go into the origins of his name. All the same it was amusing. There was a ‘crane’ and it was carved onto ‘a stone’ – ‘Cranston’, so it might have seemed that any mystery was solved immediately. Someone with the same surname had fashioned the sculpture and placed it where it was. But it still remained a puzzle as to why they had taken the trouble to manhandle it all the way into the woods and had obviously gone to significant bother to locate a fairly mature tree, the roots of which fitted the triangular rock perfectly.

I did not hold out much hope of being able to discover anything further about such a strange happening but it turned out I was quite wrong. The whole situation played on my mind, so I started to do some research. It turns out the name Cranston comes from Scotland. Place name experts (who incidentally I have often found to be wrong in their assumptions) suggested that ‘Cran’ had been a name applied to someone very tall – because of the association with the long-legged bird and that the ‘ton’ part of the name was actually ‘tun’, which is Anglo Saxon for farmstead or

by Alan Butler

small village. It did make a sort of sense but I somehow had the feeling this was not quite the whole truth of the matter.

A little more delving led me to the discovery that the word ‘Crann’ is Gaelic for ‘tree’ and all at once things started to fall into place and I realised that we were dealing with one of the most enchanting and clever little codes I have ever come across. There was not a single meaning to the carving in the roots of the tree but two and maybe three. Cranston could easily have originally been ‘Crannstone’, in a mixture of Gaelic and Anglo Saxon that is common in Midlothian where we know the name originated, so it could literally be ‘tree stone’. What a great visual pun I thought but this was far from being the end of the story. Years of delving into the distant past has taught me that the bird we know as the crane has had a special part to play in folklore and tradition in many parts of the world – probably because of the elaborate courtship dance these birds perform each spring. I had also looked closely at ‘tree lore’, which was especially noteworthy amongst the Celts and of course it was their word for tree ‘Crann’ that had proved to be so significant.

The whole thing is tied up with what is known as Crann Ogham, which is a very early alphabet, and one which was tied to the way our Celtic ancestors split the year into months, each of which was ruled by a particular tree. The tree where the stone had been placed was a cottonwood, a member of the willow family and as it turned out the willow was sacred to the Great Goddess, who herself had a close association with the crane. It is said that the earthly representative of the Great Goddess in Minoan Crete used to take part in a crane dance each year and the author Robert Graves was convinced that all of the sacred Celtic alphabets, including Crann Ogham had begun their lives in Minoan Crete.

In reality the story goes even deeper than this and will doubtless keep me occupied for some time to come.

The stone within the roots of that cottonwood tree forms a sort of ‘portal’ and I have been left wondering what might have been placed behind it. Is it an example of a Druid’s Crane Bag, a fabled receptacle that is supposed to contain great magical secrets and which was originally made from the skin of a crane?

How amazing that all of this has been played out in the New World, thousands of years and also thousands of miles from the origin of this most potent ancient magic our ancestors followed so assiduously.

We have eyes to see, memories to revisit and the power to bring together apparently unrelated facts and that is part of what makes life so utterly fascinating and even enthralling. I so want to get on a plane and travel to visit that tree with its stone – but I wonder if I would dare to venture behind it? On reflection I am almost certain that despite my curiosity I would refrain from doing so.

Perhaps some things are best left in the world of the distant past. That way, even in our cynical world the magic remains.

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Saltburn Allotments Association This month’s article begins with an invitation. We want to recruit some new committee members who might be interested in particular aspects of the work of the allotment association. Our committee meets every month/two months at the moment and we are involved with the wildlife garden at the end of the Hazel Grove allotment site, the town centre “secret” garden, the Saltburn Farmers’ Market where we have a stall, the Parish Council Leisure Committee where allotment issues are discussed; we organise the annual pumpkin party, open the allotment shop on Sundays and do other things from time to time such as the Saltburn Craft and Produce Show. All this sounds a lot but we are keen to encourage anyone, even if you are interested in only one of the tasks, to come and join us.

Committee meetings are friendly and informal and, if you are interested in finding out about committees and just have some ideas, that would be marvellous. As usual, it’s spf.bs@ntlworld.com or 07885 663101.

There are some nice jobs in September, not all clearing and digging but harvesting too. I’m harvesting fruit mainly, including autumn raspberries and blackberries and, Bramley and James Greave apples.

If you have been lucky and have some apples, pears, plums or the like, keep an eye on them and pick when ripe. Early ripening apples tend not to store well so enjoy them as they ripen. Later varieties will store through the winter (should you have enough). Keep harvesting tomatoes too. If you are overwhelmed, they’ll freeze for cooking later, dry for delicious Christmas presents of oven dried tomatoes in olive oil, make ratatouille or tomato sauce or anything that brings a bit of tomatoey summer into the dark winter evenings.

Sowing seeds is still possible this month.

Spring lettuce, winter spinach, oriental leaves, turnips, spring onions, rocket, endive, chicory, land cress and spring cabbage are all possibilities. I’m just starting to harvest climbing beans, which is late compared with other allotments on our site but I’m hoping for a good autumn so that they will come into their own and I’ll have some for the freezer. I’m also continuing to harvest cabbages and will be starting on kale leaves, which should keep giving pickings throughout the winter if I’m careful.

Saltburn’s Farmers’ Market is back on 9th September after a month’s holiday. If you find you have anything to spare, please bring it along on the day or, if it will keep, we will be pleased to accept goods on Sunday, 3rd September when the containers are open from 10.00 to 11.30am, or at the market itself.

All that courgette glut?

Happy gardening, Sue. 52

Saltburn Labour Party News I joined the Labour Party in July of last year and it’s safe to say I have felt welcomed since. This, as it turns out, was one of the best decisions I have ever made as it has allowed me to broaden my perspective on politics, pledge my support to a cause which truly matters to me and meet some fantastic people who share my beliefs and who I now regard as friends. I speak regularly of how inspiring I find many of the people who I have engaged with through the party, whether that is attending branch meetings or campaigning in the street. The comradeship within Saltburn is such a pleasure to see, most notably as of late during the 100 Years of Hard Labour event in Saltburn House on the 9th of July, organised by fellow dedicated party member Loll Thorne, amongst others, which was celebrating a hundred years of the constituency Labour Party in Saltburn and looking at other fascinating political history in our wider community. I’d like to thank every person who attended that event to make it such a great success. Maybe we could plan to have another event like that sometime, focused around revolution and social change throughout history, which everyone would be welcome to attend.

Prior to the general election, a Stand Up For Labour event, organised by Linda Innes, another passionate party member, took place in the same venue and was also a smashing success. Jeremy Corbyn himself called Saltburn House to make a speech over the phone from his birthday celebrations, no less, where we also heard from Emily Thornberry. This was, to me, an extremely heartfelt moment during the campaign, hearing the Labour leader genuinely thanking the attendees of the event for the efforts we had all contributed.

The most notable revelation I have had throughout my year as a Saltburn Labour member is that, and I can say this with absolute certainty, we all care. To genuinely, deeply and unconditionally care for the struggles people have, to see injustice and do every bit in your power to change it, is the most important, shining quality of any personality and that trait seems to be in the heart of every member I’ve spoken with. I joined the party because I care and I share this motivation with every person taking time out of their day to help with our cause.

One thing I immediately recognised was how I, as a young person, have never been dismissed as I had been in other circles and circumstances. At seventeen, still unable to vote, the local party has given me the opportunity to have my impact on a cause which is paramount to me. I am so lucky to be in the position I am, with committed members from all walks of life supporting me, and I them.

The recent election for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland’s Member of Parliament was one of vital importance after the resignation of our former MP and one that we didn’t quite manage to win. The result has by no means dampened the spirit of Saltburn Labour and, as a membership, we did brilliantly to secure the percentage of the vote that we did for our brilliant candidate, Tracy Harvey. I believe that we are stronger for the next chapter of politics in this country in order to move towards our shared goal; a fairer society for the many, not the few.

If you ever feel like you want to join us, don’t hesitate.

You won’t regret it. I certainly didn’t.

Darcie Shepherd, MSEC LP Women’s Officer

The Muses of Jim I have always been a fan of the BBC, with fond memories of Children’s Hour and other radio programmes. Until now that is. On reaching the grand old age of 75 I earned the right to a free TV licence. On this milestone the BBC suggested we elderly people should donate the amount of the annual fee to them. It appeared to have some level of support from the age group affected. Until the time the BBC was forced to reveal the vast salaries it was paying some staff. A regime like the BBC in paying obscenely large amounts of money whilst pleading poverty devalues the work of millions of public servants. (Maybe it’s because they still can’t count the number of actors they’d had playing Dr Who!) Likewise, in professional football they get millions from TV companies, but still need sponsorship from commercial firms but they appear to give little back to the schools to be able to introduce the children into the game. Which is rather odd when one thinks of it, don’t you think so? I shall have to ask Spud for his opinion on the matter.

After many months of struggling to escape from the inside of the bath after bathing, not a pretty sight I can ensure you, I have been forced to make the decision to buy one with an escape hatch. Having confirmed the quote I was surprised to find as a disabled person I can claim back the VAT. One of the highs of the year for me is the Lune Street Club old man’s trip. We are not allowed to say where we want to go but are given a choice of three places from which we can choose. Such freedom these days. Most of us are fathers, grandfathers and even some are great-grandfathers. Some of us even were senior managers. Not me of course as it is well known that I have never had a proper Job. It must be terrible to live in a country where we cannot select where we want to go. I happened to mention that I was going to meet a lady (a female) in York. On getting on the bus I was asked if I had enough blue tablets and where was my overnight bag? I shall have to ask the gentleman’s wife what he meant by blue tablets. I met my lady friend as arranged and took her to see Dick Turpin’s grave which she was interested in seeing. Job done.

I have mentioned in the past that I am an active member of several voluntary organisations and it is a rather worrying time for the sector in light of the present economic situation. Which does appear to be at odds with my earlier remarks about high salaries and wages in the country. Redcar & Cleveland Mind, based in Redcar near the Clock, is at a café called Something in Mind, which is a mixture of Café, Charity Shop, offices and training rooms. It also owns some properties which it rents out at fair, reasonable and affordable rents to clients thus raising an income which is used to help residents of the Borough that are in need of Mind’s services. Recently we discovered Middlesbrough & Stockton Mind have rented a building in Station Street clearly in competition to us. If this is not a worry enough, one of funders decided to change our funding arrangements thereby threatening our

possible existence. Fortunately common sense prevailed at the last Council Meeting. This was not the first time the action of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council has acted against the interest of a local community group. There once was a Credit Union operating in the Borough but after it lost Core funding it was decided and agreed to join the Hartlepool Credit Union in Partnership with them. We, the Redcar organisation, had intended to open a shop based on Redcar High Street. I had arranged with the Redcar Credit Union for the Redcar Older Peoples Partnership to share the building thus giving the OPP a live base in Redcar, because at the time I was the chairman of the OPP. Unfortunately the promised funds were given to Hartlepool and we at Redcar had to cease business. The high Street shop is now empty which is rather sad.

I have just upset Spud. He caught me ringing the vet to arrange his annual check-up. He will sulk for at least a day before he forgives me.

Last week I attended the funeral of Cllr. Madge Moses, a Marske Councillor and a one time Parish Councillor for St. Germains Ward. She was a lovely lady and was very proud of belonging to Marske. To her it was the centre of the universe. The church was quite rightly packed with many people from Saltburn and it was good to see so many local politicians including Ian Swales, the Redcar MP, who stood down at the last election. She was certainly loved by her family and will clearly be missed.

Sadly there were only two Parish Councillors, all from Saltburn. Madge would see the funny side of that.

Sadly, we in Saltburn have lost Jackie Taylor recently. At the time of writing no details of the funeral have been given, but you can bet it will be a great turnout.

It is difficult to measure the effect that the lady had on the town. She wanted things done her way and she would go up the ladder to get her own way, often high-jacking the Parish Warden. But she certainly got things done. I will miss her. We got on well. Well, most of the time. She always asked after how my latest project was getting on.

The town should do something to honour her memory, for without her the town would not have developed at it has.

Can I thank everybody for their kind concerns regarding for health problems over recent months. I have another visit planned to James Cook Hospital for another photo shoot sometime in September. So that will mean another starvation day and another night without alcohol. I hope it is not done on a weekend.

Finally, I have four pieces of large furniture to go to the tip. As I am 76 and disabled I asked the council for assistance. The council were brilliant. The Handyman service was contacted and they arranged to come on the Tuesday to take the said items outside for collection. It was my fault I was late in ringing the Collection team and I was told it would be the following Tuesday before they could attend and I would get a fly tipping ticket for blocking the back lane. When the Handyman service arrived it was arranged that they would sort the matter out with the collection team next week, storing the items in the front of the house over night.

Jim Wingham 53

The Saltburn Crossword no 195 set by Advena Across 1 Having lost faith, sided wrongly with an internal mirage (13) 8 Jeer at a sovereign not on frozen water where SCAA tickets can be bought (7, 6) 9 Poor belt care results in a wrist band (8) 11 Dismissing a circle of flames we hear (6) 13 Woefully doused, Craig was put off and disheartened (11) 14 A grasshopper type with a heavy weapon at a Saltburn ` sporting venue (7, 4) 17 Immune venom insertion is irregular (6) 18 Horrible red scene is hidden from view but many a film may have been such at SCAA (8) 21 Mishaps test an imperfectly skilful political leader showing this (13) 22 See 3 Down

Down

Name___________________________________ Address_________________________________ ________________________________________ Telephone_______________________________

1 Stupidly bad rule can be long lasting (7) 2 Initially last of one, solo Emma isn’t secure (5) 3 and 22 Across Saltburn has one for the active over 50s which hid eight fit veterans you redesigned (10, 2, 3, 5, 3) 4 Media gossip includes a Shakespearian villain (4) 5 More cleverly stylish refit in transformation (7) 6 Propelling magnetic metal we hear in this golf club (7, 4) 7 Den gave horribly having extracted retribution (7) 10 A replica hog reconstructed in this island chain (11) 12 Possibly a cool tench, this ancient fish, a living fossil (10) 14 A local government body we almost hear, is to offer advice and guidance (7) 15 The most enthusiastic found in Cherokee nestlings (7) 16 He opposes new technology wrongly diluted (7) 19 Harriet herself swallowed an old fashioned anaesthetic (5) 20 In Peter Pan, Captain Hook’s bosun found in chess meeting (4)

Solution to Crossword no 194

The winner of last month’s crossword was Joan Reynolds of Eden Street, Saltburn.

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

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

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Send your completed crossword to: Saltburn Crossword no 195, c/o Jackie’s Saverstore, 8 Station Buildings, Saltburn, TS12 1AQ by Friday, 15th September 2017. First correct solution out of the bag wins a £10 voucher kindly donated by Tim and Sheila of Real Meals.

Have you ever thought about trying Morris Dancing?

My name is Alison Barnes and I am a Morris Dancer.

Sounds a bit like someone standing up at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting doesn’t it? Say the words ‘Morris Dancer’ and you immediately think of a fella, dressed in white, waving hankies, with bells wrapped around his calves, prancing around with a number of other fellas all dressed the same.

Not all Morris dancing is like this. The only thing I and my fellow team members have in common with that picture in your mind is that we wear bells, although only around the tops of our boots!

I am a member of Jet Set Border Morris and we have re-written the rules of Morris dancing by getting rid of the embarrassing twee bits and concentrating on the fun and quirky aspects of traditional dance.

First of all - something about the history of Morris dancing. Starting with a quote from Alun Howkins, Emeritus professor in social history University of Sussex: “as with many folk customs, the origins are hidden in the mists of time and coloured by later perceptions, which may or may not have been correct.”

In other words – the origins of Morris dancing are far from clear.

It is possible that the word Morris is derived from the word ‘Moorish’ or ‘Morisco’ (a derogatory term meaning ‘little Moors’). In the 17th century there were suggestions of a connection with Moorish dancing and it was adopted as a convenient theory. It fitted, for example, because some dancers blackened their faces and attached bells to their legs, which was believed to be something to do with North Africa. In reality, the blacking of the face was probably used as a disguise as the dances were often performed in winter, by out of work labourers and builders, who combined dancing with begging. When the authorities intervened, the dancers would run off – turn their distinctive beribboned jackets inside out and wash their sooty faces in a convenient horse trough or stream.

Similarly, there is little evidence that Morris dancing has any connection with pagan festivals other than that many societies across the world celebrate calendar events eg Midsummer Day or May Day with dance customs.

Jet Set Border Morris Jet Set formed in 1999 with the intention of bringing traditional Border Morris to our area. We have retained the ideals and style of Border Morris, although Jet Set Border Morris is Morris dancing with a difference. We don’t have hankies or silly costumes. We have big sticks and we dance with precision - in elegant Edwardian Gothic style costumes. This links in with Whitby’s Goth connections and dark glasses provide our disguise.

Whitby is also famous for its jet jewellery, hence our name Jet Set. Our dances incorporate stories and legends from the local history of Whitby and North Yorkshire and are therefore, in most instances, unique to us.

We dance mainly in the local area at festivals and

other events. Highlights include Beningbrough Hall, Ormesby Hall, Whitby Goth Festival, the Grand Opera House York, Scarborough Spa Theatre, Durham Cathedral, Castle Howard, Ryedale Museum, the Sage and many more.

We sometimes travel further afield, including Sidmouth (Devon), Woburn Abbey, Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum (Northampton), Ripley (Derbyshire), the Lake District and numerous places in the Yorkshire Dales. We have also had an exchange visit with a French team. We entertained them here for a week and then went to stay at Ste-Fortunade, near Tulle. We had a great time.

We are a mixed side and have a wide range of ages in our team. We want to recruit some new dancers as we are rather low on numbers at the moment. Why not come and have a go - it’s very good exercise! No previous experience is necessary, if you can hop from one foot to the other in time - you can dance, and we are very friendly.

Alternatively, if you are a musician and fancy playing in the Jet Set band, then give us a call.

We meet every Thursday evening at 7.30pm at the Earthbeat Centre, Marske Road, Saltburn by the Sea TS12 1QA. If you are interested, please contact Alison Barnes 01642 480323 or 07843 198974.

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