Talk of the Town January 2019

EDITION 211

CIRCULATION 4,600

JANUARY 2019

SALTBURN’S FREE MONTHLY MAGAZINE 1

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SALTBURN’S TOWN TALK Letter from the Editor

Happy New Year everyone! I am left with a fairly large space magazine is advertising. Unfortunately in these days of for this letter, unusually, after a few contributors failed to get facebook and the internet advertisers sometimes think that it is their pieces in on time before the magazine had to go to the not cost effective to advertise on paper, but I have to disagree, printers. Actually, it was quite impressive just how many for they fail to reach half the population. Many people still do contributors managed to get their pieces in early but still, this not have a computer, never go on facebook or any other is a slimmed down magazine compared to its normal antisocial media, are not addicted to their mobile phones and thickness, despite most of the usual items being included. I‟m still actually read books, newspapers and magazines. sure it will have increased its number of pages next month.

It is very sad that banks close their branches and try to Thank you to all those supportive and kind people who manipulate us all into doing „online banking‟ which is have bought a Talk of the Town calendar. I don‟t know, at the inefficient and insecure. Doing things in a traditional way, time of writing, if any are still available but if there are you being served by an expert human being rather than a nasty will be able to find them at Jackie‟s Saverstore. If they have little gadget that is incapable of helping, or understanding what all been sold then that would have raised an entire month‟s is required, is still far better, and actually quicker, than the printing bill and expenses, which would be an absolutely „customer abuse‟ that is provided by technology. Love, Ian fantastic help towards keeping the magazine going. Apart from the calendars, the Parish Council grant and the Send letters, adverts and contributions for the next issue (by collection boxes for donations, the only funding for the Friday, 18th January 2019) to: The Editor, Talk of the Town c/o Jackie‟s Saverstore, 8 Station Buildings, Saltburn, Saltburn Farmers’ Market: The local foodies are currently Cleveland, TS12 1AQ. Telephone: 01287 623903 (or email: having their annual winter break, but will be back for a brand talkofthetownsaltburn@gmail.com). new season of popular monthly markets starting maybe in Talk of the Town can be found on a new Facebook February, but maybe March. For further news and updates, address at www.facebook.com/talkofthetownsaltburn. see Saltburn Farmers‟ Market on facebook.

Bollards vanish: Police are seeking people who pulled out Army cadets chief dies: Retired funeral director and joiner bollards which were installed on a new pavement in Milton Douglas Kitching, died peacefully at his home off Exeter Street, near the caravan park, in early December. “They have Street, Saltburn, on 29th November and a funeral service was been pulled out (with great force) for reasons unknown,” said held at Kirkleatham Crematorium. Mr Kitching, a former lieutenant-colonel in the Green Howards/Army Cadet Corps, police, who seek information on 101.

Craft Club Busy Fingers: 2nd and 4th Thursday of each was 90. month, 1.30 till 3.30pm in the Coffee Room, Saltburn Saltburn Charity Crafters would like to thank everyone who made our Christmas Gift Fair a very successful day. We will Community Centre. not be meeting in January. Our next meeting will be on Christmas Tree Exhibition: Saltburn WI held another Wednesday, 6th February at 2pm in the coffee room at the successful Christmas Tree Exhibition in Emmanuel Church in Community Hall. Do come and join us.

December with over 30 participants. A big thank you to all who took part and also to all our members for their help in Saltburn Studios and Gallery: Happy New Year from all of our 17 Studio Artists! Our Gallery will be closed during stewarding the exhibition.

Walking Netball comes to Saltburn: Saltburn WI are January and February, but we reopen on Saturday, 16th March hosting Walking Netball and it‟s open to all ladies. Join us with an exciting exhibition of Artwork by Visually Impaired for a „wiggle and a giggle‟ from Friday, 18th January at Artists. The artwork has been produced during sessions with Saltburn Learning Campus between 6pm-7pm. The cost is £3 Studio Artists Pam Bennett and Sophie Bishop. per session. For more information or to book a place email WI Report: It was a lively end to the year for the ladies of Saltburn WI. At our traditional Christmas party we were saltburnwi@outlook.com.

Emmanuel Church Hall Table Top and Collectors’ Sale: entertained by the U3A Ukulele band, who played and sang for We will be back on January 19th 2019 then back as normal in an hour. In between listening to their performance we folded February, on 2nd and 16th. We wish everyone a happy new green table napkins into Christmas trees and answered a quiz year and we are looking forward to seeing you all again and where all the answers were to be found in a local newspaper. thank you all for your support. If anyone is interested in The evening ended with an enjoyable shared supper.

We meet again on Thursday, 10th January when we will booking a stall to have a clear out contact me on the number below. We are also doing our usual lunches and all day have a demonstration of Thai massage and more. If you would breakfast, fresh home baked cake, pies and scones. Home like to join us, do come along to the Saltburn Learning Campus made refreshments and light lunches are on sale all day. at 7pm on 10th January. You can be sure of a warm and FREE ENTRANCE and a warm welcome to everyone. With friendly welcome. In addition to our monthly meeting we have over 26 stall holders, selling lots of bric-a-brac, books, toys, a full range of activities each month, something for everyone. baby goods, and all sorts of collectables, there is something More details can be found on our website (at www.saltburnbytheseawi.wordpress.com). for everyone. Contact Denise Marshall on 07929 589538.

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

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Very Early Days at Saltburn-by-the-Sea This month‟s photographs were produced in the 1860s, when photography was a fairly new means of recording events. These are copied from the original prints which have survived in excellent condition throughout the years.

Other documents which were with them suggest that they were once owned by a member of the Pease family.

Some of the members of the Saltburn Improvement Company. L to R: William R I Hopkins, Henry Pease, William Cudworth, Isaac Wilson and Thomas MacNay. View of the pleasure grounds, a nearly completed Zetland Hotel and the first two properties on Britannia Terrace which were built for the Stockton and Darlington Railway Company.

The Italian Gardens and croquet lawn circa 1863.

Cath and Tony Lynn

First bridge across Skelton Beck.

The 100k Challenge 2019 January is the month we consider trying new things and making resolutions. This year we have a brand new challenge for people who would like to become more active.

More Than A Run and Redcar & Cleveland Mind have teamed up to encourage and support people to get out in the open air to improve both their physical and mental wellbeing. It‟s well documented that being active in the open air will improve your mood. So, whether it‟s walking or running we‟ll support you to complete 10 x 5k and 5 x 10k events in 10 months. These can be Park Runs, Trust 10s, etc., as long as they are timed events.

With this challenge you also have the option to raise money for Redcar & Cleveland Mind who are an independent local charity who provide support for people in the borough, with mental health issues. Most importantly all the money raised stays in the area. R&C Mind rely on local people to fundraise, as they don‟t receive any core funding from national Mind.

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Upon completion every participant will receive a bespoke medal and a goody bag containing promotional items from local businesses. We also have over £500 worth of food and drink vouchers provided by local firms that we will be handing out as spot prizes. If any other local companies would like to sponsor this challenge and provide additional prizes, please get in touch with Pamela at More Than A Run. For more information about The 100k Challenge ring Pamela on 07876 558405 or email morethanarun100k@gmail.com. Alternatively speak to Nick at R&C Mind on 01642 296052 ext.213 or email n.murray@rcmind.org. *More Than A Run is a Community Interest Company which aims to provide opportunities for as many people as possible to become, or return to being physically active. This can be through walking, running or gentle exercise. Money raised goes back into making these opportunities possible.

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 11am-12 Noon Cllr. Craig Hannaway 2nd Sat. Library 10am-12 Noon 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.

COME TO WORSHIP Sunday at 10.45am & 6.00pm Wednesday 10.00am Sunday School 10.45am PRAYER MEETING at 1.30pm Tuesday.

OPEN CHURCH 10.00am 12 NOON Monday Tuesday Thursday Friday.

Come in for a chat and a cup of tea or coffee

Mums & Toddlers Tuesday & Thursday 10.00am - 11.45am Ladies meetings at 8.00pm every Monday.

COFFEE MORNINGS on WEDNESDAY & SATURDAY. Rooms for hire ring 623145.

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Once Upon a Time in the Wapentake Several people told me that they had enjoyed my Christmas article. I suspect that there were others who hated it, but were too polite to tell me…so thanks to those who were happy and apologies to those who weren‟t.

And now I‟d like to say a bit more about the story and what it was about: Global Warming (more accurately, Global Heating) and how to survive it. I was not writing a seasonal fairy tale with a happy ending, a „wouldn‟t it be nice if‟ piece. Rather I was trying to say that, unless we live in a very different way from the way we live now, we really will be in trouble. We will have to stop burning our way through the world‟s resources, and to do that there is much that we now take for granted that will have to be given up.

I‟ll say more about that later, but, before I do, I‟d like to deal with something that most of you probably thought unlikely: that in the future there will be far fewer of us living on this planet. But there is some reason to believe that might happen.

For a population to increase every woman will, on average, have to have more than 2.1 children. For some time now the figure for most European countries has been less, in some countries much less, than that. A few years ago, I remember reading, only Albania and the UK had more than the magic number, and now the UK averages 1.7. I don‟t know about Albania. In Japan also the birth rate is now way below what is needed to keep up the numbers.

Redcar’s Visual Presentations On Tuesday, 8th January in the Redcar East Community Centre on Durham Road at 2.15pm our Presenter will be Jack Wood. Jack spent 15 years in the record business designing record sleeves and during that time he met many of the recording stars of the Seventies. He experienced many unexpected and amusing moments in his contact with clients which he is happy to share with us. His presentation is called „My Art on My Sleeves‟.

A fortnight later, on Tuesday, 22nd January, the presentation which will be of particular interest to railway buffs. Steve Frost of Billingham will be coming to show us „The End of Steam‟, a record of the last days when steam locomotives made their regular journeys up and down the tracks of the North East.

Admission to each Presentation is £2.50 and visitors are very welcome.

The only reason that there are not fewer people in the developed world is that most of us are living longer. (I‟m one of the guilty ones!) The usually explanation for why there are fewer children being born is that women now have the means to avoid child birth, and the opportunity to have careers instead. I think there may be another reason. There appears to have been a decline in male fertility in Europe, probably caused by our water supplies containing Oestrogen. (In many rivers the fish are, apparently, changing sex.) The birth rate is still very low in China; even though they are no longer limited by law to one child per family, it seems to have become a habit. In parts of Africa, Botswana is, I think is a good example, the birth rate is also dropping.

However, it is we westerners who are consuming so many of the world‟s scarce resources, and producing vast quantities of greenhouse gases in the process. We Brits probably use twenty times the amount of fossil fuel per head than does the average inhabitant of Botswana, and some people (in Australia, Canada and the USA, for example) burn far more. But one day the people of the Third World will want what we have. We must, I believe, work out some way for us all to live decently without doing so much damage, a way of sharing what we have more fairly. How we do that is what I was going to write about next, but I‟ve run out of scarce words. Perhaps next Month?

Tim Beswick

Song concert drew full house An afternoon of song with international opera singer Sarah Sweeting, of Guisborough, and bass singer Eddie Mulliaumasealii, drew a packed Saltburn Methodist Church on Saturday 8th December.

Nearly 300 people, including the Saltburn and District U3A‟s Singing for Pleasure group, enjoyed a session of classical singing and songs from the shows.

Eddie, a star performer in New Zealand and the Far East, said he had been singing since the age of four.

“Everyone can sing,” he said.

He thanked all who had contributed towards the success of the event. Sarah Sweeting‟s mother Mrs Millie Sweeting, who organised it with a friend, said the proceeds both paid a fee to professionals, who took part, and towards music for the U3A‟s music group.

The U3A pointed out that the afternoon was not organised by them, as had been reported elsewhere.

Mike Morrissey

Saltburn Photographic Society Wednesday, January 9th Members‟ photographic contributions in the annual Bingo event. Wednesday, January 16th NYSDPA Silver Salver competition results.

Wednesday, January 23rd Results of the 3rd monthly competition Sports and/or Games. Wednesday, January 30th. ”Inspired by Failure”. Dave Beadle tells us what inspires him to produce his award-winning images.

A selection of members‟ work is on display in Saltburn Library, and this is changed every other month.

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The next practical night is Monday, January 21st Photoshop Techniques with Bill Maughan. Note this meeting starts at 7.00pm.

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.

Real Meals Purveyors of Fine Foods

Real Meals will be open 7 days a week in January.

Pop in for a winter warmer and some tasty treats to get you through the month!

Happy New Year to All Monday to Saturday 9 till 5, Sunday 10-3 REAL MEALS, 25 MILTON STREET, SALTBURN, Tel: 01287 622266.

New email address: realmeals.uk@gmail.com

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

Councillors’ Column Throughout 2018 residents have been encouraged to participate in consultations. Despite having received a bad press in some local planning issues, consultation has proved to be of interest with many embracing the opportunity.

The New Year starts with more opportunity!

A large part of Saltburn falls within one of the main Conservation Areas in Redcar & Cleveland. The first Saltburn Conservation Area Appraisal since 2011 has been conducted and a planning document which provides guidance for the future preservation of the Saltburn Conservation Area, setting out the Council's approach to preserving and enhancing these special areas, has been drafted. The Draft Saltburn Conservation Area Management Plan Supplementary Planning Document can be viewed on line at redcarcleveland-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal and in print at the Library. Consultation has opened and continues until the 31st, seeking views of residents.

Comments can be made by normal mail addressed to the Strategic Planning Team via the Library or email to strategic.planning@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk or on line. A live consultation with Planning Officers in attendance will take place at Saltburn Community Hall on Thursday, 7th January from 4.30 to 7.00pm.

We can genuinely look forward to improved road safety with many of the works highlighted throughout the year now being positively programmed in work schedules.

The many improvements will include widening the pavement on Marske Mill Lane, a new pavement in Milton Street West outside the Catholic Church, a new pedestrian crossing on Windsor Road, and the implementation of the

One Way system in Zetland Terrace.

Significant remodelling of the highway at the junction of Marine Parade, Milton Street West and Hilda Place will address the increasing volume of traffic using this route and the problems of poor sight lines, not to mention speed of travel. Major works will include the upgrading of Hob Hill Car Park to incorporate coaches directed from the town and a structural rebuild of Skelton Beck bank side at Cat Nab Car Park, saving the ground from further erosion and allowing additional car parking capacity to be created.

The long awaited proposals for future traffic management will be in the public domain after the New Year and full consultation on these will be invited until the end of the month.

The Saltburn Neighbourhood Action Partnership meeting on Wednesday the 23rd in the Library at 6pm will allow residents to discuss all of these, an update on Neighbourhood Policing and any other town matters raised.

Work on the Saltburn Valleys commissioned Management Plan could not have come at a better time with the Green Flag lost and the Valley Gardens being put on the Historic England „At Risk‟ Register. The report is expected in a few months and will be eagerly awaited.

Not everyone has adequate heating systems installed nor the ability to afford to run them. Very cold conditions can bring on heart attacks or strokes. Cleveland Fire Brigade can give advise on keeping warm and also provide physical assistance through its Safe and Warm Scheme available 24 hours a day on 01429 874063.

Philip Thomson 7

MILES, HUTCHINSON & LITHGOW SOLICITORS Conveyancing (Domestic and Commercial) (Free written quotation on request) Property Leases Probate and Wills Divorce and related Property and Financial Issues Children Disputes

Immigration, including Visas, Leave to Remain Naturalisation, Passport applications and EEA Applications Powers of Attorney Deputyships Civil and Criminal Litigation

For a friendly efficient service on all legal matters Tel:

01287 623049

Saltburn Athletic FC As Christmas closes in at the time of writing, this is the final report of 2018.

The U8 team continue to learn in their first season and although they strive hard, winning results are not so easy to come by. Let us hope the new year brings more fortune to them.

The U10s continue to win all their games and lead the division with some very strong results. Well done to them.

The U11 sharks also continue their good form with strong displays of good football and lead the division.

This team are well capable of winning the division provided they keep up the excellent football.

The U11 Seahawks are like the U8s, a new team and they are learning fast that there are no easy games, though they certainly try hard enough and wins are not far away.

Well done to the U12 team for strong displays including a recent 11-0 victory. They also secured a 3-0 win and a 2-2 draw. They did, however, lose in a close game against league leaders Trimdon 2-1, but they are in second place.

The U14 Falcons struggle to find a win and a recent narrow 2-1 defeat against unbeaten Thornaby Reds shows they are improving and no doubt a win is due.

The U14 Dolphins continue to battle in their respective division with 3 wins, two losses and a draw that keeps them mid table but because of good cup runs have played up to three games less than most other teams so are in a good position to climb higher.

Lastly the U15 team suffered their first defeat by 3 -0 to Great Ayton though it has to be said, they were without several players due to illness etc but I am sure they will bounce back quickly. They are still in the hunt after good cup results securing a quarter final in the Challenge cup.

Well done to all teams and thanks for all the support given by all.

I hope everyone had a Happy Christmas and that you all have a good New Year.

Andy Croll 8

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

Also at 68/70 Borough Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 2JH Tel: 01642 242698. e-mail mileshutch@aol.com for enquiries at both offices.

Help! Your local Playgroup needs you!

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

01287 624575

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

Christina Simpson Bespoke Furniture, Joinery Fully Qualified, Experienced, Local Carpenter/Joiner 1st, 2nd Fix Doors, Flooring, Skirting, Loft Conversions Hand-Made Kitchens/Bedrooms, Painted Furniture Paintings Commissioned

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Friends of Saltburn Library On behalf of the “Friends” I would like to wish all our helpers and supporters a very Happy New Year.

Our first monthly event on the second Wednesday, January 9th will be presented by Cath & Tony Lynn.

They will deliver a visual presentation of the history of the railway between Saltburn-by-the-Sea and Darlington.

This includes tales and anecdotes, along with photographs of the railway line, known locally, and to all the railway enthusiasts as “The Quaker Line”.

Do come along at 2:00pm for the usual tea/coffee and biscuits and enjoy a bit of local and entertaining history.

Saltburn Library News December is a particularly lovely month in the library for obvious reasons. Christmas events began in earnest with a tale of two trees! First of all, the Friends of Saltburn Library facilitated the annual submission for the WI competition as housed in the Emmanuel Church. This was followed by an entry into the in-house Redcar and Cleveland council buildings Christmas tree competition with Alice Thru the Christmas Tree. (Visitors to the library will no doubt remember Alice‟s protruding posterior!)

Each week of December leading up to the big day we held Christmas craft sessions for the Under 5s and then came the real extravaganza in the form of our Frozen themed Santa‟s Grotto – at the time of going to press, it had yet to take place but a full update will be offered next month along with feedback comments and the plans for Christmas 2019 are already underway!

Whilst on the subject of our younger library users, there will be a craft session in the library during the February half term on the 21st at 11-12pm – theme yet to be decided but most likely something to remind us that spring is (hopefully) on its way.

A further date for your new 2019 diary is 11:00am on Thursday, 24th January when Kate Bartram will be hosting a talk, complete with visual slides and audio presentations on her joint compilation Where the Wild Things Were. Copies of the book will be available for sale for those who missed out on purchasing a copy back in December.

A reminder that the Saltburn Library reading group runs on the last Wednesday of every month and is a lovely, friendly meeting simply of folks wanting to share their love of literature. Please speak to staff if you would like any further information or to collect a copy of current reading material (future dates – 30/01, 27/02 & 27/03).

And finally, also new for 2019, Saltburn Library is going to trial their own knitting group, although this may evolve organically into a more general craft session depending on how things go. It will take place on the first Wednesday of every month 11-12pm, the first of which will start on 02/01/19. Please call in to either register your interest in joining or ask for more details.

Kelly Rose 10

Saltburn Evangelical Church (Leven Street Mission) Following Jesus - the Bible our guide

Here for you: WELCOME! Sundays 10.30am & 6.00pm www.saltburnevangelicalchurch.org.uk _________________________________

The fireworks have fizzled, parties have petered out. Now what for 2019? The world is volatile. Millions languish in refugee camps or trudge hundreds of miles seeking safety. Rogue states and extremists threaten fragile peace. Much nearer home the food banks have never been busier. Our nation’s at a crossroads while our politicians bicker. This new year we hope for the triumph of truth and justice! And judgement for the peddlers of lies, violence and corruption.

Jesus didn’t mince his words. “This ls how the judgement works.

The light has come into the world, but people love the darkness rather than the light because their deeds are evil.” (John 3:19) In other words, heads buried in the sand.

Running out of road, back against the wall, enemies on all sides, out of all options, what can a nation’s leader do? That was King Jehoshaphat of Judah 3,000 years ago. His troops outnumbered by two hostile armies, his terrified people facing destruction. His response? No bluffing, blagging or boasting: he prayed to his God. In public: “We are helpless in the face of this large army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but we look to you for help.” (2 Chronicles 20:12) On 26th May 1940 King George VI did the same. He called a nation facing defeat to a day of prayer. Millions responded. Then, against all odds, over 300.000 allied troops were rescued from slaughter on the beaches of northern France by an armada of fishing boats and pleasure craft. Cynics called it coincidence.

Churchill called it “the miracle of Dunkirk”.

And Jehoshaphat? His enemies turned and slaughtered each other.

Food for thought? Or are we “just about managing”?

Saltburn 500 Club Could I start my article by wishing you all a very Happy New Year!

Congratulations go to Mrs J Bashford for winning the final £100 first prize of the 2018. I‟m sure that our Membership Secretary would be pleased to accept any application forms for membership of the 500 Club. The number of members has been slowly increasing and it would be lovely to get back to 500 members.

In my December article, I mentioned that the takings at the Bandstand performances had declined compared to previous years. Somebody has suggested that perhaps we could arrange for popular music to be played on Saturdays and have the brass bands playing on Sundays. This, however, is exactly what we currently try to arrange. Attendances on Saturdays are that poor that we recently decided to reduce them to just July and August. We receive very few requests, from bands/ groups/individuals, to perform on a Saturday meaning that the variety of music on offer is limited.

Comments I have received, regarding the Christmas light-up parade, have been mainly complimentary. The event was quite well attended and we are already looking towards the 2019 event. I must apologise for the intermittent appearance of the lights around the Queen‟s Hotel. They have given us a problem for two or three years and we have yet to trace the cause of the problem. I suspect that we may have to renew outdoor sockets as, like me, they may be getting past their sell-by date. The strings of lights, motifs and fittings are mainly around twenty-five years of age and we are trying to raise monies to gradually replace the older strings. Just to give you an idea of the cost, the last string of lights purchased was the string that runs along the front of Sainsbury‟s. That string was purchased approximately 5 years ago and cost us £500. If you look around the town to see how many strings we have, you will have an idea of just how big a task we have ahead of us!

The January and February committee meetings have both had to be moved back by one week, the dates now being 9th January and 13th February.

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

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

Saltburn Station Gallery Saltburn Station Gallery is proud to announce that we have made £438 for our chosen charity „Children with Cancer UK‟ over the course of 2018. And we aim to beat that target in 2019. We thank all our customers for their support in raising this money for a great cause.

There will be a January sale when this Talk of the Town is issued so look out for fantastic offers. Also look out for new artists as the year gets underway.

Opening hours will be different in January and February, the gallery will be closed on Wednesdays and Sundays.

For all further updates and announcements please follow the gallery‟s Facebook page.

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Saltburn in Bloom In December, as I mentioned last month, we joined in with the WI Christmas Tree exhibition in Emmanuel Church. All the trees looked lovely and ours, with a gold theme to match our Best Coastal Resort, gold award, looked really stunning.

A big thank you to those of you who made the effort. Here it is.

The photograph perhaps doesn‟t do it quite the justice it deserves; it was very beautiful, very tasteful and very heavy. A big thank you to the Parish Warden who helped us with the lifting (well, actually, did the lifting).

Saltburn in Bloom committee members are preparing for the year ahead. The gardening team are out gardening as weather permits and they and others are planning any changes and improvements to the areas we garden, new ideas and new themes. There has been a suggestion that we mark the pier‟s 150th birthday with a floral decoration at the model pier on the main way into Saltburn. There are plans for the station platform too and the return of the Victorian buffers, funding permitting; watch this space.

In the meantime, though, my very best wishes for a Happy New Year to everyone who reads Talk of the Town and a big thank you to everyone who‟s going to help make 2019 another stunning year for floral Saltburn.

Sue

Saltburn Folk Club Our next event is a concert at the Golf Club on the 1st of March 2019. Later this year we have a Literary and Music festival planned for the end of May, „folk in the valley‟ in June, a free bandstand concert in July and we will also be involved with the Folk Festival in August, two more concerts at the Golf Club in September and November plus a fundraising event for the Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum at some point to fit in, plus our usual monthly hotspots and weekly singarounds on Monday evenings upstairs at the Marine.

Guy Cuthbert

What’s Happening at Marske Hall For details of other events at Marske Hall, please call the Hall on 01642 482672 (or find us on Facebook at www.facebook/marskehall.com).

The residents, staff and volunteers at Marske Hall would like to wish everyone a happy Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year, thank you for your support.

Appeal: The fundraising team is always looking for tombola and raffle prizes to use at events throughout the year. Simply call into Marske Hall from 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday. Thank you for your continued support. Funds raised at these events will enhance the lives of people living at Marske Hall. Registered Charity No: 218186.

For details of these and other events call 01642 482672 or visit: www.facebook/marskehall.com Marske Hall, Redcar Road, TS11 6AA

Kath Bloomfield

Saltburn-by-the-Sea Garden Flat available for holiday lets Less than five minutes walk from the sea and from the train station, shops and local restaurants etc.

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

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

Andy Pollard

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

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

Deborah

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

Structural & Civil Engineering

Also, Joinery Work Undertaken

Call Liz on: 01287 203571 Mobile: 07834 022289

Structural Surveys, Beam Designs, Building Restoration Foundation & Underpinning Design General Building Works Professional and Friendly Service Structural and Civil Engineering contact: Gregory Sills BEng (Hons) CEng MIStructE FGS

t: 01287 624644 m: 07960 967865 Architectural Services contact: Martin Ledger BA (Hons) PgDip Arch

m: 07870 631415

Email: liz.ingledew@btinternet.com Website: www.liziesdecorating.co.uk

www.scurator.co.uk info@scurator.co.uk www.beamdesignservice.co.uk 13

Saltburn curry is the best!

Saltburn curry restaurant, Spices in Station Street, has been named as the joint best in the North-east.

Judges from the Bangladeshi Caterers‟ Association (BCA) whittled down hundreds of contenders to 38 curry houses.

Spices, which is situated in part of the former Queen Hotel, Saltburn, was picked joint winner with a Middlesbrough restaurant Jolsha.

The Northern Echo reported that Gemma Gooderham, Spices‟ manager, said owner Mohammed Babul Ahmed was key to the restaurant‟s success, “He is amazing. He just really wants everyone to enjoy every single meal. He lives in Leeds and commutes from there because he thinks he should be here.”

The awards were handed out at a ceremony in London on Sunday, 25th November.

See their advert on page 5.

Mike Morrissey

14

Large crowd welcomed Santa An estimated 1,000 people, mostly families, gave a rousing welcome to Saltburn‟s Santa when the town‟s lights were switched on at the end of November.

George Robinson, of Redcar, who helps the man in red, spent nearly an hour listening to children in his grotto near the station.

One dad said: “It was a great visit. He‟s a nice man but he only had time to give out a bar of chocolate. He said he already knew what our boy wanted.”

Santa arrived on a smaller-than-usual fire station vehicle so crowds could see him better, preceded by a girl dressed as the Virgin Mary on a donkey. Fire engines and a sleigh were also involved to make up probably the town‟s best-ever Christmas parade.

Councillor Stuart Smith said the late Jackie Taylor, who started the event in the 1990s, “would have been proud.”

The parade was well-organised by the borough council and parish council helped by Saltburn 500 Club. The weather was nice, too, which helped shops and cafes which remained open late.

The secretive yarnstormers also added to the occasion by putting up new figures with bells on railings outside the community theatre, Albion Terrace.

The lights switch-on was performed by two primary age children who won a competition. Parish council chairman Councillor Vera Rider helped.

Friday Friends Friday Friends is an inclusive friendship group based in Saltburn, for people aged over 18. We are a friendly group and welcome people with different abilities.

January programme 4th January Seated keep fit with Taylor / Bingo 10- 12. 14pm Paint a winter scene / 1.15 Tai Chi with Terry.

11th January Line dancing with Esme 10-12. 1-4pm make an owl mobile.

18th January a choice of U3A Ukulele group at the Hall or a morning at Milo‟s (Destinations computers) 10-12. 14pm Sew a fabric Bird.

25th January Bowling and lunch (if pre-ordered) at Saltburn Bowls Club 10-12 followed by 1-4pm making tissue paper letters.

We are a non-profit making group, run by volunteers. We meet on Fridays at Emmanuel Church Hall, McNay Street, Saltburn. Activities are 10-12.30 and arts and crafts 1-4. First session is free to see if you like it then there is a charge of £2.00 per session or £3 all day. Carers are always free.

For more information ring 07833 895 501 (or email thefridayfriends@outlook.com).

We are supported by Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council, Lloyds Bank Foundation and Tees valley Community Foundation.

Keith Bowers, chairperson

15

SALTBURN BLUES CLUB The new year begins with a young band that has become an old favourite of the Club. The Caledonian Blues Band fronted by LEWIS HAMILTON burst on the blues scene in 2012 with an award-winning debut album and has continued to gather momentum ever since. The music is deeply rooted, passionate and powerful. Hamilton writes his own numbers, ranging from hard-driving blues rock to softer ballads. Acknowledged by music masters, Bob Harris and Paul Jones, Hamilton‟s studio albums have established him as one of the most innovative and versatile young blues artists in the UK. Constantly touring the UK and Europe, we‟re fortunate to have booked his return to Saltburn on Saturday, 26th January, at our usual venue.

Supporting will be solo guitarist and harmonica player, DAVID BROAD, with music that is steeped in American folk and blues.

Venue: Saltburn Cricket Club. Doors: 7.30pm.

Tickets: £10 available from Milo‟s Cafe, Saltburn, www.yorkshireticketshop.co.uk, www.saltburnbluesclub.co.uk and 07960 935263.

Still Got The Blues goes out on Zetland FM every Monday 7pm – 10pm, on line, or you can catch it later on Mixcloud. Visit the website, www.zetlandfm.co.uk and scroll down to Mixcloud. 3 hours of the very best of the blues.

Harry

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17

Cleveland Diving Club

A New Year begins and some of us will be feeling upbeat about the year ahead whilst others may be feeling a sense of disquiet about the coming year. Whatever your disposition it is gratifying that our club members perpetuate a cheerful optimism for whatever may unfold this year. Their cheer and exuberance came in very handy recently, as before daybreak on Saturday, 8th December a small band of volunteers battled high winds to erect the gazebo and tombola stall, alongside the club‟s boat, at our annual RNLI fundraising event at Saltburn‟s Farmers‟ Market (photos 1 and 2).

There is a saying: “The most truly generous persons are those who give silently without hope of praise or reward,” and this was very true of these volunteers.

However, the generosity of other club members, who donated numerous prizes, was off the scale this year and the overall funds raised on the day were an amazing £315.16. The support and generosity of those who tried their hand at winning a prize was overwhelming and the benevolence of those who made cash donations for a good cause was awesome. „A good cause,‟ was heard many times on the day and it‟s a cause held close to our members‟ hearts. In addition to raising funds club members also support the RNLI by participating, when appropriate, in RNLI training exercises. Photo 3 illustrates the practical skills needed to rescue a diver who is wearing full scuba kit. The role that the RNLI plays in rescuing and saving lives at sea is indisputable and its origins and long history make for fascinating reading. Looking back it

seems incredulous that these brave and valiant men rowed through wild stormy seas to rescue lives. It gladdens the heart to see Redcar‟s own historic lifeboat, The Zetland, (the world‟s oldest surviving lifeboat) being taken, in November, to receive delicate conservation work (photo 4, courtesy of Dave Cocks). Thankfully this will allow future generations to learn, appreciate and respect its stories of lives saved and lost. Once again Cleveland Divers would like to thank all those involved in helping to raise such a fantastic amount for a truly good cause.

Cleveland Divers are currently on a Christmas break but return on January 7th 2019. If you would like to try scuba diving contact us via our Facebook page „The Diving Club-Cleveland,‟ or on 07960 608529.

June Coomber

Dancing in December News from Tribal Marsquers and Saltburn U3A ATS groups At the beginning of December we performed at three events over four days and were glad of the Xmas break! Both groups danced at Lynn‟s Hafla (dance party) at Echo Hall. Then at two senior citizens Xmas parties, the first at Dormanstown Corus Club, and then to Ingleby Greenhow Community Hall, a challenging night‟s drive! At the parties we had fun dancing to well known carols and other tunes.

Both groups practise weekly at Earthbeat Centre in Saltburn and beginners find a friendly welcome, including help with costuming.

American Tribal Style Belly dance is low impact but exercises hands, shoulders, torso and legs, helps with coordination, balance, poise, and self confidence. It‟s pretty glamorous too.

If you would like to know more or to try 2 free lessons in January, please just text Val 07908 005850.

18

19

What Is Silent, Painless And Can Ruin Your Life?

Glaucoma. It‟s an eye condition that nearly half a million people in the UK suffer from. You are most at risk after the age of 40. The good thing is, in many cases, if it‟s seen early enough, this horrible eye condition can be stopped in its tracks. However, most people don‟t have regular eye tests.

Not going to the Dentist is one thing (you can always eat with false teeth) but neglecting the Opticians is another (you can’t see with false eyes!)

My name is John Prouse, I‟m an Optician and I do a home visit eye test service especially for people who struggle to leave their home or you can visit me at my practice. Either way, don‟t risk spoiling your vision and your life.

Call 01287 644211 or visit www.loftusoptical.co.uk for your free over 40 eye test.

20

Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council Father Christmas made a visit to Saltburn on Saturday 1st December. The Christmas tree lights were switched on by two local children who had won a Christmas craft poster competition - Ewan Forster and Leila Hunter. The parade included Mary and Joseph on a donkey, a festively decorated fire engine, Santa on his sleigh, local children, Stormtroopers and their Star Wars friends, including Chewbacca and Disney characters. Santa brought his sleigh to a halt at the tree so that the competition winners could jump on and accompany him to his grotto located at the Station Portico.

Hundreds of local residents turned out to enjoy the festivities throughout the afternoon including face painting, Tommy Bungle and Christmas crafts. Zetland FM provided the music for the event. The Parish Council wish to thank everyone who volunteered to organise this wonderful community event and helped to keep everyone safe on the night. (Pictured Councillor Vera Rider,

Chairman of the Parish Council visiting Father Christmas in his grotto.)

Details about the proposed parking restrictions in Saltburn are due to be released 7th January 2019 - information on how you can have your say will be available in Saltburn Library.

Allotment Rents can be paid at the allotment shop located on the Hazel Grove site from January 2019 - there has been a small increase of 50p (pro rata) to £27.00 per 1/16th acre plot.

The Parish Council office will be closed from 21st December 2018 to 1st January 2019 inclusive. On behalf of the Parish Council best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

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

Dog-friendly debate over a cuppa or a book A mini debate has started in Saltburn about dogs being allowed into cafes.

This follows a year of several cafes displaying Dogfriendly stickers on their doors and windows.

A straw poll among a dozen coffee and tea drinkers in the town revealed that while most people agree with the idea some don‟t like it.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council‟s official line is that there is no legal objection to dogs and cafes mixing.

An environmental health officer said: “We prefer it that dogs don‟t go into food preparation areas though there is nothing we can do about it. It‟s the decision of the cafe owners. We‟ve had no complaints. Generally dog owners are responsible people. We‟ve had no reports of animals fouling in cafes.”

But my straw poll among a dozen people found that not everyone is happy about canines and coffee mixing.

One was dead against dogs in cafes and he did not frequent those which allowed them in. Another said his wife was allergic to dog hairs and so kept clear of these outlets. But most cafe regulars were happy at pets being allowed in provided they were kept under control.

Lorna Jackson, of Real Meals, Milton Street, allows dogs at the outside tables and provided blankets if needed.

But not inside for legal reasons where food was on display.

Sally Lewis, of Brockley Hall Hotel, said dogs were only allowed in the garden. Inside only dogs helping residents like blind people.

“Some visitors ring to ask if dogs are allowed as they prefer not to have pets around.”

At the one-year-old Taste cafe in Dundas Street East, Chris James, who runs it with wife Julie, said: “We have a dogs welcome sign up and are definitely dog-friendly because it would not make business sense to be otherwise.”

Bob Mitchell, of the six-year-old Sitting Room cafe, in the Station precinct, said: “We don‟t have a problem as long as dogs are well-behaved.”

Jenna Warren, of Book Corner, Milton Street, put up the sticker in 2017 and had had no problems.

“I would not like to turn away potential customers as many residents and visitors have dogs.” She bought her dogfriendly sticker on eBay for £4.49.

Meanwhile several cafes in Saltburn put on extra evening events in the run up to Christmas. Taste said in a window poster it would open on Friday and Saturday evenings because of a „buzzing independent Saltburn scene‟ and added: “Maybe there will be live music in the near future.”

A new website Discover Saltburn with 20 businesses involved announced later evening opening times, up until 7pm, on three Thursdays before Christmas.

Mike Morrissey 21

New Yoga Classes in Saltburn Thank you for taking the time to read my article, I hope that it will inspire you and answer any questions you may have about yoga and its benefits.

I have practised yoga since I was a child and now find yoga an integral part of my life, helping me both mentally and physically, particularly when stressed or anxious. It helps when my self-esteem is low and often relieves aches and pains. In fact, I have just fallen in love with the journey that yoga takes me on. Ashtanga for example both takes and replenishes energy leaving me completely calm and restored.

Where Yin and Yang is present in life and yoga, feeling balance and finding awareness of the ups and downs so that I can enjoy that sweet spot in the middle.

I am fortunate to be able to share my passion through teaching which I have now been doing for 10 years, I am registered as Senior Teacher and Trainer with Yoga Alliance Professionals.

The essence of my teaching is to encourage positive energy to grow from within, offering a place for you to be nurtured and a practice that is both physically stimulating and mentally calming. Tree Living Yoga was created from this and I hope to invite a personal experience for each participant of my class, retreat or teacher training course.

I now am able to offer classes in the Community Theatre Hall, Saltburn offering 3 different intensities. Yin for all abilities, Vinyasa for all abilities and Ashtanga for those of you with a good level of fitness. Mondays 6:30pm, Tuesdays 6pm & 7:15pm, Thursday 8:30am, Sunday 8:30am, I teach all classes personally and welcome all abilities.

Check out my website for a full list of classes and descriptions.

I Look forward to meeting you.

Namaste, Victoria Victoria Sky, Yoga Teacher and Founder at TreeLivingYoga 07739 446858 www.treelivingyoga.com Dates for your diary 25th-27th January – Dark Skies Detox & Digital Surrender Northumberland 14th April - Abode Yoga 250 Hour Teacher Training Middlesbrough & Ibiza 11th May Ibiza - Pure Yoga immersion 3/4/ or 7 nights 1st November - Love being you in the Peak District

G . Bishop - Decorator *Interiors and Exteriors

*Free Estimates

*All Aspects of Decorating Undertaken *Realistic Prices

Time Served Telephone 01287 624016 22

*Reliable Service Assured

40 Years Experience Mobile 07757 912575

We sell a wide range of Household and Cleaning Products all at the best price possible, most of which we have sold for the past 18 years. Call in and see for yourself. If we don’t have what you want, we will do our best to get it for you.

We sell Saltburn Souvenirs, Postcards, Fridge Magnets, Key Rings, Prints and Greeting Cards. Saltburn Cards and Calendars on sale now!

Open 9.00am till 4.30pm, Monday to Saturday 23

Saltburn, Redcar & Cleveland Philatelic Society Our January meetings, commencing 7:00pm on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at the Redcar East Community centre are: 23rd January – President John Simms – KGVI British Commonwealth. Readers are assured his material is both comprehensive and spectacular! 6th February Competition Night – 8 and 16 pages (SR&CP and NEPA respectively).

Shown is a spectacular „Gilpin‟ Ocean Penny Postage pictorial propaganda envelope of 1849, carried from London to Norway by an early paddle steamer with auxiliary sale. Given that fewer than two dozen Gilpins are known to have survived to this day, this very unusual destination and exceptionally high 13 pence postal rate to Norway (equivalent to £10-£15 today) is probably philatelically unique.

Geoff Reynolds (Secretary, 01642 478229) David D. Turner (01287 624 736)

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SCAA Chairman's Report Happy new year to you all from the team at Saltburn Community & Arts Association ( SCAA). I hope you‟ve had a good Christmas and not over indulged too much.

During the last few years the centre has gone from strength to strength improving the facilities we provide for people living in Saltburn and the surrounding areas. With a great hard working team behind me that makes my task easier.

WE NEED YOU. If you feel at a loose end or have a few hours to spare why not come and join us in helping to preserve this beautiful iconic building. We need volunteers for front of house, lighting & sound at live performances in the theatre, film nights, help to run the bar, assist in the hall on Jazz & Seaside folk nights or to join our committee. You may find that you‟ve got a hidden talent you didn‟t know you had so please call the office and speak to Christine or Wilma.

All the best to you all from the committee and chairman of SCAA.

25

or email: simon.robson1@ntlworld.com Looking for somewhere to stay?....Holiday, Family, Friends coming to visit?

Short stays welcome, 2 nights minimum.

Centrally located only 300yds from Saltburn Square, shops, restaurants, bars, 5 minutes from beach. Self catering, 2 bedroomed Cottage offers a modern well equipped kitchen, spacious lounge, bathroom, 1 double bedroom, 1 single with bunk beds. Sofa bed in lounge if needed. WiFi and a private parking space. Pet friendly.

For all enquiries 784 or 01287 651896.

Contact

Carol

07817

506

KICAS News Happy New Year wishes from us all at Keeping It Clean At Saltburn.

Our picture this month features Briony with her beach clean finds. She was the winner of the KICAS competition for the best Christmas tree decoration made from her beach finds which we held in December. Thank you to Jenna from Book Corner for generously donating a £15 book token as the prize. Also, a huge thank you to all the enthusiastic beach cleaners who came along to our regular monthly beach cleans last year. We hope 2019 will be as successful.

KICAS would like to thank the kindness of the team at Marshall‟s Beach Huts, who store all our beach cleaning equipment for us. We have children‟s and

adults‟ pickers, buckets and gloves, as well as flags and banners, this all needs storing, setting up and putting away on beach clean days. A store base on the lower promenade makes life a lot easier for us.

Our beach clean meeting point is at the Victorian Shelter, next to Marshall‟s beach huts on the lower promenade at Saltburn, 11am, on the first Saturday of every month, (unless there is snow, which conceals what there is to pick). We finish the beach clean at 12 noon.

Next beach clean is Saturday, 5th January. We hope to see you there.

Let‟s start the year as we mean to go on, do our bit for wildlife and the environment and KICAS!

Rotary News In common with everyone else, the Christmas season was a busy time for Saltburn Rotary. However, there was still time to induct our newest member Shaun Storey, who is very welcome to our growing numbers.

The festive period got off to a great start when Saltburn Rotakids, under the guidance of Dave & Linda Parkes of Saltburn in Bloom, planted 1000 Crocus Corms along Saltburn Railway Platform and outside of Sainsbury‟s to help raise awareness of the Rotary fight for a polio free world.

Thank you also to Councillor Stuart Smith, Sainsbury‟s (for the sweeties) and some of our club members for helping out (see below photograph).

Rotakids also had a stall at The Huntcliff School Christmas Fair, raising £103 for further charitable causes, and our annual Chocolate Tombola at the Community Centre, courtesy of past president Les Manship, raised funds (total unknown going to press) for the Salvation Army Homeless at Christmas Appeal.

Then it was time to relax and celebrate Christmas, first with Carols round the tree, outside Sainsbury‟s, our 26

traditional Family Christmas Celebration held at Saltburn Cricket Club and our club Christmas Dinner at our regular venue, The Victoria.

And so, to 2019 and our 93rd year serving our community. We look forward to another vibrant and successful 12 months.

Saltburn Hypnotherapy presents

Hello, everyone.

I’m Julie Spitler and I’m a Placebo Diet coach.

Many of you know me from Saltburn Hypnotherapy or just from seeing me round about the area.

I have struggled with my weight all of my adult life. I have tried the slimming clubs, the powders, the potions and the quick fixes. Nothing has worked for me, except the Placebo Diet. Not only does it teach about the latest nutritional advice, it teaches you how to change your thought process.

This is why I became a Placebo Diet Coach. I want to share it with the world. If I can do it, you can too.

If you have ever self-sabotaged, if you have ever had cravings that ruin your efforts at weight loss, or if diets don’t seem to work for you, this could be what you’re looking for.

You can follow the programme online and have one-to-one coaching with me or come to one of the workshops at Saltburn WellBeing Centre.

To book a place and for more information, call me on 07795 174965 or click on https://theplacebodiet.co.uk/ref/JulieSpitler/

2 Hour Taster Workshop th

Wednesday 9 January 6.30pm - 8.30pm Price: £20

1 Day Workshop Saturday 2nd February 10am - 5pm Price: Early Bird Rate £145 (available until 4 weeks before, then £175) 27

Emmanuel Church Hall, (off Windsor Road) Saltburn

Tuesdays at 3.30pm, 5.30pm or 7.30pm.

Earthbeat Centre, Marske Road, Saltburn

Saturdays at 8.30am For Details Ring

Stevie on

01642 474920

Marske Fishermen’s Choir 50th Anniversary Who would have thought yet another 10 years would have passed since we celebrated our 40th anniversary?

Indeed, who would have thought we would still be doing what we love, still singing, 50 years on from our first concert (on the 12th of December 1968) at the York Hotel in Redcar for Coatham OAPs? Our aim, all those years ago, was to bring a little entertainment and joy into the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves.

It was never Jim Madden‟s aim to raise money.

However, with, to use a nautical phrase, „a fair wind and a good man at the helm,‟ we succeeded until Jim passed away in 1989.

After discussing the situation the choir took the decision to carry on. Using the same format, never charging for a concert, helping to raise funds for whichever charity or good causes that asked, the choir has embraced all types of songs, performing to the best of our abilities, always with the intention of entertaining our audiences.

Records, CDs and TV appearances followed, but as the years passed the list of those who‟ve gone before has sadly grown. Since 1968 past and present choir membership (currently at 19) exceeds 100!

New members have been recruited, including old 28

members re-joining, whilst others have moved on but always wishing the choir well.

There have been quite a few trips away, now not as frequent, but still memorable, in particular to the Barbican in London in 2006, to collect the group supporter of the year award from the RNLI. In 2008 the choir were granted the Freedom of the Borough by Redcar & Cleveland Council which is an extraordinary accolade. To be in the same company as the late Mo Mowlam, Dame Tanni Grey Thompson and Norman Evans, to mention just a few, was, and always will be, an unforgettable occasion and a tremendous honour in the choir‟s story.

Once again it is right and fitting to express our thanks to friends and members of the public who have attended our concerts over the years, whose money has helped (and continues to help) whichever charity or good causes we sing for.

And last, but by no means least, we thank our families, for without their continued support none of the last 50 years would have been possible.

For any further information please contact Bill Porritt on either 01642-473566 (or email homtag@virginmedia.com).

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 Health and Happiness: Isn’t it Funny?

One thing I‟ve learnt is you can‟t meaningfully support anyone who is not ready. And „I‟m not here to persuade anyone‟ to be ready.

Sometimes I work with people who feel they are really at the end of their ability to help themselves.

Perhaps finally after years of self-torture they genuinely reach that point where they feel they can‟t do it to themselves anymore and they want some support. Some deal with depression or eating issues, sex addiction, alcohol or other drugs or they just live with deep unhappiness that they don‟t understand. Once they‟ve hit their rock bottom and genuinely had enough of feeling like that, then as long as they are committed to staying alive there is really only one direction for them to go.

Once they are engaged, once they are really invested in really wanting to feel better a large part of the work is already done. Why is that? Well, because changing a pattern takes energy and focus and you can‟t instil that in someone from outside without really manipulating them, such as with using fear. People have to want to do it for themselves; they have to create their own energy to do it. I can‟t be there every day pushing them out of bed or telling them not to consume that substance or reminding them to go for a walk and to think with appreciation.

Many of those who tell me they are ready often know deep down that they are not, but they really wish they were and they‟re often brilliant liars, to themselves and to anyone else who will listen.

Once someone is ready then they will be active, they will really start to listen, not just hearing some words but actively listening; they make sense of it, they take it in and then apply the principles as actions.

Those people get to realise that I know nothing about what makes them happy, for only they know that.

What I do is I point out the patterns they are caught in that don‟t support them feeling good and I point out those other patterns that will support them. And together we work out something really important for anyone‟s growth, what inspires them.

This is so different from the question of „what do you want to not do any more?‟, that is what I call being motivated away from. Feeling inspired is feeling drawn

towards, it‟s what gets you out of bed with pleasure, it is what makes you stop before you make a negative choice. It is what keeps you focussed on who you want to be and what you feel excited to become.

Once people get it, most of them get right that light bulb moment when they realise that they can in fact choose how they feel in their life.

Something I find always amazing in our society is how little we really think intelligently about ourselves, what we are doing here, what we put in our bodies and consciously noticing our patterns of behaviour.

I‟m sure the media, the internet, advertising and TV all play a large part in distracting us from being with ourselves and really feeling who we are and working out how to change our patterns to ones that feel better.

Yet it is our responsibility, to be responsible for ourselves, to be conscious and intelligent about what we are doing to our bodies and to be aware of the patterns of our thinking and how those patterns affect our moods.

It‟s funny: no one makes us watch TV or keeps us constantly imbibing entertainment or anything else so that we don‟t have time to reflect on what we are doing to ourselves. Yet without a certain kind of intelligence we can so easily get sucked in and remove ourselves from the questions that seem to me to be far bigger and more important. Such as how do I really feel in my body on a daily basis, right now, or how will I feel when the TV programme ends and I switch off the machine and perhaps for once I am still for a few moments and in silent contact with myself?

How strange that so many of us do so much to avoid really meeting ourselves. One day years may have passed and we wake up and we don‟t know why but we don‟t feel very happy, with our bodies, with our relationship. We‟ve lost that sense of being inspired and excited by life.

How funny that we can make so many other things like entertaining ourselves with trivialities so much more important than real connection and a deeper sense of happiness within ourselves.

Kendal Aitken Health and Happiness Coach / Counsellor.

First consultation free.

Contact: coach@happygreenblueeyes.co.uk or 07944 883961 29

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

Love dancing? Want to get fit?

DANCE YOUR WAY TO FITNESS IN 2019!!

SOSA puts the FABULOUS into FITNESS!!

Groove and get fit to all sorts of dances and music...

BURLESQUE... DISCO... LATIN... JIVE... BROADWAY… POP… and so much more!!

Starts Mon 07/01 - 7pm - ECHO - £4pp

Packed with International & Latin beats…

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

Starts Mon 07/01 - 6pm - ECHO - £4pp Starts Thurs 10/01 - 10am - SCAA - £4pp

A PILATES, YOGA & BALLET inspired class: Will build up CORE STRENGTH, TONE and DEFINE YOUR FIGURE. Also works on BALANCE and FLEXIBILITY. NEW COURSE! starts Wed 09/01 - 7pm - EarthBeat Centre

Holly Blue

Call ESTELLE on 07887 525234 or visit...

We have a large range of Quality Greetings Cards, Wrap, Bags, Balloons, Books, Stationery, Jigsaws, Orchard Toys, Calendars, Diaries & much more.

Book Ordering Service, Quarterly Prize Draw & Loyalty Card System 45 Milton Street (Opposite Sainsbury’s Car Park)

Tel: 01287 624283 LEGAL SERVICES AVAILABLE IN YOUR OWN HOME AT VERY COMPETITIVE RATES

I have recently retired after providing legal services at a local solicitors for almost forty years and am now able to provide legal assistance in respect of wills, powers of attorney and help to deal with matters following a bereavement including the obtaining of a Grant of Probate. Please call me on 07402 777393 and I will be happy to visit you in your own home to discuss your requirements and give a quotation.

LORNA SMITH 30

Saving And Re-homing Animals THE ANN PROSSER FOUNDATION

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.

Happy New Year from all of us at SARA. We are Luther the cat and Jeff the dog.

Luther is a lovely 8 year old lad, who came to SARA as a stray. He is a striking black with vivid green eyes.

Luther is a very friendly boy who loves spending time with our volunteers having cuddles and a good fuss. This poor boy is not his usual self and is a little subdued at present and not doing so well in the cattery, so we are hoping he finds his new home soon! Luther is looking for a home where he would have access to the great outdoors and would be an only pet.

Jeff is a very special 1 year old crossbreed who came to SARA as a stray. Jeff is black and white and looks wise beyond his years. Jeff loves going for walks with his doggie friends and he is desperate to play with them, but

sometimes he just isn‟t sure how. On his arrival, it became clear that Jeff hadn‟t experienced a great deal in his short life, as he was very nervous of new things and people. To add to this, Jeff was very underweight, had a swelling from severe trauma to his head and had many scars on his back which the vets have suggested were burns. We have spent a lot of time introducing Jeff to different people, gazebos, wheelbarrows, carrier bags and much more! Jeff has now gained plenty of weight and confidence. The swelling on his head has decreased in size but is still visible. Sadly, the vets think the burn scars will stay with Jeff forever. We now feel Jeff is ready to find his forever home! Jeff would be looking for a home with no children and maybe with a female dog who can take him under her wing.

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31

Did You Know?

Each month, during the celebrations to commemorate Emmanuel Church being 150 years old, an article was produced to contribute to some memories of those years.

Residents were encouraged to contribute any information to assist in building the archives of Emmanuel which was one of the outcomes aspired to during the celebration period.

One such source of information that came of a dusty shelf was a copy of the Emmanuel Parish Church Centenary magazine. Priced at 3/- this journal was certainly from a different time.

Evensong was still being arranged daily with five services on a Sunday.

Holy Communion was taken daily with 9730 acts of individual communion recorded for the previous twelve months.

This special magazine was well supported with the Archbishop of York, the Bishop of Whitby and the Archdeacon of Cleveland, Chaplain to the Queen, all sending their blessing and good wishes in extensive contributions to the foreword.

Many articles included the history of worship in the town, describing how services were first conducted by the Vicar of Marske in whose Parish the new town of Saltburn fell.

Before fifteen houses had been built services commenced in an unoccupied stable block of the newly arising Zetland Hotel, the first being on Ash Wednesday 1863. Weekly services continued for four months before the regular Sunday morning service moved on to the newly constructed railway station where the first-class waiting-room became the venue for many more months.

32

As the town population grew a temporary church was constructed in Ruby Street until Emmanuel was conceived and Lord Zetland laid a foundation stone on September 29th, 1867 setting the stage for what is now the magnificent building of today.

The church grew along with the town, a town that was a jewel in any crown, at least for a while. In 1967/68 business was booming and small businesses were enjoying a buoyant period. However, the years take a toll and of the 34 advertisers only five remain trading today. Thurston Printers, Angela Hair Stylist and Gosnayâ€&#x;s Family Butchers continue while Langman Ltd. trades as Boots Pharmacy, and Meddâ€&#x;s Garage as Budget Auto Centre.

History acknowledges The Regal Fish Shop in Back Amber Street, the Home Bakery in Amber Street and W.H. Loraine in Milton Street.

50 years ago the Vicar, Churchwardens, Organist, Servers and Choir members were all male. All change today, although the first female Vicar is awaited.

Photographs in the magazine are black and white which does not afford the detail of today but the fashions captured tell a story of their own.

A Church needs a Church Hall. When the population was focussed on the area of Victorian build, the Parochial Hall in Diamond Street was well placed. 100 years on the geographical centre of the town has changed and a new build at Cambridge Street was planned. Even that construction proved inadequate and today an even newer building graces the site beside the magnificent Emmanuel Church.

Please dust more shelves. Our past shapes our today.

‘A WAR OF LOVES’ ONE OF THE BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2019 Every now and then books appear that are particularly special. A War of Loves by David Bennett is one such book. It is an account of David’s own ‘story of a gay activist discovering Jesus’. He writes of deeply personal experiences, which reveal a profound vulnerability and an incisive thoughtfulness.

N.T. Wright, David’s professor at St Andrew’s University and the former Bishop of Durham, has written the foreword. He begins by saying: “This is a brave and wise book. The territory into which it leads us—in shockingly clear detail—is perhaps the most contested moral, social, and cultural issue of our times: the question of same-sex desire and practice. None of the issues is shirked here; no soft answers are on offer, no easy fudge to let us slide around the problems. David Bennett has lived for several years at the heart of the questions—or perhaps we should say Services Times that the questions have lived in his heart, like a wasps’ nest buzzing Sundays angrily inside a room that ought to be 9.00am traditional communion a safe place. He has felt the pain of 10.45am contemporary worship raging and unfulfilled desire, and also the pain of desire fulfilled but Tuesdays strangely unsatisfied. He has felt the 9.30am said communion anger of being patronized and dismissed by unthinking Christians, as well as the anger when, having discovered for himself the reality of Jesus as a living, loving, Morning Prayer and challenging presence, he has often then been patronized and dismissed by 9.00am Mon-Fri in ECHO the very people whose cause he had earlier, and loudly, advocated. If all this Morning Prayer is open to sounds as though David Bennett will come across as an angry young man, everyone. It is an informal nothing could be farther from the truth. David looks back not in anger but on and friendly gathering.

We read from the Bible, anger—and sees it, names it, and share any thoughts that arise deals with it.” and offer to God our prayers for Although published towards the end Saltburn and the wider world. of 2018, I believe this book will have It is a precious time of peace at the start of the day. a greater significance in 2019 as it Please come along and becomes more widely read by find out for yourself. individuals, churches, groups and communities. Indeed, in the week Contact Details that I am writing this, David has tel featured on a short BBC film ‘Young, 01287 622251 Gay & Christian’ (https:// www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/ukemail 46445459/young-gay-and-christian). emmanuelsaltburn@hotmail.co.uk In our community there will be web people for whom David’s story will www.emmanuelsaltburn.co.uk have a particularly close resonance.

Therefore, may we all learn from him in being more thoughtful, caring, compassionate and truthful.

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34

Saltburn and District Poppy Appeal raises over £12,000!

Sheryl Calvert has come a long way to run our poppy appeal.

She was born in the mining town of Michel-Natal in the Canadian Rockie mountains, just ten miles from the Alta border. When she was five, the family moved to Osoyoos in the South Okanagan Valley, a fruit farming town, still in British Columbia. Then in her early twenties, she went to work in Vancouver and stayed there till she emigrated to Loftus in 2012, at the age of fifty-eight.

“I knew my English husband‟s cousins for thirty years before I met him in Vancouver,” says Sheryl. “But I learnt that Charlie was born in Whitby and grew up in Liverton Mines. He moved to Loftus and spent his whole working life as a welder at Skinningrove Works.”

Sheryl‟s move to Cleveland was her first time out of North America. She stepped out of the plane at Durham Tees Valley Airport, not sure what to expect, but in her first week she went to the Town Council to find out the contact details of The Royal British Legion in Loftus. She was building on her experience of working for veterans in British Columbia.

In 1983 in Vancouver, she got involved with the ANAF (Army, Navy and Air Force) Association of Canada.

Sheryl helped with fundraising meat draws, picnics and golf tournaments. She remembers monthly Tuesday afternoon music and dance events: “We used to bring in the vets from a local hospital/care facility by bus. There was a little two piece band and those who could, were invited to dance. If it was allowed, we provided them with a drink or two and had a good chat.” She was part of the British Columbia Community Colour Guard and marched in twenty-six parades each year in the Lower Mainland. Her Mum had remarried a WWII ex-serviceman and through this connection, she served as an associate member of The Royal Canadian Legion for eighteen years.

By 2008, she was taking part in the Vancouver poppy appeal, attending meetings and making deliveries when necessary. A year later, she became the poppy appeal organiser for ANAF Unit 68, a role she shared with another volunteer and gained two years‟ experience, which became useful later in Loftus.

Sheryl went to Cleveland functions and did whatever needed doing at first. She marched in the 2012 Remembrance Day Parade, carrying the Canadian flag. She became the Secretary of The Royal British Legion Saltburn and District Branch in 2015 and the Poppy Appeal Organiser in 2018.

The new Branch Executive Committee elected at the AGM in 2018 are keen to make The Royal British Legion more accessible to the community and to encourage greater involvement with our area. The Chairperson has set up a Facebook page „Saltburn and District Royal British Legion Branch 1070‟ and links are being established with local Army Cadets and Rainbow, Brownie and Guide Packs.

The Branch covers an area from Mickleby to Marske and inland villages too. It is a big area to cover, but thanks to Sheryl and her team, over £12,000 has been raised in 2018, beating the total of the previous year by £5000. The tasks involved included ordering and delivering wreaths to the organisations and individuals who had purchased them and delivering school packs, boxes of poppies, wrist bands and

accessories that are given in exchange for donations. “I ordered 2000 of the popular metal pins, but being 2018, I could have used another 1000,” she says.

Sheryl needed to distribute two hundred pots to shops and pubs by Friday, two weeks before Remembrance Sunday, making it a very tight schedule. A lot of phone calls to businesses were made and adverts were placed in local papers, asking people to contact her if they wanted to support the Poppy Appeal. New records had to be produced because there was no previous information.

There is still work to be done especially in Staithes and Hinderwell, Marske and New Marske to get ready for 2019.

“On the Monday after Remembrance Sunday, I drove round picking up pots from premises which are open at different times. A lot of zigzagging was involved!” she remembers. The counting took place in Loftus Town Hall and Councillors and the public were able to watch the process. “Each pot needs to be separately counted and recorded. Totals for each town have to be added up and then a grand sum for the area needs to be calculated. We were greatly helped by a new counting machine and we got all the money bagged and in the bank by 6th December!”

The money will help veterans with rehabilitation, providing equipment such as hearing aids and prosthetic limbs and with easing the problems of those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). “Whatever the veterans need is considered,” says Sheryl.

She is looking forward to the 2019 poppy appeal and planning to get organised earlier. She would like to have more in hand by June. “The poppy appeal is a great cause and all the work is done by volunteers. We have application forms for anyone in the community who would like to join us in this wonderful charity. Please get in touch,” asks Sheryl.

Her contact details are 07527 161163 (and sheryl.calvert@btinternet.com).

Rosemary Nicholls 35

Happy New Year from the Cons Club Welcome to the monthly article from Saltburn Conservative Club. I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas with family and friends and that you have a happy and prosperous new year.

Unfortunately for the club „Teesside Steve‟ and Liz Bishop have decided to stand down from running the „Open Mic Nights‟ which were held on the last Friday of each month. I cannot express how much these nights have been appreciated over many years with the audiences getting bigger as time went on. The commitment and enthusiasm shown by Steve and Liz to bring live music to Saltburn has been remarkable. The committee, members, friends and past performers wish them both the very best for whatever direction they are heading. They are two of the nicest people you could meet and they will be greatly missed by us all.

Their last event was on Friday, 28th December and although this happens after I have written this report I know that it will be very well attended and everyone will be sad but supportive at the end of the night. Hopefully we can find somebody to continue these evenings and I will let you know of any developments.

Other events will have taken place after I have written this article, namely the club Christmas Draw on 15th December which had big money prizes for the first time consisting of 1 x £250, 2 x £100 & 2 x £50, along with the usual spirits, wines, meat vouchers, pheasants, 10 x 1 gallon of beer etc, and the Christmas presents to the children & grandchildren of members, handed over by the big man himself, Father Christmas, from his grotto in the snug.

Presents for 65 children will be handed out which should keep Father Christmas busy for quite a while (and out of the bar) and in conjunction to this event a kids disco. On the same evening we will have had the club Christmas Party Night with DJ Cookie and I know this will be well attended as it always is. It‟s the perfect way to wind down for the Christmas festivities.

On Wednesday, 19th we held the Christmas Quiz, Bingo and Buffet Supper with Michelle setting the questions and the wonderful and hilarious Julie Towell asking the questions and calling the bingo. Tickets for this event sold out 3 weeks before the night, such is its popularity.

Following this on Christmas Eve we will be singing Christmas Carols in the club accompanied by a 4 piece Brass Band. Thanks for the organising of the band go to Committeeman Reg Thomson who is a member of the North Skelton Silver Band. Reg has had some health problems recently but has honoured his word and made all the necessary arrangements for which we are extremely grateful.

We wish him the best of health in the New Year. We finish the year with our New Year‟s Eve party with Paul Morrison, the club‟s favourite singer, entertaining us all before the chimes of midnight and Auld Lang Syne.

There will be no meeting of SLUG (Saltburn Line

User Group) in January. Meetings will re-commence on Tuesday 5th February at 7pm in the upstairs function room.

Moving on to club matters and I have an important announcement to make which is that it was agreed at the December committee meeting that no new applications for membership will be taken after 31st December.

Membership applications will resume in March 2019 dependant on the availability of vacancies. This is assuming that not all present members renew their membership or they miss the cut-off time for when payments are due which will create spaces.

Annual Membership Subscriptions for present members are due in January and can be paid at the bar or to myself at the same price of £12 per person. With the present number of members we now have it is imperative that you renew your membership as soon as possible If you have not paid for 2019 by the end of January you will lose your 15% members discount on drinks and if you have still not paid by the end of February you will lose your membership and have to go on a waiting list until such times that a vacancy becomes available. Naturally this is the last thing we want to happen so please pay your subscription on time.

Our regular events continue to take place in 2019 with the club draw every Tuesday at 10pm for meat vouchers, wines & chocolates. The drinks draw takes place every Sunday at 6pm when we also have a cash rollover, rising by £25 each week if not won. Members also get the advantage of „Happy Hours‟ which are from 4.30pm to 7pm weekdays and from 3pm to 5pm weekends with beer at only £2.20 per pint. The club opens midweek at 4.30pm and at weekends and Bank Holidays we open at 1pm.

I have to say something about the passing of John Taylor who gave so many hours each year to the organising of Saltburn Folk Festival held every August.

His commitment and passion was a major driving force to the success that the festival achieved. John always had a smile on his face and a good story to tell you and he was a person who would help other people as much as possible.

He was a good man who will be greatly missed by all who knew him and we send our deep condolences to his family at this very sad time and hope they get strength and pride in all that John achieved.

Please make 2019 a good year for everybody with more ups than downs. As we get older we lose more of our family and friends so enjoy every day you have. With all my best wishes, stay safe and warm and I will be in touch again next month.

Best wishes, David.

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

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

Every Sunday: Drinks 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.

36

Home

by Alan Butler We returned yesterday from a few days babysitting grandchildren in Derbyshire. We had a good time but all the same it was good to turn off the A19, knowing that a cup of coffee awaited and of course most welcome of all – home.

Our love of the place we come from and where we feel we belong is paramount. “There‟s no place like home,” the saying goes and yet even in term of the short period that our species has achieved its present success, the whole notion of home might as well have come about yesterday.

All of our ancestors were hunter gatherers and the notion of a permanent home would have been lost on them. Whether they relied on seasonal vegetation, migrating animals or more usually a combination of both, they were obliged to go wherever they could find sufficient food to sustain themselves.

Of course there are „degrees‟ of home. Any one of us trapped in the heat of a bug infested jungle or forced to endure the icy blasts of the Arctic tundra would most probably dream not specifically of our own back yard in Saltburn but of the green and temperate landscapes of Great Britain. But how would our hunter gatherer ancestors have felt about the situation? To them home was wherever they happened to be. This might be why such people showed a greater sense of responsibility to the environments which offered them sustenance. They were, in many cases, more in tune with the land and with the animals with which they shared it.

Within my lifetime we have been able to see photographs of our planet, spinning serenely in space. Seen from above the atmosphere the Earth is one object – a single, beautiful sphere, bright and breathtaking – a haven in the vast darkness of space. If we were to travel amongst the stars it would not be specifically to Saltburn we would return. Rather we would say “I am going home – to the Earth.” Our perspective would have changed dramatically and many of the issues that separate us now would cease to have any validity.

It is quite some time since I allowed myself to become captivated by news broadcasts or prophets of doom (whether their prognostications were correct or not).

Instead I try my best to concentrate on the issues that are common to all of us and indeed to all of life. For all we know this tiny speck of rock may be the only place in the entire universe where such a miracle has taken place.

I also focus my mind on the words of a wonderful poem called the „Desiderata‟, written in 1927. The Desiderata might seem too „hippy‟ for today‟s taste but I love it nevertheless. A copy of it hangs upon one of the walls in our house and it has been with me for nearly half a century. To me the Desiderata is a perfect lesson in how to live and how to deal with an often worrying world. I particularly like the lines that say: „And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.‟ Such a sentiment might seem out of date and illfitting in our headlong search for news and stimulation of every kind but all the same I intend to bear it in mind as this most peculiar of times persists. And if things get really bad I rely on something the Sufi poets left us – the simple statement that says so very much: “This too shall pass.”

37

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38

The Saltburn Profile by Rosemary Nicholls Pam Bennett “Arts and Crafts have been a thread running throughout my life,” says Pam Bennett, who volunteers to staff Saltburn Artists Gallery on weekend afternoons and is photographed here with a display of her and her daughter‟s ceramics and jewellery.

Pam was born an only child in London, living in Archway and attending school in Finchley until she was fifteen. Sadly, her Dad died when she was five, but her Mum worked as a Civil Servant and they moved to Shincliffe, when the Post Office Savings Division transferred to Durham City.

Pam joined Durham Girls‟ Grammar School and found life very different from her London experience.

After school, she went to Hartlepool College of Art, which has now become part of Cleveland College of Art and Design. Following this, she studied to become an architect, firstly at Royal Holloway College, London and then at Portsmouth College, now University. When qualified, she came back north and worked as an architectural assistant at the newly created Cleveland County Council. “I was the only woman in a man‟s office,” she remembers. She bought her first house in Middlesbrough.

She married, moved to Castleton and had three children, Alex, Toni and Sophie. Her son, Alex, is a pianist based in Manchester. Toni is a primary school teacher and has one child in Guisborough. Sophie has three children and lives in Saltburn. Pam is very involved with all four grandchildren.

As the children grew up, she returned to work in Cleveland Social Services helping to manage the department‟s 182 buildings. When the County was divided into unitary authorities, she joined Middlesbrough Council as a Project Manager. “I grew very interested in housing adaptations and equipment for people with disabilities, encouraging independent living,” she says.

Unfortunately, Pam‟s first marriage didn‟t last and when her children went to University, she returned to London.

On a blind date, she met Roy Smith (Saltburn‟s former Beachwatch co-ordinator); they married and lived in London for the next fifteen years. During this time, Pam worked as a Project Manager for Croydon Council. She was seconded to the Office for Disability Issues, which was a Government cross-departmental unit to try to make departments talk to each about accessibility. “It was an amazing eighteen months,” she says.

During these years in London, Pam set up her own company „Going for Independence‟. She had spotted a gap in provision and worked to establish ways for people to access independent Occupational Therapy. It is a national organisation, of which Pam is the Managing Director. She explains: “It‟s a not-for-profit community interest company, recently supported by Lottery Funding. It has Directors based all over the country, including Sophie in Saltburn.”

When Pam retired from Croydon Council, she and Roy came back up north and they got involved in local life.

Pam began running Arts and Crafts workshops for blind and visually impaired people at various Tees Valley venues. “I‟m now working with Tees Valley Wildlife Trust; we‟re applying for funding from the Heritage Lottery to provide guided walks for the blind and visually impaired,” she says.

She successfully applied for a studio at Saltburn Artists Studios, which she shares with Sophie to create ceramics, paintings and jewellery and she became a Trustee of

the organisation. “Last year, artwork by blind and visually impaired people was drawn together and displayed at the Palace Arts in Redcar in June,” she adds. “We look forward to exhibiting the work at Saltburn Artists Gallery from Saturday, 16th March – Sunday, 7th April 2019 too.”

Pam has also been the Director of the Centre of Excellence for Sensory Impairment for the last six years. “I‟m a workaholic,” she admits. “I like to be busy.”

She is involved in the new charity being set up to look after the Saltburn Valleys. Its aim is to conserve and preserve our heritage in Hazel Grove, the Valley Gardens, Saltburn Gill and the ancient woodlands around them. Pam is the Secretary of the charity, registered in August 2017. “The land is all owned by Redcar and Cleveland Council, but volunteers can help to keep it accessible and we are getting a lot of encouragement from Historic England,” she says.

She is currently working with a Teesside University games designer, as she had an idea for a well-being board game to open up conversation in a social setting. “We want to embed technology so those with less sight can play,” she says.

Pam enjoys reading factual, technical and art books most, but she also likes crime novels. She loves theatre, particularly at Stephen Joseph, Scarborough and live streamed events at cinemas. She visits Saltburn Community Theatre for films and plays too.

Musically, she follows son Alex on the piano and appreciates various folk and classical work. She has attended Saltburn Folk Festival in the past. She is diffident about her skill at playing the Northumbrian pipes, but she has two sets and has had tuition from pipemaker Dave McQuade of Hartlepool.

Pam loves travel TV programmes and in the past has travelled across Europe and Canada. Now her trips away are mainly long weekends. She finds her art and baking therapeutic. She has made wedding cakes with her daughters and baked cookies for Beachwatch.

39

1st Saltburn Scout Group

Is Santa to Retire?

Beavers and Cubs were welcomed to the Santa Parade and Christmas lights turn on; all the young people enjoyed the experience; but along with Leaders and parent helpers were a bit overcome by the volume of public who lined the route. All safely returned to parents and enjoyed their gift from Santa; many thanks to the organisers for their efforts and arrangements, but also our firemen for a good night. Beavers, as part of their World Challenge Award, have been busy making flags, discovering other countries and more importantly tasting different foods. Despite persuasion being required at times, all enjoyed the experience and emerged „unscathed‟. Some may even try them again when on holiday, so Lindsey‟s and Jo‟s endeavours were not in vain. They will return after their Christmas break refreshed and ready for new experiences.

Cubs having enrolled Harrison, Eddie and Ollie, are currently at 20 members, with Matthew moving on Scouts at Christmas and hopefully three having moved-up from Beavers. Two parents having volunteered to be regular helpers are presently undergoing the DBS process to ensure regular Scout Association procedures are followed. They with Jamie will ensure a more adequate number of adults to young people for our activities, but we could do with some more volunteers.

Scouts are currently running at 16 having welcomed Daniel before the Christmas break and now Matthew (both came „up‟ from Cubs). Before the break Scouts spent two enjoyable evenings out delivering Scout Post, amazing how the opportunity to be out in the dark with torches excites their interest! Many thanks to the „volunteer‟ parents who joined and thanks to the Spar for our refreshment call. Parents often found themselves to be without their own offspring in their group of deliverers; much to both sides amusement and pleasure.

The Group‟s improvements to kitchen are completed after some extensive works as part of the re-fit of the electrical system and a slight hiccup in the kitchen materials on the part of B&Q. Scout Post figures are still being calculated, but it appears to have been our quietest year to date. Many parents are continuing to assist with all Sections in their activities; if you can offer assistance or are interested in joining us, you would be very welcome.

The magazine of the Catenians, a group of Catholic men, interviewed Saltburn‟s Santa and said that since taking on the role 21 years ago he had attended nearly 800 parties and events, raising over £30,000 for local children‟s charities.

But, at 71, he is thinking of handing over the red robe to his son Jason. He was recently honoured by Pope Francis with the Benemerenti medal for his work with the Redcar St Vincent de Paul Society, a charity he has worked for, for many years.

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

Saltburn Line User Group Next Meeting: Tuesday, 5th February 2019 at 7.15pm.

As the 1st January is New Year‟s Day there is no January meeting. Meetings at Saltburn Conservative Club are held on the first Tuesday of the month, 19.00pm for a 19.15pm 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 40

Santa George Robinson, is seen here larking around with son Jason, who might take over some of his duties.

Saltburn‟s had a very busy December. Over 1,000 welcomed him at Saltburn in early December.

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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.

Saltburn Allotments Association January 2019, here we go again, a new year with all it has to offer in terms of weather, opportunities and, of course, for many.. gardening. Whether you have a back yard, pots on a windowsill, a garden or an allotment, it‟s that time of year when the best thing to do is plan.

We sent off our seed order well before Christmas so we should have lots of vegetable seeds for you to look at.

Of course the best way to look at seeds is in the catalogue in the warmth of your home, maybe in front of a glowing fire, where as Alan Titchmarsh would say, you can give the garden “a dose of thinking about” without the need for cold fingers and toes.

This month there‟s news from the wildlife garden where two groups of toddlers and their adults meet most weeks from a project called “Forest Schools”. This is what they say: “The children have had a wonderful time in the garden experiencing autumn and now winter with all its glorious weather and exciting colour changes. The term finished with us decorating the resident Christmas tree, with edible treats for the birds, along with attractive ones for everyone to enjoy as they pass by.”

“A huge THANK YOU to the men who empty the litter bins. They arrived with a brand new hedge hog house, which had been left by a bin as refuse. Using their community spirit, they recycled it to the children and the garden, just in time for the hibernating period.... great timing. We all look forward to the New Year and springtime surprises, snowdrops and daffodils.”

We think it‟s great that the garden is being used in this way and, that we have a gardening group from the University of the Third Age too. In fact, it‟s getting to the point that we really need an indoor space and are thinking of putting a portacabin nearby. If anyone knows of a company that would like to donate such a thing, please let us know. We are open at the green containers on Sundays between 10.00 and 11.30 and we are on facebook.

PS We have lovely, big bags of organic chicken fertiliser for sale for New Year. It‟s a great tonic for garden and allotment alike.

Happy New Year, Sue.

The Muses of Jim Monday, December the 10th was my 78th Birthday and the start of a horrible week. Whilst the day started well, it soon changed into a nightmare week. After opening my birthday cards, and of course my presents, I had lunch and afterwards I made my way to the Redcar Primary Hospital, for my appointment to see a doctor only to be told that I should have been elsewhere. The appointment should have been at One Life Centre on Linthorpe Road. My letter had clearly stated Redcar not Middlesbrough. Therefore I returned home.

Next day I got a phone call from the One life Centre apologising for having sent me to the wrong place and the appointment was rearranged for Friday afternoon of the same week. Ask where is the Centre?

Information given but not understood. I was told it was close to the Dorman Museum, Then on to a meeting in Redcar and than home to prepare for a meeting in the early evening.

Wednesday was shopping day with a bit of paperwork to fill the day. Thursday, using my beloved bus pass, I set off on a dry run to find the One Life Centre. Walked from the Bus Station in the direction of the Dorman Museum. Anyway I found the Centre a good quarter of a mile from the Museum. There is a No 63 bus stop nearby the Centre.

Friday was when the fun started. I had an appointment to see a doctor at Huntcliff Surgery as I am having problems breathing. After a very through examination it was decided to given me EMG, or some such thingy, as well as having some blood tests. I was told to contact Redcar Primary to request a X-ray that day. Which I did as soon as I got home. Only to be told that they had a cancellation for 3 o‟clock which was the same time I had to be at the One Live Centre. Panic Stations. I was told to try the One Life Centre. Which I did and fortunately they could fit me in.

Unfortunately, this meant I had to miss the Christmas Party of Friday. One of my favourite organisation of all time did call in to explain.

The One Life Centre is a splendid building. The X -ray was taken in good time so that I could meet my other appointment, which was just as well organised, and led to a rather large needle and seemingly long injections in my right knee. I returned home worn out. I have to see the doctor next Tuesday. This weekend I have spent most of the time resting hence the latest of this masterpiece... Joke, I did not wish people a Merry Christmas last month but I do hope we all have a safe and peaceful year and that we all can work together to make Saltburn an even better place to live, work and play. I said that normally even though years have been very good to me, but this one has been a devil of one, Healthwise it has been a nightmare and I have seemed to upset an informer, who has made my life difficult. Fortunately my back is broad and I have upset more important people and will continue to do so.

Spud is fine, though.

Jim Wingham and Spud 41

The Saltburn Crossword no 211 set by Mandrake Across 1 On our local silver sea perhaps? (8, 7) 8 He cooks in the oven after breaking the brake! (5) 9 Where the rain goes after first dark (5) 10 and 30 Across Traditional seaside food breaking chap‟s fin dish (4, 3, 5) 11 Electronic post sounds in female‟s surrounds (5) 13 Illumination hidden in flights of fancy (5) 16 Asian river gets any confusion (7) 19 and 20 Across Famous super model deciphers for most sake (4, 4) 20 See 19 Across 21 and 24 Down Saltburn jewel breaks red letter seam (7, 6) 22 Hunt gathering sounds full of protein (4) 23 Dull pain in lilac heaps (4) 24 Ness act used to adopt standing postures (7) 28 Be prepared and keep a lookout (5) 30 See 10 Across 32 Stir too can be tasty Italian (7) 33 Rather intense but also a quaintly pleasing attraction (5) 34 Follow on behind (5) 35 National hero of last summer redistributed great tough haste (6, 9)

Name___________________________________ Address_________________________________ ________________________________________ Telephone_______________________________

Down 2 3 4 5 6 7 11 12 14 15 17 18 24 25 26 27 29 31

Solution to Crossword no 210

The winner of last month‟s crossword was Marguerite Barber of Wiltshire Road, Skelton.

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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Warning initially a last alert raising men (5) Irritating insect found in pubs after I left by frail mix up (3, 3) Dried fruit found in tiara is in vain (6) Wise and learned person sometimes an idiot (6) Puzzle or garden sieve (6) German state found in there I chance to see (5) Inuit people some ski for their former name (7) Very stylish rat code redistributed (3, 4) Italian dumplings mixed from chin cog (7) Decorations tied at one end after ET went home from tasteless confusion (7) Confess had mittens worn around it (5) Loves rearranging, to do this to a crossword clue (5) See 21 Across Advantages sound in cassettes (6) Feline disease fault re-examined after first cause (3, 3) Wipe out and have a wee dram (6) Chocolate loses four letters to find its main ingredient (5) Be artistic in Spain, too (5) Send your completed crossword to: Saltburn Crossword no 211, c/o Jackie‟s Saverstore, 8 Station Buildings, Saltburn, TS12 1AQ

by Friday, 18th January 2019. First correct solution out of the bag wins a £10 voucher kindly donated by Tim and Sheila of Real Meals.

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