Home Grown Harvest at the Farmers Market

Members of Saltburn Allotment Association will be bringing the first of the Autumn harvest to their regular stall at Saltburn's Farmers Market this weekend with all profits being ploughed straight back into the town’s allotment community.




Sue Featherstone of Saltburn Allotment Association said: “We’re starting to feel a tinge of autumn in the air, so we’ll be making some hearty autumn allotment soup from vegetables grown right here in town. It’s perfect for warming up these crispier autumn days."

“We’ll also be bringing plenty of pumpkins – great with Halloween just around the corner – plus a really tasty harvest of tomatoes, chillies, curly kale, chard, onions, apples, pears, and some gorgeous autumn fruit preserves and jams made by allotment holders."

“All the profits from our stall go straight back into our work at the allotments,” said Sue. “That includes helping to maintain our communal gardening equipment, and developing a ‘Grow and Learn’ horticulture training project, part of which sees us growing vegetables right in the town centre’s Secret Square – literally just yards from the market itself."

“Everything on our stall is picked fresh from the allotments on the morning and brought straight to the Market – it doesn’t really get any fresher or any more local than that!”

The market features more than 35 stalls including locally produced sausages, meat and game; freshly baked artisan bread and handmade cheese. It takes place on Saturday October 11th 9am-3pm and is based just outside Saltburn Railway Station.

Saltburn’s Book Corner bags book signings to support national campaign.

The Book Corner in Saltburn is celebrating the national ‘Books Are My Bag’ campaign by welcoming best-selling author Jen Campbell for a meet and greet and book signing on Monday 6th October, at 7pm, and local crime writer Jennie Finch visits for a signing on Saturday 11th October, from 11am to 12.30pm. There is also a chance for shop visitors to take away an exclusive ‘Books Are My Bag’ bag designed by award-winning British artist, Tracey Emin.

Jen Campbell will visit the independent bookshop, which opened in May, to meet local residents and sign copies of The Bookshop Book, which features bookshops from around the world. It is the official publication of the Books Are My Bag campaign.

Saturday 11th October is the campaign’s Big Bookshop Parties Day, so Jennie Finch will be at Book Corner to sign her latest book, The Moth Man. To celebrate, visitors will also have the chance to take away one of the exclusive Tracey Emin bags.

Launched in 2013, Books Are My Bag is a collaboration between publishers, bookshops and authors to promote bookshops, as high street chains and independent book stores still account for almost 40% of books bought by consumers.

Tracey Emin is the latest figure to back the campaign, saying that books and bookshops were fundamental education for her and was saddened that there weren’t enough bookshops on the high street.

Says Book Corner owner, Saltburn resident Jenna Warren: “I am wholeheartedly behind the Books Are My Bag campaign. Bookshops, particularly independent stores, provide a fantastic service at the heart of their local communities so this national campaign is a fantastic way to promote them as the place to go, not just for books, but for recommendations, education and expert advice.





“I am so pleased that Jen has chosen Book Corner as one of the shops she is visiting, and it’s great that we have also secured a local author to showcase the writing talent we have in the area. I would urge as many people as possible to come and meet Jen and Jennie – and perhaps take away an exclusive Tracey Emin bag!”

For further information on Book Corner, contact Jenna Warren t: 01287 348010, e: jenna@bookcornershop.co.uk or visit www.bookcornershop.com.



October 6th:

A chance to meet bestselling author Jen Campbell. Jen is the author of 'Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops', and she will be signing copies of her new non-fiction book, 'The Bookshop Book', which is a celebration of bookshops all over the world.

Copies of 'The Bookshop Book' will be available to buy at Book Corner on the evening. Complimentary refreshments will also be available.

(Please note that due to the small size of the shop, this is not a seated event and you do not need a ticket - just turn up. You can drop in at anytime between 7pm and 8.30pm).

All welcome!

Historic Hill Climb 2014

Hundreds of spectators turned out Saltburn's historic hill climb and motor gathering event.

The annual Saltburn vintage hill climb took place on Sunday - with numerous classic cars and motorbikes taking part.

The event - a non-competitive speed and time trial for vintage cars and motorcycles - had run as a competitive event for many years until 2004 when it was halted due to clauses in road safety legislation barring such trials on public highways.

Supporters of the historic motor racing event have since campaigned tirelessly for its resurrection.

And it seems their hard work may pay off later this year - with the legislation possibly to be overturned this autumn.







“At the moment it is a non-competitive event for road legal vehicles - they have to be taxed and insured,” said Dave Ransome, past president of Middlesbrough Motor Club.

“But where we are with the Road Traffic Act is that all political parties have agreed it will happen and they are going through the motion of approving the law for competitive events to happen once again."

“We expect that will happen in the autumn.”

But Dave said that this does not mean that the existing event will be abandoned.

“It has become a really popular event,” he said. “So what we will be looking at doing is possibly running an additional event now that this historic gathering is so popular.”

Over 1,000 people turned out for Sunday’s event, which was held at Cat Nab car park.

As well as the gathering, where vehicles from the early 1900s up to 1975 are on display, the cars and motorbikes also make the quarter-mile hill climb to Rushpool Hall one by one.

“It has been fantastic,” said Dave.

“We always get a good crowd here in Saltburn.”

Some background history of the Hill Climb

Bollywood by the Sea

The striking coastline of Saltburn provided the backdrop as a touch of Bollywood glamour came to Teesside.

The cast and crew of Shaandaar, a new Bollywood movie currently in production, chose Saltburn’s beach, promenade and famous pier as a location to shoot yesterday.







Billed as a comedy which sees two Indian families coming together for a big wedding, the film features Bollywood stars Alia Bhatt and Shahid Kapoor.

Assistant director Karl Hall said that the coast was the perfect place to shoot footage.

“We are mainly doing establishing shots and cutaways, but we have the main characters here as well and we’re doing some dialogue,” he said.

“We are splitting the shooting between England, Mumbai and Poland and a lot of the English scenes have been done in Leeds and West Yorkshire.

“When we needed to find a coastal location, Saltburn had been recommended and it was a great choice. It looks great on camera.”

The film will be primarily aimed at the Asian market, but Mr Hall said that Bollywood releases are also huge in Britain.

“It goes under the radar a little bit in the UK, but it is a huge industry," he added. "Alia Bhatt and Shahid Kapoor are really big stars.”

Around 80 to 90 members of the cast and crew spent yesterday in Saltburn and some local flavour was added to the filming. Mr Hall said: “I’m not sure how many extras we had, but I’m sure that some of them were local.”

Saltburn Ward Newsletter August 2014

COUNCILLOR STUART SMITH
SALTBURN WARD NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2014
stuart.smith@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk Contact no. 07557 540628

NEW EXHIBITION AT KIRKLEATHAM MUSEUM A new exhibition has started at Kirkleatham Museum entitled Celebrity Movie Treasures and runs from the 12th July until the 19th October. The touring exhibition is of personal belongings, movie props and costumes from the world of showbiz and provides a glimpse into the lives of some of the 21st centuries most iconic stars. Memorabilia from Fred Astaire, Doris Day, Chuck Berry and Michael Jackson are just some of the items exhibited. Admission is £2.00 for adults and £1.00 for a child, under 5’s free.

FURTHER PROGRESS TO TACKLE RED RIVER Things are moving steadily at the treatment plant to combat the deposits of Iron Ore deposits in the stream. Last year the first phase of the plant was installed close to Hagg Farm. This was basically two large settlement lagoons with aeration cascades with a large sludge drying lagoon. The overall loading of iron into the stream has reduced by around 60%.The second (and final) phase of work has just started. This will include two further settlement lagoons and a large reed bed. These are scheduled to be complete by the end of this year.

SALTBURN VALLEY GARDENS RETAINS GREEN FLAG STATUS Sites are assessed for their Green Flag status by volunteer judges who usually have a background in parks management, conservation or ecology. They judge against eight criteria testing whether the site or green space is: welcoming; healthy, safe and secure; clean and well-maintained; sustainable; manages conservation and heritage; has community involvement; markets itself, and has good management.

SALTBURN BATHING QUALITY TEST RESULTS
Saltburns bathing water continues to pass the European Bathing Water Directive’s higher guideline standard. The 12 samples taken this season have all passed. There are 8 more samples to be taken until the season ends in September.

SALTBURN PRIMARY SCHOOL MARSKE MILL LANE
A decision regarding the use of this building has now been put back until the end of September by the authority. The interested parties are Earthbeat Ltd and an unnamed business.

PLANNING APPLICATION CAR SHOWROOM WINDSOR ROAD
A planning application has been submitted in respect of the now disused car showroom located on Windsor Road. The application is a change in use for the former Car Company show room, Windsor Road, Saltburn to convert the change in use of the building to A1 retail. In planning applications A1 usage covers the use of the property to become a shop, retail warehouses, hairdressers, undertakers, travel and ticket agencies, post offices and dry cleaners.
Subject to obtaining this change of use there would be a secondary application to cover any material changes. The applicant also states that 12 car parking spaces will be provided on the site forecourt. I have expressed my concerns to the planning department in respect of the traffic management of the area and the possible dangers to motorists and pedestrians if this site was developed. Unconfirmed reports state that the retail company Tesco are interested in the site to develop a Tesco Express outlet.

FUTURE USE OF HOB HILL
Saltburn Golf Club have purchased part of the land and will be building a driving range. They are undertaking minor temporary works to the land in relation to this planned facility. Saltburn Athletic FC will be leasing the football pitch and disused changing rooms so that the awarded £50,000 Sports England grant to improve the site can be implemented. The remainder of open space on Hob Hill will remain open with dedicated rights of way.

Tastebuds Tickled.

Thousands of foodies had their tastebuds tickled at Saltburn Food Festival.




The town’s Milton Street was transformed into a street market yesterday showcasing over sixty of the North East and North Yorkshire’s best independent food producers.

With a tasty mix of stalls including a wide range of locally produced meat, vegetables, artisan bread, handmade cheese, micro brewery beers and chocolate, a record number of people filled the town to sample some of the culinary delights.

Festival organiser, Lorna Jackson said: “What a day! Last year was our first festival and we didn’t really know what to expect.

“This year we thought we knew what was coming but today has just taken on another life of its own.

“We’ve been busy right from the off and the atmosphere around the place has been wonderful all day long.

This, the second ever Saltburn Food Festival, builds on the seaside town’s already popular monthly Farmers’ Market which was shortlisted as National Farmers’ Market of the Year earlier this year.

Lorna said: “All of the traders share our passion for good locally produced food and one thing they keep telling me is how much they love coming here to our monthly Farmers’ Market.

“They tell me they love the people here and most of them have sold out again today.”

Alongside the stalls, live cookery demonstrations took place with guest chefs cooking up a treat in the festival’s Cookery Theatre.

Former Coronation Street star turned TV chef, Sean Wilson and Radiohead’s personal chef, Sarah Muir were amongst the special guests delighting crowds with their live cooking.




Sean Wilson said: “This is the first time I’ve been to Saltburn and it won’t be the last.

“The place is a real oasis. It looks wonderful but the people have been amazing all day long. Warm, welcoming and it has been a real pleasure to be here.

“The cookery theatre was obviously great fun to do but it was great to walk around and see how much the place was buzzing.”

Sarah Muir who is now back home in North Yorkshire running her hugely popular, Arches Cookery School at Grinkle Park Farm near Loftus, said: “This is easily one of the best food festivals in the country.




“There’s a great mix of stallholders and the vibe has just been incredible all day.

“Saltburn really is an absolute gem of a place and I can’t wait for next year.”

Lorna added: “Our guest chefs have all been a joy to work with and have all really enjoyed the day.

“We thought it would be very difficult to top last year but Saltburn has done itself proud yet again.”

Vicars wife is a Tough Mudder

On Saturday 2nd August, Estelle Reed will be taking on a 10 - 12 mile long obstacle course designed by the Special Forces, and showing that being a Vicar’s wife isn’t about baking and arranging flowers.

Estelle, wife of the Vicar of Saltburn, the Revd Adam Reed, will be taking part in Tough Mudder Yorkshire, at Broughton Hall Estate, Skipton. Tough Mudder is an endurance event in which participants attempt a military-style obstacle course, designed and created by British Special Forces to test mental as well as physical strength. The course has obstacles to strike fear into the heart involving fire, water, electricity and heights, as well as plenty of Yorkshire mud.

Estelle said, “I run DanceFit, a dance and fitness business in Saltburn. Last year I challenged some of my customers – male and female – to do some cabaret dancing in high heels to raise money for breast cancer care. The guys who did it said it was the most terrifying thing they’d ever done, and challenged me to do something equally terrifying to raise money for a good cause. So I decided to have a go at Tough Mudder!

“In church, Adam was encouraging people to help raise money for our community. He used Jesus’ parable of the talents, and gave everyone in the congregation £10 to use as seed money to raise even more funds for our church. Our family decided to use our £10 notes towards the entry fees for Tough Mudder – it’s a real family effort. Adam and our children Ella and Aidan are helping with publicity, but I’m the one who’s got to complete the course! Even our curate, the Revd Adam Young, has been helping me train for the course.

“I’m really scared about the course! I wasn’t outdoorsy as a child – I trained in ballet from a young age. Dance keeps you fit and gives you stamina, but I think I’ll need an extra edge for the Tough Mudder course. There’s a group of us from DanceFit, customers and their husbands, taking part and it’s been an amazing bonding experience. We’re all going to work together to get round the course – I love the Tough Mudder ethos that it’s not all about winning, but working together to overcome the obstacles.”

The Revd Adam Reed, Estelle’s husband and Vicar of Emmanuel Church Saltburn, said, “I know Estelle and the team are going to defeat the Tough Mudder course and raise loads of money for their chosen charities. Estelle is really tough – you have to be as a mother, dance instructor and a vicar’s wife! Sadly, I won’t be there to cheer her on, as I’m leading a pilgrimage of young people to Taizé in France, but we’ll all be praying for her and the team.”

The other people taking part in the Saltburn team are Cath Mason, who is raising money for the CUP Foundation (Cancer of Unknown Primary); Vic Tosh who is supporting Diabetes UK; Brian Cole who is fundraising for Down Syndrome North East; Adam Reamswood who is raising money for Parkinsons UK; and Richard Yaldren, who is supporting WaterAid.

To sponsor Estelle and help raise money for Emmanuel Church, Saltburn, visit http://www.justgiving.com/Estelle-DanceFit-Saltburn








Pictured: the Saltburn Tough Mudder team, with Estelle pictured centre.

Valley Adventures wins Steel Investment

From survival courses, archery and castaway days to gorge walking, stand up paddle surfing and abseiling - children and adults are grabbing the opportunity for adventure at a new outdoor activities centre in Saltburn with both hands.




Valley Adventures, an ambitious new business set up by Dan Fawkes and Simon Palmer, has been backed by a £3000 investment from UK Steel Enterprise’s Regeneration Fund and is expecting around 200 people a week to enjoy activities during the summer.

The Centre is the realisation of a long-held dream for the outdoor and fitness instructors who have an impressive range of qualifications, skills and expertise built up here and abroad.

Dan Fawkes is a swimmer, triathlete, rock climber and served more than 12 years in the RAF as a development coach and outdoor instructor. Simon Palmer is a stand up paddle instructor and a veteran of outdoor challenges around the world including South Africa, Vietnam and Australia with a law degree and Diploma in Work Psychology.

They are backed by a team of highly qualified and experienced instructors, including Kieran Rankin, a seasoned outdoor instructor and youth worker; Alex Frood, a talented outdoor photographer and mountaineer and Callum Anderson, their technical advisor.

It means the Centre can provide a massive range of activities for individuals and groups of all ages and abilities that also include coasteering, bush-craft, map reading, navigation, orienteering and team building.

“This is something we have talked about doing for years,” said Dan Fawkes. “We have started it whilst we are still both working because the site became available and it was too good an opportunity to miss. We love this area and it is a perfect location for us."

“It has been a big commitment so the money from UK Steel Enterprise has been a massive help to buy equipment such as helmets, ropes and wet suits. We all love outdoor activities and are totally committed to helping others experience them because we believe they are so valuable."

“Seeing children and adults rise to challenges, learn new skills, solve problems, work in a team and become leaders is inspiring. They also have a huge amount of fun enjoying the natural environment and escaping from the everyday hustle and bustle."

“Interest and demand is rising fast with corporate bookings and school groups proving to be real growth areas and we expect up to 200 people a week to use the Centre this summer,” he added.

Peter Taylor, Area Manager for UK Steel Enterprise, the Tata Steel business-support subsidiary said: “This is exactly the sort of start-up project our Regeneration Fund was set up to help. Valley Adventures is providing invaluable experiences and skills for young people and adults and we have every confidence that the business will prove a big success.”

Details of UK Steel Enterprise’ support for businesses is available on 01642 777 777 and at www.uksteelenterprise.co.uk. Valley Adventures is on www.valley-adventures.com



Children from Ormesby Primary School get to grips with fire-lighting at Valley Adventures in Saltburn with (from left) Simon Palmer, Peter Taylor of investor UK Steel Enterprise and Dan Fawkes.

Saltburn Food Festival Programme of Events.

· Over sixty of the best independent food producers from the North East and North Yorkshire – all coming from within a fifty-mile radius of the town.




· A tasty mix of stalls includes a wide range of locally produced meat & game, fresh fruit & veg, wild & garden herbs, artisan bread, handmade cheese, English wines, micro brewery beers, chocolate, cakes & biscuits, gingerbread, gourmet scotch eggs, a gluten free stall, chilli plants & chilli sauces, hog roast, butchers’ bbq, PLUS local arts & crafts stalls too.

· Expect a real Festival village atmosphere, with outdoor dining areas, world streetfood, live music and much more besides.

Live Cookery Theatre, outside Real Meals on Milton Street.

10.30am: Sarah Muir. Owner of Arches Cookery School and travelling chef for Elton John, Madness, The Prodigy, George Michael, The Spice Girls, Bob Dylan, Bon Jovi, Travis, Manic Street Preachers, Chemical Brothers, Oasis, Van Morrison and Robbie Williams to name just a few. Also a personal chef to Radiohead for six world tours.

11.30am: Sean Wilson. TV chef and author of The Great Northern Cookbook, also business partner of Saddleworth Cheese Company and passionate local food advocate.

1.30pm: Sean Wilson. The second spot of the day for the former Corrie star turned TV chef.

3pm: Atindra Naskar: A spicy session with the excellent executive chef of Teza, Saltburn’s popular contemporary Indian Restaurant.

Festival Workshops :

The following workshops cost £20 per place, and can be booked in advance by emailing lorna.foodfirst@gmail.com or texting 07504 126 233. Please include your name and the name of the workshop you would like to go on. Places are limited to 12 people per workshop.

11.15am: Organic Raw Food Workshop. At TOCH Buildings Albion Terrace, Saltburn. Join Infinite Glow for an hour-long introduction to the benefits of organic raw food. Three quick and easy recipes that you can easily replicate at home and share with your loved ones.

11.30am: Sausage Making & Butchery Skills. Join master butcher Mike Gosnay of Gosnays in Saltburn in his Milton Street shop to have a go at making some great sausages of your own.

12.30pm: Soft Cheese Making. At TOCH Buildings, Albion Terrace, Saltburn. Join our special guest chef Sarah Muir of Arches Cookery School to have a go at making Ricotta and soft Goats Cheeses.

2pm: Bread Making, at TOCH Buildings, Albion Terrace, Saltburn.
Join Ed The Chef from Brick Yard Bakery in Brotton and have a go at Artisan Bread Making. Take home a starter and a recipe for sour dough and join Ed's sour dough community

Festival Fringe:

· Live music, performance poetry and a film tent in Saltburn Square.

· Book Signings. Special book signings at the Book Corner, Saltburn’s brand new independent bookshop on Station Square. Includes special guest chef Sean Wilson signing copies of the Great Northern Cookbook (12.30pm), and Saltburn based crime novelist Jennie Finch (2.30pm).

· A Woodland picnic for all the family, down in the gorgeous Valley Gardens throughout the day.

Tickle your Tastebuds

Food lovers are in for a treat next month when the Saltburn Food Festival takes over the seaside town.

Former Coronation Street star turned TV chef Sean Wilson and Radiohead’s personal chef Sarah Muir will both be cooking up a treat on a day packed full of fun and great aromas.



The event on Sunday, August 3 includes a street market featuring more than 60 of the North-East and North Yorkshire’s best independent food producers.

And it will be something of a homecoming for the leading music industry chef. After growing up on the family farm at Grinkle and training at Scarborough Catering College, she spent more than 20 years touring the world before returning to her roots.

Miss Muir has been Radiohead’s personal chef on six world tours, and has also cooked for Elton John, Madness, Bob Dylan, Bon Jovi, George Michael, The Spice Girls, Oasis and Robbie Williams amongst others.

After returning to North Yorkshire she has transformed an old farm outbuilding into the Arches Cookery School at Grinkle Park Farm near Loftus.

Coronation Street fans will know Sean Wilson from 21 years playing Martin Platt in the TV soap.

Since leaving the street, he has become an award winning artisan cheese maker, devised and fronted Channel 5’s The Great Northern Cookbook, and has cooked in several Michelin-starred restaurants.

Farmers’ Market and Food Festival organiser Lorna Jackson said: “Saltburn has a great reputation for real food from real producers."

“We’re lucky that we still have a lot of fantastic independent shops – a baker, the deli, two butchers, a grocer and a chocolate shop to name just a few – so the journey from field to plate is quite short."

“However, this isn’t always the norm in many places, so I think it’s more important than ever to celebrate locally grown food and the independent businesses that help to keep our high streets alive and kicking throughout the year."

“Last year’s festival was an amazing experience. Milton Street was pretty much transformed into a village in itself, and there was a wonderful sense of community around the whole day."

“It was an incredible street party, so we’re really looking forward to another great day in August.”

Miss Muir will be cooking live outside Real Meals on Milton Street at 10.30am, and also running a cheese making workshop at 12.30pm, while Mr Wilson will be cooking live outside Real Meals at 11.30am and 1.30pm.

The festival takes place on Sunday, August 3 between 10am-4pm on Milton Street.

Iconic Saltburn Salerooms Re-Furnished

Coast & Country, one of the largest housing and regeneration companies in the North East, has taken possession of the iconic Saltburn Salerooms building, which will be the location for its latest ambitious project.




The ReFurnish scheme will not only sell affordable, good quality, new and second-hand furniture it will also become a community hub offering work experience and training opportunities.

ReFurnish will play a key role in Coast & Country’s ‘Forging Futures’ programme. ‘Forging Futures’ is a pioneering initiative that delivers bespoke training and is designed to motivate and increase self-esteem, as well as providing unemployed people with the skills to actively seek and secure learning and employment opportunities.

ReFurnish will also provide a number of volunteering opportunities for those who wish to build their skills, broaden their knowledge and give something back to the community.

A range of roles and training opportunities will be available from sourcing and transporting the furniture through to carpentry and renovation skills to ensure that all goods are in first-class condition.

Tracy O’Neill, Head of Community Investment at Coast & Country said: “ReFurnish is going to be one of our most exciting projects to date and will encompass all of the social values of Coast & Country, including tackling worklessness, up skilling and providing a facility that will have positive benefits for a whole community."

“At Refurnish, we will aim to enable people to fulfil their potential by providing a supportive and friendly working environment where confidence, skills and experience can be developed."

“In addition, we will be helping to protect the environment by cutting down the amount of waste going to landfill. Using the skills of colleagues, apprentices and trainees, we can creatively refurbish, reuse and recycle furniture and household items."

“We hope that ReFurnish will become an integral part of the community and will grow to encompass lots of different opportunities for local people.”

Award-winning performance poet brings new show to Saltburn

What could be better than sitting in the summer evening with a cocktail or a cake, listening to first-class poetry and music, reveling in a bit of café culture? On 18 July you could be doing just that at the delicious Sitting Room in the heart of Saltburn, as we get an exclusive pre-Edinburgh Festival performance of the new spoken word show by award-winner Lucy Ayrton.



The past couple of years have been stunning for Lucy. Her debut show, Lullabies to Make Your Children Cry, played the Edinburgh festival fringe in 2012 and won Best Newcomer on the PBH Spoken Word Free Fringe before touring to critical acclaim and being published as a poetry pamphlet. So naturally, she’s now about to do it all again.

Her brand-new show, The Splitting Of The Mermaid, is a darkly feminist update of the Little Mermaid fable, set in post-industrial Hull and telling the story of May, a mermaid who longs for a baby. Described as “brilliantly subversive”, the story-poetry is woven through with music and a little bit of magic.

Saltburn residents succeed in creating a place for poetry

The event is brought to you by Apples and Snakes, working together with a dedicated band of female poets from the wider Teesside area, including Saltburn residents Cathie Sprague and Carmen Thompson. The evening will feature a collective performance of poems inspired by the sea from the Tees Women Poets, and music from folk singer-songwriter Sara Dennis.

Enjoy all this plus a cocktail, mocktail or speciality tea of your choice for only £8 – tickets available via Eventbrite.



The Splitting Of The Mermaid by Lucy Ayrton

Support from Tees Women Poets, music from Sara Dennis

When: ​Friday 18 July, 7.00pm – 10.00pm

Where:​The Sitting Room, 3 Station Buildings, Saltburn TS12 1AQ

Tickets:​£8 including cocktail

Celebrating 130 years - Saltburn Cliff Lift

This weekend Saltburn's iconic cliff lift, believed to be the oldest working water-balanced funicular in the UK today, will mark its 130th year in operation.




Saltburn Cliff Lift, which continues to attract tourists from across the region and beyond, first made its 120ft decent from the town to the lower promenade in June 1884.



To mark the anniversary, owners Redcar and Cleveland Council are printing numbered commemorative tickets that will be issued to passengers by authentically dressed operators.

Olwyn Peters, the council’s cabinet member for culture leisure and tourism, described the cliff lift as an “absolute gem” and said the council was proud of its role as custodian.

Councillor Peters said: “The cliff lift is as much a part of Saltburn’s charm as the pier and together they are one of the region’s most recognisable features."

“Everybody seems to love them and thousands of people take the trip down to the lower promenade and back, each year, and we hope they will continue to do so for many years to come.”

In addition to lift operators in Victorian-style dress, other historically attired characters will be in attendance during the anniversary event on Saturday.

It is hoped that the commemorative tickets, issued to paying customers that day, will be the first in a series of collectable tickets that will change in design each year.




The first cliff lift was a rickety vertical hoist that was installed by the Saltburn Pier Company in 1870. It was acquired by the Middlesbrough Estate in August, 1883, but was condemned later that year. George Croydon Marks, of Tangye Ltd, designed and oversaw the installation of the current lift which has been in local authority ownership since the Second World War.





In addition to regular maintenance Redcar and Cleveland Council has undertaken a £30,000 refit, in 2011, the first off site overhaul since 1992.

It carries 12 passengers in its two carriages and 167,781 people took the trip last year, up from 140,742 the previous year and 115,930 in 2011.

Saltburn WW1 Community Day - Sunday 29th June

People who live in, or have a love for, our area are being invited to take part in a WWI Community event this June, to help raise money to renovate and repair Saltburn War Memorial.



Clubs and community groups in Saltburn have been working away for months putting together events and attractions, which will begin with a piper leading a parade through the town and will include stalls, music, period costume, video exhibitions and live theatre.

The parade will begin at 10am at the Emmanuel Church, from where it will proceed to the War Memorial on Glenside, where a short service will be given, before the official opening of Glenside community stalls, and bandstand events. At the Toc H building, the public are invited to sign a record in commemoration of their contribution to the centenary event, (records to be placed in the library archives or a time capsule).

The Community Theatre will be showing films and interviews recording the memories of local people, created by the Pocket Watch Project. Huntcliff students’ films will be shown based on their research into WWI. This will be
followed by two WWI themed matinee performances, from our very own Valley Player and our special guests the Nunthorpe Players.




The Community Centre will host a variety of local groups, displaying the history of the town and examining how it has changed in the last 100 years, through displays of photos, and documents.

The library will be displaying information about the WWI soldiers whose names are recorded on the War Memorial, as well as those who are recorded in the cemetery. A lot of work has been done to find out who these men were, but there are still gaps, so if you are related to someone on the memorial, we would love to talk with you.

There will also be songs, educational entertainment and crafts, for the young, all on the theme of Then and Now. A stroll in the woods will lead you to the Woodland Centre, where there will be activities for all the family. Keep an eye out for other activities around the Valley Café, miniature railway, and donkey field.

The day will end on Glenside, with a bugler playing the last post.

Do you feel you could contribute to any of these events to preserve the War Memorial for at least the next 100 years and raise awareness of our town’s sacrifice? If you know you are related to someone on the War Memorial, we would like to get a photograph of you with the War Memorial on the day. As we find more and more people with connections to those men remembered on the memorial, we are beginning to see a fascinating 'family tree' emerge.

We need more people to get involved, from dressing shop windows to businesses charting their local history. We would also encourage people to help us chart the history of our buildings over the years. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all groups, individuals, and businesses, so far that have made this commemoration day possible.

This event would not be taking place without the support of many groups and people particularly but not exclusively to Cleveland Police Neighbourhood Team, Cleveland Fire Brigade, Saltburn and Marske Parish Council, Friends of
Saltburn, the 500 Club and The British Legion.

We look forward to seeing you on the 29th.

Maria from Building Bridges
Fiona from Pocket Watch Project

Goal! Yarn bombers score another hit to celebrate the World Cup.

Saltburn's nimble-fingered knitters have struck once more, scoring another hit with the locals and delighting visitors to the Pier.

The latest in a long line of inventive one-off pieces guaranteed to leave visitors in stitches suddenly appeared overnight. This time around they have been inspired by the forthcoming World Cup, due to get underway in Brazil next month.

The latest woolly wonders celebrate a united nations of footballing countries.




Brazil obviously features being the host nation but many other countries are also represented.

Some playfully poke fun at national stereotypes, such as the Frenchman wearing a stripey jumper, beret and a string of onions round his neck.




England is represented by a fan with a bulldog, next to a Mini with a trophy and the Flag of St George on its roof.




Other highlights include Argentina, with a Maradona “Hand of God” figure, an American hotdog, Belgium’s Poirot, Russian dolls and Swiss cheese, not forgetting many proud African and South American nations.




Visitors who braved today's miserable weather to walk the pier got a pleasant surprise and were not disappointed with what they discovered.

Their creators remain unknown, beavering away anonymously, a classic whodunnit. What will be next for the Saltburn yarnbombers? Only they know, but whatever it is it is guaranteed to make you smile.

Calling all Pugs

Miracle, Oscar, George and Reggie invite all local pugs, or any other friendly dogs to join them on a beach walk on Sunday 17th August.

All dog owners to meet for 2pm outside "Surfs Up" coffee shop, opposite the amusements on the sea front. The walk will start from there, walk along the front until the dog area begins at the far end of the beach and walk to Marske and back. We are aware that some little puggles may only make it so far so please feel free to turn back when necessary.

Hope you can join us, see you there.

Yorkshire Opera Workshop perform Iolanthe

If you notice a group of young people with North American accents enjoying the Redcar/Saltburn area during May, chances are you’ve spotted participants in the second annual Yorkshire Opera Workshop.

Fourteen visiting singers are travelling between Saltburn and Redcar for three weeks in May, as they rehearse and perform Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta Iolanthe.

“We had a marvellous time a year ago with the first year of the program”, says director David Mosey. “The students loved living and rehearsing in Saltburn and performing at the Saltburn Community Theatre”.

This year, because of renovations in the Saltburn venues, the workshop has moved to the new Tuned In centre in Redcar, but most of the students will still be staying in Saltburn.

“My wife, Nina Scott-Stoddart, and I have got to know this part of the North Yorkshire Coast over the last four years”, says Mosey, originally from England and now living in Canada. David’s first cousin is Tony Mosey, and Tony’s son, Saltburn artist Derek Mosey, connected with Nina via genealogical research online. “I had lost track of this branch of the family entirely, and it was extraordinary to meet them four years ago and catch up on our lives”. In the process David and Nina fell in love with North Yorkshire.

“There are a number of Canadian-run opera workshops in Italy now, and I thought, well, why not Yorkshire?” says Canadian-born opera singer Scott-Stoddart about the decision to start a program for North Americans in the Saltburn area. “It’s a chance for young North Americans to experience a culture that is at the same time familiar and foreign to them, and the town and scenery are utterly gorgeous.”

The participants are all university-aged students, both undergrads and grads, who are dedicating their lives to pursuing their dreams of singing opera.

“Opera, operetta and all kinds of musical theatre are complicated art forms to learn, because there’s so much of it that cannot be taught as pure theory. You have to actually get up on stage and do it to learn it”, says Scott-Stoddart. “YOW will give these young people a chance to perform, in English, in front of real audiences”.

“It’s a bit cheeky to bring a group of North Americans to perform Gilbert and Sullivan in England”, admits David Mosey, of the choice of Iolanthe for the second year of the program. “It’s a bit like a group of Brits going to New York to perform musical theatre. But it’s a chance for the singers to really come to grips with both Sullivan’s extraordinary music, and Gilbert’s unsurpassed lyrics and dialogue”.

“We’re also going to get some topical political references in there, of course!” says Scott-Stoddart.

Iolanthe will be performed at TunedIn in Redcar on May 27, 28, 29, and 30 at 7:00 pm. Tickets are £7 for adults, and £5 for children under 12 and seniors and can be purchased online at Eventbrite or at the door.

Saltburn Ward May Newsletter.

COUNCILLOR STUART SMITH
SALTBURN WARD NEWSLETTER MAY 2014
stuart.smith@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk
Contact no. 07557 540628


SALTBURN ATHLETIC AWARDED £50,000 BY SPORTS ENGLAND
The junior football club of Saltburn Athletic have again received excellent news. The club has secured a second funding of lottery grants via Sport England to the sum of £50,000 (fifty thousand). The inspired facilities grant will go towards the renovation of the semi derelict changing rooms on Hob Hill, Saltburn. Having secured funding previously via the same source to renovate the field at Hob Hill, Saltburn, the club are now looking forward to having new football pitches and changing facilities and increasing the number of age groups to play in the local Teesside Junior football Alliance leagues within the next two years.

VEGITATION OVERGROWTH MARSKE MILL LANE BLACK BRIDGE
Week commencing the 26th May - work will be carried out to undertake a small footway improvement scheme on Guisborough Road between Hob Hill Crescent and Marske Mill Lane which will require a tempory traffic light control. At the same time work will be carried out to finish off the landscaping from the drainage improvement works in the ravine between the road of Marske Mill Lane and the boundary with Saltburn Campus. This will involve, at my request, the stripping back of the vegetation at the corner of Marske Mill Lane. This is to hopefully reduce the number of complaints we receive regarding the lack of forward vision at this junction due to the growth and height of the vegetation.

SALTBURN IN BLOOM LAUNCH HERITAGE WALK BOOKLET
Saltburn in Bloom have released a guide to Saltburn entitled ‘Understanding Saltburns Heritage’. The booklet accompanies the 8 interpretation boards which were erected around the town last year and incorporates a suggested tour of the town with a planned walk involving the boards and provides more details of the areas referred on them. There is also additional information on other areas of interest in Saltburn. Funding for the interpretation boards and the booklet was obtained from LEADER Small Scale Enhancement Scheme. The booklet is available from Saltburn Library with a suggested donation of £1.50 so that further re-prints can be purchased.

UPDATE ON CHALARA (DIEBACK OF ASH TREES) It appears that we are keeping the serious disease of Chalara at bay within the region. There are no reported sightings of this fungus within the Ash tree population within the Cleveland and North Yorkshire region. The nearest outbreak to the Redcar and Cleveland Borough is located in the County of Durham area close to Durham City. Officers within the authority continue to be vigilant in terms of monitoring for any possible signs of infection, especially around our woodland sites.

SALTBURN BATHING WATER This month saw the launch of the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) annual Good Beach Guide (www.goodbeachguide.co.uk). A record number of UK bathing beaches have received marine charity’s top water quality award after the driest summer since 2003. One of the beaches awarded this classification is Saltburn. The beach is also listed by the Environment Agency at the higher recommendation in the European Bathing Water Directive.

SALTBURN LANDMARK TO RETURN The flagpole on the listed building of The Zetland is to return after several years’ absence. The original flagpole which was allowed to be removed under special exemptions in planning regulation due to the deterioration in its condition. A listed building planning application has been submitted by the Zetland Management Committee for its re-instatement.

Saltburn in Bloom Launch Heritage Booklet

Saltburn in Bloom have released a guide to Saltburn entitled ‘Understanding Saltburns Heritage’. The booklet accompanies the 8 interpretation boards which were erected around the town last year. It incorporates a suggested tour of the town with a planned walk involving the boards and provides more details of the areas referred to on them. There is also additional information on other areas of interest in Saltburn.

Funding for the interpretation boards and the booklet was obtained from LEADER Small Scale Enhancement Scheme.

The booklet is available from Saltburn Library with a suggested donation of £1.50 so that further re-prints can be purchased.

Stitched Up

Saltburn's secretive yarn bombers appear to have struck again only this time the mystery knitters have created three 'mini-me' figures of members of the well-known Woodall family who have a building firm in the town.

Matriarch of the Woodall family, June, claims to have no idea who has created the foot-high ‘mini-me’ figures of her husband, son and son-in-law and left them in a plastic bag outside the family’s Saltburn home.

June Woodall said: “My son and son-in-law were going to work and I noticed a carrier bag left outside. I said to my daughter, ‘for goodness sake, someone’s dumping their rubbish,’ and she went to get it, to throw it in the bin.

But she came in with these knitted figures. We took a look and couldn’t believe it, they were the double of my husband, Rick, son Rees and son-in-law, Ian (Davies).

The details are incredible. It’s right down to their eye colour, one having light blue and one dark blue, their hair, shapes of their faces, even their shoes are right. They’re all dressed in their blue builders uniform, right down to the WBS for Rick Woodall Building Services. They even have little pencils behind their ears and the pipes they carry, the lot.



I honestly haven’t got a clue who has done it, it must be someone who knows us pretty well. The boys have got them in the van with them, they love them.”

Tea on the Rocks

Saltburn-based Ian (The Cave) Crockett had a burst of inspiration after enjoying a specialty drink in nearby Real Meals deli. His image was re-tweeted across Europe and the UK by specialist tea-makers Flora Tea after he tweeted the photo direct to them. They quickly retweeted it describing the photo as ‘stunning,’ ‘artistic’ and ‘beautiful.’

Ian said: “I was looking to take a photo of a glass down by the pier, but wanted to do something a little different. I was having a coffee in Real Meals, saw another customer with one of these teas, and this idea just leapt out at me.

It’s an unusual cuppa to say the least, which in turn makes for an unusual photo.

For a start, it’s served in a large crystal wine glass rather than a builders mug - and it’s a visual treat as much as anything, with a flower emerging in the glass as the tea brews.”

The Merry Maypole - Bank Holiday Fun in the Valley Gardens

Join Lit Up and Estelle of DanceFit Saltburn for May dance and mask making day. Contact Kathryn on 07816 046723 or email kathlynas@gmail.com for details.

Huntcliff School Art Exhibition

The exhibition is being held at Emmanuel church, all details are included on the poster. Please come along and help us celebrate the work of our Year 11 students.

Rachel Henderson and Andrea Reay
Art Department - Huntcliff School

Local Care Home Swaps Easter Bonnets for Stetsons!

Residents at Hazelgrove Court Care Home in Saltburn were treated to an Easter hoe-down, courtesy of the original Teesside Cowboy, vocalist and guitarist, Eric White.

Eric, who has been playing around the Teesside area since his days as lead singer with Stockton band, The Blue Caps, visited Hazelgrove on Bank Holiday Monday. And his good old fashioned country-style playing got a resounding “yee ha” from residents, as he brought the Easter celebrations to a close.




Tina Temple, general manager at Hazelgrove, said: “Eric’s performance was a great way to end the Easter holiday. We always make a special effort with our Easter celebrations and the residents have worked really hard making decorations and our beautiful Easter banner. We also like to make sure we give a really warm welcome to friends and family who visit on the bank holidays. Our Easter Egg raffle on Good Friday, in particular, was a big hit with residents and visitors alike and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the long Easter break – Eric’s visit was the cherry on the cake.”

Saltburn WWI Centenary Commemoration Day

It was an extraordinary act in the midst of the horrors of war: on Christmas Day, 1914, British and German soldiers on the Western Front put down their guns to play a game of football. Now, to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War, Saltburn beach will be transformed into a no-man’s-land on as that infamous match is recreated.

The event, on June 1st will see teams dress up in vintage army uniforms from the era as Saltburn plays its part in remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice.




Event organiser Allan Whiley, who works for Barclays, said: “I really wanted to do something to mark the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War One and I wanted the town to play a part in remembering the futility of the conflict.

Last year I started planning to re-enact the Christmas Day truce football match on the beach and on behalf of Saltburn Rotary Club and with the Royal British Legion and other groups, we began to pull ideas together such as the Tiger Moth flyover which will involve dropping 40,000 poppy petals on to the beach.

It's a free event and everyone is welcome to come along and help us mark the anniversary. The public response has been overwhelming so far in terms of support and it continues to grow as we move towards June 1.

We’ve already started selling the poppy crosses at £1 each and we’ve had people from Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Poland that have bought them as they remember relatives who were involved in the tragedy of war.”

While the match kicks off at 2pm, there will be plenty going on throughout the day with the event taking place from 10am to 6pm. Bands will play next to the pier and there will be a display of vintage vehicles and re-enactment groups on the lower promenade as well as a replica of a First World War trench. There will also be trade stalls and children's entertainments along the bottom promenade.

A Tiger Moth aircraft will fly over the pitch dropping 40,000 poppy petals and a temporary 'War Cemetery' is planned with a field of 5000 poppy crosses planted in the sand on behalf of the Royal British Legion in tribute to the soldiers who never returned from the battlefield.

There will also be a pop-up exhibition from London’s Imperial War Museum.

Proceeds from the event, to be match funded by Barclays, will go to the East Cleveland branch of the Royal British Legion who will use the funds to restore Saltburn’s War Memorial.

David Willis, for the Saltburn branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “The local branch of the Royal British Legion is proud to be involved.

The Legion will be selling poppy crosses which the public can buy and place in a garden of remembrance on Saltburn beach before they are put on display in a more permanent place.”

When the tide comes in on the day, there will be a short service by a church leader from Saltburn while a bugler plays The Last Post.

In the evening there will be a play set in 1918 and a big band playing in the Community Theatre.

Anyone interested in being involved can contact the organiser Allan Whiley on 07775553049

Saltburn Ward Newsletter

COUNCILLOR STUART SMITH
SALTBURN WARD NEWSLETTER APRIL 2014
stuart.smith@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk Contact no. 07557 540628


POSSIBLE NEW OCCUPIERS MARSKE MILL LANE SCHOOL
According to Earthbeats Newsletter they are in consultation with Redcar and Cleveland Council to occupy this site. If Earthbeat are successful in acquiring the site they will be asking for help to renovate the building. As a Ward Councillor I have not been officially informed of these proposals but I am aware that talks are ongoing. With regards to the playing field, a builder is in communication with the authority’s planning department to build residential homes with the site entrance on Marske Mill Lane.

SALTBURN IN BLOOM JUDGING DAY
The spring judging will take place in the Northumbria in Bloom competition during the morning of Tuesday the 8th April.

RESURFACING VALLEY GARDENS PATHS
Work has commenced in the Valley Gardens to complete the temporary repair work that was carried out as a result of the flooding on the 6th September 2013. The work will reinstate the top resurface of the path ways through the Valley Gardens.

OPENING OF REDCAR & CLEVELAND LEISURE AND COMMUNITY HEART
The opening of the new £31m Redcar & Cleveland Leisure and Community Heart will be on Saturday 26 April. The new facility for the borough is situated in the heart of Redcar town centre, near to the town’s railway station.
This development will provide a focal point for local communities and visitors and include swimming pools, a wave simulator, register office, fitness suites and conference facilities.
Redcar & Cleveland Leisure and Community Heart will also be home to the borough’s new council chamber, which will also double up as a multi-purpose space that can be used for community activities.
The mayor’s parlour, accommodation for small and medium sized businesses and retail space will also be located at the Ridley Street site.
Everyone Active the leisure providers for the Council have announced that the opening event will see Olympic stars, European and British champions mixing with the general public on a day when all our activities will be completely free of charge.

UPDATE CLIFF LIFT DRIVERS CABIN
The refurbished driver station cabin was reinstated on Marine Parade on its base on Friday 28th March. Work will continue within the coming weeks to return it to working order. There are plans to repaint the Pier Cliff Lift.

COUNCIL TAX SET TO RISE 1.994%
At the Borough Council meeting held on the 6th March it was passed by the Borough Councillors to increase this year’s council tax rise by 1.944%.
Councillors voted 31-20 to accept the council’s medium term financial strategy, and the proposed council tax rise. It means the council tax for a non-parish Band D property will be £1,661.43 - a rise of £27.18 a year, or 52p a week. A non-parish Band A bill rises 35p a week to £1,107.62. Any council tax increase above 2% would have triggered a local referendum on the decision.

Sustrans Rangers Saltburn work day.

Anyone walking into Saltburn along the black path beside the railway will have seen a transformation on the land just before the allotments. A result of two years volunteer work, this week has seen the final clearance of the asbestos fly tipping which had lain hidden in a heap for twenty years until found overgrown and matted in briers.

Sustrans hired a JCB team in cooperation with the Council to clear the site returning it to nature. This weekend saw the Rangers surface pick the soil to clear away bottles, old bricks, fence posts, lumps of concrete and years of hand dropped litter including hundreds of drink cans to uncover a beautiful fertile top soil.

This will be left fallow for six-eight weeks then sprayed off and planted with Poppy as a tribute in remembrance of the WWI fallen.

The Wild Flower Meadow planted with £250 worth of seed last Autumn is starting to grow. Enjoy it and thank you to all the volunteers that have helped create it.

Pictures show the Sustrans Redcar & Cleveland Rangers planting Bluebells and clearing the site.







Philip Chisholm, Ranger Coordinator, wishes to thank the seventeen Rangers that have given a total of 810 voluntary hours so far to this project and also to the Neighbourhood Council Team that have supported our efforts.







Anyone wishing to go on short training cycle rides get in touch, we are also organising fitness walks.

Sustrans.
Helping to make sustainable transport a beautiful and enjoyable opportunity, after all, life is all about the journey.

Philip Chisholm
Sustrans Redcar & Cleveland Ranger Volunteer Coordinator.
T:01642 485322
M:07802 936 414

Dog Foul and Fly Tipping.
The Sustrans Volunteers restart their by-weekly dog foul and horse dung clearance of the black path from Marske to Saltburn this April. This path is currently in a disgusting state after a winter without the volunteers cleaning it.
A warning to those that do not pick up their dog's foul. The new £1000 fines are now in force with up to 10 years in prison for fly tipping.

Saltburn Ward Newsletter March 2014

Councillor Stuart Smith
stuart.smith@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk Contact no. 07557 540628

PURCHASE OF CHILDREN BOOKS FOR SALTBURN LIBRARY The three Saltburn Ward Councilors’ have agreed to fund the purchase of 70 new children’s books for ages 0 – 5 for Saltburn Library from their Ward Councilors’ fund .

RESUMPTION OF GARDEN WASTE COLLECTIONS The collection of garden waste has resumed from the 1st March. This waste is collected together with the blue recycling waste bin.

BIG STEP TOWARDS CLEANING UP THE SALTBURN GILL
The Coal Authority working in close partnership with the Saltburn Gill Action Group and the Environment Agency has successfully halted the worst of three flows of polluted water from the abandoned ironstone mines of East Cleveland. Mine water has flowed from old mine workings to the south of Saltburn since 1999 causing severe pollution of the Saltburn Gill and Skelton Beck. The unsightly orange stream flowed over the beach and into the North Sea. The Saltburn Gill Action Group was set up by concerned local residents with help from the Environment Agency to raise the profile of the problem; The Coal Authority became involved initially in an advisory capacity in 2008 to guide the group through a feasibility study. During the summer of 2013 the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) funded the Coal Authority to pump water from the mines to halt the polluting outflows. This water is partially cleaned up as it passes through the first stage of a treatment scheme built by the Coal Authority. The treatment works are clearly visible on the opposite side of the Skelton –by-pass road opposite the new Asda store. Due to the Coal Authority treatment scheme the worst of the polluting flows has been halted. It will continue to pump in order to dry up all the mine water pollution. In 2014, a large wetland will be added to the treatment scheme to remove iron from the water using natural processes before the treated water is returned to the Gill. These reed beds will provide both filtration of the mine water to remove iron particles and a new environment for wildlife in the area and will restore the Gill into a place where nature can thrive once again.

SALTBURN LEISURE CENTRE IMPROVED VISITOR NUMBERS The numbers of visitors to Saltburn Leisure Centre are at a record high under the new operators ‘Everyone Active’. To date from the 1st April 2013 there have been 266,000 visits, an increase of 33,000. Everyone Active have invested over 400K in Saltburn Leisure Centre creating a new fitness suite, a larger dance studio, completely refurbished dry-side changing rooms, redecorated reception, improvements to the external appearance and undertaken the refurbishment of the Parish Council office and chamber which are located in this building. They have also increased the choice and numbers of fitness classes available at the centre.

CUT THROUGH FROM THE CRESCENT TO PIG ALLEY
The three Saltburn Ward Councillors lobbied hard for the reopening of this popular used walkway between The Crescent and Marske Mill Lane after the owners Coast and Country Housing closed it on safety grounds. This resulted in the resurfacing of the cut and the replacing of new safety bollards.

UPDATE ON REFURBISHMENT OF DRIVERS STATION CLIFF LIFT
Work commenced on the 24 February and will take 6 weeks to complete.

Saltburn surfer knocked unconscious whilst surfing off Staithes.

A 56-year-old surfer from Saltburn was taken to hospital this morning (Monday) after being knocked unconscious while surfing off Staithes.




Saltburn's Gary Rogers, (pictured in the background) proprietor of the Saltburn Surf Shop and described as a “surf legend” by the website Surf Nation, is a highly experienced surfer with more than 40 years of surfing history. He was surfing at a spot known as The Cove, near Staithes when he hit his head on the scar/scaur at low tide and was left unconscious as two sets of waves broke over him.

Fellow surfers carried him to Staithes and Runswick RNLI boathouse where he regained full consciousness. The RNLI station doctor Graham Croft treated him for knee and minor head injuries. He was also attended by paramedics from the Air Ambulance service whose helicopter landed at Cowbar and by the North East Ambulance service who took him to James Cook Hospital, Middlesbrough.

The Cove is a highly favoured location for its big break but is regarded as suitable only for experienced surfers. A Staithes RNLI spokesperson said: “Anyone in trouble on the foreshore should always carry a mobile phone and call the Coastguard. Ideally, any casualty should be kept on the foreshore until help arrives.”

Saltburn Ward Councillors Newsletter February 2014

COUNCILLOR STUART SMITH
stuart.smith@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk Contact no. 07557 540628

REFURBISHMENT OF THE CLIFF LIFT DRIVERS CABIN
Listed building consent has been submitted to dismantle and undertake refurbishment work on the Saltburn Cliff Lift Drivers Cabin located on Marine Parade. The main timber structure of the Driver`s Cabin has been affected by decay, due to age, wear and tear and the exposed location of the building. Previous patch repairs and splicing of timbers have not been successful and are showing signs of extensive deterioration. The Cliff Lift is a Grade 2 listed building and authorization had to be sought from English Heritage to carry out the required work. Once complete residents and visitors will notice no difference in appearance to the cabin because its replacement will be an exact replica. Works should be complete for the season opening of the lift in April.

REINSTATEMENT OF PLAY EQUIPMENT SEESAW GLENSIDE PLAY PARK
The seesaw located in the play park Albion Terrace had to be removed in the summer due to this equipment becoming a hazard. Replacement was unlikely under the financial restraints. At my request Councillor Thomson and Guy have agreed to fund the replacement from Saltburn Ward Councillors Community fund.

CLOSURE OF ‘THE WORKS’ BY SCAA MARSKE MILL LANE BASE SCHOOL
Due to the financial difficulties that Saltburn Community Arts Association are facing at this present moment, the trustees of this organization have decided that the running of The Works @ Marske Mill in the former Saltburn Primary School at Marske Mill Lane as a community are no longer viable. Negotiations are underway with the Council to return the lease which was acquired under a community asset transfer back to the control of the local authority. The building will now be advertised either as a separate entity for community use or jointly with the available playing field as a residential development opportunity.

UPDATE: STORM DAMAGE LOWER PROMENADE AND PIER
Stonemasons have started work replacing the sandstone blocks which make up the construction of the sea wall and slip ways. Damaged railings will not be re installed until this work is complete. The Council has also employed a civil engineer to assess the necessary work required to repair the pier amusement arcade building.

NEW SIGNAGE: DOG DIRT OFFENDING
To try and counter the continuous problem of irresponsible dog owners not picking up after their own dogs, which appears to affect all parts of the town, the Ward Councilors have funded the purchase of 20 Dog Watch signs. The signs will clamp around lampposts in dog fouling hotspots. 2 of the sides will indicate a Dog Watch area with telephone numbers to report sighted offenders. The remaining side will have a different design to profile the winning painting from a competition on the subject by a local school pupil.

ROAD LINE MARKING
The local authority is drawing up a list of works required for road line marking in the town which will be undertaken in the spring. At present the list is quite substantial but if you feel that a particular area should be added for re-lining, please do not hesitate to contact me and the area will be inspected for suitability for the scheme. The lining is for the renewing of old road lines only.

News and views from the Valley

What a relief! Flushed with success! Okay, we are a bit euphoric about the fact that the Woodland Centre now has a toilet! It is very significant though. It really is the final piece in the jigsaw that makes the centre fit for hire. So please consider The Woodland Centre as a venue for family and group activities and celebrations. Days are beginning to get longer again. Where better for your children’s party? Tutus and wellies are a fabulous combination and I know this first hand.

The Christmas tree selling venture: well, sadly we are not awash with profit and the committee will not be holidaying in the Caribbean this year. We worked very hard and have just about broken even on our outlay. Lots of people said “If only we had known,” or “There wasn’t enough publicity.” Other people were put off because we could not unwrap all the trees for inspection and we realise
that was an important issue. We had very good feedback from people who did buy from us. Many emailed to say their tree was the best they had ever bought and hope we do it again. So thank you to all who did support us and we are having a big think about whether we should do it again and where or how etc. Any thoughts or opinions: contact our web site.

The Task group has continued to meet every Friday. New undergrowth clearing work has been done in the community orchard and paths opened up for the enjoyment of the public. We are also pleased to report that Millfield Meadow which has been the focus of a lot of our work has now obtained the status of a People’s Meadow in the Coronation Meadow scheme. This is a national initiative to revive Britain’s lost and endangered wild flower meadow sites (Google Coronation Meadows). Thanks to Katie for all her hard work on this.

This time last year the disabled access path was a churned up building site. One year on and it is looking attractive and full of creative possibility. More work has recently been done in digging up the old ramp which was a slip hazard and putting in some more steps. We are planning to make the top grassed area into a mini meadow and we have the continuing help of the Community Payback Team on projects around the site.

I really hope that we are not facing more onslaughts of extreme weather in the near future. Bring on the spring flowers and new life in the Valley. I can’t wait!
www.saltburnwoodlandcentre.co.uk

Valley Adventures still have an operational base at the centre.
Here is their latest message:

"We will be launching our new website in February and offering even more activities this year, such as gorge walking, rock climbing, abseiling, hill walking and stand up paddling. We have also applied for accreditation by the Adventure Activity Licensing Authority (AALA) to offer these activities to youngsters. Further, we are proud to be working closely with Hunley Golf Course to support their corporate clients and outdoor enthusiasts.

Thanks to all of you for supporting Valley Adventures in 2013 and we look forward to sharing great outdoor experiences with you this year.”

Miniature ponies visit Hazelgrove Court Care Home.

The tiniest ponies imaginable have visited Saltburn's Hazelgrove Court Care Home, on Randolph Street, to give the elderly residents there a start to the New Year they’ll never forget.

Star of the show was American miniature pony Blondie, at just 26 inches high and making her first appearance for K and L Pony Therapy, of Darlington.
Although it was Blondie’s first time on duty she was a natural, with a very placid temperament, going to each resident in turn to nuzzle them and get lots of fuss in return.

The cute little stunner was just one of four similar tiny ponies that owner Kate Smith brought to the home for residents to pet.

The organiser of this unusual, but very popular, event was Joanne Burdett, the activities co-ordinator at the home which houses 48 residents aged from their late fifties to late ninties.




Joanne said: “K and L provide miniature ponies to visit care homes on Teesside and further afield."

“They bring them in one at a time, while the other three wait in a trailer outside. The residents have absolutely loved them and are very fond of the ponies - stroking them and petting them - and it does them the world of good and they have a photo taken with them."

Owner Kate said: “We visit lots of care homes, hospitals and schools. People all over Teesside absolutely love them.”

Kate said the tiny charmers live up to 55 years old and are bred as pets in America. They can even be used as guide horses to look after the blind and disabled in the same way as guide dogs.

Kate said: “They are very intelligent and easy to train. I’m currently trying to breed mine and a foal is due next summer which will be so tiny when it’s born, it will gamble about like a little lamb!"

“Obviously, they can’t be ridden, but they are such little characters and all are different.”

One thing seems to be certain - the cute foursome proved to be so popular that they will be riding on back into town again on another visit some time in the future.

January Newsletter, Saltburn Ward

from COUNCILLOR STUART SMITH
stuart.smith@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk Contact no. 07557540628



IMPROVED ARRIVA BUS SERVICE FOR SALTBURN

Saltburn will receive an improved bus service under the changes proposed by Arriva to their bus network across Redcar and Cleveland which will commence on the 16th February. The town will be served by 2 routes - X3 and X4 - which will run alternatively every 15 minutes to Middlesbrough and Loftus with the X3 operating once again via Hob Hill to Skelton. Arriva have also notified us this week of their fare changes which will come into effect from 5th January 2014: all child and adult fares below £3.00 are frozen, fares above £3.00 will be increased by 10p, fares above £5.00 will be increased by 20p, day tickets will be increased by 20p per day and 50p weekly and Teesside Tripper Day Ticket prices are frozen.

STORM DAMAGE INFORMATION AND PROPOSED PLAN OF REPAIR WORKS LOWER PROMENADE.

1. LOSS OF SLIPWAYS AND PART OF SEA WALL - A stonemason will undertake repair work starting in early January. The sandstone blocks will be stored on the lower prom next to the life guard station. The repair work will take up to 8 weeks and each stone will have to be reset in a similar way as a jigsaw. The slipway will have a concrete base where prior to the storm it was compact shingle. Sea wall railings will be replaced.

2. DAMAGE TO ROAD SURFACE - Work underway to repair by Carillion.

3. DAMAGE TO PIER - The pier structure itself appears to be undamaged but will remain closed until access can be gained to the pier head from the beach when tidal flows allow. The main building amusements have suffered extensive damage to the interior due to sea water entering the building. We were told water damage had even occurred to the ceiling. Of concern are that two major supporting beams under the pier head have snapped however the engineer states they should be easily removed and replaced. Time scale on this is unknown but will be carried out a.s.a.p.

4. VICTORIAN SHELTER - The shelter supports were found to be rotten and this has been demolished. It is hoped that funding will be found to replace this shelter.

5. STEPS FROM PIER CAR PARK TO BEACH CLOSE TO CCTV POLE - reset by Carillion.

6. DAMAGED FOOTBRIDGE OVER BECK - Wooden boards repaired and non slip surface applied. Shingle under the road bridge which was pushed in with the high tide was removed lowering the beck level from the bridge span. Long term goal is to replace bridge and construct it closer to the height of the road bridge.

7. EROSION OF BANKSIDE OPPOSITE CAMFIELDS - Armour rock (Gabion baskets would not be permitted by environmental agency) to be placed in various sections to stabilise area. Long term goal is to stabilise whole area with concrete bankside similar to section at picnic area. In addition we were informed that over the past year the sand level on the beach had dropped over one and half feet which if it had been in place would have had a dragging effect on the sea level and wave impact.