S'no problem for this bus driver.

A Saltburn dad who filmed a bus driver making light of treacherous and icy conditions has described him as “amazing”. Simon Hartley caught the driver on camera as he skillfully climbed Saltburn Bank during the recent snow storms - despite other smaller cars and vehicles struggling.
"I thought he was not going to make it," Simon, 41, admitted. "All the four-wheel drives couldn’t even make it up. He was amazing."
The video shows the chaos as one car is pushed up the bank and others struggle to negotiate the notorious bends. But the bus heroically makes it to the top - despite the treacherous conditions.

Just before the bus arrives:

Revamp of Saltburn's Cliff Lift

Carriages on Saltburn's Victorian water-powered cliff lift are to be refitted for the first time in 20 years.
The funicular at Saltburn was opened in June 1884 to transport people from the town's beach and pier up the steep incline to the cliff top.
Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is funding a £30,000 overhaul of the carriages.
A huge crane will be used to remove the carriages, which will be taken to a specialist firm in Northumberland.
The project will see improved seating and the striking stained glass windows sealed. An intercom system will also be installed to allow drivers at either end of the railway to communicate with passengers in the cars if necessary.
The restored carriages, which have not previously been removed from the site since about 1991, will reopen to the public in April 2011.

Movs to re-instate Saltburn's Road Race

Moves are being made to try to open up the way for the Saltburn Hill Climb event to be staged again. Provisions in the Road Traffic Act meant the event, staged annually from 1993 to 2005, was illegal. The act bans 'road racing' on the public highway.The hill climb attracted thousands of people to the town.
Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP, Tom Blenkinsop, has now made recommend moves in the House of Commons to have the event reinstated.
The hill climb involved vintage motor cycles and cars in a speed trial starting on Saltburn seafront and culminating in a road dash up the steep hill to Rushpool Hall Hotel on the Skelton Road.
Organisers have worked with Mr Blenkinsop and his predecessor, the late Dr Ashok Kumar, to get a mechanism which could allow a local exemption from that part of the act to allow the event through local authority road closure powers.
As part of the campaign, Mr Blenkinsop has tabled a House of Commons Early Day Motion calling for such exemptions to be made part of the Act.
The MP said, "The Saltburn Hill Climb was a popular event which attracted participants and visitors from across the country. The influx of people boosted the local economy of Saltburn and put the town firmly on the tourist map. Along with the organisers and Redcar and Cleveland Council, I have been looking to see if we can table a Private Bill sponsored by the council which would allow for a suspension of the relevant parts of the Act so as to allow this once a year event. This is a complicated process which could take some time to deliver. It would be easier for everyone if the Government could simply allow for local exemptions, strictly managed by councils and the police, to be introduced nationally."
He said the UK Motor Sports Association believed such an exemption could lead to nationwide events which could generate between £20m and £60m for the host communities. "I do not see why Saltburn should not be allowed to gain part of this revenue, and that is why I have tabled this special Motion in the House," added the MP.

Read more here.

Saltburn man wins top photo competition.

Just two years ago Saltburn amateur photographer and brave cancer survivor Stephen J Dowd was at his lowest ebb. The former window cleaner, of Zetland Mews, Saltburn, suffered a marriage break-up and was given just a 50-50 chance of surviving colon cancer. Then last year his younger brother Tony, who lives in Spain, fell ill with a heart problem. The final straw was the tragic death of another younger brother, William, from lung cancer. Stephen, 68, sunk into a dark depression - until he discovered photography.

Stephen said, "My brother Tony contacted me and implored me to take up photography. He bought me a digital SLR camera and I joined Saltburn Photographic Society." Now, just twelve months after taking up his hobby, Stephen has won a top photographic competition. Commenting on his winning photo in a combined Saltburn and Whitby photographic societies competition Stephen said,"I snapped this cocker spaniel at Skelton playing in the snow. As he leaped towards me, completely off the ground, with his ears vertical, it was such a joyous picture."

Another shot of seagulls taking off just above the waves at Saltburn has notched third place in a Saltburn Photographic Society Natural World competition. And a sombre view of Saltburn’s Huntcliff and a vivid sky at night at Warrenby, Redcar, have both been judged highly commended.

He said, "I couldn’t believe it when my photo won! I’m just a rank amateur who’s incredibly keen. And I’m very grateful for all the support I've had.
I just want others to know that there is life after cancer."
All profits from the sale of any of Stephen's prints go to the Holistic Cancer Care Centre at James Cook University Hospital where he was successfully treated. Stephen has also had a number exhibitions. "I want to make as much profit for charity as possible. But I admit I still have to pinch myself at how well it’s all going!" he said.

Gold!

The 2010 Northumbria in Bloom Awards ceremony was held at the Oakwood Centre in Stockton on Tees on the 13th of September. Saltburn was announced as the Winner of the Amberoll Trophy as the Best Coastal Resort having been awarded a Gold award ahead of Newbiggin by the Sea and South Shields who both achieved Bronze awards.
The Presidents Award for outstanding contribution to Northumbria in Blloom by a private individual was awarded to PC Stuart Smith, Saltburn by the Sea.
Lauriston Care Home, Saltburn won a Silver Gilt award in the Best Kept Grounds of a Care Home, Residential or Convalescent home category.
Saltburn CIU Home won a Silver Gilt Award in the Best Effort for Upkeep of External Premises of Public Houses, Hotels or Other Licensed Premises category.

Saltburn Officer wins individual Northumbria in Bloom Award

Saltburn's Community PC, Stuart Smith, has just won an award in Northumbria in Bloom as the private individual who has made the most outstanding contribution to the annual awards.
PC Smith, who lives in Guisborough, has been Saltburn’s neighbourhood police officer for the last eight years. During that time - as well as his busy normal police duties - he has been enthusiastically involved in the life of the local community joining many local groups including Saltburn in Bloom, for which he is vice-chairman.
He said, "I really enjoy my job and getting involved with local people and the local community. It’s a very rewarding career and no two days are ever the same. Saltburn is a very unique town with an incredibly strong community spirit. As a neighbourhood police officer, I have become involved with as many local groups as possible."
PC Smith was presented with The President’s Trophy, a smart silver cigar box. In his role as an official in Saltburn in Bloom he always has a very busy time on the run up to the In Bloom season. He shows the judges around the resort each year, tends the garden at the local police station and carries out other In Bloom work - all in his own time.
He added, "I was in the Saltburn Forward Group which is now disbanded and was responsible for the cliff lift redevelopment. I’m also a school governor at Saltburn Primary School and a member of Saltburn Cliff Lift and Pier Group."
On his award, he said modestly, !I’m very honoured - it’s a real bonus to add to something you enjoy anyway. I wasn’t aware I was getting it and my parents Peter and Sheena, who are also Bloom activists, were present to witness it."
PC Smith is due to retire at the end of this year, but pledges to carry on with all his Saltburn in Bloom tasks.

Saltburn Vintage Car Event

The vintage car event which was organised by Middlesbrough and District Motor Club, proved to be extremely successful when it took place in Saltburn on Sunday.
Crowds gathered down on the beach to watch the main attraction of the day - the world-renowned French-made Darracq racing car - which raced along the beach just like it did when it broke a British record on June 27 1908 after reaching a top speed of 121 mph.
Visitor, Stephen Dowd said, "It is absolutely amazing to see this car race along the Saltburn Sands just like it did over 100 years ago."

The Darracq with it's owner Algy Guinness outside of the Zetland.