Pebble Man on Saltburn Beach

A homeless man, who is hiking around Britain, has spent several weeks on Saltburn Beach and before he continues on his trek would like to thank local people for their help.
The man, whose christian name is George, but is known as Dr Geebers the Pebble Man, insisted he was 'fine' despite the freezing temperatures. He created a pebble sculpture for Christmas. He said people had been very kind with inquiries, food and bedding and a well wisher had given him a tarpaulin sheet for shelter under the bridge near the Ship Inn as his tent blew away in the high winds.
He is officially homeless. He is doing the trek because no one else has done it creating pebble exhibitions at the same time. He began his trek two years ago beginning at Brighton and has lived on 32 beaches, walking 4,500 miles and moved 270 tonnes of pebbles and stones by hand to create his exhibitions.
George, who is not drawing benefits or sponsorship, said, "If people want to contribute towards my costs they put coins in a sack near my site". He doesn't ask for contributions. He added that Saltburn had been the first town where the police had checked his record and he had only had four 'disrespects' of behaviour towards himself on his travels.
He plans to write a book on his travels which he called a 'homeless awareness journey'.

Snow problems.

Snow storms continued to cause travel chaos today with blizzards forcing motorists in East Cleveland to abandon their vehicles. Roads in Saltburn were brought to a standstill.
George Tough, 27, who has lived in Saltburn for 20 years, said he has never known weather like it. The barman, who works in the Marine Hotel said, "It has been snowing heavily all day. Several roads have been closed because there is just so much snow and people are getting stuck. The pub is far busier than it usually is, with people coming in to shelter from the bitter cold."
Janet Coser, 49, owner of the Victoria Public House, said, "It is really, really bad. The snow is about four to five inches deep and it looks as though there is a lot more on the way. People have been abandoning their cars and taking shelter inside the pub. I can’t say I have ever known weather as bad as this – it is just horrific."
Saltburn Bank was closed on several occasions throughout the day with Police stopping cars accessing the bank, only allowing 4x4s through.

Dog Walker rescued after snow slope plunge.

Police deployed thermal imaging equipment to find a Saltburn woman who slipped 30ft(9m) down a snow-covered slope.
The 51-year-old was walking her two dogs in a densely-wooded area of the Valley Gardens when she slipped off a footpath yesterday.
The Cleveland Police helicopter was drafted in after the woman managed to raise the alarm on her mobile phone.
A search and rescue team were then involved in raising the woman up the slope on a spinal board before she was taken to hospital with suspected back injuries.
The woman, who suffered from moderate hyperthermia and minor injuries, was later discharged.
"I had been walking through the woodlands with my dogs, as I usually do, when a loose dog jumped up behind me. It startled me and I slipped on the icy surface, tumbled over the edge of the path and slid down the bank. Once started I couldn't stop the momentum and eventually had to roll into a tree to block my fall. I couldn't believe it when the owner of the dog simply walked on past and ignored what had happened. Although I called for help other walkers also passed by and didn't stop. I can't thank the police and rescue services enough. They were absolutely marvellous. Without their efforts I don't know what would have happened."
A force spokesman said temperatures in the area at the time were about -2C.
The Valley Gardens area is popular with dog walkers and is known for its steep, wooded paths.
Police urged dog walkers to be aware of the dangers of snow and ice in the area.

To support the Cleveland Search and Rescue team click on the image and visit their website.

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.