Friday 29 February 2008

Changes to planning application process

Redcar and Cleveland Council is bringing in new Government guidelines ahead of schedule, which make the planning application process clearer and more efficient.

The Department for Communities and Local Government is launching 1APP, a Standard National Planning Application Form to replace all existing types of planning application forms within England.

With effect from April 6, 2008, this will be the only legal way of submitting a planning application within England, however there will be a transitional period until Tuesday, May 6.

The Council has now introduced 1APP therefore, if you are submitting a planning application, ensure you use the correct application form which will also include completion of the appropriate validation checklist containing all the necessary plans and documentation to validate your application.

1APP is primarily designed as an electronic form and is available online via the Planning Portal . These forms are also available to be downloaded from the Council's website in paper form. In addition, for those people without access to the internet, the forms can be obtained direct from the Council.

Further information regarding 1APP can be obtained by clicking on this link.

Falling tree injures two people at Saltburn

Redcar and Cleveland Council this afternoon closed two footpaths in Rift Wood in the Saltburn Valley after two people needed hospital treatment after a tree was blown down in the fierce winds.

The incident happened early on Friday afternoon on one of the paths through Rift Wood in the Saltburn Valley. One person was taken to hospital by ambulance and a second needed to be freed by the fire and rescue service and paramedics before being flown to hospital by the air ambulance.

Wednesday 27 February 2008

A taste of the Continent comes to Redcar and Guisborough

A European invasion is coming.... to set up speciality Continental markets in Guisborough and Redcar next week.

Thirty traders from Belgium, Holland, Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Turkey and Spain will be selling their wares along Westgate, Guisborough on Thursday, March 6 and in front of Redcar's Town Clock from Friday, March 7 to Sunday, March 9.

Redcar and Cleveland Council is welcoming the chance to promote the market.

The markets, which will be trading from 10am until 6pm Thursday to Saturday and from 10am until 4pm on Sunday, feature a wide range of food and drinks, including parma ham, specialist sausages, pasta, olive oil, jam, sauces, Brittany biscuits, cheeses, paella, crepes, chocolate, wines, ciders and calvados.

There will also be stalls selling crafts, with wooden flowers, jewellery, porcelain, glass and clothing.

Monday 25 February 2008

Clegg - Let the under-fifties have their say on Europe

Speaking this morning at the Liberal Democrats’ headquarters, Nick Clegg said:

"Tomorrow we will be putting to Parliament our proposal for an in-out referendum on Britain’s future in the EU.

"The debate over Britain’s future in Europe has been poisoned for too long by a Labour Party that refuses to make the case for it, and an opportunistic Tory Party that actively seeks to undermine it.

"We need to draw the poison from that debate - to settle the matter one way or another.

"So today I am inviting the Labour and Conservative parties to join with me in calling for the referendum that will settle Britain’s European future - once and for all.

"When the government promised a referendum on the European Constitution, they promised a vote on all the changes to Europe since Britain joined the EEC, brought together in one constitutional text.

"That was the right thing to do.

"It was a bond of trust.

"And we supported it.

"Because we believe that the British people should have a real choice on all the developments in the EU over the past 30 years...

"...The European Union has brought peace and prosperity to its members over the past 50 years.

"No-one under the age of fifty in this country has had a direct say on this issue. Not me, not David Milliband, not David Cameron.

"So I say it’s time for a national debate and a national decision.

"Gordon Brown cannot push the referendum genie back into the bottle.

"And it’s critical that the British people are allowed to vote on the real issue at stake.

"That’s what our proposal would deliver."

Saturday 23 February 2008

Kandol snatches a late goal to secure a draw against the Alex

Leeds United: Ankergren, Kenton, Richardson, Michalik, Marques, Sheehan, Prutton, Howson, Sweeney, Kandol, Flo. Subs: Lucas, Huntington, Johnson, Carole, Elding.

Crewe Alexandra: Williams, Abbey, Baudet, O'Donnell, Boyle, Lunt, Gary Roberts, Schumacher, Gary Roberts, Maynard, Moore. Subs: Cox, O'Connor, Pope, Lowe, McCready.

Referee: Mike Pike.

An electric start by United with two chances on target in the first three minutes. After 59 seconds Tore Andre Flo fired in from 20 yards but the ball sailed over the bar. A shot by Alan Sheehan from 12 yards was blocked by Crewe's Daniel O'Donnell two minutes later.

As the game settled down the Whites remained in charge with more chances flying in but it was clear that Jermaine Beckford's sharpness in the penalty was being missed. Tresor Kandol doesn't yet have the same understanding with Flo that he has with Becks. Kandol has speed which veteran Flo can't match.

With two minutes to go in the first half a free kick taken by Kenny Lunt for Crewe had Casper Ankergren beaten but it hit the bar and United survived the only real chance that the Alex had in the first half.

But one minute 20 seconds after the re-start Crewe were ahead. Nicky Maynard drove in a low ball from 18 yards, 0-1.

Seb Carole came on for Darren Kenton in the 51st minute.

Leeds were still controlling the game and shots by David Putton and Fraser Richardson flew in but still they were no real threat up front.

Bradley Johnson came on for Peter Sweeney and Anthony Elding replaced Flo in the 65th minute.

Elding added a little bit more sharpness to the front-line but Crewe were seeing more of the ball and Leeds just did not look like scoring in this game.

But with less than five minutes to go, a free kick badly taken by Johnson, bounced around and somehow ended up at the feet of Carole, he crossed it to Kandol who headed in from the right of the 12 yard box and at long last he broke his goal drought, 1-1.

Six minutes of extra time saw Leeds battle on for the winner but the Alex held out and still we have to wait for that elusive first win for manager Gary McAllister.

Leeds worked hard and dominated the game but they are struggling up front and the play off's are getting harder and harder to reach,

Attendance 21,223.

Leeds United 1 Crewe Alexandra 1.

Friday 22 February 2008

Labour's wrecking amendment ruins debate on Post Office Closures

Pictured below L to R Cllr Glyn Nightingale, Ian Swales Lib Dem PPC
for Redcar, Cllr Eric Empsom campaigning at Lazenby Post Office
under threat from Labour Government cuts.
Yesterday we proposed a motion calling on the Council to campaign against proposals to close four Post offices in the Borough of Redcar & Cleveland it read:

This Council notes with concern that the following Post Office branches are proposed for closure as part of the Post Office Area Plan:

Charltons, Charltons, Saltburn-By-The-Sea.
Moorsholm, 44 High Street, Moorsholm, Saltburn-by-the-Sea.
Lazenby, Lazenby Post Office, 23 High Street, Lazenby, Middlesbrough.
Park Avenue, Park Avenue, Redcar.

And resolves to campaign vigorously against the closure of these important local facilities and to send in objections to Adrian Wales, Network Development Manager, c/o National Consultation Team, Freepost Consultation Team.

This Council further resolves to do all it can to assist in finding a suitable franchisee who is willing to take on a Post Office facility at Roseberry Shopping Centre, which is on the list of those to be retained by the Post Office.

Proposed by Councillor Chris Abbott
Seconded by Councillor Glynis Abbott

Unfortunately the debate was restricted to a very few minutes and the controlling Labour Group introduced a wrecking amendment which we could not support. This amendment was factually incorrect and deleted the important need to campaign for the restoration of the Post Office in the new Roseberry Shopping Centre at Redcar.

We had hoped the Council would be unanimous in supporting our motion but clearly the controlling Labour Group prefer to be mischievous and misleading rather than genuinely campaign against cuts their colleagues in the Labour Government have forced upon us all.

Monday 18 February 2008

“Government incompetence has been costly to Northern Rock” – Ian Swales

Responding to the decision by the Government to nationalise Northern Rock, Ian Swales, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Redcar constituency, said:

“This decision is welcome but was also inevitable and should have been taken last year. Instead, Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling have been paralysed by their own indecision. They put off the only sensible course of action right until the very end. This is hardly a sensible way to run the Government.

“Had Labour followed the advice of Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable last year, the uncertainty that has been so damaging to Northern Rock and to the British economy would have been avoided.

“The Conservative proposal that Northern Rock should be put into administration and run down would be a disaster. Not only would this not get taxpayers money back any faster but it would be the one way to guarantee that every single job at the bank would be lost, most of them in the North East. Temporary nationalisation will not be easy for Northern Rock, but it at least offers hope that the bank can have a long-term future and eventually be sold when conditions are better.”

Ian Swales is the Liberal Democrats Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Redcar

Ian Swales calls for action on Boating Lake restoration

Pictured with Ian Swales are Coatham Ward Councillors Josie Crawford (left) & Irene Curr.

With work delayed on the derelict boating lake for twelve months now and another summer season on the way Redcar is looking in a sorry state to welcome visitors.

Ian Swales, the Liberal Democrats Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Redcar, has called for action to be taken as soon as possible to begin work of the restoration of the Boating Lake, that was due to start in the Spring of 2007.

Ian Swales said: "Surely the delay cannot be allowed to go on much longer. The funding for this was made available over one year ago and it is not part of the planning permission wrangle that has befallen the Coatham Links scheme. We need to have something for our visitors and the Council needs to act quickly."

More fun to play in Locke Park, Redcar

It's more fun in the playground at Locke Park, Redcar!

A new multi-activity unit consisting of a slide, bridge and climbing ropes, designed for three to five year olds, has been installed in a project, organised by the Friends of Locke Park and Redcar and Cleveland Council.

The equipment, costing £12,300, has arrived thanks to a successful bid to Awards for All, a grant-making body providing small community-based grants, funded by the National Lottery, with the Council installing the new attraction.

Friends secretary Carolyn Farrance said: "We're a bit too old to use the equipment ourselves, but we know it's going to provide an awful lot of enjoyment for the families who visit the Park.

"We're only too pleased to be able to help. This piece of equipment adds to the items bought last year for the younger children using the playground area, all with the profits from our annual Gala Day, as well as help and support from a number of grant-making bodies and the Council."

Friday 15 February 2008

£248,000 for more "gateway" art on the A66 at South Bank

Larger than lifesize models of a welder and a puddler, symbolising Redcar and Cleveland's industrial heritage, will form the final Gateway features in the South Tees Business Park from the A66.

Redcar and Cleveland Council starts work on site on Monday, February 18 for the scheme which will feature walls interlinked by bespoke railings outlining the Eston Hills with the welder and puddler in the foreground on the verge by the South Tees Business Centre, at the junction of Normanby Road.

The figures are being created by Stokesley artist Steve Tomlinson, working with Robinson Engineering at their foundry in Liverton Mines, to cast and galvanise the features which will be installed by Carillion Infrastructure Services, the Council's strategic partner. Work should be completed by the end of March.

Steve explained: "This is the last of the Gateway features I have been asked to work on and I felt it was important to show the hard work that's gone into developing the local industry."

The Gateway, costing £182,000 in total, has been funded jointly by Single Programme money through One NorthEast and the Tees Valley Partnership, with match funding from the Council and from Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF).

Work will also get underway on six smaller feature walls in the South Tees Business Parks and Skippers Lane Industrial Estates costing £66,000 as part of the NRF South Tees Environment project.

The Council's Cabinet Member for Economic Development Councillor Mark Hannon said: "We're here to create jobs, to improve the quality of life for everyone. And these pieces of work can be signposts to our continuing efforts at regenerating the Borough."

Thursday 14 February 2008

Keep Redcar's Post Offices Open


Pictured outside Park Avenue Post Office in Redcar, which is threatened with closure, along with Lazenby Post Office, under the Labour Government’s plans to axe 2500 post offices are left to right Cllr Glynis Abbott, Cllr Joyce Benbow, Cllr Chris Abbott, Cllr Mary Ovens and Lib Dem Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Redcar Ian Swales

Wednesday 13 February 2008

Redcar Lib Dems leading the battle to stop Labour’s Post Office closures


North East Lib Dem Euro MEP Fiona Hall at the new Roseberry Shopping Centre, Redcar campaigning with, left to right, Ian Swales, Cllr Chris Abbott, Fiona Hall, Pat Swales, for the retention of the Post Office that had been situated in the now demolished Roseberry Square.

Ian Swales, Lib Dem Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Redcar is leading the battle to stop Labour’s post office closures.

Ian said "2500 post offices face the axe across Britain. Here in Redcar constituency 2 more post offices face closure. Lazenby and Park Avenue, Redcar are in the latest list announced on the 12th February. The only bright spot is that Roseberry Square, Redcar remains on the retained list so we hope we have won the battle to get one reinstated there.

“Post offices play a vital role in our local communities. These closures will hit local people, especially older residents, very hard indeed.”

The Liberal Democrats are fighting the closures. They are gathering a petition locally to be presented at Downing Street.

“Labour and Conservative governments have decimated our post office network. Only the Liberal Democrats have a plan to save our local post offices and to open new post offices when needed, said Ian Swales.”

Tuesday 12 February 2008

Points shared as a much improved Leeds battled it out with Forest

Leeds United: Ankergran, Kenton, Marques, Michalik, Sheehan, Hughes, Prutton, Howson, Johnson, Beckford, Kandol. Subs: Richardson, Sweeney, Elding, Flo, Lucas.

Nottingham Forest: Smith, Wilson, Breckin, Morgan, Chambers, McGugan, Cohen, Commons, Bennett, Hoskins, Tyson. Subs: Richardson, Perch, Holt, Clingan, Davies.

Referee: M. Holsey.

It was another fast-paced start, in front of a big and noisy Leeds crowd, with United hell bent on attacking the Forest goal but it was not until the 14th minute that they managed to get a shot on target. Jonathan Howson sent in a screamer from 25 yards but it was easily caught by Paul Smith in Forest's goal.

Forest were not making it easy for the Whites. David Johnson had a shot tipped round the post by Smith in the 34th minute and David Prutton had a shot from 30 yards cleared by Forest one minute later.

Jermaine Beckford made a great run on 41 minutes only to fluff his finish, which has been a feature of his game in recent weeks.

Three minutes into the second half Nathan Tyson found himself one on one with United goalkeeper, Casper Ankergran but his shot, from 12 yards missed.

A sustained period of pressure from Leeds resulted in a series of shots from Alan Sheehan, Howson and Prutton but Forest held on.

Disaster struck on 68 minutes, against the run of play, when a cross from Kris Commons provided a free header from 12 yards out, for Julian Bennett and Forest were in front 0-1.

Peter Sweeney replaced Bradley Johnson on 69 minutes and Prutton was replaced by Tore Andre Flo a minute later.

Beckford had a header from six yards cleared off the line by Ian Breckin as United piled on the pressure assisted by an anxious crowd who roared the Whites on.

With ten minutes to go and for the third time in the match, an appeal was made for a penalty after a foul on Kandol. This time it was granted. Beckford sent the Leeds fans into football heaven when he hammered the ball into the bottom right hand side of the net, 1-1.

Anthony Elding came on for Kandol as Leeds looked for that elusive winner but it didn't come and Forest held on for a draw.

This was more like it for Leeds they piled on the pressure against a strong side and it should give the lads a boost in confidence ready for the big one at Doncaster on Saturday.

Attendance 29,552.

Leeds United 1 Nottingham Forest 1

Monday 11 February 2008

Atonement wins best film at the BAFTA's

Atonement, the wartime movie blockbuster, that had it's Dunkirk evacuation scenes made on Redcar seafront, won best film at last night's BAFTA film awards ceremony. The film, which had received 14 nominations, also won the award for Production Design.

Saturday 9 February 2008

Cobblers fight back to force a draw at Sixfields

Northampton Town: Bunn, Crowe, Jackman, Little, Hughes, Johnson, Holt, Hayes, Gilligan, Hubertz, Burnell. Subs: Gyepes, Coke, Akinfenwa, Henderson, Dunn.

Leeds United: Ankergran, Kenton, Marques, Michalik, Sheehan, Prutton, Hughes, Howson, Johnson, Beckford, Kandol. Subs: Heath, Sweeney, Flo, Lucas, Elding.

Referee: Steve Tanner.

The fast flowing and exiciting first half was dominated by Leeds United who showed some of the determination and confidence they had started the season with but had lost in recent weeks.

Northampton Town, a much improved side since their visit to Elland Road on 5th January, took longer to settle down but improved as the half went on.

United went ahead after 37 minutes when Jonathan Howson volled in, from 12 yards, a pass by Bradley Johnson, 0-1.

It was United who started the second half slowly and it wasn't until the 69th minute when a chance came. Beckford shot wide from 20 yards.

Johnson, who had done little since his assist for Howson's goal was replaced by Peter Sweeney in the 70th minute.

Leeds were simply not trying and they paid the price in the 75th minute when Cobbler's substitute Adebayo Akinfenwa sent the ball into the back of the net from six yards, 1-1.

The goal fired up United and they began to pass the ball about with more effort. Tore Andre Flo came on for David Prutton in the 79th minute but a goal would not come. Sweeney had a 35 yard shot saved in the 88th minute and wasted another chance with a weak free kick from 25 yards in extra time.

With only 15 games to go, United need to play the full 90 minutes not just the first 45. Gary McAllister now has until Tuesday, when United face Nottingham Forest at Elland Road, to get the promotion challenge back on track. The leaders are getting further and further away.

Attendance 7260 (1268 Leeds).

Northampton Town 1 Leeds United 1

Friday 8 February 2008

I was there the last time Leeds United met the Cobblers

Posted by Chris:

As Leeds United prepare to face the Cobblers at Sixfields tomorrow it is amazing to think that it is 42 years since the last time they visited Northamton Town.

It also makes me feel old as I remember both games.

Back in 1965/66 the Cobblers completed a remarkable climb to the top division and spent that season amongst the elite only to slip straight back down to the basement again in, I think, successive seasons.

Why I remember certain things about the two games against Cobblers that season I don't know. I was a regular at games both home and away before and for many years afterwards but these two stick in my memory more than some of the bigger games we played at the time.

The first match, at Elland Road, was on 16th October 1965. I was 15 at the time and used to spend each Friday and Saturday night baby sitting for my uncle and aunt at Boroughbridge. My uncle was working, I think for Wimpy at the time, on a building site on the outskirts of Leeds and he dropped me off on the morning of the match.

I remember hanging around Leeds city centre before it was time to go to the match. I stood in the good old Scratching Shed and watched the Whites thrash the Cobblers 6-1.

The return match took place at the County Ground on March 5th 1966. I can't remember how I got there, probably on 'Tod' Pynes Coach from Starbeck, but we stood with all the Leeds fans in a covered stand, to the right of the players tunnel, if your looking out onto the pitch. The ground was three sided but they had a temporary open terrace on the side that would normally be the cricket pitch.

Leeds were riding high and the Town were battling against relegation but as we have come to expect, in situations like that, the struggling Cobblers side won 2-1.

I have only been to Northampton twice since then and both have included visit to the Cobbler's ground.

In the early 1990's I attended the memorable final meeting of the Liberal Party Council, held at Northampton, when we finally agreed the terms to merge with the SDP. I remember this was the first time and only time I ever drew a response from David Steel to some critical comment I made about his leadership during the negotiations.

During the lunch break I took our lad Mark, who came with me and played football all day outside the meeting hall with some other delegates kids, to the County Ground to have a look at the stadium.

About six or seven years ago Glynis and I attended a seminar, held in Northampton one Monday and we took the opportunity to take the caravan. We spent the previous weekend at a lovely site, near the town, that was surrounded by a river or canal and a series of commercial fishing ponds. If anyone knows where this was please let us know because we can't remember and would like to go again sometime. There was a huge viaduct.

During that weekend we went to have a look at the new Sixfields Stadium and I remember being able to see right inside from a nearby hill. We also had a look around the impressive Rushdon & Diamonds ground as well.

Monsters and road safety bring half term fun at the library

Redcar and Cleveland Council is organising half term activites for children, ranging from monster storytelling to road safety, in branch libraries across the Borough

The Community Animateurs, a group of three storytellers, employed by Redcar and Cleveland College, and library staff will be sharing the workload of entertaining youngsters with tales from the five popular books of the Spiderwick Chronicles and organising craft activities to make masks, magical maps and trading cards.

The Council's Road Safety Officer Roy Morris will also be bringing road safety mascot Spike to a series of fun sessions, with more stories and craft activities.

All sessions are free and open to children of all ages. Under eights must be accompanied by an adult. Dates, venues and activities are:

Monday, February 18: Brotton - road safety, 10.30am-11.30am, Saltburn - Spiderwick, 2pm-3pm, Dormanstown - road safety, 2.30pm-3.30pm.

Tuesday, February 19: Ormesby - Spiderwick, 10.30am-11.30am, Grangetown - road safety, 10.30am-11.30am, South Bank - road safety, 2pm-3pm.

Wednesday, February 20: Guisborough - Spiderwick, 10.30am-11.30am, Dormanstown - Spiderwick, 2pm-3pm, Laburnum Road - Spiderwick, 2pm-3pm.

Thursday, February 21: Marske - Spiderwick, 10am-11am, Redcar Central - monster story telling, 10.30am-11.30am, Spiderwick, 2pm-3pm, Loftus - road safety, 10.30am-11.30am, Skelton - road safety, 2pm-3pm.

Friday, February 22: Brotton - Spiderwick, 10.30am-11.30pm, Roseberry - Spiderwick, 2pm-3pm.

Thursday 7 February 2008

Call on Labour MP to explain support for poor deal for local Police and Fire Services

Liberal Democrats in Redcar and Cleveland are calling on Vera Baird MP to explain why she backed cash settlements for Cleveland Police and Fire Services that are the lowest in the country.

Vera Baird voted for Cleveland Police to have a rise of only 2.5%, the lowest given to any force. She also supported a rise of only 1% for Cleveland Fire Service, again the lowest.

“The low rise in the amount of money from central government to help pay towards Police and Fire costs will mean a tight year ahead for local services,” said Ian Swales, Liberal Democrats Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Redcar. "The rises are less than inflation. This will no doubt mean cuts in services and higher Council Tax bills. It is a case of pay more and get less under Labour."

Local businesses must go for gold - Ian Swales

Liberal Democrat campaigner Ian Swales is encouraging all local businesses to boost their business by logging onto the London 2012 website.

Ian Swales said, “Although over 500 contracts have already been signed by the Olympic Delivery Authority, the majority of contracts have yet to be awarded. So far this area has been missing out. Redcar and Cleveland businesses must make sure they get their fair share of these contracts."

Businesses are now able to register on the 2012 website so that they can be made aware of opportunities for contracts as well as the chance to access and compete for them.

For more information on the opportunities available as well as a link to register your business, visit the London 2012 website at the following link:

Ian Swales is the Liberal Democrats Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Redcar.

Council retains four star status

Redcar and Cleveland Council has today received a four-star rating from the Audit Commission's Comprehensive Performance Assessment for the third consecutive year.

The Council's overall rating was four stars, with an 'improving well' assessment for its Direction of Travel.

The CPA results are available on the Audit Commission's website.

Wednesday 6 February 2008

Museum fun for children going back to Tudor times

Children can step back in time for a series of half term activities linked in with the Tudor Lives exhibition at Kirkleatham Museum, Redcar.

Throughout the holiday, from Saturday, February 16 to Sunday, February 24, children can be Tudor detectives, dressing up in costumes, then explore the exhibition to solve clues and complete a quiz.

From Tuesday, February 19, you can design your own coat of arms, just like all the noble Tudor families, with shield shapes, paper and pictures in the exhibition's craft area. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

The Museum's Outreach Education Officer Liz Vine is opening her store cupboard for two drop-in sessions to make mini Tudor Knights and Ladies on Tuesday, February 19, from 10am-1pm and 1pm-4pm.

All materials will be provided for another two drop-in sessions on Thursday, February 21, from 10am-noon and 1pm-4pm, to make your own headdress or hat and a ruff, just like King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I.

The exhibition features a replica parlour and kitchen from the house of a Tudor nobleman called Henry Madison, who lived in the North East in the 16th century.

The kitchen area shows what life was like 'below stairs' in a grand town house. You can see where the food was prepared and find out what life was like in a Tudor kitchen, sitting by the range and imagining the meat roasting on the spit.

In contrast, the parlour area is very grand, with its rich panelling and decorations of suits of armour and weapons, even a treasure chest bursting with coins and pewterware, reflecting the life of a wealthy gentleman.

Visitors can also find out about early healthcare by matching 'cures' to a variety of diseases, try your hand at weaving a willow wall and compare the menus for a rich and poor person's dinner.

For more information, call the Museum on 01642 479500.

Saturday 2 February 2008

Rovers stun Leeds with two second half goals

United: Lucas, Kenton, Heath, Michalik, Sheehan, Prutton, Hughes (capt), Howson, Johnson, Beckford,, Elding. Subs: Huntington, Martin, Carole, Flo, Sweeney.

Tranmere: Coyne, Stockdale, Goodison, Kay, A. Taylor, Myrie-Williams, McClaren, Jennings, Sherriff, Zola, Moore. Subs: Achterberg, Greenacre, Charley, Mullen, Curran.

Ref: S. Mathieson

A standing ovation greeted new Manager, Gary McAllister as he walked out at Elland Road, smartly dressed in suit and tie. Macca made six changes to the team that lost at Southend and he included new signings Alan Sheehan, Lubo Michalik and Anthony Elding.

The first real chance in the game, that began at 100 miles per hour, fell to Rovers when they were awarded a freekick, twenty yards out, which Paul McClaren bounced off the crossbar.

Play continued at a fast and furious pace, the Whites just edging it with three shots on target to Rovers one. The best chance for Leeds came just on half time when a David Prutton freekick hit the bar from 30 yards.

But Leeds were struggling with crosses and passing. Clearly, the unsettling nature of the events over the past week and the changes to the team were having an adverse effect. Teams take time to gel and Macca has not had time to work his magic.

Seb Carole came on for Darren Kenton in the 53rd minute and Tore Andre Flo came on for Elding four minutes later. United and the crowd were temporarily lifted by these changes but disaster struck on the hour when Jennison Myrie-Williams curled in a left-footed shot from 12 yards to put Rovers in front, 0-1.

It just got worse as Tranmere piled on the pressure and a freekick, taken by Alan Taylor, was headed in by former Leeds man Ian Moore on 69 minutes, 0-2.

Paul Huntington came on for Alan Sheehan with 16 minutes remaining.

United piled on the pressure in the final ten minutes but all efforts came to nothing and the Whites were once again beaten at home by a better side.

Attendance 24,907

Leeds United 0 Tranmere Rovers 2

Survey barge aground at Redcar

Colin Crawford took these pictures, this morning, near The Stray at Redcar. This small barge has been doing survey work for the offshore windfarm at Coatham bay.







Friday 1 February 2008

Crime prevention advice

Roseberry library, Redcar hosts a crime prevention surgery with PC Ian Solomon on Monday, February 4, from 2pm-3pm.