Chris congratulates local musician Dean

Rock musician Dean Heslop, 19, of West Dyke Road, will release his first CD album entitled simply “Dean Heslop” on 14 December. An earlier EP he put out has been played extensively on US college radio.

The CD will be released on Middlesbrough-based Weedspell Records. The video to his song “Say You’re Sorry” was directed by Saltburn’s Adam Steele, and filmed in Middlesbrough, Saltburn and New Marske.

At tomorrow’s meeting of Redcar & Cleveland Council, Redcar Councillor Chris Abbott will ask the Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure & Tourism to join him in congratulating Dean on his achievements.

Chris said:

“Dean is an exceptionally talented young man who deserves the Council’s congratulations.

“Modern music may not be to everyone’s taste, but it is one of the few areas where Britain still leads the world, so it is right that our Council supports and encourages local talent.”

Ian Swales's pledge to students

Liberal Democrat prospective MP for Redcar, is supporting the National Union of Students campaign on student fees. He has signed the following pledge.

Ian Swales said:

“I pledge to vote against any increase in fees in the next parliament and to pressure the government to introduce a fairer alternative.

"Like many others of my generation I was only able to go to University as the fees were paid. Leaving University with no debt enabled me to get on with my life without huge repayments weighing me down. It's no wonder that fewer children from poorer backgrounds are going to University. This saddens me and given the chance I will fight hard to restore equality of opportunity for young people."

Daniel meets Kop Cat

We took our Grandson Daniel (5) to his first game at
Elland Road tonight and he met his new friend Kop Cat.

Lib Dems not put off by Council's negative response to pier campaign:

Ian Swales collecting signatures on Redcar High Street.

Ian Swales and the Redcar Liberal Democrats are delighted by the initial response to their campaign for a pier at Redcar. There has been extensive media coverage and an enthusiastic response from residents and visitors to the town.

So far Redcar and Cleveland Council have not embraced the idea and have been defending their stance on not allowing the sea front redesign to include a pier.

Lib Dem Council Group Leader Chris Abbott said: "The reasons given by the Council for not wanting a pier just don't stand up to examination. They have mentioned the impact on a site of scientific interest towards South Gare. This is nowhere near the possible pier sites. They have also mentioned the impact on tides and sea defences. We are proposing a pier, not a breakwater,. This would have minimal impact on water flow."

Ian Swales said: "The Council have immediately jumped to defend their concept of a viewing tower which they dub a "vertical pier". We have no objections to this but cannot agree that it is any kind of replacement for a proper pier. It says something about their poverty of ambition that they see it as an either,or, decision. Redcar needs major investment in many facilities as is happening in towns all over the country including Middlesbrough and Stockton. We will carry on campaigning. We will not be put off by the Council's negative response."

You can sign the petition on-line here or download paper copies to gather signatures.

Press report untrue say Leeds United

Leeds United have issued the following statement in response to an article which appeared in the Telegraph and Argus:

Leeds United Football Club would like to clarify a newspaper story which appeared on Monday November 23.

The story, which appeared in the Telegraph and Argus, alleges that the club has refused to supply tickets to family members of the Yorkshire Regiment, who are due to take part in a presentation at half-time of our game against Huddersfield on Saturday December 5.

The club can confirm that this is categorically not true. The newspaper was told that the matter was due for discussion this week and that the allegations were unfounded. Unfortunately, the newspaper chose to ignore this and ran the story.

The club will be supplying 30 tickets to the Yorkshire Regiment for use among the families of the 12 servicemen, both Leeds United fans and Huddersfield Town fans, who will be honoured during the half-time interval of the game.

The club has always prided itself on having a strong relationship with the Armed Forces.

Last season members of the Yorkshire Regiment were given a standing ovation by the Elland Road crowd when they were our guests at a game, we have long been actively involved with the Help For Heroes charity and we are keen supporters of the Military Section at Selly Oak Hospital.

In addition, HMS Ark Royal is the nominated ship of Leeds United, and at the end of every season, our playing kit is sent to Catterick Garrison for distribution around the world. Elland Road has also staged regular Army recruitment events.

The club is seeking a retraction and a full apology from the newspaper concerned.

Switching on the Christmas lights at Redcar

Pouring rain did not spoil the fun at the switching on of
Redcar's Christmas lights.

Grandson Daniel with his friend Bob the Builder

Granddaughter Jessica with dad Ashley

Granddaughter Charlotte (brown coat) sang carols with
fellow Lakes Primary School pupils

Free parking at Christmas

Redcar and Cleveland Council is offering a pre-Christmas gift to motorists across the Borough - free parking in its car parks after 1pm from Saturday, 21st November 2009.

The offer, which will run until Sunday, 27th December, covers all pay and display car parks in Redcar, Guisborough and Saltburn. The only exceptions are the supermarket car parks for Morrisons.

On-street charges will also be suspended from Saturday, 21st November.

LET'S HAVE A PIER AT REDCAR:

Ian Swales and Redcar Liberal Democrats have started a petition to try and get a new pier out to sea at Redcar.

The Council have announced major expenditure for Redcar sea front but no pier is included.

Ian Swales said "it's clear from talking to people around the town that the majority would like to have a proper pier again. Historically there were two piers. One at Coatham and one at Redcar. A new pier would be a fantastic asset that would bring anglers and many other visitors to the town. The report on the Council's "Love it, Hate it" sea front consultation with residents includes the statement "many people suggested a breakwater or pier".

It's not just local residents who feel this way. Within 10 minutes of starting to collect signatures on the High Street we met a visitor from Australia who said that Redcar beach was a perfect place for a pier.

We know there would be limitations on siting but there are possible locations close to the Regent cinema."

Chris Abbott, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Redcar and Cleveland Council, backs the idea as do ward Councillors Irene Curr and Josie Crawford. Chris said "we need a whole series of attractions to bring people to the town and a pier, costing around £3m, would be an exciting addition."

You can sign the petition on-line or download paper copies to gather signatures by clicking here.

Photo shows, from left, Ian Swales with Redcar Councillors John Hannon, Irene Curr and Josie Crawford.

Government threat to our heritage

The Government is planning to remove legal protection from listed buildings in Britain. The provisions are contained in draft legislation which will encourage local authorities to demolish listed buildings on economic or social grounds. This legislation threatens numerous buildings including 19 in the Redcar district alone.

Local conservationist Alex Stamp said "to remove legal protection is unacceptable and an astonishing indication of the Governments hostility where distinguished architecture is concerned., the idea that local Councils could demolish buildings such as Redcar clock, Saltburn war memorial or Middlesbrough railway station when they like will be a shock to local people. Professional bodies are already describing the move as a "wreckers charter".

Liberal Democrat prospective MP for Redcar Ian Swales is taking up the cause. He said "I was saddened but not surprised when I heard of these proposals. The Labour Government's changes to Planning Laws are all designed to make demolition easy, smooth the way for developers and take local people out of the process. They have set up the Planning Inspectorate in Bristol who regularly allow developments despite local opposition. Redcar Lane, Redcar and Church Lane, Eston are two recent examples. They have also set up the Infrastructure Planning Commission who will be able to sanction nuclear power stations, airport runways and other large structures without reference to local people. Now they want to be able to bulldoze any of our fine old buildings that stand in their way".

Four in fight for Ormesby Ward By-Election

Four candidates are standing in the Ormesby Ward By-Election for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, which takes plave on Thursday 3rd December 2009.

Martin Bulmer (UKIP),
Steven Goldswain (Labour),
Colin Jones (Conservative),
Ann Wilson (Liberal Democrat).

The vacancy has been created by the retirement of Lib Dem Councillor Eric Empson due to ill health.

Daniel, Jessica and Charlotte

Grandchildren Daniel, Jessica and Charlotte