New housing spoilt by gas pipes

Driving past the new houses on the Steeplechase site in West Dyke Road, we were horrified to see that they have been spoilt by British Gas, who have stuck their horrible pipework all over the outside of them.

 

Why on earth have they been allowded to get away with this?

Excellent Fish and Chips in Redcar

Posted by Chris:

I have just been in the newly re-opened fish and chip shop in Westmorland Road, The Small Fry. They are excellent; the batter is first class and I do like the crinkle cut chips. I didn't check the vinegar but I feel sure it is not watered down like some in the area.

Campaign for a Pier at Redcar

The campaign for a pier at Redcar has enlisted the support of journalist Chris Foote-Wood who has written two books celebrating Britain's seaside piers.

Chris, who is standing for the Liberal Democrats in Middlesbrough has joined up with Redcar's Lib Dem Candidate, Ian Swales, who launched the campaign for a traditional pier at Redcar in November and has received the support of hundreds of residents who have signed his petition.

Say's Ian: "I am delighted that Chris has joined our campaign. He is a noted expert and his book has helped to revive interest in the seaside pier.

"It is clear from the response we have been receiving from residents that a traditional seaside frontage, complete with a proper pier is what they want for Redcar."

Chris said: "I have always loved seaside piers. In 2007 and 2008 I visited every remaining seaside pleasure pier in the UK to write two pier books. Piers are part of our heritage and an enduring attraction. Redcar did have a pier, but it was demolished in 1981. A new pier at Redcar would be a great attraction, it would boost tourism and provide indoor as well as outdoor entertainment".

Voting System must be changed for the armed forces

Very few of our armed forces will actually vote in the forthcoming General Election due to the systems used. Anyone stationed abroad must vote by post and, given the deadlines, very few of them will be able to vote in time. This will be especially true for those stationed in remote parts and fighting on the front line in Afghanistan.

Ian Swales, Liberal Democrat prospective MP for Redcar, said "it's a scandal that many of our troops are bravely fighting to bring democracy to other countries while they are denied their basic democratic rights at home. In practice few of our service personnel will vote in the forthcoming election. Other countries such as Canada have solved this problem and report high turn outs from troops serving abroad. The Government have known about this for a long time but only set up a working party in January. That group has yet to report so there's no chance of implementing any recommendations before the General Election.

"Our troops have been getting a raw deal on equipment, pay and housing. Now they're being denied the right to have their say."

Eric Howden, Chairman of the British Legion in Cleveland said "This is disgusting, our troops put their lives on the line for this country daily and to deny them the simple right to vote is almost criminal and shows what our government really think of our troops. Our troops have fought for the right to the freedom of a vote on behalf of so many countries for so many years, only for our country stop them having that same right."

Dismay at decision to close St Peter's School at South Bank

News that St. Peters school on Normanby Road, South Bank, will definitely close has been greeted with dismay by local Liberal Democrat prospective MP Ian Swales.

Ian Swales said: "The St Peters school closure is a devastating blow to the local community in South Bank. I was at the public meeting on 23 February and was very moved by the passion shown by pupils, former pupils, teachers, parents and others over the future of the school. So many people attended that the oriignal venue at Eston Learning Centre was far too small. The adjudicator seemed to be listening but in the end has taken no notice of local feelings.

"This decision is driven by the Government's "Building Schools for the Future" programme. Even though St Peters is one of the most successful schools in the Borough it has had to go under the "one size fits all" policy. The Council had proposed alternatives to the department of education in London which were rejected. Now it's a London based adjudicator who has decided the school must go.

"Under Labour it's Whitehall that makes all the decisions. It's time to put the "Local" back into Local Government. We should trust people to know what's best for their own communities."

Ian Swales pledges support for NSPCC General Election campaign to protect children

Ian Swales, Prospective Liberal Democrat MP for Redcar, has pledged to support the NSPCC’s ‘I stand for children’ campaign which aims to make child protection a priority for the next Parliament.

Ian Swales said:

“Many residents have contacted me to raise awareness of the NSPCC’s valuable work and I am supporting the NSPCC’s new campaign to ensure protecting children is a political priority: I Stand for Children.”

The NSPCC’s campaign is calling on all candidates at the General Election to commit to a range of child protection measures including:

* Making the internet safer for children
* Continued funding of helpline services for children and for adults concerned about the safety or welfare of a child
* Tackling domestic violence from a child's point of view
* Ensuring that vital child protection reforms are fully implemented and resourced, following the death of Baby Peter and other child deaths since
* Provision of resources for vital therapeutic services for children who have experienced abuse
* Strengthening the role of the children's commissioner in England to act as a genuinely independent voice for children.

The charity’s Diana Sutton, head of the public affairs and campaigns unit at the NSPCC, said:

“We need to make sure that the next elected Government keeps child protection high on its list of priorities. By signing up to our campaign, candidates in this next general election can help. The public can play their role by letting the politicians know what they want done.”

Sir Alan Beuth MP shocked at Ashok Kumar MP’s ‘sudden accidental death'

Commenting on the news of Ashop Kumar’s ‘sudden accidental’ death, Sir Alan Beith says:

"I was shocked to learn of Ashok Kumar's death. He was a much liked and respected MP with whom I worked on a number of national and regional issues and he will be greatly missed."

Bring Red Kites to Redcar & Cleveland Say Lib Dems!

Liberal Democrat councillor Chris Abbott is asking Redcar & Cleveland Council to contact the RSPB to see if red kites can be released into the wild here.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds recently launched a successful scheme of this kind in the Leeds area and in other parts of the country.

Chris, who represents the Newcomen ward of Redcar, said:

“I believe that the hills around Redcar and Guisborough would be an ideal breeding ground for these beautiful birds.

“If successful a scheme of this kind would help to boost tourism in our area.

“It is not so long ago that hundreds of people came to Guisborough when an osprey visited the town for about a week.”

The Labour Leader of the Council said he would look into the matter.