Get into sport in Redcar

Have you been inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games?

If so, a special event to highlight the local sport and physical activity opportunities in Redcar will take place on Thursday, August 30.

As well as finding out about local clubs there will be a range of free activities available for you to take part in, including; volleyball, orienteering, archery, hockey and Tees Valley Leisure will be operating a leisure challenge!

Local sports clubs will be also be on hand to promote their club and the activities available. The event is being held at Kirkleatham Museum, Redcar between 3pm - 6pm. For more information, please contact Sports Development on 01642 496430.

#Pen4Ken Campaign

I have sent Ken Bates a pen in the hope it will encourage him to sign the agreement for new cash investment into Leeds United FC.

Massive backing for Recycling Pilot – 91% support for third bin

An overwhelming 91% are in favour of Redcar & Cleveland Council’s pilot using three bins, according to the local Liberal Democrats’ survey in Nunthorpe.

But residents, by more than four to one, would oppose being charged £20 by the council for the third bin. In addition, eight out of 10 residents say they would not be prepared to have a plastic bag for green waste which has been piloted in part of Guisborough.

The pilot involved using one bin for refuse, one for green waste and the third for recycling materials. 

The local Lib Dem Team thanks those who responded to the doorstep survey or by post - that’s nearly 150 households.

Typical comments from residents included...

“...a much more convenient way to recycle. Having one bin eliminates the hassle...”

“Excellent - one bin for all the recycling - much easier”

“Very Good, should be a permanent feature.”

“Much better idea - cleaner, tidier and much more convenient.”

“...the pilot scheme is good, because when the weather is inclement the paper isn’t exposed and the bottles and cardboard box don’t fill with water and leaves.”

 “Excellent”

“The more recycling that is done in any town the better for the environment.”

“I like the multi-bin - it saves time having to separate items. I also like a bin for green waste because the bags would be heavy and split easily.”

Only two people were openly hostile to the extra bin. Those who opposed the idea were concerned about insufficient storage space or the unsightly appearance of bins outside their homes.

Liberal Democrat Group Leader and ward councillor Glyn Nightingale commented:

“The Lib Dems believe recycling is absolutely vital. We are extremely pleased that residents were so positive about the pilot scheme in Nunthorpe. Their co-operation is crucial to making recycling a success.

"But it is clear from our survey that residents are far less willing to pay to help the Council with recycling, if the Labour council tries to extend its current charging policy from plastic bags to the third bin or to use plastic bags for green waste.”

"Overall, I welcome the Council’s decision to extend the pilot scheme used in Nunthorpe."

Views sought on Redcar junction improvements

Public views are being sought on plans to remove an existing roundabout at the junction of West Dyke, Corporation and Thrush Road in Redcar and replace it with traffic signals.

The planned improvements were highlighted as part of the Tees Valley Bus Network improvement scheme which looks at ways of easing traffic congestion in the area.

A public engagement event will be held in a trailer adjacent to the roundabout on Monday 20 August and Tuesday 21 August and a display will be situated in Redcar Library from 20 – 24 August. The public can also provide their comments by contacting the Engineering Section at Redcar and Cleveland Council on  01642 774774, by email, or by writing to:

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council
Area Management Directorate
Engineering Section
Redcar and Cleveland House
Kirkleatham Street
Redcar
TS10 1RT

Deadline for comments is 31 August 2012.

Yorkshire Day at Redcar in pictures

There was an excellent attendance at Redcar Town Clock  this morning for the annual reading of the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity. 

Former Bishop Auckland Town Crier and former Lib Dem candidate for Mayor of Middlesbrough, Chris Foote-Wood led the proceedings encouraging people to attend the ceremony and promoting the sale of white roses to raise funds for Redcar Lifeboat. 

After a short speech of welcome by Ian Swales MP, who said he was proud to call himself a Yorkshire MP, Chris Foote-Wood read the Declaration on the stroke of 11.37 am, which is exactly 1137 years since the first recorded reference to the Ridings of Yorkshire in the Anglo Saxon Chronicles of the year 876. A huge cheer followed the words Yorkshire forever. 

The rose girls raising funds for Redcar Lifeboat

Chris Foote-Wood draws the crowds 

Chris Foote-Wood reads the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity 

watched by Redcar MP Ian Swales.

Happy Yorkshire Day

Today is Yorkshire Day and the Yorkshire Ridings Society's annual reading of the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity will take place at Redcar Town Clock at 11.37 a.m.

This year the declaration will be read by Chris Foote-Wood (pictured above).

Chris is the former Town Crier of Bishop Auckland and former LibDem candidate for Mayor of Middlesbrough. He is directly descended from two Whitby sea captains related to Captain Cook.

The Ridings Society's North Riding Group is donating all proceeds from their sales of white roses (£1 each) to Redcar Lifeboat. Each year since 1997 the North Riding Group has raised thousands of pounds for local charities from the sales of white roses on Yorkshire Day.