Kelly and Ashley's wedding pictures

Our daugher Kelly got married, a week last Saturday, to Ashley Seaman and Colin Crawford took the pictures. A selection are displayed below:

The Bride and Groom

Left to right Chris, Ashley's mum Carol, Kelly, Ashley and Glynis

The cake created by Glynis

Two lovely bridesmaids Charlotte (left) and Jessica.

Signing the Register

.

Best Man Paul Mellor

Haddock and Chips with salt and brown vinegar

Posted by Chris:

I love fish and chips. I prefer haddock to cod and here on the north east coast of Yorkshire the fish and chip shops sell mainly cod. Most do haddock as well but you have to wait for them to cook it and many of them leave the skin on for some reason. Glynis, originally from Whitby, prefers cod.

It is therefore a highlight of our fishing trips to the Thirsk area, visit to parents in Harrogate or to the Yorkshire Ridings Society meetings in York, that I get a portion of my favourite haddock and chips. For years we got them from the fish and chip shop in Thirsk that was just off the Market Place, on the road leading to the Herriot Centre. We turned up there recently and were horrified to find that it had turned into a Chinese takeaway. We now need to find an alternative in the Thirsk area - any suggestions? The other one we use regularly is just off Knaresborough Market Place, I forget the name but it almost backs on to the bus station.

One way of telling a good fish and chip shop is often by the colour of the vinegar. Some of them water it down and the paler the colour the more they do it. The fish and chips are usually dreadful as well.

Why does Netto sell stale sliced bread?

The opening of Netto in Roseberry Shopping
centre at Redcar has been a great success.

The first day, a couple of weeks ago, was marked by the number of people queuing around the corner to get in. The queues were there all day long and I am told there were people outside in the early hours to make sure that they got the bargains that were on offer.

The car park, even on a wet Sunday afternoon, is always packed with cars. It was hardly used when we had the shabby and now demolished Roseberry Square. I have not had to drive to Tesco once since it opened. Glynis seems quite content to get most of her shopping at Netto now.

One concern we have is that, not unlike many other supermarkets, the sliced bread is often stale. Why do these stores sell sliced bread that could be as much as two days or more old? When you get it home it is only good enough for toast. Perhaps Netto will explain?

Leeds United get off to the best possible start

The 2-1 win at Tranmere gets Leeds off to the best possible start with fans singing, at the end. "we're gonna the league."

Listening to the game on Yorkshire Radio I got the impression that Leeds were a very different team and well fired up for the challenge. I don't know what Dennis Wise said or did at half time but whatever it was it did the trick.

Now we are only -12 points.

Tranmere Rovers 1 Leeds United 2

SHOCK FIGURES SHOW ECONOMIC DECLINE IN REDCAR AND CLEVELAND - IAN SWALES

Recently published figures show a huge fall in average annual earnings in the Redcar and Cleveland area.

Earnings for 2006 are nearly 10% down on 2005, one of the worst declines in the country.

The national picture shows a 4% increase meaning that people in Redcar and Cleveland have fallen dramatically behind. Average earnings at £18,556 are now 26% behind the average for England of £25,008.

Commenting on the figures Ian Swales, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Redcar, said, "this shows just how much damage is being done to the local economy by job losses at the major employers. Good quality jobs are not being replaced and too many people are being forced into low paid work or Government schemes. The picture for the rest of the Tees Valley and the North East as a whole is also poor. This is more data to show that the North South gap is widening.

With the South East suffering from chronic housing shortages it's time that our local MP's attracted the well paid Government jobs to the area that they have been promising. Gordon Brown first spoke about this nearly ten years ago but so far there has been little sign of any movement that would benefit our area".

Quote from the website of Vera Baird MP for Redcar "The Government has plans to move well paid civil service jobs out of London which will create more opportunities. "

The figures are taken from the Office of National Statistics. See attached spreadsheet.
The only areas in the country showing a bigger decline are Christchurch, Mole Valley, Melton and Scarborough.

Tornado hits Brooklyn

Posted by Chris:

My Uncle, Arthur Wilde, who lives in Bayside, New York, sent me these picures of the aftermath of a storm on Wednesday. When it happens in the states it happens big style.

Firemen clear storm debris. The National Weather Service said a tropical air mass caused the heavy rains. Source: AP

Chris Pellen carries his son Roman across the Brooklyn Bridge. Gov. Eliot Spitzer asked transit authority engineers to report back within 30 days with suggestions about how to deal with the
chronic flooding.

Commuters attempt to board a bus in Lower Manhattan after the subways flooded. The washout was the third time in seven months that the subways were disrupted by rain.

Morning commuters pack into a crowded train. Thousands of commuters were stranded for two hours

A portion of the sidewalk rises out of the ground in the Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn. The severe weather damaged at least 40 homes.

Daniel Chen removes things from the trunk of his car, which was damaged by debris from a collapsed roof. The storm system killed one motorist.

Commuters were forced to the streets after three inches of rain flooded subway tracks. The subway's drainage system can generally handle a maximum of 1.5 inches of rainfall per hour.

Workers survey the damage following a heavy storm that slammed into Brooklyn, N.Y., Wednesday. Officials believe a tornado hit just before dawn.

Leeds United 0 Taxman 1 (og Football League)

Leeds United have published an initial response to the "perverse" outcome of today's meeting of Football League Clubs.

Quote of the day: "Football Family seems to be driven by self interest."

League clubs kick United when they are down - so what's new?

Posted by Chris:

So the league clubs have voted to back the spiteful decision of Football League Chairman Lord Mawhinny - well they would wouldn't they.

How ironic that one of those able to vote was Peter Ridsdale, now at Cardiff, who was in charge at Leeds when we got into this mess in the first place. How did he vote I wonder?

Why would Mawhinny not say exactly which rules Leeds had broken when he made his smug comments on Sky Sports News after the event? If it is true what he says and Leeds cannot pursue this most unfair penalty through the courts then we are just going to have to get on with it.

Dennis Wise says 105 points are required if we are to get out of the third division and with the present squad this is probably an impossible task. But 'hot shot' Lorimer, my favourite footballer during the great years, has come out fighting and has shown the right attitude. So has good old Barry Fry who was at least sympathetic and encouraging. We need to use this to motivate both players and fans to fight back and be determined to win every game in League 1. Tell the League to stuff the Carling Cup this year Ken and concentrate on one thing and one thing alone - getting the points to get out of League 1 as fast as possible.

We don't care if the sun don't shine what the hell do we care?

For we only know if there's going to be a show that Leeds United will be there.

Ken Bates sets out the case to show that Leeds United have not broken any rules

Ken Bates has published his letter to league chairman on the club's website. His explanation of the facts is quite convincing. Clearly the Inland Revenue don't like the League's own ruling about paying football creditors first and their legal action is more to do with that than anything else.

I detect too that Mawhinny is seeking to punish Leeds for their clever move into administration before the end of last season, which the League admits was legal and above board. If Ken Bates is correct then Leeds have not broken any rules and the actions of the Revenue amount to "exceptional circumstances." There are no grounds to deduct 15 more points.

Leeds supporters mass letter-writing campaign

The Leeds United Supporters' Trust (LUST) is mounting a mass letter-writing campaign ahead of the Whites' appeal against the decision which could mean they start life in League One on minus 15 points.

Anyone who wants to get involved with the LUST campaign is asked to mailto:campaign@lufctrust.org

Family Fun Weekend of nostalgia at Redcar

People will be able to relive their youth at the Kirkleatham Museum as it celebrates the success of its current toy exhibition with a Family Fun Weekend.

Toys, games and familiar objects from every decade from the 1950's to the present day are featured in the Memories of Childhood exhibition.

The exhibition features from: 1950's, Wells Fargo and Robin Hood board games; 1960's, Action Man, Cindy and Scalextrix; 1970's Star Wars and Sooty; 1980's Rubik's Cube and Transformers; 1990's Buzz Lightyear and Teletubbies; and examples of modern day toys like Bionicles, Dr Who and Sony Play Stations.

There is a living room setting where people can read newspapers from the 1960's and showings of children's television favourites Dangermouse and Rainbow.

The Family Fun Weekend takes place on August 11 and 12. There will be a 30 stall craft fair, bouncy castle, face painting, live music, miniature steam train rides, remote control car displays and children's craft activities.

On Sunday a collection of vintage and classic motorcycles and cars will also be at the Museum.

Children will be able to enter a competition to guess how many balloons are inside a Harry Potter type Ford Anglia car.

The event is open from 10am until 4pm on both days.

Entry to both the Museum and Fun Weekend is free

Should YOU TUBE be banned?

Posted by Chris

This blog has been given a fresh new look and a facility for readers to vote on topical issues has been added.

I have been interested in the debate about you tube and the dreadful pictures of youngsters being beaten up outside school. Having watched on TV the response from one of the owners of the site who appeared to over do the "we will not be sensored" bit I do think they need to introduce much firmer moderating. Showing anonymous films of kids being beaten up outside school is wrong.

Having been an enthusiastic contributor to a local website for three years I became more and more frustrated with the lack of moderation on the site. Political opponents were able to join in under various, anonymous, lables and slag the hell out of you with very little protection from the person in charge of the site. There are now hundreds of sites like this and many people, who would like to contribute are put off by the abusive and irresponsible posters.

Free speech is one thing but people should have the courage of their convictions and show good faith by saying who they really are.

To test out the new poll I have started with one on you tube.

£677 raised on Yorkshire Day for Redcar Lifeboat

Sales of artificial white roses in Redcar town centre
reached a new high on Yorkshire Day, Wednesday 1st August when £677 was raised for Redcar Lifeboat.

Organiser of the annual sale, Mrs Nancy Hudson, Secretary of the Yorkshire Ridings Society's North Riding Group (pictured) said:

"The nice thing is that not only are people donating to a worthwhile cause they also make it very clear to us when they buy the roses how enthusiastic they are to show their pride in Yorkshire."

Chairman of the Yorkshire Ridings Society, Councillor Chris Abbott, said:

"Nancy and her team were assisted by the Ladies Lifeboat Guild and they sold out their entire stock for the day. We shall have to have another coffee morning or two to raise funds to buy more rose for next year's even bigger event when we host the countywide event for the Yorkshire Society, a separate organisation from the YRS."

Yorkshire Day at York - 32nd annual reading of the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity at the Bars of York (gates to southerners)

LEEDS UNITED TO SUFFER 15 POINT DEDUCTION

This is a most ridiculous situation.

How can this be fair a 15 point deduction when they already had 10 deducted last season?

Obviously the Football League have acted in a petulant response to the fact that Leeds went into administration just before the end of last season to avoid the 10 point reduction being added at the start of this season. They have found a way round it to get back at Mr Bates.

I am glad to learn that Leeds are to appeal. Leeds supporters must wage the biggest and loudest protest ever against this absolutely outrageous action.

Very few teams have survived in a division with a 10 point deduction it will be a miracle if Leeds can survive this. How can they recruit decent players now?
.

We shall fight, fight, fight

for Leeds United.

Fiona's Little Helper

Posted by Chris:

When our three year old grandson, Daniel, asked to come with me this morning when I set out to deliver Focus and Fiona Hall MEP's Annual Report I readily agreed.

Carrying Fiona's glossy leaflet along with Focus is heavy work and by putting the carrier bag on the push chair solves that problem.

What I didn't expect was Daniel's willingness to help. We went on our delivery round with Daniel holding some of the leaflets in his lap and handing me one of each when we got to a garden gate.

He was happy as Larry singing Postman Pat and using his favourite cbeebies phrases like "we'll get the job done in no time."

With Focus No 255 now being distributed in Newcomen Ward we must be one of the most frequent in the land having delivered No 1 in October 1984, though I am sure someone will be along to say they have produced more in their Ward?

Kelly's Big Day

Our daughter Kelly gets married tomorrow so life has been a bit hectic lately, with all the Yorkshire Day events to organise as well, not to mention the delivery of Focus and the Post Office campaign.

We are looking forward to tomorrow. Her fiance, Ashley, is a nice lad and we are sure they are going to be happy.

It will also be nice to see family members together again, most are travelling from Harrogate, Whitby and Durham.

...and they wear the rose the wrong way round as well

Lancashire Rose - Courtesy of the Friends of Real Lancashire

North Riding - West Riding - East Riding

Posted by Chris

Moaning about Leeds United in my previous posting, and as it's Yorkshire Day, reminded me that the rose on the team crest is shown point upwards which is the Lancashire way round. It should be point downwards in the West Riding -see illustrations.

I pointed this out to Peter Ridsdale, at a Supporters Club Meeting in Harrogate, some years ago and he promised to look at it but never did.

The rose is traditionally displayed point downwards in the North and West Ridings and point upwards in the East Riding.

Legend has it that the nobility in the East Riding supported the Duke of Lancaster in the Wars of the Roses. The College of Herelds will say that either way is correct but I prefer to go by tradition in this case.

Lack of information is a problem right through Leeds United

Posted by Chris:

I concur with Barcharter regarding the inadequate amount of information coming out of Leeds United about the future of the club.

I am checking the website regularly for news. I had never heard of the golden share until I read that Leeds had not yet got it back. The extremely dubious action taken by Ken Bates seemed at first to be a smart move to avoid losing 10 points at the start of the season but the way he overreacted to the action taken by Phil Willis and other local MP's made me worry. The fact that the Football authorities seem to be dragging their feet over returning this golden share makes me very worried.

The pre-season games have so far been poor as far as the team is concerned and I have not found the reassurances from the management team any more convincing than they were last season. The team needs strong leadership and I do not think they are getting it. I make those points from a standpoint of having listened to the commentry of all the pre-season matches on Yorkshire Radio. Not the best commentry in the world in terms of a clear description of what is actually going on during a match.

I actually subscribed to LUTV prior to the pre-season games but have been unable to watch the clips because of a problem with Widows Media Player.

"A problem has occurred in the Digital Rights Management component.
Licence delivery error: Parameter is incorrect "

I emailed LUTV and received the following response:

This problem may have a number of contributory factors. Depending on your system, you may need to try one or more of the following steps in order to fully resolve the issue. After completing each step, check to see if the issue has been resolved.

Step 1: Re-individualize Windows Media Player following the link to Microsoft Security Upgrade page.

I emailed them a further three times pointing out that I had tried this and the button you have to click on in the Microsoft Security Upgrade page does not work. On each occasion they simply sent back the exact same message they sent in the first place.

It seems the lack of information is a problem right through Leeds United at the moment.

More Yorkshire Day Pictures

This is the first year we have had sound and music equipment, loaned by the Redcar British Legion. Eric Howden, second left, cream shirt, who organises all the local British Legion ceremonies, recited Humbert Wolfe's 'These Are The Yorkshire Folk' and 'The Rose Of York' (author not known).

Stewart MacFarlane warms up the crowd.

Saltburn Victorian Society in attendance in their spendid costumes.

Yorkshire Day at Redcar

Ian Swales Lib Dem PPC for Redcar recites a special North Riding version of the Cliff Young poem "God's own County."

Left of Ian is Lib Dem Councillor Madge Moses and to the right is Councillor Margaret Wilson.

Stewart MacFarlane MBE reads the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity at precisely 11.32am on Redcar High Street.

White roses were sold at a £1 each and all the proceeds will go to Redcar Lifeboat. Local people were queuing up to buy them and we sold out this year's stock.

It's Yorkshire Day tomorrow

The first written reference to the Ridings of Yorkshire appears in the Anglo Saxon Chronicles 876AD and this Yorkshire Day, 1st August 2007, we celebrate their 1132nd birthday by reading the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity (a statement of allegiance to the Ridings of Yorkshire), in York and Redcar at 11.32am.

Yorkshire Day, Wednesday 1st August 2007:
In York - Readings of the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity, will be in the four languages used since 876AD (Latin, Old English, Old Norse and Modern English) around the walls of York, including Micklegate Bar at 11.32am. York City Council have also organised events events organised in St Samson Square, where another reading will take place at 1.00pm.

In Redcar - The YRS North Riding Group have arranged a reading of the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity at Redcar Town Clock at 11.32am. The declaration will be read by local radio celebrity Stewart MacFarlane MBE and a poem will be read by British Legion stalwart Eric Howden. Artificial white roses are being sold and all proceeds go to the Redcar Lifeboat.

More than £5000 has been raised over the past ten years by the North Riding Group for local charities. "It is good to see local residents queuing up year after year to pay £1 for a rose to wear on Yorkshire Day,"said Redcar Councillor Chris Abbott, Chairman of the Ridings Society.

Contacts for comment or more information:

YORK - Roger Sewell, Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee - 07734 079646
YORK - Peter Hindle, York member of the Executive Committee - 01904 794559
REDCAR - Chris Abbott, Chairman of the Executive Committee - 01642 487557 or 07974 127179

Marching for Yorkshire at Saddleworth

More pictures from Saddleworth

Charlotte watches as the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity is

read next to the statue of local poet Ammon Wrigley of Delph.

Everbody sings Pratty Flowers, the Holmfirth Anthem

Around 300 people attended


Holmfirth Anthem

1. Abroad for pleasure as I was a-walking

On one summer, summer's evening clear (repeat 1st 2 lines)

There I beheld a most beautiful damsel

Lamenting for her shepherd swain

2. The fairest evening that e'er I beheld thee

Evermore with the lad I adore

Wilt thou go fight the French and Spaniards

Wilt thou leave me thus my dear?

3. No more to yon green banks will I take thee

With pleasure for to rest myself and view the lambs

But I will take thee to yon green gardens

Where the pratty, pratty flowers grow

http://www.villagecarols.jgwardfamily.co.uk/words/pratty_flowers.html

Report from Saddleworth

Posted by Chris:

Glynis and I, along with Charlotte (7) and Daniel (3), attended the Saddleworth White Rose Society's Yorkshire Day Celebrations at the Ammon Wrigley stature in the gardens of Saddleworth Museum at Underhill.

They always hold their Yorkshire Day reading of the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity on the Sunday before Yorkshire Day and always get a good crowd as a result (se pic).

I was introduced as the Chairman of Yorkshire Ridings Society, along with the Chairman of Saddleworth Parish Council and a lady from the Friends of Real Lancashire. We each said a few words. As the winner of the North Riding Duck Race, held in Saltburn yesterday, Roy Bardsley, lives in Saddleworth I was able to arrange for him to be presented with the Colin Holt Cup by Colin's wife Hilary, who had travelled over from Doncaster.

After a session of humerous local poetry and the Declaration of Integrity was read we were asked to lead the parade in front of the band. It is a long time since I was in a parade and I certainly have never led one before.

More Duck Race Pictures

West Riding man wins North Riding Duck Race

Posted by Chris

A crowd of around 200 people turned up to watch this year's North Riding Duck Race and we sold out of ducks.

The race was won by duck No 65 bought by Saddleworth man Mr Roy Bardsley. Second place went to Ben and Zoe Fountain of Guisborough, with duck No 29 and Ashley Seaman of Redcar won third place with duck No 19. Roy Bardsley will receive the Colin Holt Cup and a Yorkshire breakfast pack and tea towel from Hilary Holt at the Saddleworth Yorkshire Day celebrations being held tomorrow (Sunday) in Uppermill.

The best named duck, chosen by YRS NR Group Chairman, Jim Lince of Thornaby, was duck No 126 "You rang Mallard?" bought by Andy Crawford of Marske.

As organiser of the race it was my job to shepherd the ducks along the 500 yard course, releasing those that had got snagged.

The end of the race was quite tense because an upstream wind at the finish held the ducks back. There was a loud cheer when I released debris stuck on top of the weir and Roy's duck rushed home.

We sold out all our 200 ducks thanks to the large attendance and could have sold lots more by having heats but we ran out of time.

£210 was raised for the YRS road sign campaign fund.

Note: Pictures taken by Derek Hudson of Marske.

Last chance to enter the North Riding Duck Race

North Riding of Yorkshire
DUCK RACE 2007
Saturday 28th July 2007
2.30pm
Saltburn Beck, Saltburn

Winner will receive the Colin Holt Cup
Plus prizes for the first three places
Prize for most original name of duck
£1.00 per entry

Please email entry fee to chrisabbott@cix.co.uk

and send payment by post to

Cllr Chris Abbott 39 Essex Close, Redcar, Yorkshire, TS10 4BY,

before 12noon tomorrow (Saturday 29th July).
Proceeds to the YRS North Riding Group Campaign Fund,

that pays for real county boundry signs like the one pictured.

Lib Dem challenge to Labour Council

Posted by Chris:

In view of the adverse publicity in the Evening Gazette and the damage it may have done to the reputation of this Council and its professional officers, Glyn Nightingale and I have written to the Director of Finance and Procurement and the District Auditor to request that a Section 151 report is produced as a matter of urgency and presented to a special meeting of the Council.

The report should outline the current financial pressures, explain the allegations of financial mismanagement made by the Council Leader and set out the details of what exactly the alleged £12m “black hole” amounts to as reported in the Evening Gazette.

I am concerned that in one day the reputation of the Council and its professional officers, so patiently built back up over the past seven years, since the days when it produced the second highest Council Tax in the land, has been destroyed. The silly allegations and misrepresentations made by Leader of the Council simply will not stand up to scrutiny and it is vital that members are provided with the real facts.

On Friday 20 July we heard from the Redcar and Cleveland Council leader, that his administration have “a £12m black hole.” By Tuesday 24 July we read in the same paper that a proper Budget for 2007-8 is in place, the previous one had balanced with cash to spare going into reserves and the cash crisis was actually in the future.

Clearly they got elected, by the narrowest of margins, making promises to cut Council Tax and have found that their own Government, with its enforced economies and unfair allocation of grants, have made this impossible, so they invent a cash crisis as a way to deflect the blame when they put the Council Tax up.

It has clearly backfired on them, hence the rapid back peddling in the Gazette on Tuesday. They obviously didn't realise the effect it would have on the reputation of not just the politicians but also on the Council's professional staff who advise them, allowing the nasty smearmongers free rein. The Liberal Democrats election warning that Labour cannot be trusted has been confirmed within weeks of the election.

The amazing thing about all this is that £5m of the £12m is the cost of implementing Labour's over the top election promises and nothing at all to do with the Coalition and the past four years. This year the Labour Government gave £7.1m less than justified by its own assessment of needs. Next year Government financial stringency is likely to put even more pressure on Council finances.

Borough's under 16's can swim for free

There's a splashing time in store for the Borough's under 16s who can swim for free at Tees Valley Leisure Limited's four pools in Eston, Saltburn, Loftus and Guisborough.

The new swimming initiative funded by Redcar and Cleveland Primary Care Trust and supported by Redcar and Cleveland Council.

The scheme will run throughout the summer holiday period and offers general swimming and fun inflatable sessions both during the week and at weekends.

Normal supervision ratios apply throughout the scheme so that accompanied under eights through to teenagers can benefit from free swimming right up until the first week of September.

As an additional incentive, every child participating in the scheme will have the chance to register for more free swims after the holiday period with the chance to win a range of prizes including a Nintendo games console by recording their free swims on special collector cards, available from the four participating pools.

Tees Valley Leisure's Managing Director Paddy Corcoran said: "We are extremely grateful to Redcar and Cleveland Primary Care Trust for the provision of this funding which will allow us to work in partnership with the Council to develop a sustainable activity programme.

"This is not just for our regular customers but also our key target groups such as disadvantaged families, disabled swimmers and teenage girls.''

Fight is on to save Post Office

Liberal Democrats in Redcar have called on Redcar & Cleveland's ruling Labour Councillors to pull out all the stops in a bid to include a Post Office in the new Roseberry shopping centre.

Newcomen Ward Councillor Glynis Abbott asked why the plan to house the post office in the new Sainsbury Local store had not materialised as expected. "Why were Councillors and residents not told about this in advance. It was clear to me at the Council meeting that even the Labour Cabinet member was not fully aware of what was happening.

Liberal Democrat's Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, Ian Swales said, "It is vital we retain a post office in this part of Redcar. It has a high population of elderly people and people on low income.

"We have launched a campaign starting with a petition to save the post office and will do everything we can to get it back on track.

"The Liberal Democrats are campaigning hard against the closure of more than 1000 post offices nationally."

Councillor Glynis Abbott and Ian Swales (pictured) were at Sainsbury's Local Store Roseberry Square at today collecting signatures on a petition calling on the Council to ensure that a post office is included as agreed in the plans. Copies of the petition have been placed in local shops.

Glyn Nightingale hits out at Labour's "frantic" claims

Liberal Democrat Councillor, Glyn Nightingale, former Cabinet member for Resources, on Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council has defended the Coalition's four years of excellent performance whilst in charge of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council with an attack on claims made by the Leader of the new administration:

"The leader of the Labour Group is setting up his excuses for breaking his election promise of Council Tax cuts when an increase next year is inevitable, especially because his Government's grant continually penalises Redcar & Cleveland.

"This year they gave £7.1m less than justified by its own assessment of needs. Next year Government financial stringency is likely to put even more pressure on Council finances.

"If what the Labour Leader says is true, there would have been no chance of the Coalition achieving its 4-Star Excellent rating from Government Inspectors. No council can get an Excellent rating unless its use of financial resources is in the top brackets. The Coalition made sure we were.

"The Council faces more demands for people in care and environmental services. So our priorities were sound when we put an extra £18.5m into care for the elderly, young people and environmental services as well as making £17.5m of efficiency savings.

"He fails to say that his Government is forcing the Council to make even more efficiency gains that cannot be re-invested in services any longer. That's one of the real challenges he is facing along with Labour's additional commitments, eg £2m for Town Hall and Finegan Hall repairs.

"Maintenance of leisure centres and swimming baths has been part of the responsibilities of TVLL as part of the contract set up by Labour.

"Labour left the real financial mess for the Coalition to sort out. To get no Council Tax increases for three years, Labour cut services and neglected repairs to roads and Council buildings. We introduced an affordable, planned maintenance programme. Also, each year Labour's zero Council Tax rises cost the Council over £7m in lost Government grant.

"The frantic language and distortions presented by Labour, through their leader, confirms our election warning that Labour cannot be trusted."

Lib Dems slam lack of Post Office at Roseberry Shopping Centre

Liberal Democrats on Redcar & Cleveland Council today took the Ruling Labour group to task over the failure to provide a Post Office at the new Roseberry Shopping Centre in Redcar.

At today’s meeting Liberal Democrat Councillor Glynis Abbott asked the Labour council chiefs whether they could assure local residents that a Post Office will be provided.

They were unable to do this but said that they hoped it would happen.

Councillor Abbott said:

“Local residents are very worried that they might not now get a Post Office in the shopping centre. As recently as June staff were expecting to move into the Sainsbury’s store, but that has now opened without a Post Office.

“The Labour Government has closed thousands of Post Offices across the country, and more will follow. But Post Offices provide vital services to many of the more vulnerable members of society, such as elderly people who are less able to travel far.

“It is not enough to simply hope that it will happen. We need action from the Labour Council to make sure that it does.”

Lib Dems condemn loss of energy scheme for elderly

Liberal Democrats on Redcar & Cleveland Council today attacked the Council’s Labour leadership for suspending a scheme which gives free home insulation to residents most in need.

The scheme, introduced when the Lib Dem-led Coalition ran the Council, provided free cavity wall insulation to householders aged over 60 or those with children under five.

But now the Council, under Labour, has suspended the scheme.

Redcar Lib Dem Councillor Chris Abbott, said:

“This is an excellent scheme which deserves to continue. It provides warmer homes for those who most need it, cuts fuel bills and reduces carbon emissions. It should have been given a fresh injection of cash.”

“In the longer term I would like to see the Council go further, and follow the excellent lead of Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council in providing free cavity wall and loft insulation for all households which request it. There the result has been savings on fuel bills of £150 per household per year, the creation of several new jobs, and a significant cut in CO2 emissions.

"Labour’s manifesto from the recent elections says: “We will support installation and (sic) energy saving schemes in the home”. Why then has the Council scrapped (suspended) the scheme introduced by the Coalition which offered free cavity wall and loft insulation to householders over 60 or those with children under five?"

Get the facts on the Borough

Thousands of facts and figures about the Borough of Redcar and Cleveland and its neighbourhoods are now available on the Council's website, www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/statistics.

The comprehensive Area Profile, drawn up by the Council and the Redcar & Cleveland Partnership, will be used as an evidence base to inform future strategy and policy development.

The profiles are structured around the four themes of the Local Area Agreement - Children and Young People, Safer Stronger Communities, Healthier Communities and Old People, Sustainable Communities.

There is a wealth of information about the area, which will be updated, including narrative, data tables and maps, plus tables which summarise performance against key datasets and identify strengths and priorities for improvement.

Who wants to be skilled up?

Redcar and Cleveland Council is hoping young people will take the hotseat at the three-day Skill Up Tees Valley exhibition at the Riverside Stadium next week.

The Council's Adult Learning Service is teaming up with Routes To Employment and E2E - Entry To Employment for post 16 provision provided by EOTAS, Education Other Than At School, with a version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, July 17-19.

The Service's manager John Harris explained: "We are setting up patio tables and chairs around a large screen and are planning an interactive Who wants to be a Millionaire? game to attract people.

"Prizes will be millions of words - book tokens of various values! We will be giving out information about the education, training, guidance and work experience opportunities funded by the Learning and Skills Council that we collectively do."

Council counts cost of vandalised fencing

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has today revealed the cost of damages caused by vandalism to fencing at Coatham Enclosure and the nearby Boating Lake in Redcar.

During the last four weeks, the damage and associated work to make safe the damaged fencing have cost £5,686, costs which will now have to be met by Council resources.

The fencing has been erected as part of preliminary works by the Council to set out rights of way across the site and prepare the area for the recently approved £95million leisure and housing complex by Persimmon Plc.

The net cost of purchasing the fencing at the Boating Lake is £900; this is because Persimmon Plc will purchase the fencing from the Council once the handover of the site is complete.

The fencing around the Coatham Enclosure has cost £11,788.00, however most of these costs will also be met by Persimmon Plc when they purchase the fencing for use on the site when development commences.

The £95million leisure and housing development at Coatham Enclosure, Redcar was recently approved by members of the Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council Planning Committee and is now set to deliver a leisure centre with a 6-lane, 25-metre swimming pool, a second exciting leisure pool with flume and water features, state-of-the-art gym with 75 'fitness stations', a children's gym, 5-a-side pitches, performance space for dance and music, new public rights of way, seafront apartments, alongside new mixed family and affordable housing and ongoing improvements to the boating lake and seafront promenade.

Brand new Library

The 1,200 borrowers at Redcar's Roseberry Square library are set to be turning over a new leaf this month - with a move to a purpose-built new building just 50 yards away.

The existing library, built in 1967, will close at 12.30pm on Saturday, June 16, with the new facility opening its doors for the first time at 10.30am on Monday, July 2 in the new shops parade.

Redcar and Cleveland Council's Libraries Service is advising the branch's borrowers that they can take extra books during the closure period and as well as reminding them that they can use their ticket at any of the other branches, the nearest at Dormanstown or Redcar Central.

Labour on the lonely road to Damascus

The sheer hypocrisy of Labour Councillors is breath taking but we welcome their conversion to Coatham Links and their condemnation of the tiny handful of protesters who are trying to block this wonderful development for Redcar.

It is a pity they did not have the courage to support the proposals when they were in opposition. Then all they wanted to do is encourage the protesters.

COUNCILLORS CONDEMN PROTESTORS' ACTION AT COATHAM ENCLOSURE, REDCAR

Leading members of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council today (June 12) condemned protestors' actions to occupy the land set out for development for the multi-million leisure and housing complex by Persimmon Plc at Coatham Enclosure, Redcar.

Councillors have now approved legal action to remove the protestors from the site and are setting out their full support for the development.

It will provide a new leisure centre with a 6-lane, 25-metre swimming pool, a second exciting leisure pool with flume and water features, state-of-the-art gym with 75 'fitness stations', a children's gym, 5-a-side pitches, performance space for dance and music, new public rights of way, seafront apartments, alongside new mixed family and affordable housing and ongoing improvements to the boating lake and seafront promenade.

Councillor George Dunning, Leader of the Council's new administration, said: "We are determined to provide the very best for the people of Redcar and Cleveland. The Coatham Enclosure development is a major scheme that will not only benefit the residents of Redcar but also the wider Borough.

"Having now had the opportunity to fully explore and address any concerns we shared as elected representatives, I am confident this development is wanted by the majority of people in the Borough who have made their views known to us through a number of surveys, wide consultation, the recent election results and an open and democratic planning process - protestors will not deter us from delivering the benefits of regeneration to the majority of our residents.

"We will be taking the proper legal action to remove protestors from the site to ensure the development can go ahead."

The Cabinet Member for Economic Development Councillor Mark Hannon said: "We mustn't lose out on this opportunity to re-invigorate our own town of Redcar - this new development will bring new families, businesses, visitors and investment to the area.

"I am convinced if we don't take on and embrace the challenge of development and regeneration now, it is unlikely there will be a future opportunity for this type of investment in the future. It is disappointing that the actions of the few may impact in such a long-lasting and negative way across the Borough."

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism Councillor Sheelagh Clarke added: "Whilst I fully admire the actions of anyone who stands up to be heard, we must accept that approval of this development has been sought through open and democratic processes.

"The protestors to this scheme have been given fair hearing and the development has been given the go ahead in-line with Government policy and in-line with the majority of people who want the new facilities the development will provide."

Councillor Dave McLuckie, the Cabinet Member for Community Protection, said: "We are also aware of ongoing damage to fencing and property on the site which is generating considerable costs to the Council.

"We are currently monitoring the situation to establish the most appropriate course of action. Should any criminal activity be identified, this will not be tolerated."

Error found in counting of votes for Skelton Ward

An arithmetical error has been discovered in the declared result for Skelton. For some inexplicable reason it appears that in adding the different totals the supervisor added the total for one of the Conservative candidates (672) to the Labour block total. Removing those 672 votes from the Labour block total still means that the declared Councillors (three Labour) were duly elected, though by much smaller majorities.

Lib Dems re-elect Chris

Chris Abbott
Irene Nightingale
Mary Ovens

The 13 Liberal Democrat councillors at Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council have unanimously re-elected Councillor Chris Abbott as their Group Leader.

Chris has been Group Leader since 1999. He and his wife Glynis both represent the Newcomen ward in Redcar, and comfortably held their seats at the elections last week.

Chris’s Deputy will be Councillor Mary Ovens, also from Redcar (West Dyke ward) who is coming to the end of her term as Mayor of the Borough.

The Lib Dem Group will be chaired by Councillor Irene Nightingale, who represents Ormesby ward. She takes over from former Guisborough Councillor Keith Pudney, who did not seek re-election this year.

Cllr Chris Abbott, said:

“It looks as though Labour will now be running the Council. I look forward to making sure that they do not undo the good work that the Lib Dems have done as part of the ruling Coalition over the past four years.”

“We have some very experienced councillors and some talented new ones. I am sure we will be a better opposition than Labour were.”

Labour's negative campaigning is an indication of their desperation

Labour's negative campaigning in Redcar & Cleveland knows no bounds. Their election material is full of one liners that only those most clued up on local and national issues can understand. Their campaign is desperate and dishonest. It seeks to mislead the public.

Unlike the Lib Dems they have not published a local manifesto and the Labour leader told Council officials that they were not prepared to tell them what their plans are until after the election. Obviously they intend to make it up as they go along in just the same way as they are insulting the intelligence of the electors with misleading one-liners.

The Labour MP, Vera Baird, is even worse. She has published the most juvenile of glossy leaflets containing all sorts of silly, over the top, one-liners like - "Racing at Redcar - they'll sell it off for thousands more houses. Labour is searching, with the Action Group, for a new owner to safeguard our racecourse - the heart of our town."

We cannot sell off Redcar racecourse because we do not own it. There is not room on the site for thousands of houses - is this woman really a top QC?

The sight of Labour Councillors pictured outside the main entrance of the racecourse looking like they were on a Mafia day trip is an image that filled me with horror. To have them meddling in the boardroom politics of a private company is alarming. It puts at serious risk the future of racing at Redcar.

It is interesting to note that Labour's lack of support is really showing in the time it is taking them to deliver Vera's missive. We have distributed our response in a number of wards BEFORE Labour have even got Vera's out.

The other night I came in from delivering leaflets in Kirkleatham Ward and before I could get the curtains closed I noticed that one of the Labour candidates had rushed into the courtyard I live in and put Labour's glossy "Lib Dems soft on crime" leaflet through three of the 16 letterboxes. Mine, my daughter Kelly's (who lives next door but one) and another house. He then went over to West Dyke ward and put it through Lib Dem Councillor Joyce Benbow's letterbox and her next door neighbour's. What is that all about I wonder?

Just for the record here is a response to the soft on crime one-liners that Labour hope to mislead the public about.

Lib Dems. Against Labour’s tough anti-social behaviour measures.
Lib Dems voted against the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, Hansard, 24 June 2003

Lib Dems. Against Labour’s measures to break-up teen gangs.
Lib Dems votes against dispersal orders, Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, 24 June 2003

(NB. These two are basically the same thing.)

Labour think just because a piece of legislation claims it will deal with anti-social behaviour anyone voting against it thinks anti-social behaviour is a good thing. That's as ridiculous as saying anyone voting against an education bill doesn't believe in education! Liberal Democrats have supported a wide range of government measures to tackle anti-social behaviour, such as the 1998 legislation bringing in ASBOs, and in many areas have been ahead of the government in developing new ways to combat anti-social behaviour. (The Acceptable Behaviour Contract pioneered by Lib Dems in Islington has been praised by the Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, as being "better than an ASBO". (Question Time, BBC1, 03/03/05)) But on this occasion we voted against the Bill (after trying to amend it) as we thought it wasn't the best way forward.

We supported some of the policies in the 2003 Act (e.g. Powers to close down crack houses and restrict use of air guns and imitation weapons), but we voted against the Act as a whole, principally over the issue of dispersal orders (sometimes characterised as “powers to break up teen gangs”). We believe that they were –

(a) Unnecessary - the existing public order laws adequately covered the various circumstances in which the police might need to act to disperse groups.

(b) Illiberal - the new powers enable police intervention and arrest purely on the basis of someones presence - even if they are doing nothing wrong. This breaches the right to freedom of movement and assembly, and in theory the power could be abused by the police, for example to harass ethnic minorities.

(c) Potentially counterproductive - the Association of Chief Police Officers said, when the Bill was going through Parliament, that the powers would “not be enthusiastically used” because they would be likely to create divisions between the officers and the communities they police.

(d) Not getting to the root of the problem - the powers enable police to move groups on, but they do nothing to prevent the group from causing trouble elsewhere or behaving badly in general. We believe other proposals (such as our plans for more - and more visible – police and community support officers) would make a greater impact on anti-social behaviour.

However, despite these concerns, we would not scrap the dispersal order powers. We have always recognised that the powers can be used in a helpful way and Lib Dems in local government have worked with the police to find positive ways to use them. We support their use where people are harassing, intimidating, alarming or distressing others, but not where it is on the basis of their presence alone. We would amend the law to take this into account and add safeguards against their misuse.

Lib Dems. Against Labour’s measures to restrict the sale of graffiti spray paints to teenagers.
Opposed measures to limit the sale of spray paint to teenagers, 24 June 2003

This is misleading. Liberal Democrat MPs and councils have been at the forefront of many successful campaigns against graffiti in their areas. We believe graffiti is a serious problem that should be deterred through a combination of street patrols and quick action by local authorities to remove graffiti as it appears.

We were at the forefront of efforts to stop the sale of spray paint to children (e.g. Lib Dem Sutton LBC's voluntary code of practice for retailers to stop sales of spray paint to 10-16 years olds) and welcomed proposals in this area in the Government's Anti-Social Behaviour Bill 2003.

The disagreement was simply that we thought the age at which people should be able to buy spray paints should be 16, while the Government wanted 18 (we were successful in amending the Bill in this respect). This did not prevent us supporting most of the other measures on graffiti in the Bill, including fixed penalty notices.

In Redcar & Cleveland we have a fast response team for the removal of graffiti from public building and usually manage to remove it the same day.

Lib Dems. Against sending teen criminals to court.
Policy Motion F46 ‘Punishment and Rehabilitation of Offenders’ was passed by Lib Dem Conference in Bournemouth, 23 September 2004

Our policy is that 13 and 14 year old teenagers should be brought before a court at the discretion of the Crown Prosecution Service where their actions mark them out as being dangerous and a threat to society.

Those whose crimes are not serious should be dealt with through the children's system which has a better record at rehabilitation. The children’s system has a better record because it is staffed with experts who understand how to intervene to help children with behavioural problems and prevent them from slipping into a life of crime. Under our policy teenagers aged 15 and older would continue to be dealt with through the courts in the normal way.

Lib Dems. Against jail sentences for drug possession.
Lib Dems ‘Law and Order Mini Manifesto’, page 8, 29 March 2005

Of course drug users who commit crimes like burglary or robbery to feed a drug habit should go to prison. And drug dealers should continue to expect long prison sentences. But where individuals are prosecuted simply for having a small amount of a drug in their possession for their own personal use, and no additional crime has been committed, then compulsory treatment should be used instead of prison. Courts could still make use of Drug Treatment and Testing Orders (DTTOs), fines, and other criminal penalties.

Promoted by C. Abbott 39 Essex Close, Redcar, Yorkshire, TS10 4BY, on behalf of the Liberal Democrats, of 39 Essex Close, Redcar, Yorkshire, TS10 4BY.

If they are so confident of winning why are Labour telling so many porkies?

Posted by Chris

In a leaflet, going out in Coatham Ward, Labour refer to "big fat cheques paid to 4 leaders of the Coalition whilst if Labour were in control you would only have to pay for one leader." Like every thing else Labour are claiming this is way off the mark. If they are so confident of winning the election why do they feel it necessary to tell so many porkies?

The extra amount paid to myself as Lib Dem Group Leader (16 members), the Conservative Group Leader (13 Members) and the leader of the independent group in the coalition (2 members) is actually only £2990 each.

The allowances are worked out by an Independent Panel based on a number of extra hours less one third to reflect the voluntary nature of the job.

What Labour don't say is that their Group Leader (22 members) is paid £7460 extra for being the Group Leader and the leader of the opposition Independents is paid £4480 extra for being the leader of 5.

Under Labour control there would be one leader plus payments to two opposition leaders just the same. They would also still have to pay 10 Labour cabinet members.

Labour owe the people of Redcar & Cleveland an apology for once again misleading them.
More to follow on Labour's silly "Lib Dems soft on crime" nonsense.

Promoted by C. Abbott 39 Essex Close, Redcar, Yorkshire, TS10 4BY, on behalf of the Liberal Democrats, of 39 Essex Close, Redcar, Yorkshire, TS10 4BY.

Use your vote at Kayleigh's Salon

A Redcar hairdressing salon will be transformed into a Redcar and Cleveland Council polling station when voters go to the polls on Thursday, May 3.

Owner Kayleigh Taberner is shelving her scissors for the day at her 'Diffuse Hair Salon' on Thrush Road, which will be open from 7am-10pm for voters in the Council's Coatham ward.

The salon is probably the most unusual venue among a total of 81 polling stations to serve the Council's 22 wards after Kayleigh agreed to the makeover, complete with 'Polling Station' signs in the salon's window.

Kayleigh, 19, explained: "I don't mind - I'm looking forward to it, I usually only get Sundays off!"

A Council spokesman said: "We're very grateful to Kayleigh. We try and locate polling stations in accessible venues, with the majority in schools and community halls."

The Council is reminding people of the importance of spending 20 minutes on polling day to go out and vote by highlighting what local government will be doing in that same 20 minutes.

National statistics show during any 20-minute spell, local authorities in England will spend £3,693,531 on the services they provide, which range from care for the elderly and running schools to keeping roads and pathways in good condition.

The breakdown includes: £1,369,254 spent on education, £349,277 spent on culture, the environment and planning, along with 12,975 books borrowed from public libraries and 259 tonnes of household waste recycled.

Mayor's Charity Ball

Redcar and Cleveland Council's Mayor, Councillor Mary Ovens, hosts the main fund-raising event of her civic year with the Mayor's Charity Ball at Gisborough Hall on Thursday, April 26.

Proceeds from the black tie/evening wear occasion will be shared between her two charity choices, Marie Curie Cancer Care and the Redcar-based young people's project, The Junction.

After a drinks reception, and a three-course meal with wine, the evening, hosted by Stewart McFarlane, will feature live music from Gene Jarred's Swing Eight Band, a charity auction, tombola and raffle.

Tickets are priced £35 and available from the Mayor's Secretary Jane Holmes on 01642 444501.

Here is the new Eston sign

Coatham new signs with the Yorkshire rose

Posted by Chris

Coatham ward Councillors Josie Crawford (pictured right) and Irene Curr (left) are pictured with one of the two Coatham signs that were installed today, complete with Yorkshire Rose. Irene and Josie asked for these signs because they felt Coatham, which was originally a separate village to Redcar should be signed.

It could be more than 100 years since signs identifying Coatham were last in place, I can't be sure, perhaps someone could let me know. New signs for Redcar and Eston have also been provided by the Coalition Council, each bearing the Yorkshire rose symbol. The Coatham sign is displayed the right way up for the North Riding. The Eston sign is not but it also includes an ironstone mining symbol. It costs nothing extra to place these on signs and as all are set in stone work they look rather attractive.

The Coatham signs are actual millstones and they will look even better tomorrow when I will post a new picture.

Promoted by C. Abbott 39 Essex Close, Redcar, Yorkshire, TS10 4BY, on behalf of the Liberal Democrats, of 39 Essex Close, Redcar, Yorkshire, TS10 4BY.

Florence is still active for the Lib Dems at 95

Redcar Liberal Democrats oldest member is Florence Artley, 96 years old in May, but still delivering the Party's local newsletter, Focus, and baking cakes for fund raising coffee mornings.

Florence is helping the Liberal Democrat Candidates, John Hannon and Paul Smith, in Redcar's Zetland Ward, where she lives in Ripon Road, along with her daughter, Alex who is also a party member. Sadly her husband Frank died 7 years ago aged 80.

Out delivering the latest Focus newsletter in marginal Zetland ward, Florence said, "I really enjoy doing my bit for the Liberal Democrats. It keeps me active and a get a real kick out of seeing the success of the Lib Dems on our Council. I want to make sure the keep up the excellent work they've been doing here."

Redcar's Lib Dem Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, Ian Swales, said "Florence is an inspiration to us all. Not only is she incredibly fit she is also still very sharp mentally and wonderful to talk to. Although Florence has lived in Redcar for over 60 years and brought up her family here she still has the charming accent to show that she originally came from Northern Ireland".is Florence Artley, 96 years old in May, but still delivering the Party's local newsletter, Focus, and baking cakes for fund raising coffee mornings. (picture attached)

Florence is helping the Liberal Democrat Candidates, John Hannon and Paul Smith, in Redcar's Zetland Ward, where she lives in Ripon Road, along with her daughter, Alex who is also a party member. Sadly her husband Frank died 7 years ago aged 80.

Out delivering the latest Focus newsletter in marginal Zetland ward, Florence said, "I really enjoy doing my bit for the Liberal Democrats. It keeps me active and a get a real kick out of seeing the success of the Lib Dems on our Council. I want to make sure the keep up the excellent work they've been doing here."

Redcar's Lib Dem Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, Ian Swales, said "Florence is an inspiration to us all. Not only is she incredibly fit she is also still very sharp mentally and wonderful to talk to. Although Florence has lived in Redcar for over 60 years and brought up her family here she still has the charming accent to show that she originally came from Northern Ireland".

Promoted by C. Abbott 39 Essex Close, Redcar, Yorkshire, TS10 4BY, on behalf of the Liberal Democrats, of 39 Essex Close, Redcar, Yorkshire, TS10 4BY.

Redcar & Cleveland Lib Dems Election Campaign gets off to a flying start

Posted by Chris:

Redcar and Cleveland Council has received 160 nominations from 85 men and 75 women for the Borough's 59 seats in 22 wards at the Thursday, 3rd May poll.

The Liberal Democrats are the strongest party in the Redcar Parliamentary constituency with a full slate of candidates in all the constituency wards.

The Lib Dem campaign has got off to a flying start with the launch of our excellent manifesto "No Turning Back" on Friday with a visit to Redcar and Brotton from Greg Mulholland MP. Greg gave our Candidates a real boost and everybody is well motivated for the campaign. Our manifesto can be viewed in full on the local party website http://www.redcarlibdems.org.uk/.

Yesterday we got the excellent news that the Planning Committee approved by nine votes to two our flagship Coatham Links Development, that will bring 200 jobs to Redcar and top quality leisure facilities and housing. We are getting our swimming pool back after ten years of being about the largest town in the land without a pool. In fact, we are getting two pools, a swimming pool and a leisure pool. I can't wait for the work to get started it will revitalise an area that is run down and I am absolutely convinced it will help to kick start Redcar's economy.

I was pleasantly surprised to learn that two of the Labour Councillors voted for the scheme, in spite of the fact that the local MP has threatened to call in the decision. If she does the swimming pool will be set back yet another year. There are no genuine grounds to turn it down, I am convinced of that and calling it in in could put grant funding at risk.

Today we had a visit from the lovely Fiona Hall MEP. Fiona visited the Coatham Links site, where work is about to start on the improvements to the boating lake area (see picture above with Glynis and I). This did not require planning permission and would have gone ahead regardless of yesterday's decision. Fiona spent a lot of time with candidates in a number of wards including the solar energy scheme that Coast & Country Housing have installed on flats around the Closes Estate in our ward, the flood defence work recently carried out in Skinningrove.

We look forward to a packed month of intensive campaigning that may well surprise our opponents.

Promoted by C. Abbott 39 Essex Close, Redcar, Yorkshire, TS10 4BY, on behalf of the Liberal Democrats, of 39 Essex Close, Redcar, Yorkshire, TS10 4BY.