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.

Crime prevention advice

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

Council clamp down on fly tippers

Fly tippers have been issued with instant £50 fines after a targeted clean-up of the back streets in South Bank by Redcar and Cleveland Council.

Over a tonne of rubbish was cleared in the operation by the Council's area supervisors, working with Community Protection Officers, to tackle the ongoing problem with fly tipping and dumped rubbish.

The collection included two fridges, two freezers, four mattresses, four dining chairs, a hot drinks machine, a Christmas tree, two TVs, two three-piece suites, three carpets, a gas bottle and 74 bags of domestic waste.

As well as clearing the rubbish, the taskforce also collected evidence and were able to visit two homes to issue the fixed penalty notices, with another nine homes under investigation after 184 leaflets to homes around the alleyways were alerted to the clean-up.

The advice leaflet pointed out that household waste should only be presented at the rear of the property, no earlier than 7pm the day before collection and the wheelie bin returned no later than 7pm the same day.

It also promoted the Council's free junk collection service for single items, such as a three piece suite, bed or fridge and gave information on the Authority's Household Waste Recycling Centres at Warrenby and Dunsdale.

Blues win sees Leeds slip to sixth

Leeds United started well with two chances on target, in the first two minutes, by Neil Kilkenny and David Prutton. But stand in goalkeeper David Lucas was called into action in the 4th minute to block a shot from Southend's Mark Gower.

A shot by Andy Hughes on 23 minutes was the only other real chance United had in the first half. Play was end to end but Southend created more chances and Leeds, at times, appeared unsure and unsafe at the back.

Then on 40 minutes a foul by Jermaine Beckford earned a free kick for the Blues. It was taken by Steven Hammell from 25 yards out, blocked by Lucas but it fell to Southend's Lee Barnard who tipped the ball home from six yards, 0-1.

Southend came out for the second half with even more confidence and looked the stronger side.

Leeds first and only really good chance came on the hour when Tresor Kandol missed a sitter from six yards.

Stand in coach Gwyn Williams made his first substitution on 67 minutes when he brought on Seb Carole to replace Peter Sweeney.

Prutton was replaced by Tore Andre Flo on 80 minutes and Bradley Johnson came on for Kilkenny with 7 minutes to go.

Leeds did little more following Kandol's miss and only good saves by Lucas prevented further punishment by the Blues.

We can only hope that Gary McAllister will grab this lacklustre team by the scruff of the neck and turn things around, starting at home to Tranmere on Saturday.

Attendance 9815

Southend United 1 Leeds United 0

McAllister confirmed as new Leeds Manager

Gary McAllister is the new manager of Leeds United reports the club website.

Bassett and Gannon follow Wise out of Elland Road

The Yorkshire Evening Post reports that Leeds United's Assistant Manager Dave (Bertie) Bassett and Coach John Gannon left the club. They just had time to say goodbye as the team made their way onto the coach from Tottenham Hotspur's training ground to Roots Hall for their game against Southend tonight.

Obviously the decks are being cleared for the new manager to bring in a fresh new team. Technical director, Gwyn Williams will take change of the team for tonight's match.

Gary McAllister will do

Posted by Chris:

The news that Gary McAllister is in talks with Ken Bates about becoming the new Leeds United manager is not unexpected and will prove very popular with supporters.

A Motherwell lad who was awarded the OBE in 2001, for services to football, was a great asset to United as a player but his experience as a manager at Coventry was short, due to his wife's illness, and not very successful. He started well but not long after winning Manager of the Month his short spell ended having lost more games than he won. Gary's wife sadly died in March 2006 from breast cancer.

John Sheridan should be Leeds new manager

Posted by Chris:

So farewell then Dennis Wise you have certainly made a mockery of the Beckford "What shirt am I wearing bruv" moral booster.

In my opinion the man to manage the mighty whites now is former Leeds favourite John Sheridan. He is much more articulate than Wise and masterminded Oldham's demolition of Leeds at Elland Road recently.

Dennis never really won the hearts of Leeds fans and the decline in the playing fortunes of the club since Gus Poyet left has been noticable.

Labour cuts to hit women and children first

Labour’s budget cuts will hit women and children first Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council.

The Labour-run council is proposing to cut £50,000 from its grants to voluntary organisations budget managed by the Area Management Department. Much of this fund goes to organisations that provide support to children and vulnerable women.

Among the organisations that could be worse off is the Playgroup Network, which provides advice and training for pre-school groups on Teesside.

Another is EVA Women’s Aid, which gives support to women and children whose lives have been affected by domestic violence in the South Tees area.

Labour have found £125,000 to redecorate a Town Hall which will soon have to be demolished, but are cutting £50,000 from grants to excellent, grass-roots voluntary organisations.

Labour’s priorities are all wrong.

Views wanted on Redcar Lane road safety plans

Redcar and Cleveland Council is inviting hundreds of Redcar residents to give their views on road safety proposals aimed at cutting the accident rate along the town's Redcar Lane.

Letters are being sent to 600 homes around Redcar Lane outlining details of a planned £60,000 Casualty Reduction Scheme, which are on display in Redcar Central Library and Laburnum Road library from Monday, February 4 until Friday, February 22.

Improvements would include vehicle-activated signs, urging motorists to slow down, safer crossing points away from junctions, a central pedestrian refuge outside Borough Park and narrowing the carriageway near the junctions of both Victoria Avenue and Queensland Avenue.

Figures show that there have been 33 injury accidents along Redcar Lane between 2002 and 2006 making it the Borough's second worst accident blackspot.

Investigations reveal that there are no common causes for the accidents along the 2.6 kilometre stretch, which have been mostly clustered around the junctions. The breakdown is 2002: six, 2003: six, 2004: seven, 2005: eight, 2006: six.

*Approval has already been given for a £70,000 Casualty Reduction Scheme for the B1380, the road with the Borough's worst accident record, which recorded a total of 67 injury accidents over the last five years.

Work on the 4.3 kilometre stretch from the Greystones roundabout to the Borough boundary is expected to start in March.

Hatters snatch last gasp equaliser to deny Leeds victory

Leeds United's mini two match away excursion, to play the two clubs who were relegated with the whites at the end of last season, started with a visit to the depressing Kenilworth Road to play Luton Town, after a depressing week following the defeat at Elland Road by Doncaster.

The Hatters had most of the possession in the first period of the game and United had to wait until the 12th minute to get their first chance. Tresor Kandol, from 20 yards out, lobbed a cross by Peter Sweeney over the Luton goalkeeper and over the bar as well.

A foul. on 27 minutes, by Luton's Chris Perry on Jermaine Beckford resulted in a free kick for Leeds 25 yards out. Sweeney sent in a sweet left footer which found the head of Paul Huntington who made no mistake and United were ahead, 1-0.

The goal settled things down, though there was trouble in the stands. Leeds began to see more of the ball and ended the half still 1-0 in front. Luton had the most chances but failed to make them count.

The Hatters began the second half the stronger team and an injury to Casper Ankergran, with no goalie on the bench, made it a very nervous second half.

Dean Morgan, who almost joined Leeds a few weeks ago, came on for Darren Currie in the 67th minute and Luton kept pressing.

Leeds created few chances and Tore Andre Flo came on for Beckford in the 85th minute.

United held on until the dying seconds when a cross by Morgan produced a headed goal by Sam Parkin from 12 yards out, 1-1.

They now stay in the area for the game against Southend at Roots Hall on Tuesday.

What happened to that winning team that started the season a few months ago?

Attendance 9297 (1800 Leeds)

Luton Town 1 Leeds United 1

Time to get your bus pass from the library

All current Redcar and Cleveland pass holders, and those who qualify and want a new bus pass, can register at special sessions in Redcar and Guisborough libraries next month for the new National Bus Pass issued for April 1.

Already, nearly 20,000 people have applied for new passes after a series of registration sessions in November.

If you do not currently have a bus pass, but will qualify between now and March 31, you can also register, but you will also need to bring proof of your date of birth.If you attend these extra sessions, you will need to bring proof of residence within the Borough, such as a recent bill showing your address and your current bus pass.

Cycle to the station and keep your bike safe

Redcar and Cleveland Council is making it easier to leave the car at home and let the train take the strain...by installing new cycle lockers at Redcar Central station.

The six new improved lockers, replacing the originals which were the victim of vandalism, have been funded with £6,000 from the Council's Local Transport Plan budget.

They are available for hire at £1 a week, along with six lockers at Saltburn station, six at Marske station and four at Longbeck station.

To rent a locker, contact the Council on 08456 126 126.

Atonement up for seven Oscars

Atonement, the big screen blockbuster that Redcar helped to make, has been nominated for seven Oscars.

Determined Donny outplay Leeds at Elland Road

Doncaster Rovers first league visit to Elland Road for more than 50 years started with Donny, unbeaten in the last 16 games, full of confidence and looking like they were here to make a match of it.

In a nice pre-match gesture the Doncaster Chairman laid a wreath at the foot of Billy Bremner's statue.

It was rapid end to end play for the first 20minutes with Donny equal in terms of possession. Then a foul by Paul Huntington, 12 yards from the Leeds goal line was easily converted by Brian Stock, 0-1.

United began to get more of a grip on the game but seemed to be short of ideas up front. Three Leeds corners in the dying minutes of the first half failed to bring the vital goal and Donny held on to their deserved 1-0 lead.

Matt Heath came on for the injured Darren Kenton at the start of the second half. Rovers won their first corner straight from the kick off.

United's first chances of the second half came when Jermaine Beckford and Bradley Johnson had attempts on goal missed.

Tore Andre Flo was replaced by Tresor Kandol on 53 minutes. With Donny dominating the game, Dennis Wise sent on Curtis Weston to replace Niel Kilkenny on 71 minutes.

United could hardly get a kick of the ball and were being outplayed by Doncaster. They reverted to route one football but few chances came and Donny ran in well deserved winners.

Leeds drop down to fifth place in League One as Rovers move up into forth.

Attendance 31,402.

Leeds United 0 Doncaster Rovers 1

Becks "what shirt am I wearing bro?" PC wallpaper

The Evening Post's new Leeds United PC wallpaper, features the comments made by Jermaine Beckford, during Monday night's post match interview on Sky TV, when he was asked about Derby County's interest in him.

Here it is, plus a 15 point head start version:

Eco-Park plans receive £2.5million funding

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is celebrating confirmation of £2.5million Single Programme funding from One NorthEast, the Regional Development Agency, for the construction of access and highway improvements to serve the first-ever Tees Valley 'Eco-Park'.

Working in partnership with Renew Tees Valley Ltd and Tees Valley Regeneration, the Council is planning an Eco-Park on a 53 hectare site off the A66 at South Bank to breathe new life into a derelict former steelworks site and potentially provide a new base for up to 20 renewables and recycling industry companies, creating up to 500 new jobs for the area.

Work is expected to begin by March in a phased development that will take place over several years.

Beckford rises above the Alex to make it two in a row for Leeds

A rare treat these days, a live showing on Sky TV of Leeds United's third ever visit to Gresty Road to take on Crewe Alexandra.

Dennis Wise handed debuts to Darren Kenton and Peter Sweeney, whilst another new recruit, Bradley Johnson, gained a place on the bench.

United dominated the early stages with over 60% of the possession in windy conditions and had three early chances, the nearest coming in the 3rd minute, when an Andy Hughes header hit the bar.

Crewe came close only once in the first twenty minutes but striker Nicky Maynard was looking dangerous up front.

On 36 minutes Jermaine Beckford rose high for a long cross from Sweeney and with the giant Crewe goalie bearing down on him Beckford seemed to hang in the air as he directed the ball into the net, 1-0.

Leeds ended the first half with their lead intact. They dominated most of the half and restricted Crewe to the single chance.

Early in the second half the Alex were lucky to avoid a penalty as a shot by Frazer Richardson was deflected off the line by the arm of Crewe defender, Ben Rix. It went unseen by the referee who awarded Leeds a corner.

New boy Bradley Johnson came on for David Prutton in the 70th minute. Tore Andre Flo was replaced by Tresor Kandol in the 76th minute.

United retained around 60% of the possession and the new signings looked good. Beck's goal was his 16th in the league this season but, surprisingly, the first with his head.

Attendance 6771 (1995 from Leeds)

Crewe Alexandra 0 Leeds United 1

How to find a route to employment

Redcar and Cleveland Council's Routes to Employment Team, who have helped nearly 400 people find work over the last nine months, is setting up new courses for residents looking for advice and guidance on training and employment.

The training programmes will give help for those who have been out of work for some time or looking to start work for the first time as well as training in letter and cv writing and how to approach an interview.

There are still places available on the first of these employability courses which runs for five days from Monday, January 28 at the South Tees Skills Centre on Grangetown's Bolckow Road Industrial Estate.

The Team is also planning three Site Safety Passport Courses, at venues to be confirmed in Grangetown on Monday, January 21 and Tuesday, January 22, in Redcar on Wednesday, February 6 and Thursday, February 7 and in Skelton on Monday, February 18 and Tuesday, February 19.

Training is free to unemployed residents looking to get into work but places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment. For more details, an informal chat or to make an appointment contact the Team on 01642 442950.

Sporting chances at half-term

Redcar and Cleveland Council's Sports Development Team is organising a series of multi-sports days during the schools' half-term holiday in February.

Anyone aged eight-16 can come to the sessions, led by qualified coaches from local sports clubs, which involve coaching followed by games, with activities ranging from basketball, athletics and rugby.

Each session, from 10am-3pm, is £3 a day. Booking is essential and places are limited. For more information, contact Louise Sherrington on 01642 496441 or Stuart Smith on 01642 496428 at the Sports Development base, Kirkleatham Museum, The Pavilion, Redcar, TS10 5NW

Dates and venues are:

Monday, February 18 and Tuesday, February 19 at Rye Hills School, Redcar.
Wednesday, February 20 at St Peter's RC School, South Bank.
Thursday, February 21 and Friday, February 22 at Laurence Jackson School, Guisborough

Labour Cabinet proposes stringent cuts in services but has plenty to spend on Town Hall that is due for demolition

Spending £125,000 on the soon to be demolished Redcar & Cleveland Town Hall and Finegan Hall, whilst making stringent cuts in public services is like putting new tyres on a car just to tow it to the scrapyard.

The Council's Labour cabinet have done just that at a time when they are faced with slashing millions of pounds from the Council's budget.

What do the Labour Cabinet think they are playing at? According to the latest Cabinet Business papers, to be considered at the Cabinet meeting on 22nd January, they plan to include the following popular public services as part of a series of cuts totaling £5.5m:

• Slash £112.700 from the Library service
• increase the charge for junk jobs from £10 to £15
• remove all bring sites
• end the 'bring out your dross' scheme
• slash maintenance on play equipment
• introduce charges for green box replacement
• cease winter flower bedding
• reduce funding for supporting people and housing efficiency
• cut grants to voluntary organisations
  

The former Coalition spent four years building up and improving public services, which earned us four star excellent status, but within one year the Labour Council are poised to wreck much of this good work with stringent cuts in public services that will surely send the Council back to the bad old pre-Coalition days when we were a failing Council.

UPDATE 15/1/08: We have received an anonymous comment referring to the allegations of a £12million black hole in the council's funding that the Labour leader claimed was left by the Lib Dem led Coalition in office until May last year. This claim was retracted a couple of days later and a full account can be read here.

We have not published the comment because it contains what we consider may be libelous remarks. As pointed out many times before, we are not prepared to publish anonymous comments which we consider are offensive about anyone, including ourselves. Nor do we publish comments from fake names either. On more than one occasion we have received comments from people using the same fake names that we see regularly in the Evening Gazette letters page.

Golden Globe awards for Atonement

The film which put Redcar on the map has won two awards at the 65th annual Golden Globe awards.

Atonement, which features the transformation of Redcar beach into 1940s Dunkirk, picked up the Best Picture and the Best Original Score.

The film will be released as a DVD next month and will include a feature on how Redcar was transformed.

Refurbishment of Moore Street Toilets to get under way

Work will begin week commencing 14 January 2008 on the refurbishment of Moore Street Toilets in Redcar.

As part of the scheme, the toilet cubicles will be reduced to 50% of the current number (as this toilet block was constructed before the additional Bandstand Toilets and are never fully occupied). This will help reduce the potential for future vandalism and maintenance costs. The refurbishment work will include improved facilities to meet the current Disability
Discrimination Act requirements.

It is anticipated that the external disabled facility will be ready for Easter 2008 with a completion target date of April 2008 for the remaining refurbishment work.

The Bandstand Toilets will remain open 7 days a week during the building period and notification will placed at Moore Street advising the public of the alternative Bandstand facility.

Best ever GCSE results again this year

Redcar & Cleveland has once again achieved its best-ever GCSE success rate. 52.9 per cent of students achieved A*-C grades in any subject and the schools' best performance for students passing five A*-G grades, with a 91 per cent success.

Last year's figure, also a best ever, was 50.6%.

The 2007 results of the Borough's pupils at 11 secondary schools, achieving five A*-C grades, with 2005 and 2006 in brackets, are:

Bydales, Marske 53 (05 - 48, 06 - 57), Eston Park 58 (05 - 44, 06 - 46), Freebrough 38 (05 - 29, 06 - 28), Gillbrook 30 (05 - 21, 06 - 34), Huntcliff 63 (05 - 54, 06 - 67), Laurence Jackson 61 (05 - 68, 06 - 59), Nunthorpe 74 (05 - 70, 06 - 70), Redcar Community College 47 (05 - 44, 06 - 43), Rye Hills 53 (05 - 47, 06 - 45), Sacred Heart 58 (05 - 61, 06 - 65), St Peter's RC 39 (05 - 37, 06 - 35).

Indian Cookery

Would you like to impress your friends with your culinary expertise?

Redcar & Cleveland Council's Adult Education Department have an Indian Cookery course (10 weeks) commencing Tuesday 8 January 2008, 6.00-8.00 pm at Redcar Education Development Centre, Corporation Road.

For more information about the course or fees please ring 01642 490409.

How safe is your vehicle this winter?

Redcar and Cleveland Council's Road Safety Team is offering a helping hand to motorists with free advice at drop-in winter car clinics - and hope they get the message.

The first series of three clinics in December checked on a total of 163 cars, with disappointing results, including 14 cars found with illegal tyres, 44 with road light bulbs not working and 157 cars in need of a significant windscreen wash.

Now the Council is hoping for an improvement at two more free drop-in sessions at Asda car park, South Bank on Friday, January 18 and the Windy Hill Lane car park at Marske on Friday, January 25, both from 10am-3pm.

The team's free check will look at road lights, tyre tread depth, examine windscreen wiper blades for efficiency, check windscreen wash reservoir levels and top up if required and confirm any child seats are fitted correctly

2008 US Presidential Matching Quiz

Hat tip to No Geek is an Island for drawing our attention to this quiz, which helps you select the candidate in the US Presidential Election who is most matched to your views. Actually we both prefer Barack Obama and if we had to have a Republican favourite it would be Rudy Giuliani. This is how it came out based on the quiz:

Chris's result:

82% Barack Obama
79% Hillary Clinton
78% Dennis Kucinich
77% Joe Biden
77% Bill Richardson
76% John Edwards
76% Chris Dodd
75% Mike Gravel
49% Rudy Giuliani
41% John McCain
28% Mitt Romney
27% Mike Huckabee
24% Ron Paul
18% Fred Thompson
17% Tom Tancredo

Glynis's result:

74% Hillary Clinton
74% John Edwards
73% Barack Obama
68% Joe Biden
66% Bill Richardson
64% Chris Dodd
63% Dennis Kucinich
60% Mike Gravel
50% John McCain
46% Mitt Romney
43% Rudy Giuliani
39% Mike Huckabee
39% Fred Thompson
38% Tom Tancredo
22% Ron Paul
2008 Presidential Candidate Matching Quiz

Crime Prevention Advice

Cleveland Police crime reduction officer Ian Solomon will give crime prevention advice at Roseberry library, Redcar on Tuesday, January 8, from 1.30pm-3.30pm and Ormesby library on Thursday, January 10m from 10am-noon.

A much improved United clobber the Cobblers

Leeds United made five changes for the game against Northampton Town. Amongst them were new signing, Aussie International, Neil Kilkenny, making his debut and striker Tore Andre Flo, who started the game in place of Tresor Kandol.

With the crowd subdued for the first 20 minutes United had 65-75% of the possession without any real chances. The Cobblers seemed content with defending and the first real chance fell in the 22nd minute when a shot by Flo from 12 yards was cleared off the line.

Former Birmingham midfielder, Kilkenny, who looked good when he played on loan for Oldham against Leeds on Tuesday, impressed with his intellegent passing and showed he had already been working on free kick set pieces during his first couple of days at Thorp Arch.

As half time approached the whites were up to 80% possession. Frazer Richardson got the ball, in the 43rd minute, ran half the length of the pitch, flipped past three players and blasted a low shot into the back of the net from 20 yards, 1-0.

Seb Carole replaced the injured Ian Westlake at the start of the second half.

A corner by Kilkenny on 51 minutes found Rui Marques who headed in from 12 yards, 2-0.

The Cobblers began to throw a bit of caution to the wind and began to gain possession, with two up front instead of one, which had been the game plan in the first half. Their first and only real chance came in the 62nd minute when Ian Henderson volleyed over the bar from 12 yards.

Leeds, hoping for a clean sheet, remained on top and Beckford had a shot cleared from the line in the 72nd minute and hit the bar on 74 minutes.

Flo was replaced by Kandol in the 76th minute.

Nothing would go in for Beckford. Three more shots from the super striker were saved and another hit the bar in a three minute period from the 77th minute.

Curtis Weston came on for David Prutton in the last minute and scored with his first touch from 12 yards, 3-0.

Leeds deserved their win and were much improved from Tuesday but Northampton were weak opposition. Kilkenny did exceptionally well in his first game for the club and young Paul Huntingdon, making his first league start, looked very impressive. Could this be the start of a fresh run of victories?

Attendance 24,472.

Leeds United 3 Northampton Town 0.

Recycling News

Redcar & Cleveland Council's new Waste & Recycling Calendar 2008/2009 together with a roll of clear plastic bags will be delivered to all households during January.

Programme of deliveries:

Zone 1 w/c 7th January
Zone 2 w/c 14th January
Zone 3 w/c 21st January
Zone 4 w/c 28th January

Each household will be provided with a roll of 30 clear plastic bags, these bags are for the purpose of recycling cardboard and plastic.

Hessian sacks are to be replaced with clear plastic bags – this is due to the high number of reported lost hessian sacks and the problems experienced with windblown litter. Due to the light weight of the bag and its content and the difficulty in securing the content, the plastic bottles and cardboard often end up strewn across the street which has a negative impact on the local environment.

In addition to this the council have to commit extra resources to remove the litter. The clear bags have been trialled with a number of households and proved to be very successful - the overall satisfaction rate was 92%. Residents who are still in possession of a hessian sack can continue to use it, however if the sack is lost/missing then they need to start using the clear plastic bags as the hessian sack will not be replaced.

Latics lash Leeds with three first half goals

A low key start, with rain falling and the crowd (25,906) subdued, Oldham dominated the early stages led by Chris Taylor who went off with a leg injury on 18 minutes, to be replaced by Deane Smalley.

This seemed to wake up the crowd but the Latics looked like they wanted a goal and they got one in the 27th minute when Reuban Hazell volleyed in a right foot shot from 25 yards, 0-1.

Oldham continued to press and seemed better than Leeds in every department. This was illustrated when Leeds had to defend a corner on 36 minutes and failed to prevent Neal Trotman heading in from 12 yards, 0-2.

The nightmare continued when a cross from Oldham's Craig Davies was deflected into the net by Leeds midfielder, Andy Hughes, 0-3.

At the start of the second half Leeds brought on strikers Leon Constantine for Radostin Kishishev and Tore Andre Flo for Seb Carole and within seconds of the re-start, Constantine, with his first touch of the ball, converted a cross from Jermaine Beckford at close range, 1-3.

Ben Parker came on for the injured Alan Thompson on 55 minutes.

Oldham held their game and withstood pressure from the powerful Leeds strike force. A goal by Tresor Kandol was ruled offside but nothing United did could make up the first half deficit and they went down to their first home defeat of the season.

It is truly turning out to be a dreadful Christmas period for the whites.

Leeds United 1 Oldham Athletic 3

Happy New Year

A happy new year to all our readers

Bid to broadcast Council meetings - update

Posted by Chris:

I see that we have been receiving dozens of links from redcar.net to the item, posted in August, about the Lib Dem bid to broadcast Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council meetings, proposed by Councillor Margaret Wilson.

In view of the interest here is an update:

The Council referred the matter to the new Democracy Commission, which is currently in the process of being set up. It is one of a list of items that will be investigated, hopefully quickly, though the majority Labour Group do not seem very keen on the idea. Myself and the other Lib Dem members of the Democracy Commission will do our best to ensure that the idea comes to fruition as soon as possible.

10-man Swans beat Leeds United in five goal thriller

Leeds United started well against the league leaders Swansea City at the new Liberty Stadium. A full house of 19,010, which included 2,800 Leeds fans, was electric with anticipation of a great game.

Good shots at goal from Jonathan Howson and Jermaine Beckford slammed in during the 4th minute.

But a free kick awarded from 25 yards, in the 8th minute, set up the Swans for a free shot at goal and Andy Robinson made it count, 0-1.

United fought back and in the 11th minute, a right foot shot from Beckford hit the back of the net from 6 yards, for his 15th league goal of the season, 1-1.

But Swansea won a corner in the 22nd minute, which the captain, Garry Monk, headed into the top right of goal, from 12 yards, 1-2.

With the Swans beginning to dominate a nasty foul on Howson, in the 39th minute, by Ferrie Bodde, resulted in a red card for the Swansea man and Howson being carried off, to be replaced by David Prutton.

United failed to take advantage of the situation and 10-man Swansea increased their share of possession. In the 45th minute a left-footed shot from Jason Scotland (18 yards), sent the Swans in for the break two goals up, 1-3.

Straight from the kick off Leeds won a free kick and skipper Alan Thomson fired into the net, 2-3.

A second free kick, from the same distance, followed straight from the re-start but Thompson hit the post.

Leeds began to dominate play but chances were few and far between. Tore Andre Flo came on for Ian Westlake in the 67th minute to add a bit more striking power and midfielder Curtis Weston replaced Seb Carole in the 77th minute.

United failed to take advantage of 10-man Swans and Leeds went down to their third league defeat of the season.

Swansea City 3 Leeds United 2

Labour MP, Vera Baird, let the people of Redcar down over Coatham Links

How much longer must Coatham Links remain fenced off waiting for development?

Redcar's Labour MP, Vera Baird, "is being irresponsible and has let the people of Redcar down over the Coatham Links development," a political rival has claimed.

Ian Swales, Liberal Democrats Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Redcar (Pictured above), hit out after the MP blamed the former Coalition for taking a decision to grant Planning Permission for the £88million Coatham Links development close to an election period, which was recently ruled out of order by a High Court Judge.

"The decision taken by the Planning Committee was an all party one and Councillors not only followed the advice of professional officers but also took advice from top QC's every step of the way. Their advice was that it was perfectly appropriate for the Committee to meet when it did. The Council’s decision was supported by the Government shortly afterwards.

"It’s impossible to know at any one time where Vera Baird stands on the Coatham development. Until last May’s elections she seemed to be on the side of protestors against the Lib Dem-led Coalition. Then she seemed to be backing the new Labour Council’s support for the development and was being condemned by protestors. What does she really want?

"Our Member of Parliament should be working with everyone who wants to see this long-awaited development succeed. I am appalled at her lack of leadership. Liberal Democrats remain committed to the completion of Coatham Links in full and will campaign vigorously against any attempt to water down the scheme. The current administration's priorities seem to be elsewhere in the Borough and I fear they will use this decision as an excuse to submit a much reduced development in terms of quality and benefits for local people."

Draw against Pool puts Leeds United on top of League One - at least for a couple of hours

The weather was breezy, cold and damp for Leeds United's first ever league game against the monkey hangers at Victoria Park, which is just across the river from here, in Hartlepool.

The game started slowly on a slippery pitch and the first chance in the match came in the 21st minute when Michael Nelson headed in, for Pool, from 6 yards, 0-1.

Leeds responded and started to play a bit, forcing their first two corners on 30 minutes but Pool were looking more dangerous and had the most possession.

In the last 10 minutes before half time chances fell to Tresor Kandol, Jermaine Beckford and Jonathan Howson but Pool went in for the break with their 1-0 lead intact.

The second half started with both teams sharing possession. In the 56th minute Seb Carole replaced David Prutton and Alan Thompson came on for Radostin Kishishev. Third skriker, Tore Andre Flo, came on for Ian Westlake in the 76th Minute in a desperate bid to make a difference.

The game dragged on with United just edging it, then in the 89th minute Tresor Kandol headed on to super striker Jermaine Beckford who drilled in a left foot shot from 20 yards, 1-1.

Never say die Leeds left it late again and held on for a draw that puts United top of the League for the first time, at least for a couple of hours. Not bad for a team that started the season on minus 15 points.

Attendance 7,784.

Hartlepool United 1 Leeds United 1

Merry Christmas

A very merry Christmas to all our readers.

United do the double over the Rovers with another late goal

An all action start at Elland Road today and an early substitution for Bristol Rovers when Joe Jacobson was replaced by Chris Carruthers, following a clash of heads with United's David Prutton.

Prutton required stitches but was back on the pitch after only a few minutes.

Jermaine Beckford headed against the bar from 12 yards in the third minute.

The fast flowing action, mainly due to long balls, continued through to half time with the only real chances going to Beckford, who was Leeds best striker by far. Tresor Kandol had made little impact on the game in the first 45 minutes.

Half time 0-0

The second half started with Bristol stepping up a gear and beginning to make an impact on the game.

But the crowd lifted Leeds, Seb Carole replaced David Prutton, Tore Andre Flo came on for Ian Westlake and more chances for Leeds began to be created.

With 7 minutes left to play Jonathan Howson finally broke the deadlock, with a glancing header, from 12 yards, which was deflected off a Bristol defender, 1-0.

This win means Leeds have done a league double over Bristol Rovers and puts United into third place, only one point behind the leaders.

Attendance 27,863.

Leeds United 1 Bristol Rovers 0

Nick Clegg names his Shadow Cabinet

The new Shadow Cabinet is as follows:

Leader NICK CLEGG
Deputy Leader Vince Cable
Chief Whip Paul Burstow

The economy and business - VINCE CABLE - Shadow Chancellor
Jeremy Browne - Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Sarah Teather - Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform

Home Affairs - CHRIS HUHNE - Shadow Secretary of State for the Home Department
David Heath Shadow - Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor
The Rt Hon the Lord Thomas - Shadow Attorney General
David Howarth - Shadow Solicitor General

International affairs - ED DAVEY - Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. Chair of Campaigns and Communications
Nick Harvey - Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
Mike Moore - Shadow Secretary of State for International Development

Public services - DAVID LAWS - Shadow Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families
Norman Lamb - Shadow Secretary of State for Health
Julia Goldsworthy - Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
Lembit Opik - Housing
Danny Alexander - Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions,
Chair of manifesto group
Stephen Williams - Shadow Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills

Environment - STEVE WEBB -Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Energy, Food and Rural Affairs
Norman Baker - Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
Tim Farron - Countryside

Families -SUSAN KRAMER Families spokesperson, Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office; and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

Other Shadow Cabinet members
Simon Hughes - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons and Party President
Don Foster - Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport; and Olympics
Alistair Carmichael - Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland and Northern Ireland
Lynne Featherstone - Youth and equality spokesperson
The Rt Hon Tom McNally - Leader in the Lords
Roger Williams - Shadow Secretary of State for Wales
The Rt Hon the Lord Shutt -Lords Chief Whip
Willie Rennie - Chair of Parliamentary campaigns team

Also attending the Shadow Cabinet
Danny Alexander - Leader’s Chief of Staff
Mark Hunter - Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Leader
Lorely Burt - Chair of the Parliamentary Party

Other apppointments announced today:

Rt Hon Sir Menzies Campbell will join the Foreign Affairs Select Committee and will be conducting a full review of Britain’s future military capability.

Rt Hon Charles Kennedy, as President of the European Movement will be campaigning across the country on European issues, and will contribute to major European debates from the front bench.

Nick Clegg names his Shadow Cabinet

The new Shadow Cabinet is as follows:

Leader

NICK CLEGG

Deputy Leader

Vince Cable

Chief Whip

Paul Burstow

The economy and business

VINCE CABLE

Shadow Chancellor

Jeremy Browne

Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Sarah Teather

Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform

Home Affairs

CHRIS HUHNE

Shadow Secretary of State for the Home Department

David Heath

Shadow Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor

The Rt Hon the Lord Thomas

Shadow Attorney General

David Howarth

Shadow Solicitor General

International affairs

ED DAVEY

Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

Chair of Campaigns and Communications

Nick Harvey

Shadow Secretary of State for Defence

Mike Moore

Shadow Secretary of State for International Development

Public services

DAVID LAWS

Shadow Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families

Norman Lamb

Shadow Secretary of State for Health

Julia Goldsworthy

Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government

Lembit Opik

Housing

Danny Alexander

Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

Chair of manifesto group

Stephen Williams

Shadow Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills

Environment

STEVE WEBB

Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Energy, Food and Rural Affairs

Norman Baker

Shadow Secretary of State for Transport

Tim Farron

Countryside

Families

SUSAN KRAMER

Families spokesperson, Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office; and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

Other Shadow Cabinet members

Simon Hughes

Shadow Leader of the House of Commons and Party President

Don Foster

Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport; and Olympics

Alistair Carmichael

Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland and Northern Ireland

Lynne Featherstone

Youth and equality spokesperson

The Rt Hon Tom McNally

Leader in the Lords

Roger Williams

Shadow Secretary of State for Wales

The Rt Hon the Lord Shutt

Lords Chief Whip

Willie Rennie

Chair of Parliamentary campaigns team

Also attending the Shadow Cabinet

Danny Alexander

Leader’s Chief of Staff

Mark Hunter

Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Leader

Lorely Burt

Chair of the Parliamentary Party

Other apppointments announced today:

Rt Hon Sir Menzies Campbell will join the Foreign Affairs Select Committee and will be conducting a full review of Britain’s future military capability.

Rt Hon Charles Kennedy, as President of the European Movement will be campaigning across the country on European issues, and will contribute to major European debates from the front bench.

Nick Clegg's speech in full

On his election as the new Leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg said:

My election as leader of this party marks a new beginning.

Today is about two things: ambition, and change.

Renewed ambition for the Liberal Democrats.

Renewed ambition to reach out to the millions of people who share our values, but have not yet voted for us.

It’s about renewed ambition for Britain.

Because we want to change politics, and change Britain.

I would like to thank Chris for the energetic and committed way he has campaigned in this leadership election.

We have been rivals in this contest. From today, we are colleagues again. I look forward to working closely with him for the good of liberalism in Britain.

I would also like to thank Vince Cable for the magnificent way he has led the party in these past two months.

There are few men who have excelled as an economist, a comedian and a ballroom dancer.

Finally, I would like to give my warmest thanks, on behalf of the whole party, to Ming Campbell. He took over the Liberal Democrats at a difficult time, and provided enormous stability and professionalism to the party. Without his work, building on the extraordinary achievements of Charles Kennedy and Paddy Ashdown before him, the party would not have the bright future which it now does.

I am a Liberal by temperament, by instinct and by upbringing.

My own family was marked, scattered and reunited by the tragic conflicts of the last century.

I was taught from an early age that Britain was a place of tolerance and pluralism, with a history steeped in democracy and the rule of law.

I believe that liberalism is the thread that holds together everything this country stands for. Pull out that thread and the fabric of the nation unravels.

We are a people with a strong sense of fair play and social justice. An instinct to protect the environment for future generations. We are suspicious of arbitrary power, wary of government interference. We want to play an active, enlightened role in the affairs of the world.

And we have always put our faith in the power of ordinary men and women to change things for the better.

So why is Britain still not the liberal nation we want it to be?
Look around us:

Our civil liberties casually cast aside.

Gigantic, faceless and incompetent Government bureaucracies.

Security and opportunity in short supply, particularly in the poorest communities.

Families struggling to meet each month’s bills. Struggling to balance the demands of work, and the time for a real family life.

Above all, our politics is broken.

Out of step with people.

Out of step with the modern world.

That is why I have one sole ambition: to change Britain to make it the liberal country the British people want it to be.

I want a new politics: a people’s politics.

I want to live in a country where rights, freedoms and privacy are not the playthings of politicians, but safeguarded for everyone.

Where political life is not a Westminster village freak show, but open, accessible, and helpful in people’s everyday lives.

Where parents, pupils and patients are in charge of our schools and hospitals.

Where fine words on the environment are translated into real action.

Where social mobility becomes a reality once again, so that no-one is condemned by the circumstances of their birth.

Why have we stopped imagining a better society?

Look at what we’ve got.

The Conservatives and New Labour have governed in the same way. Top-down and centralising. I refuse to believe that the only alternative to a clapped out Labour Government is a Conservative party which has no answers to the big issues - environmentalism without substance, social justice without money, internationalism without Europe.

The challenge for my party is clear and simple: to define a liberal alternative to the discredited politics of Big Government.

I want to open up my party, open up Westminster, and open up politics for good.

To lead well, a leader needs to listen.

That’s why I will hold regular and public Town Hall Meetings.

That’s why I want to open up the Liberal Democrats to give people who support us, but aren’t members, a say on the big issues.

That’s why I will spend at least one day every week listening and campaigning outside Westminster.

That’s why I will set up a network of real families, who have nothing to do with party politics, in every region of this country to advise me on what they think should be my priorities.

If you once voted Lib Dem but think we’ve spent too much time focusing on ourselves.

If you once voted Conservative but don’t know what they stand for any more.

If you once voted Labour but feel let down after ten years of disappointment.

If you’ve given up voting altogether, but still care about the world we live in:

Then a newly united, energetic, optimistic Liberal Democrat party is there for you.

This is an unprecedented time of opportunity for liberalism in Britain.

If we are to grab this opportunity, my party will need to change.

We must start acting like the growing national political movement that we are. More professional. More united. More ambitious.

Liberalism is the creed of our times.

The old left-right politics has broken down. Labour and the Conservatives are mutating into each other, united in defence of a system which has let the people down.

Instead, we must start where people are, not where we think they should be.

In short, I want the Liberal Democrats to be the future of politics.

Because Liberal Democrats have the courage to imagine a better society.

To break the stifling grip of the two-party system for good.

To bring in a new politics.

Of politicians who listen to people, not themselves.

No more business as usual. No more government-knows-best.

I want today to mark the beginning of real change in Britain.

The beginning of Britain’s liberal future.

Cleggy is the new Leader of the Liberal Democrats

Nick Clegg is the new leader of the Liberal Democrats. Nick won a very narrow victory over Chris Huhne who ran an aggressive campaign and was thought to have gained support as the campaign went on.

The result was as follows:

Nick Clegg - 20.988
Chris Huhne - 20.477

Yorkshire MP, Cleggy, pictured above in Newcastle with Chris (left), and Glyn Nightingale, was our favourite for the job because, as Glynis wrote on her endorsement, "Nick has made a big impression on Liberal Democrats in a very short time. He has the ability to quickly establish himself with voters and improve our ratings in the polls."

Nick paid tribute to Chris Huhne, acting leader Vince Cable and his predecessor Ming Campbell. He said the Liberal Democrats will be "more professional, more united and more ambitious." To disillusioned voters he said "a newly united, energetic Liberal Party is the party for you."

Recycling arrangements at Christmas

Redcar and Cleveland Council is reminding residents of the revised Christmas refuse collection times - and urging everyone to remember to recycle real Christmas trees and cards as well as the regular cans, paper, glass, plastic and cardboard, which are plentiful at this time of year.

There will be no collections on Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year's Day, but the Council's catch-up arrangements will ensure everything is back to normal on Tuesday, January 8.

Collection dates will change from:

Tuesday, December 25 to Thursday, December 27
Wednesday, December 26 to Friday, December 28
Thursday, December 27 to Saturday, December 29
Friday, December 28 to Monday, December 31
Tuesday, January 1 to Wednesday, January 2
Wednesday, January 2 to Thursday, January 3
Thursday, January 3 to Friday, January 4
Friday, January 4 to Saturday, January 5.

For more information, log on to the recycling section on the Council's website or call the Council's Contact Centre on 08456 126 126 for further assistance

You can place real Christmas trees out for collection on green waste collection days. Residents who do not have a green waste collection can take the trees to Warrenby Household Waste Recycling Centre, Dunsdale Household Waste Recycling Centre, Saltburn Somerfield Car Park Community Recycling Point and Guisborough Forest and Walkway.

The Woodland Trust and Recycle Now's annual Christmas Card Recycling Scheme hope to plant 24,000 trees by collecting 100 million cards.

Put your Christmas cards out with your cardboard and plastic for recycling from Monday, January 2 to Thursday, January 31 or take them to participating primary schools and libraries or Tesco, T-K-Max, WHSmith and M&S.

The Council's new Waste & Recycling 2008/2009 calendar, which details collection dates from February, 2008 to March, 2009, is being delivered in January. If you require the new collections calendar in other languages, Braille, on tape and in Large Print, contact 08456 126 126.

Thompson saves United's blushes with a late equaliser against the Saddlers

End to end play at the Bescot Stadium resulted in stalemate for the first 75 minutes then Tommy Mooney left footed into the net, from the six-yard line, to put Walsall into the lead, 0-1.

This sparked United into life and an injury time, deflected free kick, from substitute Alan Thompson sailed into the net from 30 yards, 1-1.

Jonathan Douglas was carried off in the last minute with what seems to be a serious injury to his left leg.

Leeds had the most possession but Walsall had slightly the better chances. United go home with a draw and that is about what they deserved from a pretty dour game.

The attendance of 10,102 was one of the Saddlers best at the Bescot.

Walsall 1 Leeds United 1

Free winter car checks

Redcar and Cleveland Council's Road Safety Team is offering free winter car checks next week to ensure your car is both legal and prepared for the winter months.

The free drop-in clinics will check the vehicle's lights, tyre treads, examine windscreen wiper blades and windscreen wash reservoir levels and top up if required.

They will also confirm any child seats are fitted correctly and provide information on many road safety issues to help you keep your licence and keep you and others safe this winter.

Dates, venues and times are:

Monday, December 17: Asda car park, South Bank, 10am-3pm.
Tuesday, December 18: Windy Hill Lane car park, Marske, 10am-3pm.
Wednesday, December 19: Retail Park car park, Cargo Fleet Lane, 10am-3pm.

United tame the Terriers in first derby for twenty years

The sound of "there's only one Billy Bremner" rang out, at a packed Elland Road, during the one minute applause for the great man who died on 7th December 1997.

It was the first derby against Huddersfield Town for 20 years.

Leeds United started badly in the poor conditions, though they still had slightly the majority of possession. But Town edged it on chances and quality of play. Fortunately for United, the Terriers had 17 years old rookie, Alex Smithies, in goal for only his second game. The lad allowed a 25 yard shot from Jonathan Douglas slip through his fingers, on 23 minutes, letting in his third goal in only 30 odd minutes play for the club, 1-0.

Radostin Kishishev, on one yellow card and warned a second time late in the first half, was replaced by Jonathan Howson at the start of the second half.

Three minutes after the re-start a cross by David Prutton was collected by Jermaine Beckford who drove past the luckless goalie, Smithies, from six yards, 2-0.

The game just got more exciting as spells of pressure from both United and Town resulted in much goal mouth action. Then on 69 minutes a good save, by Smithies off Prutton, fell to goal machine Beckford who made no mistake from six yards, 3-0.

Beckford was replaced by Tore Andre Flo on 82 minutes and five minutes later he right-footed into the net from six yards, 4-0.

Unfortunately there have not been many Leeds/Huddersfield derbies over the past forty years, mainly because United have been playing in a higher league. What is not widely known is the fact that Leeds played in Huddersfield's blue and white stripes for many years from the formation of the club, until they reverted to blue and gold, the colours of predecessor club Leeds City, in the 1930's.

The match attracted a remarkable pre-Christmas sell out attendance of 32,501. The largest crowd for a third tier game since 1979.

Leeds United 4 Huddersfield Town 0

Canoe man and his family are starting to remember what happened

Posted by Chris:

Back from the dead canoe man, John Darwin, who is currently being interviewed a mile or so up the road from here, at Redcar & Cleveland police headquarters, in Kirkleatham Business Park, used the name John Jones and travelled freely in and out of Britain, according to tonight's Evening Gazette report.

It seems he is just starting to remember what happened to him after his disappearance, five years ago, that started a 200sq mile sea search, costing £70,000 and lasting several days.

A boat dealer has come forward to claim that Darwin put down a £1000 deposit on a £45,000 boat, paid for out of his wife's bank account and gave his address as the family home at Seaton Carew.

The most curious thing is that Mrs Darwin, having first denied knowing that her husband was still alive, then admitted she knew when a picture of the couple, taken last year, came to light. Her response was that her sons would never forgive her, followed quickly by a statement from her sons publicly disowning her. They have now reportedly left their homes.

£1.479m investment for Coatham links

Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council is celebrating confirmation of £1.479million grant from One North East, the Regional Development Agency for the North East of England, to support the development of the multi-million pound sports, leisure and housing development at Coatham Enclosure, Redcar.

The confirmation of the funding, which will contribute towards the cost of installing a proposed combined heat and power unit within the new leisure centre building and fund wide-scale quality improvements to the public areas, marks a key milestone in the delivery of this exciting new development set to commence in spring 2008.

Currently, the area for the scheme is being marked out and made ready for this major new development which will provide 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, beauty salon, medical centre, new public rights of way, seafront apartments, alongside new mixed family and affordable housing and ongoing improvements to the boating lake and seafront promenade.

Tory faint-hearts over Fairtrade

Liberal Democrat councillors at County Hall, Northallerton, today expressed disappointment at the ruling Conservatives’ decision not to make North Yorkshire County Council a “Fairtrade County.”

The Fairtrade Foundation aims to improve the lives of food producers in the developing world by ensuring that they are paid a fair price for what they produce. It has the support of many councils, charities and religious organisations.

Following a Lib Dem motion, the Council’s Environment & Heritage Committee set up a Research Group to look into Fairtrade. It reported back by recommending that the Council aim to gain Fairtrade status for the county.

However, the recommendations then went to the Council’s Management Board, which is made up of senior officers. It advised the Council’s Conservative dominated Executive that it should expand availability of Fairtrade products in its general business, but not to seek Fairtrade status for the county.

Richmond Lib Dem Councillor Stuart Parsons said: “I am pleased that the Council has decided to expand use of Fairtrade products at meetings and in the County Hall canteen. Any use of their products will help bring about a fairer and more decent world economy.

“But it is a great pity that the Conservatives have not opted to go for Fairtrade County status. We could have proudly declared our Fairtrade status to visitors on road signs and council vehicles.

“Our neighbours in Cumbria have already become a Fairtrade County, and Lancashire is working towards it. North Yorkshire is in danger of being left behind, and has missed a golden opportunity to support the local economy.”

Do you need community facilities?

Are you involved with a club, society or other community group that has plans or ambitions for new or improved facilities, or do you own such a facility and have aspirations for its future improvement?

If so, then Redcar and Cleveland Council wants to hear from you, so that it has all the information available to draft new planning policies on the provision of community facilities across the Borough.

A new planning document, the Communities DPD, could protect existing facilities and safeguard sites for new community facilities. The Council is also looking at ways of securing contributions towards community facilities as part of new housing developments but needs to know where the greatest needs are.

You can download a community infrastructure questionnaire from the Council's website, pick up a copy in your local library, or ask for one to be posted to you by calling 01287 650553.

The closing date for responses is 4th January 2008.

This consultation is part of the on-going consultation on the Emerging Options for the Communities DPD which was launched on the 13, November and deals with housing, open space, community facilities and environmental matters.

Responses are also invited on all the issues and options raised in the Emerging Options Report by 4 January 2008.

Super Leeds put three past rock bottom Valiants

David Prutton headed home from 6 yards in the 17th minute, after Leeds had dominated play from the start, 1-0.

Hopes of more goals in the first half began to fade as United took their foot off the pedal and the Valiants increased their share of possession.

After the restart Leeds got a grip of the game again and a right foot shot, from 12 yards, in the 54th minute, gave Jermaine Beckford his 11th league goal of the season so far, 2-0.

An injury to Beckford in the 64th minute brought on Tore Andre Flo for what is said to be his first pain free game for 10 months; Jonathan Howson came on for Radistin Kishishev on 73 minutes, Ian Westlake was replaced by Alan Thompson in the 80th minute.

On 82 minutes Flo volleyed a right foot shot, from 20 yards, straight into the back of the net, 3-0.

This was a much improved performance by United, who have clearly benefited from the 10 day break.

Attendance - 20,301

Leeds United 3 Port Vale 0

Are we the "saddest" area in the country?

A News of the World study places Middlesbrough as the "saddest place" in the country with the Borough of Redcar & Cleveland in third place.

Our area receives a lot of negative publicity about the quality of life and the health of our citizens. The response to this is usually denial and threats to boycott the messengers as seen in today's Northern Echo story.

You can't deny the fact that there are real health and sickness problems in our area; high levels of unemployment on many estates and poor housing.

Redcar's Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesman, Ian Swales (pictured second left), said:

"These results certainly make me depressed. Sadly they're not surprising. High levels of people not working or having to work outside the area, the constant bother of low level crime and some parts being very run down are bound to affect people's health. Teesside has been let down by generations of politicians."

"No doubt people will try to say the results of these surveys are somehow not representative. They will probably be people with positions to protect. In fact the very people who have brought the area to it's current state. For example where are the well paid Civil Service jobs that the Government have been promising for ten years?"

Christmas lights switched on in Redcar tomorrow

The Christmas lights will be switched on in the High Street, Redcar tomorrow (Saturday 1st December) at 5.30pm.

The winners of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council's Talent 2007 will be showing off their dancing and singing skills on the stage in front of the Town Clock from 3pm. The Christmas parade, led by Police Horses and the Royal Jazz Band, will set off from the opposite end of the High Street, arriving at the stage at 5pm.

That will be followed by Community Christmas Carols until 6pm.

Santa will be in a horse drawn sleigh, accompanied by various Disney Characters including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, characters from the Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, Postman Pat and Bob the Builder.

Santa will then be in his Grotto on the High Street from Monday, December 3 until Sunday, December 23. Monday to Friday from 12.30pm until 2pm, Saturdays from 10.30am until 2.30pm and Sundays from 1pm until 3pm. Admission is £1.50 which includes a gift.

The Redcar Business Association will be running its Christmas Window Dressing Competition which will be judged on Friday, December 7th.

All of the Council's short and long stay car parks - except Morrisons in Regent Walk - will be free after 2pm each day from Monday, December 3rd.

Significant spending pressure will hit Redcar & Cleveland schools next year

Ian Swales, Lib Dem campaigner for the Redcar Constituency (pictured), expressed dismay today at the Government's grant to local schools for next year. He is writing to the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families to plead for a higher allocation.

He said, "While nationally the Government is giving schools 4.1% extra cash, Redcar & Cleveland schools are only getting 2.1% extra next year. Neither of these figures make full allowance for public sector inflation currently running at 7%.

"It is appalling that our local schools are getting such a raw deal compared with other schools across the country. Falling pupil numbers locally are given as the reason. Even with falling school rolls, classes still need teachers, buildings have to be maintained and office overheads covered.

"The impact is alarming for our schools. They will face the prospect of employing less staff, buying fewer books and resources and cutting back on extra activities.

"It seems inconceivable that the Council will be able to bail out schools from their other resources. It already faces the need for massive cuts in spending because of unfunded commitments and the need to make other efficiency savings to meet reductions in Government grants."

Yorkshire "Pride not Prejudice"

Above are both sides of a remarkable leaflet published by the Labour Party in Bradford who use Yorkshire Day as a way of uniting people in an area where the BNP is active and where there are from time to time racial tensions.

It is so very sad that in the Borough of Redcar & Cleveland Labour are using Yorkshire to create divisions, where there should be none.

Our campaign for recognition of our status as part of the North Riding of Yorkshire is a pragmatic attempt to clear up the confusion that exists as a result of regular changes of name for local government administrative areas. We seek to promote the Borough as part of Yorkshire for all cultural, ceremonial, sporting and postal purposes. We recognise that administratively we are part of the North East Region and we work with four other local authorities in a kind of sub-region, which was named Tees Valley for economic development and strategic planning. We don't seek to change any of this. We are proud of our Yorkshire identity that has been part of the lives of people in this area for more than one thousand years; we encourage people use Yorkshire as part of our postal address; campaign for our real county boundary to appear on maps, alongside our local government areas and we seek to erect Yorkshire boundary signs.

Labour in Bradford have taken Yorkshire Day, an event created by the Yorkshire Ridings Society, which I now chair, and have used it as a symbol to campaign against hate and prejudice. They are to be congratulated for it and Labour in our area should take note of this.

Rather than continue suggesting that we are seeking to change local government and somehow undermine the work of the North East region or the Tees Valley organisation (nothing could be further from the truth), we would urge Labour locally and in the Tees Valley area in general to recognise that we CAN retain our respective Yorkshire and Durham county identities without conflict and without affecting local government administration in any way at all.

Being part of Yorkshire means something good. It is a top tourism brand that is instantly recognisable throughout the world. It is a good postal address that Royal Mail approve of and the Council should think again about abandoning it. Above all, as Labour in Bradford have recognised, it has the potential to unite people.

You do not have to be born in Yorkshire to be a Yorkshireman or Yorkshirewoman. You simply have to accept that our real counties are more than just units for local government and that they exist alongside our administrative areas. As Labour says in Bradford "It's friendly". We Yorkshire folk are proud of our roots, our heritage and yes even our accents."

Chris on the Politics Show

Posted by Chris:

The campaign for recognition of our Yorkshire status in both Redcar and Saddleworth got a huge boost when the BBC Politics Show gave it coverage over it's entire Yorkshire and Lincolnshire edition.

You can watch it by clicking the following link

But why was Labour MP Austin Mitchell talking about recognition of the real county of Yorkshire and then Humberside in the same breath? I don't think Labour understand what we are trying to achieve. In Redcar quango mad Labour say we should be promoting the area as Tees Valley one day and then the next day they say we should be promoting the Borough of Redcar & Cleveland. On other days they claim we are seeking to re-organise local government when we are not doing anything of the kind.

The Robins nick late win as Leeds fail to take their chances

A first ever visit to Whaddon Road for Leeds United who started brightly with three good chances in the first nine minutes against rock bottom Cheltenham Town.

Chances continued to come as United dominated play throughout the first half but they just could not get the ball into the net.

The second half started in the same way with two shots from Jermaine Beckford in the first five minutes. The Robins followed that with two chances but the Whites were still dominating play. A less than effective first half performance by Seb Carole did not improve in the second half and the normally useful player was replaced by Ian Westlake nine minutes after the re-start.

Fifteen good chances by Leeds went astray in the first 70 minutes to Cheltenham's four. David Prutton was replaced by Torre Andre Flo and Mark De Vries came on for Ben Parker as Dennis Wise tried to break the deadlock with four strikers.

Three minutes later Beckford had the ball in the net but was flagged offside.

United could not score and with goalkeeper David Lucas just recovering from and injured shoulder the Robins nipped in front with a well taken goal by Stephen Gillespe from 30 yards.

Leeds simply dominated this match but failed to score. With a 10 day break now without a game they need to use the time working out why we have lost three out of the last four games and find a way of putting it right.

Cheltenham Town 1 Leeds United 0

Nick and Chris on Newsnight

How the BBC promoted the contest on their website

Posted by Chris:

With the original, slim version of the Bird of Liberty soaring in the background the contenders for the leadership of the Liberal Democrats faced each other as they stood at lecterns waiting to begin another TV debate, this time with the formidable Jeremy Paxman on Newsnight.

The impression given to viewers was that they had to stand there waiting whilst Mr Paxman presented Newsnight's coverage of the Government's disastrous loss of two CD's containing the personal and banking details of 25million UK residents.

Chris Huhne used most of his one minute, "I want to be leader of the Liberal Democrats because," to remind us yet again that he was an "experienced communicator" who had worked as a journalist and had set up a business. Nick Clegg used the time to express his passionate Liberalism and his wish to lead the party with "energy, conviction and passion."

Mr Paxman introduced the "Calamity Clegg" smear and Chris "apologised profusely" blaming it on a "junior researcher." He went on to accept the explanations provided by Nick and expressed the need for "communicating clearly."

However, it was Nick who expressed views in the clearest terms on immigration and taxation. Chris showed his tendency for populism on both these issues. He also ended up with the last word, once again having to defend his campaign's "Calamity Clegg" attack on Nick. I expect both candidates will have to live with this, courtesy of the media and our opponents, for a long time to come.