Lib Dems celebrate Ormesby housing decision

Redcar Constituency Liberal Democrats are celebrating this week following the rejection of intrusive housing plans at Longbank Farm, Ormesby.

The application for 320 houses received widespread objections from local residents, councillors and business and was refused during a planning meeting on Thursday.

Ian Swales MP commented:

“This is a great result for the residents of Ormesby and for local councillors Glyn and Irene Nightingale and Ann Wilson who have all worked extremely hard to ensure the plans weren’t approved.”

Ormesby Ward Cllr Glyn Nightingale and Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources said:

“Alongside our residents, we’ve worked hard to ensure the decision on this application was the right one. The housing plans were intrusive and the application should never have been considered.

“Irene, Ann and I are delighted with the decision.”

Deputy Leader of the council and prospective MP for the Redcar Constituency, Cllr Josh Mason said:

“I have been behind my colleagues and local residents 100%. Labour made some disastrous choices for housing developments in the borough and we’re now working as hard as we can to put this right.”

Redcar MP Ian Swales praises delivery of major jobs boost

On the day that the Coalition Government's flagship Enterprise Zone programme hits the 15,500 jobs landmark, Redcar MP Ian Swales praises Lib Dem ministers for delivering a boost to the local economy.

Figures released today show that the Tees Valley Enterprise Zone has created roughly 1020 jobs so far, providing a real boost to the local economy in and knock-on benefits for the community, including improved infrastructure and new business opportunities.

Across the country, the Coalition Government's 24 Enterprise Zones have now created more than 15,500 jobs, attracted over 480 businesses and over £2.1 billion in private investment.

The growth has also provided a real boost to the UK's construction sector and supply chain.

Redcar MP Ian Swales said:

"Thanks to joint efforts by Business Secretary Vince Cable and Lib Dem local government minister Stephen Williams, we have seen a real boost to the local economy in terms of more jobs, more innovation and more power to the local community to do what's best for the area.

“This comes off the back of a whole series of announcements by the Lib Dem Deputy PM Nick Clegg of more money being taken out of Whitehall and put direct into the hands of local business and communities, especially through the Regional Growth Fund."

Lib Dem local government minister Stephen Williams MP said:

“Enterprise Zones like Tees Valley have gone a long way in re-balancing the economy, taking the power out of Whitehall's hands and putting it back into the hands of local communities."

“Just a fortnight ago, Lib Dem Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg also announced an extra £13.9m for the Tees Valley Local Enterprise Partnership via his flagship Growth Deals which Government estimates could deliver up to 9,000 new jobs, 5,000 new homes and generate £300m of public and private investment.”

“Redcar Labour Party in Turmoil” - Redcar MP Ian Swales

After months of infighting, Redcar Labour party’s feud over the vastly unpopular selection of a parliamentary candidate from Kent, Anna Turley, finally came to a head today.

After mass de-selection of some of their most senior cabinet members, 10 Labour Party councillors publicly resigned from the Labour party today outside the office of Kent PPC Anna Turley.

The de-selected councillors include council leader George Dunning, deputy leader Sheelagh Clarke and cabinet members Steve Goldswain, Mark Hannon and Norman Pickthall. Chairman of the Fire Authority Brian Briggs and former Mayor Vic Jeffries were also de-selected. Cabinet member Olwyn Peters, former Mayor Wendy Wall and current Redcar and Cleveland Mayor Carole Simms joined the de-selected members in their mass-resignation this afternoon.

The Labour party members staged a protest outside Anna Turley’s office today where they were pictured tearing up mock membership cards and speaking out against the so-called “Labour bullies”.

MP Ian Swales commented:

 “The Labour party in Redcar is clearly falling apart. All we’ve seen since the selection of their unpopular Kent candidate is a very obvious split in their group and some very public in-fighting.

“After all this petty fighting and back stabbing, how can the people of Redcar and Cleveland trust them to continue to run our council? It’s about time the discredited Labour administration was replaced with councillors who care more about their residents and our area than they do about petty politics.”

 Redcar’s Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate and local councillor Josh Mason commented:

“Not surprisingly, Ms Turley was not around today to face the music.

“My party and I are now acting to try and fix this mess before the council spirals further into chaos. A vote of no confidence has been put forward and will play out in the meeting of the full council next Thursday.

“The Liberal Democrats in Redcar are prepared to pick up the pieces of Labour’s mess and we will do everything we can to ensure that the best outcome is reached for local residents.”

Ian Swales MP secures flooding meeting for Residents

Following the devastating flooding around the Borough of Redcar and Cleveland in September 2013, Redcar MP Ian Swales has been pushing hard for residents to get answers from the responsible authorities.

Since the flooding, the council has been promising the take action to reduce the risk of future flooding. Northumbrian Water, SSI, the Environment Agency and local social housing providers also have a part to play.

A meeting has been arranged for Thursday 11 December from 6.30pm at Sacred Heart School, Redcar. All authorities will be represented and will be telling residents about the work they’ve been doing and their plans for the future.

All residents are welcome.

Commenting, Ian Swales said:

“It has been 10 months since I last arranged a public meeting and since then I have been pushing the authorities to take action and come up with a long term plan.

“The council has been promising the results of a hydrology study since March and it’s now time that they report the findings back to residents. I’ve been saying since day one that this will require drastic action and I now want to see it happen.”

Liberal Democrat Deputy Council Group Leader and Parliamentary Candidate for Redcar Constituency, Councillor Josh Mason said:

“Despite pressure from myself and Ian the council seem to have made little progress and seem to be hoping people will forget about the flooding last year.

“I have seen first-hand the devastating effects of the flooding on local residents and now want to see the relevant authorities come forward with a long-term plan that will reduce the risk of us ever having to experience anything like that again.”

Pictured: Ian Swales (left) and Josh Mason (right) in Marske visiting residents affected by flooding.

Ian Swales encourages community to have their say on the future of Redcar Post Office

MP for Redcar, Ian Swales is urging local people to get involved with the consultation to decide the future of Redcar’s Crown Post Office. Proposals put forward by the Post Office recommend relocation into WHSmith on Redcar High Street.

Alongside the six week consultation, a public meeting will take place on Wednesday 3^rd December from 4-8pm at TunedIn, Majuba Road, Redcar. At the event, representatives from the Post Office will be available to discuss the proposals and the consultation process. Only about a third of the current building on Cleveland Street is occupied, forcing the Post Office to look for a more cost-effective alternative location.
Ian Swales commented:

“It’s vitally important that local people have their say on such important changes in the community. I have been contacted by a number of residents who are concerned about the proposed move and I am encouraging each and every one of them to get involved in the consultation to make their feelings known.

“I have a number of concerns about the proposed move which I will raise personally, and I would encourage local people to do the same.

“I will continue to work with Post Office management to ensure that vital services are protected and we get the best possible outcome for the town.”

Redcar Liberal Democrats select local man Josh Mason as successor to Ian Swales

During a hustings event in Redcar last night, Cllr Josh Mason was selected to take the reins from Redcar’s Liberal Democrat MP Ian Swales to stand for MP in the 2015 General Election.

Local man Josh, who is chair of the party, has worked very closely with Ian for the past 4 years supporting his campaigns for jobs, on flooding, against intrusive wind turbines, saving post offices and for better use of Redcar Hospital. 

Josh also sits on the board of Coast and Country Housing, is a local school governor, and represents Redcar’s Zetland Ward as deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats on Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council. 

Josh has spent the last four years campaigning hard against council waste. He has led calls to freeze council tax for the last three years and called for George Dunning’s resignation. Josh strongly opposed the council’s Draft Local Plan and has repeatedly campaigned for action to be taken on TunedIn, the council’s failing new youth facility.

Commenting on the announcement sitting MP, Ian Swales said:

“I am delighted that Josh Mason has been selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for the next General Election. I worked with Josh for over four years and it's no wonder that local politicians of all parties see him as the outstanding talent of the next generation. I will give him my full backing and think he can do an excellent job as our local MP.

“Our area is benefiting by having MPs with strong roots in the area. We can't go back to having Labour MPs dropped in from other parts of the country.”

After his selection Josh Mason commented:

“I’m thrilled to have been selected to stand in place of Ian Swales who has been a popular and hardworking MP.

“He will certainly be a hard act to follow but after working with him so closely over the years, I’m well aware of the constituency’s needs and feel well equipped to speak up for us locally and in Parliament.

“I grew up here, my family live here and I care deeply about the area’s future. I want to be an approachable, hardworking local MP and I will fight as hard as I can to ensure the best for our area.”

Ian Swales MP supports reform of “Bedroom Tax”

MP for Redcar Constituency Ian Swales has today supported his Liberal Democrat colleague’s private members bill calling for further reform of the spare room subsidy, more commonly referred to as the ‘bedroom tax’.

The bill, put forward by Andrew George MP, proposed that those who are willing to move but cannot be found a smaller home would be exempt, as would disabled people who live in adapted properties or who need a spare bedroom.

The bill received a majority of support from MPs with 306 votes to 231. The bill will now progress to committee stage.

Commenting after the vote, Ian said:

“I voted against the so called bedroom tax when the legislation originally passed through the house. This wasn’t because I think taxpayers should continue to pay for spare bedrooms or because I ignored the needs of the millions of people on housing waiting lists or living in overcrowded accommodation as the Labour party seem to do. It was simply because I knew that in my constituency we did not have enough 1 and 2 bedroom properties to cope with the change.

“There were of course other issues with the policy and I have personally fought for the changes already made for disabled children, service personnel and foster carers. Today's Bill covers two major remaining groups, disabled adults needing an extra room and those willing to move who can't be offered a suitable alternative. Both of which are problems in my constituency.

“I was therefore pleased to support the Bill and congratulated my Liberal Democrat colleague, Andrew George, on bringing it forward. Whilst the Conservatives and Labour take opposite sides on this issue, the Liberal Democrats are the only party trying to achieve a fairer system for everyone.”

Ian Swales MP and Cllr Eric Howden to host Memorial Walk

To mark the centenary of the First World War, Ian Swales MP and Redcar British Legion Chair, Cllr Eric Howden will be hosting a sponsored walk around the war memorials in Redcar Constituency on Saturday 14 June 2014. The Standard from the Legion will be carried and present at each memorial and a cross will be placed.

20 miles in total, the walk will begin in New Marske Church at 8.00am and end at Redcar Cenotaph around 5.30pm. All proceeds will go to the Redcar British Legion’s Poppy Appeal and Blind Veterans UK. 

Ian and Eric would love for people to join them on the walk for as much or little as they feel able.  Meeting points and a lunch stop have been arranged so that people can join at different stages of the walk or come along to make donations.

To take part or find out more please contact (01642) 777940 or email ian@ianswales.com

To sponsor the Memorial Walk please contact us or use the fundraising page: www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/Memorialwalk

Chris Abbott celebrates 300th Focus newsletter

Long-time community campaigner and Redcar Councillor Chris Abbott is today celebrating the publication of the 300^th edition of his Newcomen Ward “Focus”.

The unbroken series of newsletters began in October 1984, raising issues of council house rent, fly-tipping and asbestos. The “Focus” newsletter has always been about community politics and getting things done for local people issue number one carried the tag line: “It’s often the little things that really matter to people”. Thirty years later, Cllr Chris Abbott continues to work by this premise.

Commenting, Chris Abbott said:

“We have come a long way since the early days when we produced Focus on a typewriter, cut and paste headlines with Letraset and hand drawn graphics.

“Although we now have good quality printing facilities, all the work is still produced and distributed by volunteers at no cost to residents.

“It’s been a pleasure to support the local community these past thirty years and I look forward to many more.”

Liberal Democrat MP for the Redcar Constituency, Ian Swales commented:

“This is an incredible achievement for Chris Abbott.

“It goes to prove that Liberal Democrats are passionate about our local area and work all year round for the benefit of communities.”

Ian Swales MP re-selected to fight for Redcar

At the January meeting of Redcar Constituency Liberal Democrats this evening, Ian Swales, Liberal Democrat MP for Redcar Constituency, was unanimously reselected to stand in the 2015 General Election. 

Ian, who was elected with the biggest swing in the country in 2010, has been a strong voice for Redcar Constituency and the region in Parliament. He he serves as Lib Dem Treasury Spokesman, has been Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Chemical Industry and as the only trained accountant on the influential Public Accounts Committee. 

Locally, Ian has overseen the beginning of a new future for manufacturing on Teesside - with huge sums of Government money to create jobs and stimulate growth here, than anywhere else in the country. Unemployment is now at its lowest level since 2009 and according to the North East Chamber of Commerce, the indicators for business sales and jobs are the best since 1995. He campaigned hard to get the steelworks restarted and has taken up thousands of cases for local people since 2010. 

Nationally, Ian has been at the forefront of campaigning for a stronger economy and a fairer society: tackling the cost of living by giving hard working people a £700 tax cut, freezing fuel duty and extending free childcare; introducing the triple lock guarantee for the state pension - an extra £800 a year so far; giving our children the best start in life by introducing free school meals for infants and giving more money to schools for the less advantaged; and providing opportunities by creating 1.2million new apprenticeships and one million jobs, so far. 

Commenting on Ian's reselection, Josh Mason, Chair of Redcar Constituency Liberal Democrats said: 

" Ian is a local man with exactly the experience of industry and business we need to get our area back on its feet. He's made a huge impact since being elected in 2010. We're very lucky to have him!" 

On his own reselection, Ian commented: 

"I'm delighted that the Liberal Democrats have put their faith in me to represent them again at the next general election.

"After decades of decline - with falling employment and failing industry over successive Labour and Tory Governments, there's no quick fix for our local economy. But things are definitely starting to improve here - manufacturing is increasing all the time and unemployment is at its lowest level since 2009. 

"I hope to be able to continue the fight we've started to bring jobs and prosperity back to our area."

Lib Dems condemn housing payments scandal

Liberal Democrats have uncovered a scandal involving hundreds of people in Redcar & Cleveland Borough being denied help by the Labour Council.

The Government has given the Council £429,000 for Discretionary Housing Payments following the removal of the spare room subsidy.

But with only ten weeks of the financial year left, the Labour-controlled Council has used less than half of the money to help people who need it.

Cllr Chris Abbott, Lib Dem Housing Spokesman, commented:

“It’s a scandal, especially as local Labour activists have been scaremongering and condemning the Government as hard-hearted.

“George Dunning’s Labour Party must explain whether they are being incompetent or whether they are depriving people of help for party political reasons. It’s one or the other.

“If people need help and the Government has given the money, they should get it.”

Redcar MP Ian Swales added:

“The Government knew this policy would cause initial problems for some people. That's why they gave a large sum to the Council.

"I'm shocked that the Council has so much left. It looks like they’ll have to hand money back to the Government when they should be supporting hard pressed local residents.”

Lib Dems demand a pier at Redcar

Liberal Democrats are asking Redcar and Cleveland Council’s Labour bosses to back local residents who want a pier at Redcar.
At the meeting of the Council on 12 December, Lib Dem Councillor Chris Abbott will ask the Labour Cabinet Member to agree for a  pier to be included in the Local Plan.

Councillor Chris Abbott, who represents Newcomen Ward, said:

“Councillors have been inundated with emails from local residents pressing for a pier to be included in the Local Plan.

“The Council needs to show it is listening.”

Lib Dem Group Leader Glyn Nightingale added:

“Ian Swales MP says that the Council needs to produce a plan for a pier so that he can press the Government for grant funding.

“The Council can help to facilitate this but nothing will happen unless they show some commitment.”

Councillor Josie Crawford, who represents the coastal ward of Coatham, said:

"A  pier will further regenerate Redcar by adding an extra tourist attraction. This will bring more people from outside into the town.

"I know from talking to people in my ward how popular it would be for Redcar to have a pier again."

Pictured left to right Lib Dem Councillors Mary Ovens, Irene Nightingale, Josh Mason, Chris Abbott, Josie Crawford, Ron Harrison, John Earl, Glyn Nightingale.

Ian Swales MP to host second public flooding meeting in Redcar this week

Member of Parliament for Redcar Constituency, Ian Swales MP, has arranged the second public meeting in Redcar for residents to be updated on the findings of Northumbrian Water and Redcar and Cleveland Council following the severe flooding experienced in September.

Ian met both parties recently and was assured that their draft report would soon be made available to the public. At the meeting this week, the main findings and a plan of action for the future will be discussed and the report should be made available following this.

Commenting Ian said:

"It's really important that we have a proper plan in place to ensure that there can be no repeat of the devastation caused on September 6.

"Although the report is long overdue, I hope the Council and Northumbrian Water will now be prepared to make strong commitments and provide the answers people need.

"I will certainly not give up campaigning on this issue until I'm satisfied that everything possible is being done to prevent future flooding."

Ian has written to all constituents who have made contact about the flooding to invite them to the meeting which will take place at Redcar Academy on Thursday 12^th December at 6pm. All are welcome to attend.

Lib Dems fight for a real pier at Redcar

Liberal Democrats are asking Redcar and Cleveland Council to include building a proper pier in its Local Plan.

The Labour run council says that “the Local Plan sets out a vision for improving the quality of life in the borough as a place to live and work and will determine how much development will take place and where it will be located.”

However, the draft version of the Local Plan makes no mention of a pier in Redcar .

Liberal Democrats Councillor Chris Abbott said:

“One thing missing from the Labour Council’s draft plan is a pier for Redcar and Lib Dems are asking residents to support the campaign to have a pier included in the Local Plan.

“It would show a commitment that the Council is listening to what people in Redcar want.”

Local Lib Dem MP Ian Swales added: 

“I have told the Council officials that I will fight for Government money to help build a proper pier at Redcar . But if a pier is not included in the Local Plan then there is no chance.”

Redcar Lib Dems call on Council to protect green spaces

Ian Swales, Liberal Democrat MP for Redcar, is today calling on Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council to ensure that green spaces are protected from over development.

The council has fallen behind with new homes targets in recent years and has not put in place a long-term plan for housing, leaving green spaces everywhere open to development. Under the Labour government's

2004 Planning Act R&C Council was forced to build 300 new houses every year, regardless of population - the target was only met in two of the past eight years.

The recently overturned planning decision on the Galley Hill development at Guisborough has concerned Ian Swales and his colleagues in the Lib Dems locally who believe that the Council's lack of forward planning has caused a land-grabbing free-for-all.

Redcar MP, Ian Swales commented:

"Residents of Redcar and Cleveland are living in fear of losing their green areas because the ruling group on the council has failed to meet the targets set by the last Labour Government and has never had a sustainable long-term plan.

"Because of this failure the development limits set by the local authority can be bypassed by developers. The top of Windy Hill Lane in Marske is already under threat and I'm afraid more and more of our beautiful green wedges could fall victim to the council's incompetence."

Cllr Chris Abbott, Lib Dem spokesperson for housing commented on proposed developments on green space in Redcar:

"Plans to build a limited number of houses on the perimeter of Newcomen Primary School Playing field, in Mersey Road, has been quietly increased without proper consultation. Plans for housing on Sacred Heart playing field, also in Mersey Road, are also being drawn up, despite the area being prone to serious and well publicised flooding.

"Legal planning conditions on both these sites were made to allow community use of school playing fields in exchange for building new primary and secondary schools in Mersey Road at Redcar. Once planning permission was granted the conditions, agreed with Sport England have simply been ignored."

Ian Swales MP to chair Coroner committee

It has been announced that Ian Swales, Liberal Democrat MP for Redcar, will chair a new group tasked with overseeing the streamlining and modernisation of Cleveland's ailing coroner service.

Ian has attended meetings with all interested parties - the police, coroner's office and councils - to come up with a solution. Together, they launched a review which has revealed some administrative problems holding back progress in the coroner's office, leading to some of the worst backlogs in the country.

Ian Swales is now to chair the group tasked with implementing the review to streamline and modernise the coroner's service in Cleveland.

Ian commented:

"It's totally unacceptable that local families have to wait so long for verdicts at what is already a very difficult time.

"I'm looking forward to working with all concerned parties towards a positive outcome for all.

"Our aim is to move from having one of the worst coroner's departments in the country to one of the best."

The Yorkshire Ring of Roses is almost complete.

There will be A Ring of Roses round Yorkshire on Thursday.

The Yorkshire Ridings Society has sent out well over a hundred flags so far and these, in addition to many others which are due to be flown on Thursday. Orders are still arriving and members are delivering the last few flags.

 So great has been the interest that the society has had to order more flags.

Hopefully, all the flags which have been ordered will be  flown on Yorkshire Day.

If you have a Yorkshire Flag please fly it on Thursday.

Thanks to all those people who have agreed to take part in the Ring of Roses.

Pictured: Ian Swales MP for Redcar with the Yorkshire flag.

Another Marske Labour Councillor resigns from Redcar and Cleveland Council's Labour Group

Losing one Councillor from St Germains Ward might be considered unlucky but losing two is just careless of the not listening Redcar and Cleveland Council Labour Group:

The following email was sent today to all Councillors from Councillor Sean Pryce:
Dear George and Labour Group members,

I have a duty to do what is right for the residents I represent. I stood as a councillor so that I can represent the views and wishes of residents. The Labour leadership of this council and certain cabinet members are repeatedly and consistently refusing to listen to the views of residents. This could not have been more clearly proven by the response to more than 99% of residents opposing a parking scheme. The council has no mandate to introduce such a parking scheme, and to propose and support spending a further £20,000, just so the council can justify raising revenue by parking charges, is possibly illegal, and if not is certainly immoral.

Residents are also tired of the annual rounds of council tax rises, when other councils that already have lower council tax rates are again freezing theirs.

From a personal point of view, as an ex serving police officer I had enjoyed my roles involving Cleveland Police, but the group saw fit to remove my involvement in favour of yourself and Councillor Goddard, when neither of you have a fraction of the knowledge of policing or policing issues. The fact that this was a paid role was not my concern.

Hence, I think that I can better represent the interests of residents by continuing my councillor duties in opposition to the Labour group and so resign from the Labour Group and from Labour Party membership herewith.

I hope that you can turn round what many interpret as an arrogant and “we know what's best for you” attitude from the leadership and some of the cabinet for the benefit of the council and our residents. No problems with anyone personally, just the unwillingness of some to listen to the residents they are supposed to represent.

Cllr Sean Pryce

Sean Pryce
Labour & Cooperative Councillor
St Germains Ward
Marske by the Sea

Lib Dem Group Leader Glyn Nightingale commented:

"Sean Pryce's resignation from the Labour Party is hardly surprising. This is yet another in a series of Labour defections and resignations since 2011. To lose three Cabinet members is serious. But to see its majority whittled away by defections is calamitous for Labour.

“The only two gains Labour made in Redcar in Council elections in 2011 have now been lost to defections.

“Labour continue to take their local dominance and power for granted.

They shamelessly ignore common sense, waste taxpayers' money and disregard what local people want.

They have rejected the Government's money to freeze Council Tax; squandered money on a vertical pier and £20,000 on a consultation that ignores a popular petition protesting against parking charges in Saltburn. It’s typical of their incompetence in running a multi-million pound organisation. Clearly, Cllr Pryce shares our view on these key issues.

“No wonder sensible people are still turning their backs on Labour, just as they did in 2010 when they turfed them out of government and elected the first Liberal Democrat MP, Ian Swales, in the Borough. Now, it seems they can’t even keep support within their own party."

Lib Dem launches Middlesbrough jobs plan

Urgent action is needed to turn around Middlesbrough's jobs crisis, according a local employment expert.

Launching his official 'jobs plan' for the town today, Lib Dem Parliamentary candidate George Selmer said Middlesbrough had been neglected by Labour for decades and needed a strong voice representing the area in Westminster.

Speaking outside the Corporation Road Jobcentre, where he and Ian Swales MP met local jobseekers, George said:

"Unemployment in Middlesbrough is among the highest in the country. The town needs an MP who can turn that around.

"For too long, Labour have been happy to accept second best for this area. Their neglect and complacency is shocking.

"I've spent my career getting unemployed people back to work. I know how to fix Middlesbrough's jobs problem.

"You only have to look next door to see the positive 


George Selmer works to help unemployed people back to work

impact a Lib Dem MP can make. While youth unemployment is rising in Middlesbrough, it has fallen by 6% in Redcar." 

Redcar MP Ian Swales added,

"While Labour are still pining over the loss of One North East - a Tynside-focused quango that consistently overlooked Teesside - George is concentrating on the solutions that will help people here in Middlesbrough.

"That means a focus on apprenticeships, and securing Regional Growth Funding for local businesses. "It means banging the drum for Teesside in Westminster to help attract new jobs and encourage existing firms to expand.

"Tackling unemployment is the number one challenge facing Middlesbrough's next MP. Local voters should back the man with a plan."

Yorkshire Day at Redcar in pictures

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

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

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

The rose girls raising funds for Redcar Lifeboat

Chris Foote-Wood draws the crowds 

Chris Foote-Wood reads the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity 

watched by Redcar MP Ian Swales.