Stan Wilson

Today I received the sad news that my friend and former colleague on Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, Stan Wilson has passed away..

A former Labour Councillor, serving on Redcar Borough Council from 1963 to 1966 Stan became a stalwart member of the Liberal Party in Redcar from the early 1970’s.

Stan, a real character, whom we had known since he had acted as agent in the Cleveland and Whitby constituency at the 1979 General Election, was almost on our doorstep to greet us when we moved to Redcar in May 1984. As we opened the door on the day we moved in there was a card from Stan welcoming us to the town and informing us of the date of the next meeting. 

Stan was my Lib Dem ward colleague serving Newcomen Ward from May 1987 to May 1999 after he had retired to Sowerby following a long career in teaching and youth work. He was a great inspiration to me and many other people whom he encouraged to stand for the Council. He always seemed to have time to stop and chat to everyone he passed in the street or met in meetings. 

For many years Stan acted as a Steward at Lib Dem Conferences and was eventually awarded a life membership of Conference. 

Stan was well known as a keen local sportsman playing football for Redcar Albion, Shildon and for a short spell on the books of Darlington FC as an amateur. He turned out as a playing member of Redcar Cricket Club in no less than five decades.

Stan leaves a wife Stella and two sons Peter and Trevor.

The funeral takes place at Sowerby Methodist Church, Front Street, Thirsk, Yorkshire, YO7 1JQ, on Monday 30th March at 1pm, followed by an internment.

Ros Scott visits Redcar

Ian Swales campaign to win Redcar constituency at the General Election was boosted by a visit from Baroness Ros Scott, President of the Liberal Democrats.

Ros, who was accompanied by fellow blogger, Mark Valladares Liberal Bureaucracy, met up with campaigners in the 9'0 Club in West Dyke Road, Redcar, before visiting Redcar town centre and helping to collect signatures in support of our campaign for a proper pier.

She congratulated Redcar Lib Dems for their "outstanding" series of by-election victories over the past twelve months and spoke of the party's hopes for success at the General Election.

Former Newcomen Ward Lib Dem Councillor, Stan Wilson, travelled from his home in Sowerby, near Thirsk to attend the visit and he sends best wishes from his wife Stella and himself to all his friends in Redcar.

Pictured L to R: Glynis, Charlotte Seaman (our granddaughter), Chris, Stan Wilson, Lib Dem President Baroness Ros Scott, Ian Swales prospective MP for Redcar.

We've picked Opik!

The Abbott family, Chris, Glynis and daughter Kelly, have cast their votes for Lembit Opik in the election for Party President.

The choice wasn't difficult as the other two are totally unknown establishment types and will probably, like current President Simon Hughes, never set foot in Redcar. Lembit last came to support us in Redcar during the 2001 General Election, when he spoke at Stan Wilson's adoption meeting as Parliamentary Candidate.

We like Lembit, he is high profile and is a household name. He was identified as being the most Liberal in the Parliamentary Party and like us he defended Charles Kennedy to the bitter end.

Lembit has worked hard for the Party and he deserves to be President. He is a likeable guy, intellegent and tough when he needs to be.

February 1997 and local Labour Councillors vote to close Redcar Swimming Pool

Focus February 1997

Labour Councillors vote to close Redcar Swimming Pool

LOCAL Labour Councillors put party before people once again when they voted to close Redcar Swimming Pool.

Liberal Democrat Councillors Chris Abbott and Stan Wilson have slammed the decision of Labour controlled Redcar Council to close the pool, in spite of a strong campaign waged by local residents and pool users.

"What really sickens me is the way some Redcar Councillors were claiming to be supporting the campaign to save the pool but when it came to the crunch they meekly toed the party line," said Chris Abbott.

"All the Liberal Councillors have promised to keep up pressure on the Labour Council to try to reverse the decision," said Stan Wilson.

January 1997 and the battle to save the swimming pool

Focus January 1997

Liberal Democrat Councillors battle to save Redcar Swimming Pool

REDCAR Council has to make further budget cuts and what is the first thing that our top heavy Labour controlled Council proposes to close?

Yes, you've guessed it, Redcar Swimming Pool.

Newcomen Ward Liberal Democrat Councillors Chris Abbott and Stan Wilson, together with Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson, Cllr Joyce Benbow, have pledged to fight any plans to close the pool. They have pressed for cuts in bureaucracy which they believe are the root cause of the Council's troubles.

"Too many Council Departments mean too much bureaucracy and too many highly paid top level Council Officers. The Council can quite easily reduce from ten Departments to six but it is like asking turkeys to vote for Christmas. Council Officers will not propose cutting their own empires. Instead they propose cuts in services to the public. The very basic facilities which the Council was set up to provide." said Cllr Chris Abbott.

"Frankly, the Labour Council have got themselves into this mess by the long term neglect of what is an essential facility for a seeside town. It is vital that it remains open until a new state of the art facility can be provided as part of the regeneration plans for Coatham Enclosure area," said Cllr Joyce Benbow.

"As a former teacher I am most concerned about all the valuable education time which Redcar school children will waste travelling to Saltburn Baths. Local Liberal Democrats will vote against the proposed closure of Redcar Swimming Pool." said Cllr Stan Wilson.

IT is interesting that the Coalition, elected in 2003, has severely reduced the number of departments, chief officers and bureaucracy. Placing the emphasis on putting services first we have dragged the Council up from only fair under Labour to FOUR STAR excellent today. Our plans to provide two new swimming pools in Redcar are now at planning stage and we are determined to bring them to fruition over the next few months.

August 1993 and the plans are still on the shelf

Focus August 1993

When will Redcar get some real regeneration?

REDCAR regeneration is not about the wasteful replacement of good paving on the Esplanade and the erection of a few flagpoles.

Three years ago, in the June 1990 edition, the FOCUS team welcomed the report on the study by Consultants, Drivas Jonus. Listed below are some of the proposals which the FOCUS team felt were right for the town:

WILTON STREET AREA: This could be re-developed with covered access onto a pedestrianised High Street, a sensible traffic management scheme, road re-alignment and better car parking provision.

KIRKLEATHAM STREET AREA: We prefer sheltered housing or civic or cultural buildings on this site not light industry.

COATHAM ENCLOSURE: Removal of the lorry park to a site inland. Re-alignment of MAJUBA ROAD. Possible residential development on the sea front. Improvements to the Leisure Centre and Swimming Pool, plus private sector leisure developments.

Says Cllr Stan Wilson:

"In 1991, the Labour Party took control of the Council and set us back years. They threw out the £50m Motor Sports development, sneered at the TDC, and then wondered why their bid for City Challenge grant money for Redcar was turned down.

This edition of Focus was distributed in Newcomen and Coatham Wards.

More than 16 years of consistent campaigning for the development of Coatham Enclosure

Posted by Chris:

One of the advantages for a Councillor of issuing regular newsletters to the residents he or she represents is that you keep an accurate record of your campaigns and can make you opponents look foolish when they start spreading malicious and inaccurate statements.

The proposals for Coatham Enclosure have been a long time germinating (more than 16 years in fact). I am proud of the fact that Glynis and I have consistently supported the need for the development of this eyesore area for leisure and linked housing development and have kept people informed every step of the way. We have always seen it as a major catalyst for the regeneration of Redcar.

Back in June 1990, the last time the Council was balanced, we reported on the Redcar Regeneration Study by Consultants, Drivas Jonus, who first planted the seed that has only just germinated with the recent submission of a Planning Application for today's much more ambitious scheme. Some of the proposals in the Study never got off the ground others were amended but in the case of Coatham Enclosure they have been, albeit delayed for many years, expanded on and improved by the current administration after listening to the constructive views of residents.

Focus June 1990

REDCAR REGENERATION PLANS WELCOMED

Liberal Democrat Councillors Stan Wilson and Chris Abbott have welcomed the report on the Redcar Regeneration Study put forward by Langbaurgh Council's consultants, Drivas Jonus.

The report concentrates on four principal sites and we highlight some of our proposals below.

WILTON STREET AREA: This could be re-developed as a new retail area with covered access onto a pedestrianised HIGH STREET. Better car parking provision and a widened WEST DYKE ROAD. The Station and former Garden Centre Site were not included because English Estates already propose to build offices and workshops.

KIRKLEATHAM STREET AREA: Sheltered housing is preferred here, by the consultants. This matches the views of local residents supported by the FOCUS TEAM and against the view of the Council who prefer light industry.

COATHAM ENCLOSURE: Possible re-alignment of MAJUBA ROAD. Removal of the lorry Park to a site inland with possible residential development on sea front. Improvements to leisure centre and swimming pool.

WILTON SITE: Encouragement for the provision of modern industrial units on land close to ICI's Wilton Site.

This article was distributed in two editions of Focus in June 1990 - the Newcomen Ward edition and the Coatham Ward edition. It is interesting that opponents of the scheme often claim that they were not informed about the proposals to provide housing on the lorry park.

Lib Dem Leadership Election

Posted by Glynis

Having previously threatened to spoil my ballot paper, by adding Charles Kennedy. I have since watched events unfold.

I always thought Ming was too old, even before his statement that he was a "bridge to the future" and is likely to stand down for another after the election, thereby creating continuous speculation.

Chris Huhne did not come into the equation.

I always thought Simon Hughes was what he lately admitted to - good on you Simon - you have my vote, good luck. It was nice to speak to him and I have invited him to pop in for a coffee if he in the Redcar area.

It was good to see Stan Wilson at the Leeds Hustings. Stan, who was recently awarded life membership of the Liberal Democrat Conference, after twenty years acting as a Steward, automatically took charge of people looking for a seat at the packed Hustings, in Leeds Civic Hall and guided them to the balconies.