Regency Mansions (formally Coatham Hotel) transformed into Hotel L'Hirondelle

Picture by Colin Crawford

Smoke adds realism to Dunkirk scene

Picture by Colin Crawford

Redcar transformed into wartime Dunkirk

Picture by Colin Crawford

August 2003 Draft development plans released for consultation

Focus 229 August 2003

Draft Development Plans for Coatham Enclosure about to be released for Public Consultation

PROPOSALS to develop Coatham Enclosure with a mixture of Housing and leisure facilities will go out to public consultation in the next few weeks.

The plans, presented by Persimmon Homes, include 294 houses and apartments, a swimming pool, an extreme sports centre, viewing tower, shops and a pub.

All will be subject to public approval, finance and further technical considerations. If approved it is expected that they will be considered for Planning Permission in May 2004, with a possible start on site in January 2005.

The above article was distributed in both Newcomen and Coatham Wards

Consultation took place in the autumn of 2003 and the results were referred to the Council's cabinet on 16th March 2004. At Cabinet we responded to the views expressed by residents and requested numerous changes to produce an even better, more ambitious scheme.

It included the provision of both a 25 metre swimming pool and a leisure pool, reduced size of sea front apartments, sea front parking, a dance floor, extra parking and better sight lines through the housing part of the development.

This was to delay progress and went to a second public consultation. In spite of a determined campaign to disrupt it, the results showed considerable public support for the proposals and this was backed up by a Mori survey.

In Issue 233 we surveyed residents with the following question:

Please highlight what should be the Council's priorities for Redcar

YES/NO - Develop Tourism in Redcar
YES/NO - Development of Coatham Enclosure
YES/NO - Support Wind Turbines in Coatham Bay
YES/NO - Make Redcar the civic centre of the Borough

In Issue 235 we reported back the results as folows:

Develop Tourism in Redcar
Yes 180, No 26, No Answer 64.

Development of Coatham Enclosure
Yes 144, No 64, No Answer 62.

Support Wind Turbines in Coatham Bay
Yes 106, No 92, No Answer 72

Make Redcar the civic centre of the Borough
Yes 156, No 24, No Answer 90.

April 2003 Going for Gold Lib Dems pledge to give priority to re-development of Coatham Enclosure

Focus 226 April 2003

The back page of this edition comprised of a summary of Going for Gold the Liberal Democrat Manifesto for the 2003 Council Elections.

Slap bang in the centre is the following pledge:

Liberal Democrats will give priority to the redevelopment of Coatham Enclosure.

The result of the election led to the formation of the successful Lib Dem/Conservative/Independent Coalition. In Redcar more Liberal Democrats were elected than the other two parties:

Lib Dem - 7
Labour - 6
Conservative - 2

July 2001 Council markets Coatham Enclosure but can't guarantee a new Swimming Pool

Focus 212 July 2001

Join the fight for a new swimming pool in Redcar

RESIDENTS have come out strongly in favour of a new swimming pool for Redcar.

The Council's Director of Development has reported that a six-month programme to market the Coatham Enclosure for leisure uses will start shortly, but has pointed out that there is no guarantee that potential partners or developers will want to build a swimming pool. On this basis, it would appear that the people of Redcar might have to raise the necessary finance themselves.

As an independent organisation it might be possible to do just this. It will involve a lot of work and commitment. The Focus Team would like to know what residents think about the idea? Are you prepared to help? Please contact Chris & Glynis Abbott as soon as possible

In Focus 213 we asked resident to give their opinion on the level of priority that should be given to the provision of a Swimming Pool facility at Redcar.

In Focus 214 we reported the results as follows High Priority 240, Low Priority 22, No Priority 0, No Answer 12.

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.

Tides predicted to reach a 10 year high

The Environmental Agency has issued a ‘News Release, ‘which states that the highest tides for the next ten years are predicted to hit the North East and Yorkshire coastline this autumn.

The high tides are forecast for August 11-13, September 9-11 and October 7-10 but their severity is dependent on weather conditions such as wind strength and duration as well as atmospheric pressure.

The tides in September and October are the highest and could be more than 3.08 metres depending on the weather conditions in the areas close to North Shields and Whitby, while August’s tides could be more than 2.87 metres in the same areas.

In Redcar the high tides over the forthcoming weekend are due at:-

Fri. 11 Aug 04:31 and 17:10
Sat. 12 Aug 05:13 and 17:54
Sun. 13 Aug 05:55 and 18:39

Although the forecasted weather conditions for the weekend do not cause concern, arrangements have been made for the Council’s Highway Partner, Alfred McAlpine to provide resources to monitor the situation along the Council’s coastline.

Seafront road to close for filming of Atonement

Newcomen Terrace, Redcar will be closed to traffic and pedestrians from Saturday August, 12 to Sunday August, 27 as the area prepares to be turned into 1940s Dunkirk for the filming of the blockbuster movie 'Atonement'.

The seafront road will be closed from the Regent Cinema to Arthur Street where bombed out buildings and a band stand can already be seen as work carries on to create the essential scenes for the movie.

Diversion signs around the closure are already in place on Majuba Road, Lobster Road, Coatham Road, Millbank Terrace, West Dyke Road, Lord Street, Redcar Lane, Granville Terrace, High Street East and Wilton Street.

Extra parking will also be available on Kirkleatham Street and will be signed from Majuba Road car park.

Redcar and Cleveland Council receives an apology from CPRE

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has received an apology from the Campaign to Protect Rural England after it was wrongly listed in a press release regarding building low density houses.

The CPRE said that it received a message from the Department for Communities and Local Government, telling them that there is an error in some of its published figures, which were placed on its website in May.

The analysis carried out by the CPRE was based on these figures relating to density.

The CPRE continued "we are sorry that the Government has put incorrect figures in the public domain, and trust it will soon publish correct figures on its website."

A Council spokesman also said: "That in any event these figures are up-to 5 years old and are concerned with house building not granting a planning permission, which is the only element under the council's control.

"Planning permission for building in 2001 dates back to as much as 10 years earlier before Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council even existed.

"We are pleased that CPRE have admitted their error but even if they were right it would have been pretty meaningless and not worthy of the description of 'named and shamed'."

£558 raised for Redcar Lifeboat from sales of white roses

Posted by Chris: Yorkshire Day, this year (Tuesday 1st August), was spoiled by heavy showers but the efforts of Redcar Lifeboat Ladies helped to boost sales of white roses.

£558 was raised this year and every penny will go to the local lifeboat funds. It is always a thrill to see people queuing up to show their pride in Yorkshire on Yorkshire Day, by paying £1, for one of our white roses. Each Spring the Ridings Society holds a coffee morning in Marske. We use the money raised to buy the roses and then sell them for a local charity.

Attendances at the Readings of the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity were down this year, due to the heavy showers, but money raised from the roses is well up on last year.

Probably the best attendance was in Lingdale and it is a few years since we last did a reading in that village. We have now completed ten years doing the readings each Yorkshire Day and we are already planning a much bigger event next year.

Thanks must go to Stewart Macfarlane of Radio Cleveland, for once again leading the group around Eston, Redcar, Marske, Loftus, Lingdale, Saltburn and Guisborough and reading the declaration. Thanks also to Eric Howden who read the Latin and old English versions and Cllr Dave Fitzpatrick (pictured above), who did the old Norse version.

Following on from this Glynis, Charlotte and I went to a Yorkshire Day Garden Party in Cloughton, near Scarborough where we had a Yorkshire pudding supper, with onion gravy, in aid of St Mary's Church. Six year's old Charlotte had three.

There were about 100 people present and I was asked to speak about our activities and explain such things as the correct way to display the Yorkshire rose on flags. I also took a box of roses and sold 33, which raised £33 for the church funds.

Colin's pal wins the North Riding Duck Race

Posted by Chris:

This year's North Riding Duck Race attracted 182 £1 entries and was held last Saturday in Saltburn Beck.

The weather, this year, was fine and a good crowd attended. I did my usual job of shepherding the ducks that get snagged up, in my fishing waders - bought three years ago and not yet used for fishing. Councillors Josie Crawford and Val Miller stood on the wier with my fishing nets to catch the winners. North Riding Group Chair, John Curr gave his usual commentary, whilst filming the proceedings.

The race was won by Rowland Gaunt from the village of Spotborough near Doncaster, once home to Douglas Bader. Rowland and his wife Jan have attended all our duck races, travelling up with YRS Chair Colin Holt and his wife Hilary. Sadly, Colin died in April this year and in tribute we provided the Colin Holt Cup for the winner. It was nice that Hilary was able to present it to Colin's pal, who she had once again travelled up with from Doncaster.

The train on the Saltburn Miniature Railway was proudly flying the Yorkshire flag, as it does each time we hold the duck race.

We were able to hand out free packets of Yorkshire tea, to race entrants after the manufacturers, unprompted, sent us a couple of boxes full in support of Yorkshire Day.

First Place and winner of the Colin Holt Cup:
No 161 - Aqua - Rowland Gaunt of Spotborough, Doncaster

Second Place:
No 169 - Blue - Maise Wilson of Oxford Street, Saltburn

Third Place:
No 55 - Quackers - Joyce Taylor of Rydal Avenue, Redcar

Best Named Duck (chosen by John Curr)
No 20 - DCUK - Chris Sewell of Viking Marina, Goole

Heather wins the Flat Cap Fling

Posted by Chris:

A packed Redcar High Street was the venue for the Council's Yorkshire celebrations on Saturday 29th July and there were lots of activities going on to suit all ages.

As part of this the Yorkshire Ridings Society (YRS) organised a, free to enter, Flat Cap Fling for the first time. It was won by teenager Heather Brinsley of Redcar.

David Tucker, Managing Director of D.J. Tucker Ltd, kindly sponsored the event with a nice cup for the winner.

We set up a stall in front of the Council's Event cabin and sold white roses, duck race entries and handed out leaflets. It also turned out to be a bit of a Councillors surgery as people wanted to raise Council issues with us.

I was delighted that the Mayor, Councillor Mary Ovens, came to help along with Glynis, our grandaughter Charlotte, who handed out leaflets, Councillor Val Miller and YRS Secretary Nancy Hudson.

Trying to get blokes to enter was like pulling teeth. In the end it was almost exclusively lasses who entered. With a light breeze behind them, and long waits for people to move out of the way, three local teenage girls competed for the first three places. The winners were as follows:

First Place and winner of the D.J. Tucker Ltd Cup:
Heather Brinsley of Langley Close, Redcar.
Second Place:
Rebecca Ball of Broadway West, Redcar.
Third Place:
Elizabeth Williams of Victoria Avenue, Redcar.

All three received £5 vouchers for WH Smiths.

Planning Application in for multi million pound Coatham Links development

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has received a planning application for the multi million pound Coatham Links development.

The application will now be considered within the statutory planning framework.

As part of this process, the Council is currently embarking on a consultation exercise with a number of interested parties including, environmental, regeneration and sporting bodies as well as residents who live next to the site.

All residents and businesses have 21 days from the date of the consultation letter and site notice to comment on the scheme.

The planning application is available for inspection from Monday August 7, for four weeks at Belmont House in Guisborough during normal office hours and at Dawson House, Redcar between 10am and 7pm, Monday to Friday.

The documentation can also be found on the Council's website www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk

Planning Officers will compile a report for the Council's Planning Committee detailing all material considerations, including those contained in relevant representations made to the Council.

This report will contain a recommendation to the Committee.

The Planning Committee will then decide whether it is minded to approve the application with appropriate conditions, in which case it will be referred to Government Office North East, or refuse the application. In the case of a refusal the applicant has right of appeal.

The Planning Committee meeting will be open to the public and representatives of both supporters and objectors will be allowed to address the Committee, as will Ward Councillors.

The date of the Committee meeting is yet to be agreed and will be publicised on the website once known.

A Viking reads the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity in Old Norse

Left to right: Cllr Dave Fitzpatrick, Eric Howden,

Radio Cleveland's Stewart MacFarlane, Cllr Madge Moses,

Cllr Margaret Wilson, Cllr Glynis Abbott and Daniel.

Yorkshire flag flies over Redcar & Cleveland Town Hall on Yorkshire Day

How Redcar plans to save the penguins

A mercy mission is being launched to ensure the preservation of one of Redcar's prized possessions as an invasion force prepare to take over their seafront habitat.

A specially-trained workforce has been organised to quietly approach the colony of penguins, who have been facing the South Pole since their arrival on the Esplanade at least ten years ago, lifting them all into purpose-built trailers for the journey to a place of safety.

Only once before has their space been invaded - when a cheeky thief took one that ended up outside one of the town's fishmongers - but with at least 1,000 visitors set to storm the beaches later this month, Redcar and Cleveland Council decided it had to act.

It is part of a busy period of preparation as the town readies itself for a transformation into 1940s Dunkirk for the filming of scenes for a movie blockbuster, the film version of Ian McEwan's bestselling novel, Atonement.

The stretch of the promenade from the town's Regent Cinema to the boating lake will become a film set, so the risk to those penguins was too great to take.

The Council's highways partner, Alfred McAlpine, has begun the four weeks of preparatory work, removing street furniture, including street lighting columns, signposts, flagpoles, benches, litter bins and, of course, those penguins.

The colony, installed by the Great British Bollard Company as part of the Esplanade's public art, will be transported to a secret location and kept under lock and key before their anticipated return next month, when the stretch of prom returns to the 21st century.

The Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism Councillor Dave Fitzpatrick said: "I'm told we're taking them off to a safe pool where we can feed them lots of fish and bring them back fat and happy."

Spoof letters - the plot thickens

Posted by Chris.

Whoever it is that is behind the spoof letters in the local Evening Gazette and Northern Echo that I referred to in my posting "beware of wolves in sheeps clothing," on 17th July, has sent in a comment to this blog pretending to be from one the names used.

The comment was as follows: "If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen Chris."

That seems like an admission to me that something is wrong. I strongly suspect that someone is indulging in a campaign to mislead the public for political gain. They may think it is OK to fill the letters pages of local papers with spoof letters to mislead the public. I think it is dishonest and corrupt.

If this person/persons would like to contact me, other than anonymously, and proves that he/she actually exists, I will be delighted to meet with them and discuss the issues they raise.

However, it is beyond belief that there are such a high number of correspondents, to these newspapers, that are clearly interested in local politics but are not on the electoral register. The other odd thing is that no one in their areas has heard of them either. Do they pay Council Tax?

Most of these letters refer to the Council Tax as if they did pay it so they should also be registered electors.

Yorkshire festival of fun on Redcar High Street

Redcar and Cleveland Council is organising a busy day of events to celebrate Yorkshire Day in Redcar High Street and the seafront on Saturday, July 29.

The High Street events, from 10am-4pm, include free children's face painting, an inflatable assault course, stilt walkers, magicians, Punch and Judy, jugglers, street theatre, a circus skills workshop and a flat cap throwing competition, from 11am-noon.

There's also a fairground near the boating lake, a model boat display on the boating lake from 2pm and a five-a-side football tournament at the Redcar Leisure Centre from 10am-4pm.

Yorkshire Rose posters are hidden in town centre shop windows for a treasure trail competition and there's Fire Range Music, a lively mix of English and European traditional tunes, from 11.30am-3pm.

At Saltburn, the library hosts a fossil workshop, from 10am-noon, looking at fossils of the Yorkshire Coast and there are plans for a surfing competition, weather permitting, from 4pm-5pm.

The Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism Councillor Dave Fitzpatrick said: "We hope everybody comes down and enjoys a great day out. There's lots of family entertainment and it's all about encouraging tourism."

On Yorkshire Day, Tuesday, August 1, there will be reading of the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity at Eston Square 10.30am, Redcar Town Clock 11.31am, The Wynd, Marske noon, Loftus Town Centre 1.15pm, Lingdale Tavern 2.15pm, Saltburn Pier 3pm and Guisborough Market Cross 4pm.

You can buy Yorkshire white roses (£1,00) over the weekend and on Yorkshire Day (Tuesday 1st August) with all proceeds donated to Redcar Lifeboat Station.

Our real Counties can exist alongside local government

There is no reason why local government should not be organised in units that best suit an area. The problem is that people seem to think that every time local government is reorganised we change the name of the area we live in to suit whatever name was dreamt up to call the Council.

We suddenly become the people of Three Rivers or the side of a river or, its valley. It is getting ridiculous. England has 39 real Counties, everyone knows them and most were created more than 1000 years before local government as we know it.

The 1888 LG Act created County Councils more or less on existing County Boundaries but made a clear distinction between the historic, geographic Counties and Administrative counties. The 1972 LG Act abolished certain County Councils like the North Riding of Yorkshire but it did not abolish the North Riding. "These changes are for local government purposes only for all other purposes Yorkshire is still Yorkshire," was the statement issued at the time and much repeated since.

There is a simple solution and the Liberal Democrats agreed this at the Manchester Spring Conference.

Englands 39 real Counties do not require an administrative purpose (Yorkshire itself has never had one) but if you use them for all cultural, ceremonial, sporting and postal purposes we can retain a stable geography that people are comfortable with and is shown on maps alongside LG areas. Then there is none of the heartache and sentiment that comes with the perceived abolition of historic Counties.

Local government can be changed as often as you like and cross as many County boundaries as necessary if you accept that these are for local government purposes only.

Royal Mail have already accepted the distinction between administrative areas and real counties by allowing people to use their real County as part of their postal address. Redcar and Cleveland Unitary Council - for twenty one years part of Cleveland County - now uses Yorkshire as part of its postal address.

Unitaries are the way forward but they must be there for administrative purposes and the name of the area should not have to change, destroying our heritage, every time they are reorganised. Our real Counties should be the focus of where we live and be our link with history. Administrative areas are for providing services and their boundaries should be set out to suit the best way of delivering them.

Where would cricket be without our real Counties?

Yorkshire Day 1st August 2006

Members of the Yorkshire Ridings Society have planned a full day of activities to celebrate the 1131st birthday of the Ridings of Yorkshire.

This year has been a sad one for the Society following the death of our Chairman, R. Colin Holt, who passed away in April. Colin did so much for the society and the Yorkshire cause, right from the start and he is sadly missed. The Executive Committee is determined to carry on the good work that Colin did and we will keep in regular touch with our members.

Much has been achieved so far and we are as keen as ever to continue to campaign for recognition of the continuing existence of the Ridings, to have them shown on maps, used as part of the postal address and displayed on boundary signs.

In the Borough of Redcar & Cleveland the proceedings will be led by Radio Cleveland personality Stewart MacFarlane MBE, who will read the modern English version. British Legion stalwart, Eric Howden will read the Latin version and Loftus Councillor, Dave Fitzpatrick will read the Old Norse version. We are seeking a volunteer to read the complicated Old English version. A copy of the scripts are attached.

A new event this year is the Flat Cap Fling. This takes place at Redcar Town Clock between 11am and 12 noon, as part of Redcar & Cleveland's Yorkshire Festival of fun for all the family, on Saturday 28th July. Entry is FREE and the winner will receive the DJ Tucker Ltd Cup.

The Annual North Riding Duck Race also takes place on Saturday 28th July - 2.30pm at Saltburn Beck. £1 per entry. The winner will receive the Colin Holt Cup. Proceeds from this will go to the Ridings Society's fund to pay for "Part of the Historic North Riding of Yorkshire" boundary signs on the eight roads leading into the Borough of Redcar & Cleveland.

Please show your pride in Yorkshire by wearing a white rose on Yorkshire Day. All proceeds from the sales of white roses by the Society's North Riding Group will go to Redcar Lifeboat. More than £5000 has been raised for local charities from the sales of white roses since 1997.

Redcar Prom is taking shape as a film set

Left is a bombed out building, under construction on Redcar Esplanade, in preparation for the Dunkirk scenes for the new blockbuster film Atonement which starts in early August.

A bandstand shelter is also being built, just to the right, out of shot, painted in nice French style, pastel, blues and greens, with a hole in the roof, clearly where a shell went through. The fitness centre, positioned where the photograph was taken from, next to the Regency Mansions, has had an extra storey built on, that makes it look like a blown up building with peeling wallpaper.

Some of the four storey houses, along the front, are getting bright new coats of paint. Even though it is all made from timber and plywood and most of it has yet to be painted up, it certainly is very realistic and everyone in town is very excited about the whole thing. We hope they leave the bandstand shelter as it is, even though it is made of wood. The campaign starts here for a permanent structure.

North Riding Duck Race next Saturday

Pictured, left to right, on the weir at Saltburn Beck, waiting to scoop up the winning duck from a previous North Riding Duck Race, are

Councillor Josie Crawford, Councillor Val Miller and our daughter Kelly.

This year's duck race, in aid of the Yorkshire Ridings Society's campaign for boundary signs takes place at 2.30pm, next Saturday in the Valley Gardens, Saltburn.

There is still time to enter.

North Riding Duck Race Entry Form £1.00 per entry
Your Name..........................................Address.................
...............................................................................
Telephone........................................
Email.......................................................
Name of Duck...................................Entry Fee...............
Name of Duck...................................Entry Fee...............
Name of Duck...................................Entry Fee...............
Name of Duck...................................Entry Fee...............

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

Proceeds to the YRS North Riding Group Campaign Fund

It's business as usual at Roseberry Square Library

The library in the middle of a multi-million pound redevelopment on a Redcar estate is stressing to borrowers that it is still open for business - and looking forward to a new home.

Redcar and Cleveland Council's staff in the Roseberry Square branch, which usually caters for over 1,100 borrowers, calculates that dozens have stopped visiting the library, sited in the middle of the massive rebuilding.

The redevelopment of The Courts and Roseberry Square shopping centre is being created through the Council's Development Agreement with a private consortium of developers - Bellway Homes, Persimmon Homes and Sterling Capitol - and the Tees Valley Housing Group.

It will provide a new library as well as 100 units of social housing, 300 private homes, a new shopping centre, a new youth and community centre and new open space areas.

The Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism Councillor Dave Fitzpatrick said: "The staff has done a great job trying to maintain the normal services while watching the demolition going on around them. However, we're all looking forward to work on the new library starting very soon and it will be an exciting time watching it take shape.

"We believe that the libraries service is an integral part of the community so the old library will remain open until the new building is ready."

Community librarian Janis Bonner, who has worked at Roseberry Square for 17 years, said: "When I've been out and about, I'm always being asked: 'When are you open again?' I must admit if you look across the Square it does look as if we're closed, but it's business as usual.

"There won't be a break in service, either. We'll be here until the new library is completed around Christmas - and we're all really looking forward to that."

Beware of wolves in sheep's clothing

Posted by Chris

Over the past two or three years the local Evening Gazette and Northern Echo has printed a series of similar letters repeating over and over again the same misleading one sentence "soundbites" that Labour Councillors spout on Redcar & Cleveland Council.

The strange thing is that these letters are alleged to be written by residents of Redcar, Brotton and Skelton that nobody seems to know. They also do not appear on the electoral register.

Redcar ready for a blockbuster summer

Amazing plans to transform Redcar seafront into 1940s Dunkirk next month have been agreed by Redcar and Cleveland Council after a formal contract was officially signed following detailed talks with a major film company.

Working Title Films believe the town provides the perfect backdrop for the highly anticipated film version of Ian McEwan's bestselling novel, Atonement, which will feature Keira Knightley and James McAvoy in the lead roles.

The stretch of promenade, from the town's Regent Cinema to the boating lake, will become a film set as preparations take shape this month through to late August when filming will commence.

The Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism Councillor Dave Fitzpatrick said: "This is really going to be a special summer for Redcar and the Borough. We're talking about a multi-million pound production and some of that investment will come to Redcar and Cleveland.

"The profile we'll get during filming will be fantastic - it's got to be good for the tourism trade, hotels, bars, restaurants, taxis and painters and decorators, for example, and the potential of the profile from a blockbuster movie is probably immeasurable."

It promises to be an extraordinary few weeks for the town as plans include the building a bombed out house, a building being transformed into a seaside hotel, tons of rubble and sand being brought in to cover the roads and pavements, the digging of bomb craters and assorted vehicles and boats on the beach.

The site for filming will be a 'no go' area for the public. An e-mail address - dunkirkextras@gmail.com - is being set up to help recruit 1,000 extras.

The Council's highways partner, Alfred McAlpine is also playing their part in ensuring the town is taken back 60 years, removing railings, flag poles and street and parking signs, then putting it all back into place after the movie makers leave at the end of August.

The location manager for Atonement, Adam Richards said: "We want to say a huge thankyou for making us so welcome and for being able to facilitate this large scale filming project.

"When myself and the production designer first came across Redcar at the end of last year, we both knew this was the location we had been looking for - there really was no point looking anywhere else."

Tom Harvey, Chief Executive of Northern Film & Media, the regional screen agency for the North East, said: "Productions taking place in the region last year spent £8.5m on local crew, facilities and services. A film like this one will have huge benefits in terms of both investment into the region and future tourism.

"It is particularly important that this production has been brought to the North East thanks to regional agencies and people co-operating and pooling their collective resources and energies. It shows what can be done by working together.

"This level of interaction is something we are increasingly focussing on in the future as we aim to ensure a sustainable moving image industry across the North East".

Chance to discuss coastline future

Residents in Redcar and Cleveland are being given two chances to hear about and discuss the future of the 45 miles of coastline from the River Tyne to Flamborough Head at a public meeting in Redcar's Coatham Memorial Hall on Tuesday, July 18.

The meeting starts at 4pm with a half-hour public presentation on the review of the existing Shoreline Management Plan followed by 90 minutes to look at an exhibition and discussion. Then at 6pm, the two-hour process will be repeated.

Saddleworth, West Riding

Saddleworth, West Riding
Yorkshire Day Country Fair
Sunday 30th July 2006
11.00am
At the Ammon Wrigley statue, Saddleworth Museum,
Uppermill

11.31am
Reading the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity"
Brass Band leading a Grand Parade to the Back Meadow
Where there will be...
County Crafts
Dry Stone Walling, fencing, potting, wood turning,
sheep shearing.
Country Fayre
Home made ice cream, cheeses, oat bread,
Yorkshire pudding,
Saddleworth local beer.
Country Skills
Quilting, sewing, knitting, patchwork.
Farm Animals
Sheep, lamas,
calves, donkeys.
Plus...
National Trust,
Quality Plant Stall,
Bouncy Castle,
Face Painting,
Grand Raffle,
Tombola
Lots of fun for the children.

North Riding fun for all the family in Redcar

Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council’s Yorkshire Day celebrations this year take place in Redcar High Street on Saturday 29th July, between 10am and 4pm, with something for everyone...

Music concert, high pole juggling, free face painting, inflatable assault course, balloon modelling, local theatre group team players, Old Glory Band, circus skills workshop, magicians, fairground (at Coatham Enclosure), street entertainment, and much, much more!

EVENTS ORGANISED BY THE YORKSHIRE RIDINGS SOCIETY...

Saturday 29th July 2006

Flat Cap Fling

Winner will receive the DJ Tucker Ltd Cup

Plus prizes for the first three

FREE ENTRY

11.00am to 12.00 noon

Redcar High Street

(near the Town Clock)

* * *

North Riding of Yorkshire

DUCK RACE

Saturday 29th July 2006

2.30pm

Saltburn Beck, Saltburn

Winner will receive the Colin Holt Cup

Plus prizes for the first three

Prize for most original name

NORTH RIDING Readings of the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity

Yorkshire Day (Tue. 1st August)

10.30am - Eston - Square

11.31am - Redcar - Town Clock

12 noon - Marske - The Wynd

1.15pm - Loftus - Town Centre

2.15pm - Lingdale - Tavern

3.00pm - Saltburn - Pier Entrance

4.00pm - Guisborough - Market Cross

Why not hold your own Yorkshire Day party with friends and family?

Have Yorkshire food and drink and read the declaration.

Celebrating Yorkshire in the East Riding

East Riding of Yorkshire Council are holding an event in the gardens of Burnby Hall, Pocklington. Admission to the gardens will be free after 11.00am.

There will be music and readings of the Declaration of Integrity, including one by the Chairman of the Council.

On 5th August the East Riding Dialect Society will be presenting an afternoon of East Riding Prose and Poems at Burnby Hall, Pocklington from 2.00pm to 5.00pm. There will be a charge of £2 which will include refreshments in the interval.

In Goole, the City and County Pub, in Boothferry Road, will be hosting a celebration which will include a specially brewed ale, the name being decided in a competition and possibly some traditional Yorkshire fayre. The Declaration of Integrity will be read at the pub at about 7.00pm.

30th annual reading of the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity around the walls of York

Yorkshire Day, August 1st 2006, will see members of the Ridings Society reading the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity around the walls of York for the 30th time, since the tradition was started by Colin Holt in 1976.

Sadly, this will be the first year that Colin, pictured right, who sadly, died in April, will not be present leading the proceedings.

The Declaration of Integrity is read in the four languages used in Yorkshire since the earliest known reference to the Ridings, in the Anglo Saxon Chronicles of 876. old English, old Norse. Latin and modern English

The readings start at Micklegate Bar, at 11.31am (one thousand one hundred and thirty one years since the year 876).

Micklegate Bar is where the West Riding meets the City of York. The readers will then walk the walls to Bootham Bar for the North Riding, then inside Monk Bar for the City and finally to Walmgate Bar for the East Riding.

This way the continuance of the Ridings and Yorkshire is proclaimed in all parts of the county on its own particularly special day.

Council and Arriva enroute to agreement

Redcar and Cleveland Council has held 'constructive' talks with bus operator Arriva North East to help secure improved services on a series of key routes across the Borough.

The Council's Main Overview and Scrutiny Committee will meet the company at a special meeting in Eston Town Hall on Thursday, July 6 to debate Arriva's new arrangements and the changes made since following detailed discussions between Council officers and the company's senior management.

Arriva has confirmed that, in response to customer comments, three service amendments have already been agreed - a commitment to run the 64A along the full length of Normanby Road, South Bank, a diversion via Skinningrove for the X56 journeys that end at Loftus and an additional school day only journey for the X56 to help students at Laurence Jackson School, Guisborough, to be introduced in September.

The Council's Cabinet Chairman Councillor Eric Empson said: "I am pleased to report that we have made meaningful progress in addressing our concerns with Arriva and these changes will certainly help.

"We are now looking forward to more open and constructive discussion with the company at our scrutiny session which, I am sure, will benefit everyone involved to have a clearer picture of the situation."

Arriva's commercial director Liz Esnouf, who will address the meeting, said: "We received a number of suggestions from customers and we're pleased that we've been able to make some changes which take these into account. It's really important people take advantage of these amended services as we can only run our buses where people will use them."

She added: "We find the continued dialogue with Redcar and Cleveland Council very helpful in further refining our commercial services. Working together to create the most effective network will benefit all.

"I hope we will reach a better understanding at the scrutiny meeting of what Arriva is working to achieve with our recent changes and welcome the opportunity to outline the pressures faced by bus operators with increasing costs and meeting passenger needs, while delivering value for money bus services."

Warm and well, here to help

A new way of helping at least 6,000 households in Redcar and Cleveland who cannot afford to heat their homes adequately has been launched in the Borough.

Redcar and Cleveland Council, through Warm Zones, has a proven track record of removing people from this difficult situation, providing energy efficiency measures to their homes and helping to increase their income through benefit entitlement checks.

With the closure of Warm Zone, the Council's strategic partner, Jarvis Accommodation Services, has been working to establish a new way of helping these vulnerable households, many of them elderly, sick or disabled or low income families.

Now, the new programme, Warm and Well, has been created, with Jarvis and the Council bringing in partners, including Langbaurgh Primary Care Trust, Age Concern, Warm Front, Carers Together and the Pension Service.

The Council's Cabinet Member for Housing and Neighbourhood Renewal Councillor Chris Abbott said: "We are very pleased to be launching this new initiative.

"The scheme offers benefit checks to householders to try to increase their income and find an afforable route for installing measures by making use of available grant or discount schemes."

For more information on 'Warm & Well in Redcar & Cleveland', contact 01642 777976.

Action call over delay in repairing estate's street lighting

Posted by Chris:

Electricity supplier, Northern Electric Distribution Ltd (NEDL), need to get on with repairs to street lighting on the Old Lakes Estate.

Over half the estate's street lighting, between Troutbeck Road and Rydal Avenue has been out for more than two weeks after a cable was damaged by Northumbrian Water, carrying out improvement work to drains in the area.

I understand that a five core cable (three phases, neutral and a separate core for the street lighting) needs to be repaired to put the lights back on.

NEDL never seem to give street lighting any sort of priority but with half the street lights out it is unacceptable to leave it so long. They need to get on with the work ASAP.

I have been in regular touch with the Council's street lighting team who have kept me up to date with their efforts to persuade NEDL to get on with the work.

Getting prepared for filming Atonement

In preparation for the forthcoming scenes to be shot at Redcar, Working Title Films Special effects Department, are carrying out black smoke and ash tests on the beach between the Cinema and Coatham Enclosure from lunchtime onwardsTuesday 27th June.

Lib Dem Quiz Nights at Redcar Cricket Club

Redcar Lib Dems are hosting the following Quiz Nights at Redcar Cricket Club all starting 8pm for 8.30pm:

27th June 2006
25th July 2006
22nd August 2006
26th September 2006
31st October 2006
28th November 2006

Council welcomes housing cash

Redcar and Cleveland Council is today welcoming the Government announcement that it is to receive a share of £18.25 million to tackle the housing market collapse in South Bank.

The Housing Market Renewal Cash is being divided by Tees Valley Living between the four authorities and a decision on how much will be allocated to South Bank is expected within weeks.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Neighbourhood Renewal, Councillor Chris Abbott, said: “We are pleased to receive confirmation of the funding that will help us start to deliver a new South Bank that people can be proud to live in.

“We also remain absolutely committed to seeking additional funding sources to ensure we give the people of South Bank what we said we would and what they rightly deserve.”

The Chairman of the South Bank Housing Strategy Steering Group, South Bank ward councillor Ian Jeffrey, said: "South Bank has a well established case. The people of South Bank deserve the money and we are looking forward to an early start to the work so that people can feel that progress is being made."

The Renewal Plan involves the acquisition and clearance of nearly 362 properties - 205 of these over the next two years, of which 142 are already empty.

The first phase of the scheme, officially titled the South Bank Renewal Plan, focuses on clearing the areas of older terraced housing with the highest proportion of voids, while ensuring others are not left in isolation.

New venue and new sponsor for Flat Cap Fling

Redcar Yorkshire Day Celebrations
Saturday 29th July 2006

Flat Cap Fling

Winner will receive the DJ Tucker Ltd Cup
Plus prizes for the first three places

FREE ENTRY

11am to 12 noon on Redcar High Street
(near the Town Clock)

Sponsored by DJ Tucker Ltd
Electrical & Mechanical Engineers
Zetland Buildings
Marske by the Sea
Redcar, Yorkshire, TS11 6HS

Entry form for the 2006 North Riding Duck Race.

Below is an entry form for the 2006 North Riding Duck Race.

This year there will be only one category and the winner will receive the Colin Holt Cup, in memory of the Ridings Society Chair who died recently.

To enter the race please print off the form and return it to me.

If anyone is interested in sponsoring the race please let us know.

North Riding of Yorkshire
DUCK RACE
Saturday 29th July 2006
2.30pm
Saltburn Beck, Saltburn
Winner will receive the Colin Holt Cup
Plus prizes for the first three places
Prize for most original name

Entry Form £1.00 per entry

Your Name.........................................................................
Address...............................................................................
.........................................................................................
Telephone...........................................................................
E-Mail..................................................................................

Name of Duck........................................Entry Fee............
Name of Duck........................................Entry Fee............
Name of Duck........................................Entry Fee............
Name of Duck........................................Entry Fee............

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

Proceeds to the YRS North Riding Group Campaign Fund

Dig at Coatham finds no delay

AN archaeological team that has been delving deep to dig up the past on the site earmarked for the multi million pounds Coatham Links scheme in Redcar has not found anything that could delay the development.

Redcar and Cleveland Council’s development partner Persimmon Homes has commissioned the investigation as part of the preparatory work for the planning application due later this Summer.

A team of five archaeologists will be on the site until Friday, including Senior Keeper Steve Speak and Keeper of Field Archaeology Gary Brogan from Tyne and Wear Museums, who have dug out seven trial trenches across the site as they look for relics.

Gary said: “It is standard practice these days for developers to engage archaeologists and other specialists to study sites before construction work begins.

“We chose the seven sites by looking at anomalies thrown up by a geophysical study. So we are trying to find out what their origin is, whether it is archaeological or geological, and as such we are looking for evidence of human occupation in the upper part of the soil."

The Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Councillor Vera Moody said: ”It is fascinating to think about what could have been there before - the saltpans and former settlements in the vicinity - and it will be really interesting to hear about the investigations and the conclusions.”

Council applauds grants for new housing schemes

Posted by Chris

Redcar and Cleveland Council today applauded an £8.5million programme for new housing schemes in the Borough, including the conversion of a derelict petrol station site into homes for the over 55s.

The five schemes planned by three local housing associations, which will provide a total of 68 new units, are benefiting from a £4.164m Housing Corporation Grant, part of the National Affordable Housing Programme, towards their completion over the next two years.

We are delighted with the grant allocation and are sure that the housing associations will maximise the impact of this expenditure.

I am particularly pleased to welcome Tees Valley Housing's proposals to redevelop the Roseberry Road petrol station site at Redcar into accommodation for the over 55s. That site has been an eyesore for too long and I'm sure residents will be looking forward to a positive conclusion.

Tees Valley Housing Group is in the process of agreeing terms of sale with the Council for the site to develop 12 units and this £1.395m scheme will complement the wider Courts development, a partnership between the Group and private developers.

The Group also receives half its £2.938m project cost for providing 20 extra care units, alongside 20 privately-financed apartments at Lodge Farm, Eston. A third scheme, costing £2.938m, with a £1.5m grant, will provide 23 family homes, a mix of rented and shared ownership, at Church Lane, Eston.

The Accent Housing Group is in negotiation to buy land for six affordable shared ownership homes at Guisborough in a £820,000 scheme, helped by a £158,000 grant.

The Three Rivers Housing Group has funding to refurbish the Council-owned Hollingside at Saltburn to provide six special needs residential units in a £673,000 scheme, boosted by a £525,000 grant.

Be an extra in Redcar's blockbuster film

Redcar and Cleveland Council is set to receive the final plans which could turn Redcar seafront into 1940s Dunkirk as the setting for a £36 million blockbuster movie.

The production company, Working Title Films, has drawn up a draft timetable for the war time movie which could see set building starting from early July and closure of the Esplanade from the Regent Cinema to the boating lake at the end of August for filming to start.

The Regional Screen Agency for the North East, Northern Film and Media, has started a recruitment drive for up to 1,000 local extras, for the film based on the Ian McEwan novel, Atonement, alongside confirmed stars Keira Knightly and James McAvoy

The Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, Councillor Dave Fitzpatrick, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for Redcar. Of course, it’s not 100 per cent certain yet but this film is a fantastic showcase for the town and its residents.

“Working Title Films has assured us they are not considering any other towns for filming and are now looking for further locations in Redcar and across the Borough, which is very promising”.

Northern Film & Media Location Service Manager, Gayle Mason, said: “Working Title Films has commented on how positive the Council have been and how much progress has been made, they’ve had a great reception from the North East”.

Working Title Films sent 50 members of its technical crew to visit the town this week to inspect locations and make preparations ready to turn parts of the town into war time scene.

To apply for a part as an extra download an application form by logging on to the Northern Film and Media website at http://www.northernmedia.org/ and click on locations, crew & facilities. The form will ask for basic details including name, address, age, height, dress or collar size and a mid-shot photograph.

Super Leeds

Posted by Chris

What a night for Leeds United! What a match! What superb support from the fans! They drowned out the commentator the whole match long. I have not enjoyed a match so much for two or three years.

Leeds were brilliant. They never stopped trying and it all came good in the end. It will be a real miracle if we get back in the Premiership this time, after coming so close to going out of business such a short time ago. If they play in Cardiff with the same determination as they did tonight they can beat anyone.

Re-development of Roseberry Square underway

Demolition of the northern block of Roseberry Square will allow work to commence on the new district shopping centre that is set to replace the unsightly, vandalism plagued, 1960’s facility.

Following long, drawn out, negotiations with existing leaseholders, an agreement was signed on 7th April 2006, between the Council and Bellway & Persimmon, who in turn entered into a sub-agreement with Stirling Capital on the same day.

Stirling Capital are the developers for the commercial elements of the project. Bellway & Persimmon are the developers for the residential element.

Stirling Capital have appointed York House Construction as their main contractor.

The first phase of demolition, will remove the northern, unoccupied block, Oasis Public House, the Health Clinic and the Youth & Community Centre. It was due to begin in the week commencing 8th May 2006 and due to complete 5 weeks later.

The second phase of demolition the remaining shopping includes Ladbrooks, Bells, Scott-Chem, Johnson Dentist, and the Library. It is currently scheduled for mid to end February 2007 and will follow the completion and fit-out of the long awaited new district shopping centre.

Sea front shelters enjoy a facelift

Liberal Democrat Councillors Irene Curr and Josie Crawford do love to be beside the seaside - even more so now that their favourite seafront shelters have been given a facelift.

Sadly, vandals had wrecked havoc on the three Esplanade shelters, smashing windows, breaking panels and daubing the structures with graffiti.

Now thanks to funding from both the Council's Redcar Area Environment Committee and the Council's highways partner, Alfred McAlpine, the shelters are gleaming again.

Councillor Curr, the Committee's chair and, along with Councillor Crawford a Coatham ward councillor, said: "I think they look lovely. They looked really unloved with all the vandalism - now I'm really pleased they're back looking as good as new."

The Council's Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Development and Infrastructure Councillor Eric Empson praised the five weeks work and said: "They're an asset to the town again. What could be nicer than looking out to sea in comfort and pleasant surroundings."

Surveys start at Coatham

Consultants working towards a planning application for the multi million pounds Coatham Links development in Redcar are starting a series of studies to support the application, the outcomes of which will also address concerns raised by residents during consultation.

Persimmon Homes has commissioned a variety of different surveys to be carried out in the coming weeks. They include detailed geophysical studies and ecological surveys which address any plant or wildlife on the site and archaeological trenching which checks for any relics.

Persimmon's Regional Projects Director, Peter Jordan, said: "We are very excited about the appointment of our specialist team who will assist Persimmon in preparing a robust and thorough planning application with supporting environmental statement.

"With the approval of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, we have appointed a wide range of consultants who are experts in their relative fields and will be looking at Coatham very closely. This will entail a number of site visits over the coming months to assess the impact the proposed development will have on the area.”

Another award for Coalition Council

More good news for Redcar and Cleveland Council today. We celebrate Investor In People status, which has praised the Authority's good business planning, its equal opportunity culture and joint development working with other organisations.

A cross-directorate group is already implementing a number of recommendations in areas for future development, centring on consistency and effective implementing of corporate policies and procedures, which will be closely monitored.

The Investors in People Standard is awarded indefinitely, subject to regular reviews no more than three years apart to make sure standards are met and to assess progress made since the last visit.

Council to probe fish oil benefits

Posted by Chris

The dreaded part of our regular Saturday visits to my Grandma, for my brother and I, when we were kids, were the doses of cod liver oil she gave us before we set off for the bus home. Yuc!!! I can still taste it now. As soon as we got out of the door we were into the bag of sweets, she always gave us to share with our other brothers and sisters, to take the taste away.

The practice seemed to have gone out of fashion, though Glynis used to give our kids a cod liver oil and malt mixture. It seems to be now back in fashion and the Council has issued the following statement today:

The possibility of using fish oil supplements to improve pupil performances in more schools across Redcar and Cleveland is set to be investigated.

Two projects have already been carried out at Loftus Junior School and Eston Park Comprehensive with 'potentially significant benefits', councillors have been told.

Now the Council's Children's Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee wants more wide-ranging consultation on the options for the promotion of fish-oil supplements and is urging more schools to take part in trials.

Our Lib Dem colleague and Committee chair Councillor Mary Ovens said: "We're not saying this is some sort of magic formula, but there's no doubt that the results have been very encouraging in some cases and the scrutiny committee felt everyone would benefit from more consultation.

"We would also like more schools to consider taking part in these trials because of the possible benefits and so we can look and compare more data."

In a report to councillors, the Council's principal educational psychologist Alastair Robertson said: "On the basis of the evidence available, the use of fish oil supplements appears to hold some significant potential benefits for some pupils with little evidence of disadvantage. Should any pupil not respond positively, cessation of the supplements would be a simple solution.

"We would advise schools and parents wishing to try supplements that they should do so, but to monitor the effects for their individual children. Such monitoring need not be elaborate but should include learning and behaviour."

The benefits of taking fish oils is thought to relate to the high Omega 3 and Omega 6 content. These fatty acids are essential to the functioning of the brain, but cannot be made by the body and have to be ingested.

Helping Redcar to shine at night

REDCAR's night-time economy, already boosted by the arrival of three new bars in the town centre, can now benefit from a new Government initiative that is linking the seaside town with Newcastle.

Redcar and Newcastle are among 20 towns and cities nationwide who will be getting the help of experts to accelerate the economic revival of town centres across England.

Officers from Redcar and Cleveland Council and Newcastle City Council meet for the first time along with North East Lincolnshire, representing Grimsby, under the new concept in Redcar on Friday, April 7, with nightlife high on the agenda.

Redcar Town Centre Manager John Partridge, who successfully applied to join the project, said: "It gives us the opportunity to learn from other towns and cities in the country so we can more effectively manage our night-time economy.

"Since Christmas, three new wine and food bars have opened in the East end of the town - Martha's Vineyard, Barracuda and Blue Lounge - and all of them are offering food and drink during the day as well as high quality service at night.

"We are now enjoying a better mix of premises and we need to try and market this as effectively as possible."

Local business partnerships in the 20 selected areas will receive free management, technical, and communications support from town centre experts, to establish sustainable partnerships between businesses, the public sector and the local community. Lessons learnt will be shared across all town centres to promote best practice.

Existing BIDs have already succeeded in creating safer cleaner greener town centre environments for example by; removing gum from pavements; setting up a graffiti removal hotlines; providing new street furniture; appointing a crime reduction manager; and promoting the town as a visitor destination.

The 20 town centres involved are Grimsby, Lancaster, Lowestoft, Peckham, Redcar, Stockport, Tottenham, Trafford, Wood Green, Worksop, Broxtowe, Blackpool, Newcastle, Bristol, Melton, Taunton, Havant, Colchester, Derby and Birmingham.

Sunny Redcar to become Dunkirk in big screen blockbuster

REDCAR and Cleveland Council is delighted with the progress of talks to turn Redcar seafront into Dunkirk 1940 for a multi-million pound blockbuster this summer.

The film's director, Joe Wright, who directed the Oscar-nominated Pride and Prejudice, has made his own trip to the town, which could be home to the 'film village' for several weeks in preparation for filming to start.

Now the production company, Working Title Films, is to draw up its detailed proposals, which would involve the closure of the Esplanade from the Regent Cinema to the boating lake and the creation of a wartime scene.

The film is titled Atonement, based on the novel by Ian McEwan. It will star Keira Knightley, with an as yet undisclosed male lead starring alongside her in a story billed as a mix of love, war and emotional truth.

Northern Film and Media, the regional screen agency created to develop the media sector in the North East, co-ordinated the talks.

NFM's Location Service Manager Gayle Mason said: "Securing this type of project takes a lot of negotiation and the talks so far have been very positive.

"There is still a lot to do to ensure that the experience of hosting filming activity in Redcar is as positive as possible for everyone involved, including local people.

"The fantastic work people have done to date will go a long way to ensuring this happens, everybody involved is so keen, so willing to help.

"Productions like this one can have a massive impact on the region in terms of economic benefit, tourism and work for local people and companies."

The Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism Councillor Dave Fitzpatrick said: "The Council is delighted to be able to assist in this major film project, which will bring business and tourism into the Borough."

The public's main excitement is being generated by the thought of being involved - with the prospect of 1,000 extras needed for the film. But no firm details have yet been finalised.

Asbestos fear following vandalism of bungalows

Stuart Marshall a Council Emergency Planning Officer has issued the following warning:

"Bungalows due for demolition on the Lakes Estate were broken into and vandalised over the weekend. The buildings contain asbestos which was exposed during the incident, it is believed that those present in the building during the vandalism would have been exposed to asbestos fibres.

"The health impact is believed to be limited, however following advice from health organisations, Coast and Country Housing intend to publish a press statement asking for those responsible to come forward.

"This will allow Coast and Country to:

- Dispose of clothing containing asbestos in a safe manner
- Give guidance to those exposed to the asbestos

"Coast and Country may make the offer of air monitoring in those residents houses who are directly affected as a means of providing reassurance. There are believed to be no health issues to third parties such as relatives.

"Given that the estate contains a number of houses of similar construction, Coast and Country intend issuing information on asbestos to all residents, this may give rise to some concerns. All queries should be directed towards the Coast and Country 01642 471300."

National award for Saltburn lighting scheme

THE new lighting scheme that is illuminating Saltburn's Victorian Pier and Cliff Lift from dusk to midnight has won a national award.

Redcar and Cleveland Council's scheme, part of its Lighting Our Culture initiative, won the annual Lighting Design Awards' category for Transport Lighting.

The Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism Councillor Dave Fitzpatrick said: "I'm absolutely delighted the scheme has won. This scheme has been at virtually no cost to the Council taxpayer and has been very, very popular. Dozens of people have told me what an attractive job's been done."

“Really effective lighting using simple fittings,” said the judges of a scheme which uses a blue light to illuminate the track as a visual reference to the water that drives the cliff lift power mechanism. The pier buildings and beach huts are lit to emphasise their heritage.

The Council's Mayor Councillor Peter Spencer collected the award - a metal certificate - along with lighting design consultant Michael Phillips at London's Royal Lancaster Hotel in a ceremony organised by Lighting Equipment News and the Institution of Lighting Engineers.

Mr Phillips' company, Lighting Design & Consultancy, was brought in by Middlesbrough Council Design Services, appointed the scheme's lead consultant, with Bartram Walker as electrical contractors.

The scheme's £380,000 funding package included contributions from the Government's regional development agency, One North East, Tees Valley Coastal Arc, the Tees Valley Partnership, the Council, Saltburn Pier Entertainments and Friends of Saltburn Pier.

More lighting has also been installed on the lower promenade and Cat Nab car parks. Design work on a potential Phase 2 including the town's community theatre and railway station portico, is also complete, with funding and planning applications to come.

Yorkshire Day 2006

The Yorkshire Ridings Society ( at a meeting of the North Riding Group on Friday) have made new additions to the Yorkshire Day and Yorkshire Festival programmes for 2006.

Saturday 29th July 2006

2.30pm - North Riding Duck Race - Saltburn Beck
3.15pm - Flat Cap Fling - Saltburn Valley Gardens - New addition

Tuesday 1st August 2006 (Yorkshire Day)

Readings of the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity

10.30am - Eston - Square
11.31am - Redcar - Town Clock
12 noon - Marske - The Wynd
1.15pm - Loftus - Town Centre
2.15pm - Lingdale - Tavern - New Addition
3pm - Saltburn - Pier Entrance
4pm - Guisborough - Market Cross

All proceeds from sales of white roses will once again go to Redcar Lifeboat.

Red laggy band mystery

Posted by Glynis:

Whilst out delivering issue No 243 of our ward newsletter, Focus, I noticed that there were lots of individual red rubber bands on the pavement.

In Brooksbank Avenue, where I first noticed them, there must have been at least 50, spread about 10 metres apart, right along the pavements on both sides of the road. They seem to be mainly discarded right up against the garden walls. There were not as many elsewhere but there were some in every street. They were even scattered on Redcar's pedestrianised High Street, when I went to Thomas Cook's to pay for my holiday in June.

Now, the only people I know who walk around the streets with red laggy bands are postmen. I would not go so far as to accuse our hard working posties of committing this offence, there may be some other organisation that uses them that also walks the streets.

It is a dreadful waste of money and whoever is responsible are risking an on the spot fine, if one of our Community Wardens spots them. Why don't they reuse them? Obviously there will be some bureaucratic excuse that makes it more economical to chuck them away but I can't for the life of me think of a good reason for such wastefulness.

New travel scheme launched

Redcar and Cleveland Council is investing a total of £2million in a new consessionary travel scheme, which comes into operation from April 1.

It will provide free, all day bus travel on most bus services across and within the boroughs of Redcar and Cleveland, Middlesbrough, Stockton and Hartlepool.

The current pass will automatically be valid for the new scheme until it expires. The new free pass can be obtained at any time during the passholder's birthday month, taking proof of your address to any of the Borough's libraries.

To qualify for a new pass, you need to be a permanent resident of Redcar and Cleveland, over 60 or with certain mobility problems, take proof of age or disability and your address - eg a Council Tax bill, a prescription or bank statement - along with a clear passport-sized head and shoulders photograph to any library. Those with mobility problems may have to apply for a pass.

For more information, contact your local library, ring the Council's Call Centre on 0845 6126126 or access the Council's website, http://www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk.

Residents helping to shape our vision for South Bank

Posted by Chris.

I spent this morning standing in the cold streets of South Bank dealing with the huge media interest in the latest proposals for tackling the housing market collapse in South Bank that incorporates residents' views and concerns.

Tyne Tees TV, turned up late and missed the briefing. Their coverage, as usual, focussed only on the negative. They clearly did not bother to inform their viewers about the plan to provide new housing, a health village, a new shopping centre, new schools and a new police station, they simply found an elderly resident and gave the impression she would have to leave the area. This is simply not true.

Redcar & Cleveland Council's Cabinet will be asked to agree 12 recommendations at its next meeting on Tuesday, March 28, including opening negotiations with residents who are living in homes among hundreds of empty properties in the clearance area, organising financial relocation packages and a promise of ongoing consultation.

The first phase of the scheme, officially titled the South Bank Renewal Plan, will focus on clearing the areas of older terraced housing with the highest proportion of voids, while ensuring others are not left in isolation.

The project team is ready to start visiting the occupied properties to begin the exit strategy with residents in the priority area for acquisition and clearance from April 1.

As the Council's Cabinet Member for Housing and Neighbourhood Renewal, I made the following comments: "We're not just knocking down houses - we're building a better community, one that will be sustainable and for the long term.

"We have listened to the community. We know there is backing and we also accept many want to see the newer housing left alone. These plans reflect that and they will help people who live in the worst- affected streets get the kind of modern homes they deserve for 21st Century living.

"Our consultation has shown the majority of people back the proposals, with support for clearance being strongest in the area where market failure is most advanced. I'm sure they will be delighted that we are making real progress to give them something to look forward to."

"We believe we have a proven track record - look at how houses are already being successfully cleared from Costa Street and Aire Street. The majority of those residents are now more than happy with their new homes and the relocation packages they received."

The blueprint has already received Government backing, with funding for the first two years to cover the acquisition process. Confirmation of the exact total of the Council's successful funding bid, through Tees Valley Living, to the North East Regional Housing Board, is due from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister next week.

The Renewal Plan is a key part of the wider vision for South Bank to create a sustainable community of more than 900 new homes, supported by substantial investment in health, education, recreation and retail services to benefit the whole Greater Eston area.

Latest figures show the first target area has 207 properties - 142 are void, while of the remaining 65, 29 are owner-occupiers with the rest a mix of private and social rented. The whole area, mainly to the west of Victoria Street and around the Queen Street/Redcar Road area, has 373 properties, with an estimated 176 void.

Prescott awards Redcar Council Beacon Status

The Coalition running Redcar and Cleveland Council is celebrating Beacon Council status in recognition of its waste and recycling management services.

The Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and Local Government Minister Phil Woolas congratulated the Council for delivering quality public services at the seventh annual Beacon Scheme awards ceremony in London.

The Council, one of only four across the North East to receive recognition of their work from 239 applications nationwide, will get a share of a £3million kitty to actively promote good practice, working with the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) on learning events and open days.

The Council's Cabinet Member for Environmental Improvement Councillor Bob Stanway said: "This award is a tribute to all the hard work and dedication of our staff and partners - and the enthusiasm and support of all our residents to embrace the new recycling regimes and our area-based working to deliver a cleaner, safer, greener Borough.

"We regard Beacon Council status as a chance to develop more and more green thinking and encourage as many councils as possible to believe they can effect change as successfully as we have done. In fact, we are further developing our recycling scheme in line with best practice from elsewhere which goes to show that we continue to listen and learn as well."

Mr Prescott said: "Beacon authorities help to create sustainable communities by embedding good practice across local government for the delivery of high quality public services. I hope that other authorities will be encouraged to look at what they can learn from these Beacons."

Mr Woolas said: "The fact is that the best of local government rivals, and sometimes beats, the best of business.

"Beacons encourage strong, efficient local leadership which is essential if local government is to continue delivering successful services for our communities."

*The Council's application was shortlisted by an independent Advisory Panel, who make recommendations to Ministers, who then make final decisions.

The Coalition is made up of 16 Lib Dems, 13 Conservatives and 2 East Cleveland Independents.

Inspector rejects "Village Green" bid

Redcar and Cleveland Council is confident it will be able to continue with its multi-million pound plans for the Coatham Links development if an independent inspector's recommendation is accepted.

Inspector Vivian Chapman has produced a 53-page report following a six-day public inquiry into an application by four local residents asking that land they know as Coatham Common be designated a village green.

He has set out three legal reasons why the application should fail - and is now recommending that the Council, as the registration authority, should reject the application.

The inspector's report and recommendation will be considered by the Council's Village Greens Committee, which meets on Tuesday, March 28, at 10am at Eston Town Hall.

A full copy of the inspector's report is available on the Council's website, www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk.

Eyesore site to get a facelift

Posted by Glynis

THE area of neglected land, at the rear of Norfolk Close and Troutbeck Road, Redcar, is to get a facelift and pupils from Sacred Heart RC School will be involved in the work.

Acting on a suggestion from Ray Hall. Secretary of the Newcomen Ward Community Forum, I met with Coast & Country Housing, to discuss including the site in the Aspire Project, a scheme for companies to engage with school leavers.

Residents are currently being consulted and if all goes well, work will be organised by Sacred Heart pupils during the summer holidays.

Various suggestions for improvements are being considered such as improving the land, metal or stone planters, painting and possibly a few small pieces of play equipment for young children will be included.

Money has been allocated in the Council’s budget to allow one metre to be removed from the grass verge in Newlands Grove, Redcar to improve access to Brotherswater Court.

Work to start on road in October

Posted by Chris

The private street between Corporation Road and Westfield Avenue, in Redcar, is to be made up to adoptable standard and the work is programmed to start in October.

There are a huge number of these private streets in the Borough and the Coalition agreed to use prudential borrowing to invest £1.29m, in a 3 year programme, to make a start in tackling 19 of them.

Opponents claim the cost is £6m but this is nonsense. Even with the cost spread over 40 years, taking into account interest and maintenance, the cost would be £2.5m.

The former County Council abandoned it’s programme of upgrading these roads in the early 1980’s and it has taken all this time to get it reinstated. It will be safer and brighter for the people who live alongside it."

Start in sight for Coatham Links

THE multi-million pounds Coatham Links development in Redcar took a massive step forward when Redcar and Cleveland Council's Cabinet paved the way for work to start on site in six months.

The Cabinet agreed to a Heads of Terms and Side Agreement, with developers Persimmon. This will see planning permission being submitted in June. Work could start on site in October this year.

The scheme will be a massive boost to tourism. It will create 200 new jobs and bring much needed high quality housing as well as tens of millions of pounds worth of investment.

The majority of the scheme pays for itself through the land sale deal with Persimmon.
The Council is working with Enterprise West (Mungle Jungle) and they are very confident of delivering their extreme sports centre.

The Coatham Links scheme includes:

A leisure centre with a 25 metre, 6-lane swimming pool plus a separate leisure pool (completed in the first phase), floodlit 5-a-side pitches, 8-court badminton hall, fitness suite, gym and ten-pin bowling facilities.

A "Lifehouse" visitor and performance centre, for exhibitions, theatre, dance, cinema, and cafe.
An extreme sports village providing a skate park, BMX/Cycle area, Wind/Kite surfing, climbing wall and children's activities centre.

There will also be a public house, "mecca" style bingo hall, children's nursery and improved cycle and pedestrian links.

Extra investment and free travel in new Council budget

REDCAR and Cleveland Council has approved a 4.7 per cent increase in Council Tax levels and agreed another 4.75million in extra investment, including a £2m commitment to provide free concessionary travel across Teesside.

The budget provides free travel benefits for the Borough's 14,000 concessionary passholders from April 1.

The Council is also investing £600,000 in older people's services, £500,000 for Safer Stronger Communities and over £1m in services for vulnerable children and young families.
More than 100 extra car parking spaces are planned for Kirkeatham Street, to help ease parking congestion in the town centre.

The four star excellent Council is seeking further improvements in services that give better value for money and greater efficiency.

Council Tax could have been reduced by as much as 6.7% had the Government not got its sums wrong and given us the grant support their own methodology says we should have. They are robbing efficient councils to subsidise inefficient ones.

The effect on the Council adds up to a burden of almost £5m. The bill for additional duties imposed on the Council totals £1.7m - a 3.6% increase on Council Tax. The incorrect population figures cost the Council £1.5m - another 3.5% Council Tax increase. Changes to Government grant formula adds another £1.7m - a further 3.6% increase.

A packed rally at Harrogate

Posted by Chris

I attended the rally at Harrogate last night and sat on the front row. Having got in early to ensure that we got seats, in what inevitably turned out to be a jam packed meeting, I was determined to get an unrestricted view of the proceedings.

Glynis hates sitting at the front, cos she is not as showy as me and she sat two rows back with good friends Stan and Stella Wilson, formally of Redcar but now living in Thirsk. Stan was my ward colleague before he retired and Glynis took over.

On the way through the Holiday Inn, I stopped to ask Stan which room the rally was in. He was talking to another former Redcar lad, Neil Fawcett, and I was in that much of a rush that I failed to recognise him. It dawned on me as soon as I sat down.

Ming's victory speech was preceded by the 'four chicks' debate, which I found much more interesting. Apparently, last year people claimed that there were only men on the panel so this year they redressed the balance. However, all four were from the London area. We certainly have some talented women in the party and as we were at Harrogate, at least one from the north would have been more appropriate.

Lynne Featherstone is gorgeous and is set to be a star in the near future. She also writes an excellent blog.

Sarah Teather is already a star and is so confident that I am tipping her as a leader in waiting. I actually can say that I knew her before she was famous, as I served on the Federal Conference Committee with her for a sort while, three or four years ago.

Before she was actually elected onto the FCC, I became involved in a disagreement with Sarah over the wording of a motion about a cinema organisation, who was inserting a covenant into the deeds of cinema buildings that they were selling off, to prevent rivals reopening the buildings as a cinema.

The organisation concerned took exception to the wording and was threatening to sue. Sarah was adamant that the wording should not be changed but I took the view "if in doubt, leave it out" and quite a row took place. Sarah was amazingly cool about it and won the argument easily. The wording was, in fact, changed in time for the Conference, when the then Chief Executive produced a form of words, that Sarah accepted. This avoided any possibility of a legal challenge.

Ming Campbell looked ten years younger when making his victory speech. The signs of stress that I had noticed during the leadership campaign seemed to have disappeared. He is clearly going to be a tough leader that is for sure. He is clearly determined to stamp his authority on the party and there may be a few battles ahead.

Simon Hughes was at the rally and he was seated just a few seats away from me. I noticed that Chris Huhne was not present but I spotted him arriving with his bags just as we were leaving.