The Yorkshire Ring of Roses is almost complete.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Ring, A Ring of Yorkshire Roses For Yorkshire Day

The Ring of Roses is Yorkshire Ridings Society's biggest and most exciting Yorkshire Day project yet.

The Yorkshire Ridings Society (YRS) would like to arrange for a Yorkshire Flag to be flown in all the settlements on, or very close to the Yorkshire Boundary, on Yorkshire Day.

The Yorkshire Ridings Society will provide the flags and post them out free, but need someone in every settlement, on or very near the boundary, to display the flags on 1st August. Will you help?

All YRS need is the name and address of someone living in each settlement to whom we can send a flag to be flown or displayed, preferably in a public place, on Yorkshire Day.

To obtain a flag to fly as part of the Ring of Roses, please click on the link and email the address to which the flag should be sent to.

They will be sent out in July to arrive to arrive in time for Yorkshire Day .

Roger Sewell, Chairman Yorkshire Ridings Society said:

"Please help to make Yorkshire Day even more special this year. If you do not feel you can help us, please can you pass on this message to someone in your community who might like to help?"

Flagging up the boundary - Settlements on or very close to the Yorkshire Boundary.

Filey, Gristhorpe, Leberston, Osgoby, Scarborough, Burniston, Cloughton, Ravenscar, Robin Hood’s Bay, Hawsker, Whitby, Sandsend, Runswick Bay, Hinderwell, Staithes, Easington, Loftus, Skinningrove, Brotton, Saltburn, Marske, Redcar, Middlesbrough, Thornaby-on-Tees, Yarm, Worsall, Over Dinsdale, Girsby, Hornsby, Great Smeaton, Dalton-on-Tees, Croft-on-Tees, Stapleton, Cleasby, Manfield, Cliffe, Eppleby, Ovington, Hutton Magna, Greta Bridge, Boldron, Startforth, Lartington, Cotherstone, Romaldkirk, Mickleton, Holwick, Bowes, Keld, Angram, Thwaite, Hawes, Garsdale, Sedberg, Gawthrop, Dent, Ingleton, High Bentham, Low Bentham, Slaidburn, Newton in Bowland, Dunsop Bridge, Whitewell, Great Mitten,Waddington, West Bradford, Grindleton, Rimington, Newby, Howgill, Barnoldswick, Salterforth, Kelbrook, Cowling, Laycock, Oakworth, Oldfield, Stanbury, Oxenhope, Peckett Well, Slack, Blackshaw Head, Todmorden, Mytholmroyd, Cragg Vale, Denshaw, Grains Bar, Delph, Thurston Clough, Scouthead, Austerlands, Grotton, Park Bridge, Mossley, Greenfield, Holme, Ringinglow, Abbeydale, Sheffield, Rotherham, Rother Valley Country Park, Woodall, Harthill, Firbeck, Tickhill, Bawtry, Austerfield, Robin Hood Airport, Auckley, Finningly, Blaxton, Eastoft, Fockerby, Adlingfleet, Broomfleet, Elleker, Elloughton, Brough, Welton, North Ferriby, Hessle, Hull, Paull,

Lib Dem slams erection of "bonkers" ward boundary sign in Redcar:

A Liberal Democrat Councillor has branded an expensive boundary sign for a Council Ward as bonkers, and a shocking waste of public money:

Councillor Chris Abbott as hit out at the erection of a Millstone wheel, with a Kirkleatham Ward sign attached it, at the junction of West Dyke Road and Kirkleatham Lane.

Councillor Abbott (pictured at the sign) said:

“Council Wards are not places to be marked by boundary signs. They are there for electoral and demographic purposes only. They are subject to change every ten years. Spending money on installing expensive millstone wheels is a shocking waste of public money.” Where will it end? There are enough signs as it is without starting to mark council ward boundaries as well.

“There are 22 wards in the Borough and the names often don’t match the area they cover. Kirkleatham Ward does not actually include Kirkleatham village and my Ward Newcomen is the name of a former landowner not a place.

“The sign should be removed at once. It is totally bonkers. It is as if they are ashamed of Redcar and want to rename the town. It will only cause confusion.”

Last ditch bid to save one-bedroomed bungalows

Bungalows on the perimeter of the Closes Estate at Redcar have been boarded up but Ward Councillor Chris Abbott has called on Coast and Country Housing to reconsider the decision to demolish them, which was taken before the removal of the spare bedroom subsidy.

Chris Abbott raised the issue at a meeting on Redcar and Cleveland Council on 30th May and has since written to Iain Sim, Chief Executive of Coast and Country Housing

Cllr Abbott said:

“If Coast and Country Housing is finding it so difficult to assist people to downsize as a result of the removal of the spare bedroom subsidy, why are they not changing the property specification for the new homes planned on the Closes estate?

“Why not abandon the plan to demolish the popular one-bed bungalows on the perimeter of the Closes and re-let these popular properties?

“To me it does not make sense replacing them with two-bed flats when these were made more secure and were fully renovated during the first phase of modernisation on the estate, which cost £40,000 per property.”

There are still 28 bungalows left, of which around 20 are due to be demolished.

Redcar and Cleveland Council's Labour Leader should explain walk-out

Labour Council Leader George Dunning walked out of a vital meeting with Vince Cable, the Secretary of State for Business, yesterday.

He claims he had another meeting to go to. It is inconceivable that the Leader of a Council that desperately needs to attract business and get more jobs for its people could have a more important event to attend.

“Cllr Dunning needs to justify his behaviour and unwillingness to use this key opportunity to promote the Borough of Redcar and Cleveland to the Government.

“The Minister has already shown that the Government is prepared to help local business to bring jobs to Teesside and announce major assistance to a North East company yesterday.

“If Cllr Dunning is not prepared to bang the drum for our area, he should move over and let someone else do the job.”

Redcar Lib Dems urge visitors not to get caught short in the town

At yesterday’s meeting of the Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, Lib Dem Councillor Mary Ovens highlighted a serious flaw in the Council’s tourist plan for Redcar.

Questioning the Labour Cabinet Member Olwyn Peters, Cllr Ovens criticised the shortage of public toilets available or planned in Redcar.The great need is at the west end of the beach in the area of Majuba Car Park.

Cllr Ovens’ comments come after a sustained campaign by Coatham ward Lib Dem councillors Irene Curr and Josie Crawford.

Councillor Mary Ovens said:

"The oversight of Labour in Redcar is appalling. There is a clear need for additional facilities.

Redcar Lib Dem Councillor Josh Mason added:

Last week I heard of a pregnant woman being refused access to toilets in the “Vertical Pier” because she was not using other parts of the facility. This is nothing short of scandalous.”

Admin error in Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council Tax bills

Mr John Sampson, Head of Corporate Financial Services at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has sent the following note to Councillors: 

"The Council Tax bills that have just gone out to residents this week contain an error on the unique reference number and associated bar code. We are in the process of contacting all residents, by letter, who are likely to be affected by this, circa 27,000 

"The error is down to our partner Liberata and their validation prior to the printing of the bill, this error will be explained to residents. All costs associated with this error are being covered by a combination of liberata and their printers. 

"The letter to residents will go out on Friday (15th March), which will provide an apology from Liberata, along with a corrected reference number and bar code. 

"I can confirm, that this only impacts on those residents who pay their Council Tax via cash/card at post offices and similar counter services. Any direct contact with the Council to pay or payment via Direct Debit will be unaffected."

Labour dodging democracy on Council Tax say Redcar Lib Dems

Redcar and Cleveland Liberal Democrats have condemned the Labour Council for proposing for a 1.97% increase in Council Tax.

If the rise was above 2% the Council would have to call a referendum in which the people would decide. The rise will give the Council an extra £1.1 million.

Central Government has offered the Council well over half a million pounds if it freezes Council Tax this year. This is the third time Labour bosses have refused Government money to help keep Council Tax frozen.

Last year Labour raised Council Tax by 3.5%, the highest in the country.

Despite this the Labour council has managed to spend: over £4,319 on new furniture for the Mayor’s Parlour; £168,000 hiring a temporary officer; £95,000 on equipment it already had; £37,600 on bird monitoring; £36k on a temporary civic building; £78,000 on a legal case it had no chance of winning and was prepared to spend £20,000 on hiring a consultant to find out what everybody already knew about opposition to parking charges in Saltburn!

The Government has offered councils the equivalent of a 1% Council Tax increase if they freeze Council Tax. Liberal Democrats say Redcar & Cleveland Council should accept this offer which amounts to £585,000. Lib Dems think the extra money the Council says it needs could be found through savings and, at last, making a real effort to eliminate inessential and wasteful expenditure.

Councillor Glyn Nightingale, Lib Dem Group Leader, said:

"I am appalled at Labour cynically keeping the Council Tax rise just below 2% to avoid a public referendum.

“The 1.97% rise will raise an extra £1.1 million. By freezing Council Tax the Government will give the Council £585,000. The gap of £579,000 exactly matches all the wasteful schemes Labour didn’t need to pour money into plus the £200k unspent from this year. There is plenty of wasted money spent on things they can scrap if they have the will to do it. It’s not difficult.

“But instead they seem to want to organise yet another raid on people’s wallets.

“If they want 2% more they should have the guts to say so and let the people decide.”

An Historic night - Redcar Athletic's first floodlit match at Green Lane

Finally, after a years painstaking work littered with setbacks, Redcar Athletic FC are set to embark on an historic night for the town of Redcar with the first floodlit football game to take place in the town.

Redcar Athletic will take on current Wearside League Leaders Stockton Town on Tuesday 26th February 2013 in what will be an enthralling passionate derby game between the two sides.

Kick off is 7.30pm at Green Lane, Redcar, Yorkshire, TS10 4NF.

Athletic have switched the game from its usual Wednesday night slot to avoid a clash with the big FA Cup game Boro v Chelsea in in the hope that this will draw a big crowd for the game.

The club would like to publically thank several people for the hard work and long hours they put in to ensure that the floodlights were ready they include Paul Wilson, John Neesam, Ian Best ,Chris Dryden, Vince Peel, Wayne Burkill and Manager Nicky Ward.

Entry for the game on Tuesday is £2 adults £1 concessions a programme will be available at £1 and snacks and hot/cold drinks will be available.

The club will now try and embark on attempting to provide covered standing and seating accomodation at the ground. This would ensure that the set up meets Northern League approval. However, funds are now strictly limited and the club is appealing to anybody out there individuals, sponsors, companies to come forward and offer their support.

We can offer several packages so anybody with football in Redcar in their hearts please get in touch we would be delighted to hear from you. The last 12 months have been very difficult and frustrating for the club. But with financial support a keen and enthusiastic bunch of volunteers, plus an ambitious committee, we can eventually put football in Redcar on the map.

The club are hoping Redcar residents will turn out on Tuesday night to enjoy the football and support our local team

Redcar and Cleveland Liberal Democrat Councillors call for a Council Tax freeze

Redcar and Cleveland Liberal Democrat Councillors are calling for a Council Tax freeze in response to the Labour controlled Council threatening to impose a 1.99% increase in what council taxpayers are being asked to pay.

Last year Labour raised Council Tax by 3.5%, the highest in the country.

This came despite the Government’s offer of £1.4 million to the Council if it had frozen its council tax in 2012-13.

This is the third time Labour bosses have refused the Government money to help keep Council Tax frozen. Since then, instead of spending all of this additional money on services, Labour has continued to waste taxpayers’ money on things like new furniture for the Mayor’s Parlour and alterations to the City Learning Centre.

The Council has also underspent in some areas. This proves they didn’t have to make local people pay such a massive increase last year, and as a result they should freeze the Council Tax this year.

The Government has offered councils the equivalent of a 1% Council Tax increase if they freeze Council Tax. Liberal Democrats say Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council should accept this offer which amounts to £585,000.

The Labour leadership can’t continually complain that the Council gets an unfair deal from government, then turn down Government money while hitting the pockets of local residents.

Councillor Glyn Nightingale, Lib Dem Group Leader, said:

"Labour in Redcar and Cleveland have shown that they are happy to waste Council Taxpayers money, whether it’s £1.5 million on a Vertical Pier that nobody wants, £37,600 on bird monitoring, and £125,000 doing up the Town Hall just before it was demolished.

"I am appalled at Labour's cynicism of keeping the Council Tax rise below 2% to avoid a public referendum.

"It is high time the Council’s Labour bosses started thinking about local residents."

Redcar Lib Dems demand more democracy on health

Liberal Democrats in the Borough of Redcar and Cleveland are urging the Labour controlled Council to make an influential new committee more democratic. 

The Labour Cabinet is proposing to give only three places out of 17 on the new Health and Wellbeing Board to elected members. All of these will be Labour Cabinet Members. The rest would go to senior officials from health organisations in the area. 

However, at a recent Council Scrutiny Board meeting, Lib Dem Group Leader Glyn Nightingale proposed that a majority of members be councillors, selected in proportion to their parties’ strengths on the Council. This received support from Conservative, Independent and Labour Councillors. 

Lib Dem Councillor Glyn Nightingale said: 

“Transfering the powers of unelected Primary Care Trusts to the Counci by the Coalition Government was major step in improving local democracy But now the Labour hierarchy l seems to want to replace one unelected body with another.

“This is a very important committee. It will be responsible for making sure the health of the public in our area is protected and improved. The quality of life for thousands of local people will depend on it doing its job well. That is why it is so important that the committee is democratic and accountable. 

“I am pleased that the Scrutiny Board has challenged the Labour Cabinet on this. I hope they will think again.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cllr Sean Pryce

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

Lib Dem Group Leader Glyn Nightingale commented:

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

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

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

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

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

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

ROAD WORKS WARNING FOR REDCAR

Motorists are being advised of potential disruption when a carriageway improvement scheme gets under way.

A six week programme of work on the A1085 Corporation Road / Locke Road / Mersey Road Junction begins on Monday 25th February. 

These planned changes were highlighted as part of the Tees Valley Bus Network improvement scheme which looks at ways of easing traffic congestion in the area. 

Works will include widening the junction to facilitate right turn movements for vehicles travelling from Corporation Road towards both Mersey Road and Locke Road.

The scheme also includes upgrading the existing traffic signals which will help to reduce delays for all road users and maximise capacity at the junction. Improved crossing facilities will be provided to assist both pedestrians and cyclists.

To ensure the safety of the public and workforce, Locke Road will be closed for the duration of the scheme and a diversion route will be clearly signposted. 

Lane closures at both Corporation Road and Mersey Road will also be in operation utilising three way temporary traffic signals. 

Survey seeks views on attracting shoppers and visitors to Redcar

Residents and visitors to Redcar are being asked for their views on the market, seafront attractions and concessions as well as events and festivals in the town as part of a drive to attract more shoppers and visitors.

A consultation process is under way seeking views on:

*       relocation of the market to the precinct area near the Town Clock

*       moving the market day from a Wednesday to a Friday

*       events and festivals to create a vibrant town centre

*       business opportunities for seafront attractions and concessions.

To comment on the proposals:

*       complete an on-line questionnaire by visiting: 

*       email 

*       telephone 01642 495359

*       write to: Regeneration Services, Redcar & Cleveland Council, Redcar and Cleveland House, Kirkleatham Street, Redcar, Yorkshire, TS10 1RT.

The deadline for comments to be submitted is Monday 14 January 2013.

Redcar Lib Dems campaign for recognition of local hero

Liberal Democrats in Zetland Ward are campaigning to get a plaque erected in a local park to honour a local hero - Redcar's Sir Rex Hunt.

Born in the town's Laburnum Road in 1921, Rex Hunt joined the RAF near the end of World War Two flying spitfires in India. After serving his country in Uganda, Turkey, Malaysia, Indonesia and South Vietnam, he found fame as Governor of the Falkland Islands during the 1982 Argentinian invasion and the war that followed.

He was knighted in 1982 and continued as Governor after the war until 1985. He later returned to the north-east, living near Stockton until his death on November 11th 2012.

Local Councillor Ron Harrison said:

"Rex Hunt's service to Britain over a period of more than 40 years including WW2 & the Falklands War, during which he displayed cool diplomatic skill and great courage before being taken prisoner, make him one of Redcar's heroes."

"Now that he is gone, we are determined that his name will live on in his home town. We are therefore looking to get some sort of plaque or other memorial built in one of Zetland Ward’s parks in his honour."

Councillor Josh Mason added:

“It’s really important that we remember those who have contributed to Redcar’s rich history and culture. And provide a lasting monument to local heroes, past and present.”

Redcar's refurbished groynes will be restored to their original height

Here is the reply I got in response to my question about the height of the refurbished groynes shown in the above photograph taken and originally posted on Facebook by Philip Chisholm.

Dear Cllr Abbott

Please accept our apologies for the delay in responding to your enquiry.

Mark Hopgood, Team Leader Technical Projects has received the following response from Steve Dunning:

The groynes at the Stray had ceased to retain sand effectively due to the missing groyne boards and piles. The accepted scientific method states that for groynes to retain sand they should be no higher than 500mm above up drift sand levels, any higher than this and they cause scour which reduces sand levels. Incidentally this is the same method that was used when the groynes were installed in the 1960's

In line with this all groynes are to have the boards and piles repaired to fill in any gaps, and are to be reduced in height to 500mm, or 2 groyne boards, above up drift sand levels. The sand levels will be monitored and, as and when the sand returns, the boards will be gradually built back up to their full height.

The excess boards are being taken to a secure storage area and any extra boards will be sourced through the EA timber procurement framework.

Funding for the work is in place as part of the Redcar Flood Alleviation Scheme and will be made available to the Council as needed

Mark Hopgood

Team Leader Capital Projects Team

GFH Capital have at last signed a deal for Leeds United but want Ken Bates to stay on as President

I recognise that Ken Bates played an important role in saving Leeds United and has given the club a solid foundation. In other ways, however, he has been a public relations disaster and would, in my opinion, make a totally unsuitable club President.

You only have to read his comments reported in the Yorkshire Evening Post to see that he would be a nightmare as President. The club has just announced that GFH Capital have signed a deal for the club and all he can contribute is a rant about liars, chancers and conmen.

The club President should be a local figurehead that has the respect and approval of the supporters. I was hoping the chants of "Bates out" would now end but it looks like they are set to continue indefinitely.

Mr Bates will, in fact, remain as Chairman until the end of the season and then become club President.

Lib Dem launches Middlesbrough jobs plan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


George Selmer works to help unemployed people back to work

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

Redcar MP Ian Swales added,

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

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

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

I voted against Rex Hunt's request for Whitby to twin with Port Stanley

A reference in the Evening Gazette today about reporter Mike Morgan's telephone conversation with Sir Rex Hunt shortly before the 1982 Argentinian invasion of the Falklands brought back memories of my own involvement in what I think were the events which led to Mike Morgan making the call.

Mike (pictured right) was then a reporter on the Whitby Gazette and I was a member of Whitby Town Council.

I think Mike was prompted to make the call to His Excellency Mr Rex Hunt, the Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Falkland Islands and dependencies in response to a letter Mr Hunt (who had yet to be knighted) had sent to Whitby Town Council expressing his concern about the Tory Government's cost cutting measure to remove the British warship that was protecting the islands. He suggested a town twinning arrangement between Whitby and Falkland Islands capital Port Stanley due to the fact that both towns had whale bone arches. He felt it would help to maintain links with Great Britain.

All the members of the Town Council were delighted to form a twinning arrangement with Port Stanley except for me. I felt it was a pointless exercise as it was so far away and it was not possible for exchange visits to take place. 

The twinning arrangement went ahead and a ceremony took place in the Pannett Art Gallery in Whitby in August 1981. I am pretty sure that Rex Hunt himself actually attended this. Whitby Town Council could always do a good ceremony and the food was always nice.

Little did I know that some months after voting against the twinning arrangement Argentina would invade the Falklands, Rex Hunt would become a hero and pictures of the sign Port Stanley twinned with Whitby would be seen all over the world.

The decision to twin with Port Stanley turned out to be a very astute decision indeed and one that I got wrong. It did as Sir Rex Hunt said it would. It helped to strengthen the links between Great Britain and the Falkland Islands.

Whitby went on to twin with a number of faraway towns which had links with Captain Cook:

Anchorage, Alaska, USA 
Cooktown, Australia 
East Fremantle, Australia 
Waimea, Kauai, Hawaii, USA 
Nuku’alofa, Tonga 
Porirua, Whitby, New Zealand 
Port Stanley, Falkland Islands 
West Wylong, Australia 
Whitby, Ontario, Canada 
Whitilanga, New Zealand 

I remember one Town Councillor piping up in support of twinning with Nuku'alofa: "The Queen of Tonga looked so lovely at the Coronation in 1953." 

I wanted the town to twin with a European town where exchange visits could take place. An editorial in the Whitby Gazette actually supported this too. I still think the town should have gone in for a different type of arrangement with these places so that those who like meeting people could enjoy the benefits that town twinning brings. It became quite a curiosity that Whitby was twinned with such faraway places and that in itself has earned the town a lot of publicity. 

Sir Rex Hunt who was born in Redcar and attended Sir William Turner's School, flew Spitfires in the RAF before a career in the diplomatic service. He retired as Governor of the Falkland Islands in 1985 and settled in Stockton, where he died aged 86.

Lib Dems demand answers on BMX track at Eston

Liberal Democrats in the Borough of Redcar and Cleveland are asking when the problems with the BMX track at Eston will be dealt with.

The track has cost £90,000 to build but has had to be repaired four times already due to subsidence.

The Director of Biketrack (specialist track designers) has said that parts of the course are so dangerous they need demolishing altogether.

Liberal Democrat Leisure Spokesman, Cllr Josh Mason (pictured), questioned the Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure & Tourism.

Cllr Mason said:

“A BMX track is a great facility for young people.

“But I am very concerned it cannot be used due to design problems.

“Local people have a right to know why the Council has handled this so badly, and why they turned down free expert advice from specialist architects.

“This is another example of the Labour Council not getting the basics right, and wasting public money in the process."