Chris Abbott celebrates 300th Focus newsletter

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

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

Commenting, Chris Abbott said:

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

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

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

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

“This is an incredible achievement for Chris Abbott.

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

Redcar Lib Dem slams Labour over crime

Liberal Democrat Councillor Chris Abbott has condemned Labour councillors who today implied that crime in Redcar & Cleveland Borough is the result of benefit cuts.

After falling considerably in 2012-13, this year’s crime figures in the borough have so far shown a small increase overall.

At today’s Borough Council meeting Labour Councillor Ian Jeffrey blamed this on Government cuts to benefits. However, as Lib Dem Councillor Chris Abbott points out, most of the rise this year is due to anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, not people stealing food.

Chris Abbott said:

“Crime has fallen massively under the present Government. Today’s figures from the Crime Survey of England and Wales show crime falling to the lowest level since 1981.

“The rise in crime in our borough is due to anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, not people stealing food to feed their families.

“To suggest that being on a low income causes crime is an appalling insult to the vast majority of people on low incomes who are law-abiding.

“Whilst Labour make irresponsible excuses for criminals, the Lib Dems are on the side of law-abiding people and the police.”

Ian Swales MP re-selected to fight for Redcar

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

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

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

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

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

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

On his own reselection, Ian commented: 

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

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

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

Lib Dems condemn housing payments scandal

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

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

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

Cllr Chris Abbott, Lib Dem Housing Spokesman, commented:

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

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

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

Redcar MP Ian Swales added:

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

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

Lib Dems condemn Labour’s Local Plan

Councillor Glyn Nightingale (left) pictured with
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Councillor Chris Abbott (right).

Liberal Democrats in Redcar and Cleveland Borough have criticised the Labour Council for its poor consultation over its new Local Plan.

 The draft Local Plan includes over 1000 new houses at Marske and over 450 in Ormesby. Labour says that the area needs more houses, even though all the indications are that the population of the borough will continue to fall.

Lib Dems are particularly worried that the proposals will allow building on greenfield sites, increase the risk of flooding, and will massively increase traffic. This is why Lib Dems voted against the Local Plan at Council. It was passed only because of the casting vote of the Labour Mayor.

Lib Dem Council Group Leader Glyn Nightingale said:

“Those affected have not been told directly by the Council about houses being built near them. Instead people have found out through rumour and local newspapers that their lives may well be significantly changed by these developments.

“The Council has let people down by not thinking their plans through properly. These proposals will diminish people’s quality of life by increasing traffic and the risk of flooding.”

Lib Dem Housing Spokesperson Cllr Chris Abbott added:

“We have held a series of meetings with the Director of Regeneration aimed at scrutinising aspects of the Draft Local Plan that take away sections of school playing fields, areas that are prone to flooding and green fields in general.

“We have made it very clear that we do not support development on these sites and have called for new housing development on brownfield and clearance sites only. Sites prone to flooding should be avoided at all costs.”

Scandal of the Redcar Beacon and the visitors to the toilet

Talking up Redcar by using figures that are based on a lie is dishonest and is counterproductive. It eventually gets found out as it did thanks to Councillor Steve Kay.

To sneer at someone for revealing the truth is a disgrace. All summer long the Council has been reporting visitor figures to the Redcar Beacon that nobody believed were true. There was even a big fuss for 'the 100,000th visitor' without ever saying they were including people who were only there to use the toilet. Thanks to Steve Kay we now know the truth. This is not evidence of increased visitor figures. That many people used the perfectly good toilets that were demolished to make way for this eyesore every year.

Interesting that Labour people are claiming the Evening Gazette should not be reporting this but concentrating on the fact that the Council has agreed to retain the Cabinet system which allows it to ignore residents views and keep us in the dark about the real cost of things.

It is a scandal that these figures were used so much over the summer without explaining that most people were only there to use the toilet. It is a scandal too that we were told the cost of the building was £1.6 million when it is more than £3 million. The public said they didn't want it and were ignored. They will not be happy that the cost is more than double what was claimed.

A pier for Redcar is achievable if the Council, as the development authority, produces a plan and facilitates it. But not if, as appears to be happening with the campaign group, you get grandiose ideas about structures on the end of it and appear willing to accept fake figures produced by the Council as the basis for attracting funding. That is treating the grant providers as idiots and they are not. Nor will the public continue to support a pier if they find the Council's contribution and this could be as much as half, will be endless millions.

A simple pier based on the one at Saltburn is achievable for around £6 million and the Council's contribution to this will be a reasonable amount spread over a long period. With the help of our MP that can happen. If you start producing plans for grandiose schemes Redcar people will say no and people outside the town will be up in arms.

Lowest unemployment since 2009

Liberal Democrats in Redcar and Cleveland Borough are delighted that unemployment in the Area is at its lowest since April 2009, following another fall in October.

Research also shows that unemployment in the area fell each month since February this year.

Lib Dem Council Group Leader Glyn Nightingale said:

“It is great to end the year with some good news like this. The fall in unemployment across the year means a happier Christmas for many local families. I am sure that the economic recovery will continue next year.

“There is still more to do, but it shows that the Government’s policies are working to provide growth, prosperity and jobs to our area.

“I am particularly pleased that Wilton-based Applied Graphene Materials are planning to increase their workforce from 10 to over 30 in the near future."

Lib Dems demand a pier at Redcar

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

Councillor Chris Abbott, who represents Newcomen Ward, said:

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

“The Council needs to show it is listening.”

Lib Dem Group Leader Glyn Nightingale added:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Commenting Ian said:

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

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

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

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

Lib Dems fight for a real pier at Redcar

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

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

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

Liberal Democrats Councillor Chris Abbott said:

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

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

Local Lib Dem MP Ian Swales added: 

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

Redcar Lib Dem councillors oppose Draft Local Plan

Liberal Democrats on Redcar and Cleveland Council backed a motion opposing the Labour Council’s draft Local Plan.

Liberal Democrats together with other opposition councillors produced the closest vote ever seen at the Council when the Labour Mayor, Marske Councillor Vic Jeffries used his casting vote to push through the Plan. 

The draft Local Plan proposes to build major developments on green field sites around the Borough. All around the area people fear losing their green spaces, from Ormesby to Redcar and Marske. 

Lib Dems are also concerned that flooding risks and massively increased traffic flows have not been properly taken into account on the sites earmarked for housing, especially in Redcar, Marske and Nunthorpe. Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Councillor Glyn Nightingale, said: 

“The Borough needs a Local Plan, but not this one. The Plan claims to protect local green spaces, but proposes building on them. It claims to take into account the impact of development, but fails to deal with flooding and traffic problems it will make worse. Labour has reneged on its manifesto commitment to protect green spaces. The population of the Borough is falling, but the Council has to meet house-building targets set by the previous Labour Government.” 

“The Council should be looking at developing brownfield sites first.” 

“It’s staggering that such a crucial Plan has to rely on the casting vote of the Labour Mayor from Marske when all councillors should be working together to make sure we get a better vision for the future of the Borough.”

Redcar and Cleveland Council shamed as worst for fly-tipping

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has been named and shamed as the worst borough in the Tees Valley for fly-tipping.

Official figures published last month show that 2,424 incidents of dumped rubbish were recorded in the borough in 2012/13, putting Redcar and Cleveland Council at the wrong end of the region’s fly-tipping league table. This is the worst in the Tees Valley, and sixth worst in the whole of the North-East.

The figures reveal a decline in the cleanliness of the borough, with an increase of nearly 500 incidents compared to the previous year.

The Labour Council closed Warrenby Household Waste Centre in April 2012, which has undoubtedly worsened the problem.

Liberal Democrat councillors say the Labour-run council needs to get a grip on fly-tipping and take control of the situation before the area hits the top of the table nationally.

Commenting, Liberal Democrats’ Environment spokesperson Councillor John Earl said:

“These figures confirm what many local residents already know – fly-tipping is a blight on our borough and a problem that is only getting worse.”

“The first job of a council should be getting the basics right on things like street cleaning.”

“The Council’s Labour bosses need to take this problem seriously otherwise soon Redcar and Cleveland Council will end up as the very worst borough in the country.”

Redcar Lib Dems call on Council to protect green spaces

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

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

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

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

Redcar MP, Ian Swales commented:

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

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

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

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

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

Lib Dems vote for new leadership at Redcar and Cleveland Council

Liberal Democrats today proposed a motion of no-confidence in the Labour leadership at Redcar and Cleveland Council.

Labour leader George Dunning survived the no-confidence vote by 27 votes to 13. All the Liberal Democrat members present voted for the motion, but received little support from the other opposition parties.

Lib Dem Council Group Leader Glyn Nightingale, who proposed the motion, said:

“This is not about Cllr Dunning as an individual, it’s the Labour administration that he leads. They are just not listening to the people and have no clear direction for the future of the borough.

“After the wasting of £1.6 million on a vertical pier that no-one wants, the highest council tax increase in the country when most others had a freeze, £125,000 spent refurbishing a Town Hall just before it was demolished and the fiasco of parking charges in Saltburn, surely there is enough reason for Labour to be made to stand aside.

“I am very disappointed that only one Conservative and only one Independent voted to change the administration."

A recorded vote took place and will be published in the minutes of the meeting. 

Whilst Labour Councillors were whipped to vote against the motion on no-confidence in the Leader, it was interesting to see some of the Labour members falling out amongst themselves during the debate and hear others criticise their own administration.

The vote of no-confidence in the Leader was the only way to change the Leadership of the Council after Labour had lost its overall majority following the defection of two Labour Councillors to Independent. Clearly only the Liberal Democrats were prepared to take on the challenge of running the Council after the Conservatives and Independents failed to answer the call to take responsibility and help make the Council more stable, effective and responsive to the public.

UPDATE 06/09/2013:

The recorded vote for the vote of no confidence was as follows:

For: Cllrs Abbott (Lib Dem), Carling (Lib Dem), Curr (Lib Dem), Earl (Lib Dem), Harrison (Lib Dem), Howden (Lib Dem), Kay (Ind), Mason (Lib Dem), Moses (Lib Dem), G Nightingale (Lib Dem), I Nightingale (Lib Dem), Ovens (Lib Dem) and Thomson (Con). Total = 13

Against: Cllrs Ayre (Lab), Bunn (Lab), Clarke (Lab), Dunlop (Lab), Dunning (Lab), Forster (Lab), Goddard (Lab), Goldswain (Lab), Guy (Lab), JP Hannon (IND), M Hannon (Lab), Hunt (IND), Jackson (Lab), S Jeffrey (Lab), V Jeffries (Lab), Lanigan (IND), Massey (Lab), McLuckie (Lab), Pallister (Lab), Peters (Lab), Pickthall (Lab), Reyer (IND), Rudland (Lab), Simms (Lab), Wall (Lab), Walsh (Lab) and Williams (IND). Total = 27

Abstain: Cllrs Fitzpatrick (Ind), Halton (Con), C Jeffery (Con), G Jeffery (Con), I Jeffrey (Lab), Pryce (IND), Quigley (Lab), Spencer (Con) and Szintai (Lab). Total = 9

Absent: The Councillors who were not there to vote were: Cllrs Briggs (Lab), Cooney (Con), Crawford (Lib Dem), Helm (Ind), Hogg (Lab), Keenan (Lab), Learoyd (IND), Smith (IND), Suthers (Lab) and Wilson (Lib Dem). Total = 10

Redcar Lib Dems welcome new jobs

Liberal Democrats on Redcar & Cleveland Council have welcomed the news that over 500 jobs were created in the sub region in July 2013.

Lib Dems are particularly pleased that most of the new jobs are in engineering, technology and manufacturing, including a forecast of 40 new posts with CPI in Redcar.

Also welcome is the news that unemployment in the area fell during July and is now at its lowest rate since autumn 2011.

Lib Dem Council Group Leader Glyn Nightingale said:

“This is excellent news and shows that the similarly good figures for April, May and June were no flash in the pan.

“The recovery is clearly under way, although there is a long way to go. Jobs are the only thing that can really regenerate an area.

“Lib Dem influence in Government means that we are giving employers £2000 cash back on the tax they pay on their employees. This is a real incentive to create the jobs that Redcar & Cleveland needs.”

It's time for Labour to go - Lib Dems propose vote of no confidence in George Dunning's Labour Party.

Redcar and Cleveland Council’s Liberal Democrats propose a Council motion of “No Confidence” in Council Leader George Dunning (pictured right).

Calling on George Dunning to step down as Council Leader, the Lib Dem motion to the Council says “That the Council has no confidence in George Dunning as Leader of the Council.”

Commenting Lib Dem Group Leader Glyn Nightingale (pictured below) who is proposing the motion said, “It is time for Labour to go. George Dunning’s Labour Group has lost the confidence of the public and he has lost the support of his own party and of local Councillors  and, more importantly, of local people. No wonder George Dunning has lost his majority on the Council.

“It's time to stop Labour wasting public money on unessentials. It's time to give top priority to getting the basics right, like freezing Council Tax, making the area cleaner and green and attracting more jobs and  business into the area. The Council needs greater stability and the confidence of local people.

 “That's the Liberal Democrats' top priority both locally and in Government.”

Seconding the motion, Councillor Josh Mason, Lib Dem Constituency Chairman, said, “After a series bungled Labour policies on raising Council Tax, parking charges in Saltburn and saying ‘No’ to a theatre in Guisborough, it is clear that Councillor Dunning is bad for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.”

“The Liberal Democrats call for him to resign immediately.”

It's not just George Dunning that's the problem - say Liberal Democrats

Responding to Redcar and Cleveland Council Leader George Dunning’s “I won’t resign” statement, the local Liberal Democrats believe the Labour party is making him a scapegoat for losing its Council majority.

Lib Dem Group Leader Glyn Nightingale said: “Labour’s internal squabbling and call for George Dunning’s resignation disguises what’s wrong with the way Labour run our area. George Dunning isn’t the problem. It’s the Labour party itself. He’s just their front man.

"Labour keeps wasting public money on schemes few people want like the vertical pier. They neglect essential work needed to make the area clean, green and tidy.

"Typical is the Labour’s decision – kept confidential – to sell of 88 Westgate to a pub chain. They put profit before community interest. Labour councillors could have defied the Labour whip and joined Lib Dems and others to stop the sell off. But for Labour councillors keeping the whip beats the public interest. It’s the way they are.

“On top of all this, Labour is launching yet another reorganisation of the Council’s administration. There’s no guarantee top heavy management will end.

“And just as bad, Labour wants to change the way the Council is run to give even more power to Councillor Dunning and his Cabinet. All this while being a minority in Council.

 “Local people need a Council that represents their needs, listens to what the public say and stops wasting their money. It’s time to get the basics right.”

Lib Dems call for a united opposition to Labour on Redcar and Cleveland Council

As the largest opposition group on Redcar & Cleveland Council, Liberal Democrats are concerned that the insecurity of Labour’s grip on power caused by recent defections will be disastrous for the borough. Labour have now lost their overall majority.

Lib Dem Group Leader Councillor Glyn Nightingale (pictured), said:

“The Liberal Democrats are opening talks with other opposition councillors to explore ways of steering the Council to more stable ground. The Council should be listening to what the public say and putting people’s needs before politics.

 “I hope that opposition groups can come to an agreement which will work for the benefit of the wider community.”

Ian Swales MP to chair Coroner committee

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

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

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

Ian commented:

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

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

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

Yorkshire Day at Redcar on Thursday 1st August 2013

The annual Reading of the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity, at 11.38am, at Redcar Town Clock.

This year it will be read by Charles Dickens (Chris Foote-Wood, right) in modern English but there is also a mighty Viking (John Curr, below) who will read it in Old Norse. Silk white roses will be on sale at £1 and all proceeds go to Redcar Lifeboat.

The event will also be attended by His Worship the Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland, Councillor Vic Jeffries.

There will be stalls and attractions for all.

We’re part of the ring of roses around Yorkshire

There will be a ring of roses around Yorkshire on Thursday. The Yorkshire Ridings Society has sent out well over a hundred Yorkshire white rose flags in an attempt to ensure they are flown on Thursday in every settlement on or close to the real Yorkshire boundaries.

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.

Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity 2013

"I, Chris Foote-Wood standing here in the North Riding of Yorkshire declare:

That Yorkshire is three Ridings and the City of York, with these Boundaries of 1138 years standing;

That the address of all places in these Ridings is Yorkshire;

That all persons born therein or resident therein and loyal to the Ridings are Yorkshiremen and women;

That any person or corporate body which deliberately ignores or denies the aforementioned shall forfeit all claim to Yorkshire status.

These declarations made this Yorkshire Day 2013.

Yorkshire forever, God Save the Queen!”