1

EDITION 163 CIRCULATION 4,800 JANUARY 2015

SALTBURN’S FREE MONTHLY MAGAZINE www.tottsaltburn.co.uk

2 2

3

Disclaimer: Talk of the Town tries to make sure the articles and announcements made on its pages are accurate, but views expressed in letters and articles printed in Talk of the Town are not necessarily those of the editor. Any offers in adverts included in Talk of the Town are made by the advertisers; details should be confirmed with them. Always confirm event details with the organisers, in case of alteration or error. Talk of the Town is printed by DC (Yorkshire) Print, Unit 34a, Lidgate Crescent, Langthwaite Business Park, South Kirkby, West Yorkshire, WF9 3NR. Website: www.dcprintyorkshire.co.uk Tel: 01977 642331. Proprietor/Editor of Talk of the Town: Ian Tyas c/o Jackie’s Saverstore, 8 Station Buildings, Saltburn, TS12 1AQ. (Ian Tyas tel: 01287 623903.)

SALTBURN’S TOWN TALK

Happy New Year, everyone! I’ve been told that occasionally I think too deeply about things, and I agree. I would be much happier if I didn’t care so much, but then I wouldn’t be me. One of the things I have been thinking about recently is ‘happy new year’. It’s a really quite heartfelt, human greeting. Alternatives are ‘prosperous and healthy new year’. Those things are important too, but prosperity is not all about money, and health is not all about freedom from physical diseases. Mental health and, let us call it, ‘emotional prosperity’ are really alternative terms for happiness. I think that ‘happy new year’ sums it up. After a season of goodwill and peace to all, sincerely intended in contrast to the awful things that human beings can sometimes do to each other, to

wish someone a happy new year seems to me to be one of the nicest things we can do, and we all do it. And it’s also one of the easiest things to do, even for those who are not at peace with each other for the rest of the year. If we couldn’t put aside our differences and wish everyone ‘all the best’ at this time of year, there would be no hope for humanity! Love, Ian.

Letter from the Editor

Cover Illustration: A Seasonal Ship Inn by Michelle Thompson-Isley

Town Clock on Emmanuel Church: the Rev. Adam Reed would like to thank the Saltburn Victorian Footballers and Friends, and everyone else, who have contributed to the town’s clock repair fund. The Victorian Footballers have paid the outstanding amount that needed to be raised for the clock’s repairs. See the article on page 25.

The Guisborough and District Branch of the Embroiderers’ Guild are holding their monthly meeting on Saturday, 7th February, 2015 at 1.45pm for 2pm in Sunnyfield House, Westgate, Guisborough. TS14 6BA. Our guest speaker is Maggie Smith and her subject is ‘Raising the Surface With Stitch’. Visitors are welcome whether non-stitchers, beginners or more experienced stitchers; we will be very pleased to see you. The Belmont House car park (behind the council offices) is free on Saturdays. For more information please call 01642 314860.

WI Report: Ladies of Saltburn WI met on Thursday, 11th December at the Methodist Church Hall, Saltburn for a Christmas Event. The evening was an occasion to enjoy convivial company with our own members, invited guests Ladies from Mondays at Eight and members of Emmanuel Church Mothers Union. We all shared a pooled supper, enjoyed singing carols and pitting our wits against a Quiz. We have been enjoying other Christmas festivities with a Carol Service at Moorsholm on Wednesday, December 3rd, when WI members from Hutton Lowcross, Redcar, Brotton, Loftus and Saltburn were invited by Moorsholm WI ladies to begin the Advent Season with traditional Carols and Readings by members in Moorsholm Methodist Church. Members enjoyed tea and mince pies after the service. The next WI meeting is on 8th January 2015 when our speaker will be Sue Balderson telling us about Bees. We have a varied programme of events throughout the Year. Ladies meet at the Methodist Church Hall, Milton Street, Saltburn every month on the 2nd Thursday (except August). New members always welcome. Ladies of Saltburn WI hope that readers of Talk of the Town had a Very Merry Christmas and we would like to wish you a Happy New Year.

Ripples: All involved in the monthly pop-up shop would like to thank customers for their support over the past five months and to wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous 2015. We are taking a break in January but will be popping-up again from 9.00am on the second Saturday each month from 14th February onwards. Ripples can be found at The Workhouse (next door to Ripping Yarns) on Dundas Street West, Saltburn. The shop stocks unique items including jewellery; pottery mugs, jugs and dishes; woodcraft items; quilts and handbags; baby and toddler wear and a large selection of hats, scarves, socks and gloves to keep you warm this winter. Ripples supports Teesside Hospice and all the money from the sale of some of the goods (identified by coloured dots on price tickets) is donated to them. For further details, contact Pat on 07789 123722 (or email: kath.west45@virginmedia.com).

Emmanuel Church Hall Table Top and Collectors’ Sale: Our next dates are Saturdays, 17th January and 31st January, then February 7th and 21st. FREE ENTRANCE and a warm welcome to everyone. With over 26 stall holders, selling lots of bric-a-brac, books, toys, baby goods, and all sorts of collectables, and some crafts, there is something for everyone. Home made refreshments and light lunches are on sale all day. Our all day breakfast and lunches and popular home baked stall are always available. Our kitchen is very busy and popular. I would like to thank everyone who has supported us this last year and wish everyone a happy and healthy new year. Contact Denise Marshall on 07929 589538.

Send letters, adverts and contributions for the next issue (by Friday, 16th January 2015) to: The Editor, Talk of the Town c/o Jackie’s Saverstore, 8 Station Buildings, Saltburn, Cleveland, TS12 1AQ. Telephone: 01287 623903 (or email: talkofthetown@tyasi.freeserve.co.uk). Talk of the Town has a website: www.tottsaltburn.co.uk and the Friends of Talk of the Town can be found on Facebook.

Barbara Spanner

After-Christmas social: A concert featuring a ladies’ choir with more than 20 singers will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes church, near the caravan park, on Friday, 23rd January 7.15-9.00pm in aid of church heating funds. Mulled wine and mince pies will be served. Tickets at £4 available at the door.

Minister dies: The death occurred of the Rev. Grace Seymour, of Saltburn, who died after a lengthy illness. She was a well-loved Methodist minister serving the local area for many years. Her funeral took place at the Milton Street church on 10th December.

4 4

Saltburn Photographic Society was founded in 1960 and is continuing successfully. In the early days we joined The Northern Counties Photographic Federation which covers Cleveland, the greater part of Cumbria, Durham, Northumberland and Tyne & Wear, but after a time our membership was allowed to lapse. We have now rejoined the Federation which allows us to compete with 50 member groups across the area and our entry in the 2014 Annual Print Exhibition brought success for the Club entry, ‘The Bewick Trophy’, sharing first place with Keswick Photographic Society. The entry was 6 prints from 5 members. Members whose prints entered were, Ian Snowdon 2 prints, Phillip Dove, Audrey Barnes, Malcolm Blenkey and Paul Hume. In addition Ian Snowdon won the ‘Wier Trophy’ for the Best Colour Print. Entering competitions is one way of improving standards when constructive comments are made of the entrant’s work. Over the years members of our Society have had successes; we remember with affection the late Dr Michael Constable who was a keen entrant in external competitions and among his prizes was a trip to Australia and the winning of a small camper van. Other members have had their work accepted and published in the Look North Calendar, and an entry in the book ‘Landscape

Photographer of the Year’. At present our membership is about 65, regularly attending our weekly meetings, practical sessions and summer outdoor walks. We have an open invitation for visitors to sample our sessions and hopefully join and participate. To see competition entries, visit our Web site (www.saltburnphotographicsociety.co.uk). Tony Lynn (President) and Cath are both Founder members. For the regular P h o t o g r a p h i c Society news see page 48. R i g h t : 1 9 6 0 s portrait night with Ken Bowers as the model taken in our first meeting place Saltburn, Toc H Hall, note the coke stove boiling the kettle and heating the room.

Saltburn Photographic Society brings home the Trophies

Cath and Tony Lynn

Above: Four of the winning entrants with the Chairman. L to R: Phillip Dove, Lilian Waton Chairman holding the Bewick Trophy, Ian Snowdon with the Wier Trophy, Audrey Barnes and Alan Meek.

Below Left: ‘Southwold’ Pier by Audrey Barnes. Below Right: ‘Call of the Wild’ by Paul Hume.

5

Thank you I would like to thank all the hard working people who behind the scenes made this year’s Saltburn Light switch on such a resounding success. I know they do not seek any publicity or gratification for their work but without them it would not be such a wonderful community event. They are the Saltburn Fire Service, Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council, volunteer marshals, 10 Feet Tall and the beavers, cubs and rainbow groups who added a magical feel to the parade, and of course it would be remiss of me not to mention Father Christmas. Thank you all.

Saltburn Councillors’ Surgeries

Councillors Philip Thomson and Stuart Smith Second Saturday in the month at Saltburn Library from 11am - noon. Councillor Stuart Smith: Third Saturday in the month at the Station

Portico outside Sainsbury’s Supermarket - 9:30am - 10:30am and 11:30am - 12:15pm

Councillor Philip Thomson: Fourth Saturday in the month at Saltburn Library from 11am - noon.

Cllr Guy - 01287 622212. Cllr Thomson - 01287 624883. Cllr Smith - 07557 540628.

Need a Taxi? For a Reliable,

Friendly Service, call Colledge Cabs

01287 622800

Looking for that special gift and card?

Choose from our vast range of products incl:

Woodwick scented candles, Jellycat soft toys, Thomas Kent clocks, Arran Aromatics toiletries,

Emma Bridgewater & Cath Kidston pottery & much more.

Now also available online. Visit us at www.bramblesgiftshop.co.uk 

4, Station Street, Saltburn by the Sea,

TS12 1AE Tel: 01287 623 368

www.bramblesgiftshop.co.uk

Stuart Smith, Saltburn Independent Councillor

6 6

Hello from Friends of Talk of the Town. Happy New Year to all of our readers, advertisers and supporters. I am trusting you will have enjoyed the festivities and have made those all important resolutions. Naturally, I’ve made mine and one of these days, for one day, I might just stick to one of them. So here we are at the start of another year, full of hope, anticipation and expectation. I hope this year brings for you all that you wished for. In terms of support you have more than matched our expectations and the magazine (in our opinion) has improved beyond recognition. However, we all recognise the hard work Ian puts in to producing Talk of the Town and trust that he can rely on your support. Please do your utmost to continue supporting the best free community magazine as it is most appreciated. I’ve been asking for many a month now that organisations from outside of Saltburn might like to send us some information about their activities or indeed their aspirations. I am pleased therefore to see that Skelton Villages Civic Pride have taken us up on the offer, through the good offices of Brian Devany of Park News, Skelton. You will find their article on page 8. We’d like to wish them well with their endeavours as clearly Stuart and Joyce White and their colleagues care passionately about their villages. As you are already well aware I am a member of Saltburn Friends of the Valley Ltd and on their behalf I would like to thank you for supporting all that we are trying to achieve in the Valley. We’ve had some tremendous help from Sainsbury’s, which has always been given so enthusiastically. I know for sure that their

staff do enjoy getting involved with us and they are certainly accustomed to hard work. I’ve never known a store manager quite like Malcolm Mitchell. He’s not the sort to just sit behind his desk and let others do all the work: Malcolm’s no stranger to getting his hands dirty! Naturally, you have helped both groups of ‘friends’ by purchasing our joint calendar the profits of which will be split equally between the two groups. At the time of writing (11 days to Christmas) sales of the calendars was going well and we’ve had some very nice comments from those who have bought them. Again, thank you for that and if you’ve not got yours on this early January day, get on down to one of our stockists and remedy that situation! Immediately! I’d like to thank our friends who have kindly sold the calendars for us: they already were supporters of both groups and all have been keen to help. Whilst you probably already know them, our sincere thanks go to Eveline Brentano, Saltburn Stores (aka Top Shop), Saltburn Library, Sainsbury’s, Real Meals, Park News Skelton and our principle sponsor Gbiz IT. We’d like to especially thank those who have purchased calendars from our stall at the legendary Farmer’s Market. We never meant to employ any subversive selling techniques; however, you will I am sure have witnessed the force of nature that is Colin Grant: he’s hard to resist isn’t he! All the very best!

Richard Dales-Coupland Secretary, Friends of Talk of the Town

Trustee Director, Saltburn Friends of the Valley Ltd

Friends of Talk of the Town

In January Podology - The chiropody and beauty clinic based on Milton Street celebrates being 10 years in business. Business owner Laura J Dicken says “I can’t believe we are 10 years old, those years have flown by! The girls and I have worked really hard over the years to build a clinic Saltburn can be proud of and I would like to thank all of our loyal customers for their support over the years.” Podology have some really nice plans to celebrate their 10 years in business which starts in January with 10% off all treatments for the full month. Silva Cochrane, senior podiatrist, explained: “We wanted to give our clients a special thank you, and everyone loves a discount!” Podology began as a one room chiropody clinic at 22 Milton Street in 2005. Moving to 37 Milton Street in 2010 and adding beauty treatments to the menu, more recently in 2014 they acquired the flat above the premises and turned the clinic into a four room clinic with dual manicure bar in the reception area. Partnered with Top

beauty brands Elemis, HDbrows, OPI and Dr’s Remedy nail polishes the chiropody and beauty clinic offers an extensive range of chiropody and beauty treatments to be enjoyed by all ages. Podology has reached the Professional Beauty finals for Nail salon of the year for the last two years. Linzi Passmore, senior beauty therapist, says, “We’ve just heard we’ve made it into the finals again for Nail salon of the year. The judge is visiting in January and we can’t wait to head to London in February for the award ceremony. It’s a black tie event and all the girls have been looking for their ball dresses. “Our clients have been very supportive and there has been a real buzz about the clinic!” Podology has grown their staff to ten members, which includes four podiatrists, four beauty therapists and their new receptionist Caroline Blades. “Our staff are professional, deliver a high standard of treatment and customer care but at the same time are friendly. I’m so proud of them all and we are looking forward to the next 10 years!”

Podology Celebrates 10 years in business

7

The New Year brings with it many opportunities. The creation of an innovative local authority arrangement designed to deliver greater economic growth on Teesside is one and the most significant. All five local Councils, Darlington, Stockton, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland are proposing to work together under a new umbrella organisation. The Tees Valley Combined Authority, could be confirmed and up and running within twelve months. This body would interest itself in economic development, skills training, business investment and transport infrastructure to encourage and enable the creation of 25 thousand new jobs within a ten year period. The new structure would not remove the current Council service provisions which would continue to be delivered. It would concentrate resources of regeneration into one body focused on growth. One better suited to any devolution of central government funding, and, so we are advised, capable of using the existing Tees Valley Unlimited establishment with hardly any increase in overheads. Within this arrangement would exist the powers of an Integrated Transport Authority allowing comprehensive consideration to all forms of transport across the engrossed land area, not forgetting air and sea. A truly ground breaking opportunity. Residents can access full details on the Council web site and also participate in a consultation process seeking views until Saturday 31st (contact details are http://www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/combinedauthority). The Police & Crime Commissioner returns to address an open meeting of the Saltburn Neighbourhood Action

Partnership at 6pm in the Library on Wednesday 14th, where residents will hear the latest on policing policy and be able to ask pertinent questions. Decisions on housing development will see building take place on the old school site but not on the outskirts of the town unless the Secretary of State so decrees. Car ownership will continue to increase and with it increased highway usage. Some of this usage is a challenge to safe passage, particularly of pedestrians. Further safe passage will be sought, particularly on Windsor Road, within its length and at the junction with Balmoral Terrace. The first Valley Gardens Symposium is being organised for Friday, March 13th. All organisations and individuals in the town will be invited to attend this opportunity to discuss the future use of the Valley Gardens. To be held in the Community Centre, the Past, Present and Future of the Valley will be explored and future usage considered. An all day exhibition in the Community Hall will be open to everyone, while presentations and seminars in the Theatre are open through registration. The current investments achieved through the Coastal Communities Grant funding are a beginning in the sensitive restoration of the valley, returning it to a former glory and gently providing appropriate facilities for regular users and welcome visitors. New arrangements for Councillors’ surgeries are in place. Complaints, views and requests can now be registered on the 1st, 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month at the Library between 11am and Noon. Alternatively contact can be made through the Library at any time for urgent matters.

Councillors’ Column

Philip Thomson

Real MealsReal Meals

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 8.30am to 6.00pm, Saturday: 8.30am to 5.00pm, Sunday 10.00am to 2.00pm.

For more details contact: REAL MEALS, 25 MILTON STREET, SALTBURN, Tel: 01287 622266.

Purveyors of Fine Foods

Email: enquiries@realmeals.co.uk, Website: www.realmeals.co.uk

A Happy New Year to All

We reopen to serve you after a short

break on Saturday, 3rd January 2015,

9.00am - 4.00pm

8 8

At our December meeting we were joined by Lucy from RNIB, Linda from Guide Dogs, and Sgt Andy Dark from Cleveland Police. The topic of discussion was the joint campaign to remove parked cars from our pavements. This is a hazard, not just to VI people, but those using wheelchairs, crutches and pushchairs. A competition was launched with 16-17 year olds (our next generation of drivers) to design an awareness poster and flyers to promote Park Smart. These have recently gone to the printers so should be in circulation shortly. Local Government workers will also have tickets to be put on the windscreens of offenders making them aware of how their incorrect parking makes life a bit more difficult for some members of the public. After we enjoyed mince pies Linda went on to

discuss the progress of our new talking buses. These are now available locally on routes X3, 4 and 5. The Sapphire buses announce the next stop so making it easier for those with sight problems, or visitors to the area. We were able to give positive feedback which Linda has sent to Aviva. If anyone has any comments about these buses, favourable or not, please let me know and I will pass these on. Our next meeting is Wednesday, 14th January and our speaker is local history expert, Tony Ray. Please join us in the Coffee Lounge, Community Centre, Albion Terrace, Saltburn from 2pm. Regrettably we need to increase our charge to £1.50 to cover ever increasing costs. We hope this does not put anybody off coming to join our small and friendly group. Contact Chris Ferguson on 01287 204 170.

Saltburn and District Group for Visually Impaired People (VIP)

Our application to the Heritage Lottery fund (HLF) under their Townscape Heritage Initiative has been submitted. HLF staff visited Skelton in December for the last time prior to the application being presented to the Board in London. They were impressed with the community spirit here, with our industrious High Street and thought ours was a good project but were noncommittal about possible success. The decision is not theirs at Newcastle, unfortunately! As you might be aware, we had to amend our plans following last year’s unsuccessful bid, and so the schedule of works we hope to have completed now focuses solely on the High Street and includes the replacement of the shop fronts along with some landscaping with York stone pavements. The estimate for this work is £791,100 for the shop fronts (double glazed units, sash windows and removal of render) and £235,000 for the Public Realm work. Along with the cost of the Activity Plan and of management and administering the Scheme, the total Project Costs are £1,491,850, of which we have asked for 63.8% from HLF. The main reason given for last year’s failure was that the scheme was not seen as being value for money in that we had requested 90% of the Total Project Costs. In reducing this to 63.8% we hope to have a better chance of securing this grant for Skelton. To ensure we had sufficient match funding, along with donations from NAP and Mr Wharton, we have used schemes that involve volunteers and the estimate on our THI Costs for volunteer time over 3 years amounts to £151,000. This along with a grant of £192,000 ‘Seed’ money from the East Cleveland Towns & Villages Investment Initiative means we still have about £50,000 unsecured grants and will endeavour to secure this money between now and January 2015 when

we will have the HLF Board decision. In addition to yourselves, the shopkeepers of Skelton, our partners in this project remain Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, whose Masterplan Delivery Team have proved most helpful, and Doff Pollard from Tees Valley Rural Community Council who continues to assist with funding. On the advice of HLF early this year we started on a project which had been part of last year’s HLF Activity Plan – the Creation of a Community Orchard/Garden on the old allotment site to the back of the Institute site behind the car park. We helped set up FOSCO – Friends of Skelton Community Orchard, which has attracted several volunteers. We have the permission of Mr Wharton, Skelton Estate Office and they are drawing up a renewable 21 year lease for the site. Although an application to HLF Shared Heritage Fund was unsuccessful, we have a £5000 grant from Banks Community Fund and hope to be successful in applying to Awards for All for the remaining £10,000. A meeting of FOSCO was held at the Civic Hall on Monday, December 8th. We would welcome anyone who would be interested in joining the group. Skelton Villages Civic Pride continues its fundraising efforts through the Monday Coffee Morning and occasional additional events. We hope to raise money by holding Open Gardens in ‘the Skeltons’ in June this year so if anyone you know may be interested in inviting visitors to walk around their garden, large or small, Stuart would be interested to hear from them on 01287 654132. I believe this is an up to the minute update – we hope to be able to let you know the result in February’s magazine.

Joyce White Lead Applicant

Skelton Villages Civic Pride

Skelton Villages Civic Pride

9

Michelle Rudd Dip NTC MPTA CGLI

Piano Tuning and Repairs by a qualified and experienced professional (Est. 1983) Covering Teesside, East Cleveland and the

North York Moors. Free advice, friendly service.

Tel 01609 779983 Mob 07740 201188 email: michellerudd@hotmail.com

website: www.pianotuningyorkshire.com

Friends of Saltburn Cemetery

Happy New Year, everyone and I hope that your season of goodwill was as fruitful and satisfying as the friends’ was. After months of badgering, hounding, foot-stomping and general nagging of both council officers, councillors, MPs and government departments, someone has finally given in and said to themselves “This woman is never going to go away, let’s just pay the fee for the planning permission and get her out of our hair!”At least that’s how I choose to look at the situation, me being the woman in question. As many of you are aware I was never happy that it was expected that voluntary groups, such as ours, should be expected to raise funds in amounts to pay the council for planning permission, especially when, in this particular case, the permission was to re-instate railings removed by government, on property belonging to the Borough Council, property that will remain in the ownership of that council. We, as a group are trying to improve the looks and facilities of the cemetery and it greatly annoyed me that our fund raising efforts should suddenly include another £195.00 to be found, and so I bowled into action, like the demented creature that I am. I just wouldn’t take ‘No’ for an answer and, eventually an officer of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, who I will not name, caved in to my incessant e-mails, phone calls and letters. In the Season of Goodwill he decided to e-mail me with the news that he had paid the fees required and informed me that the group should now forward the application for planning permission to the relevant department. That is now done! Now, I don’t mean this gentleman’s generosity was an epiphany of any kind, I am not saying that we should all make an enormous nuisance of ourselves, but I do say that in this case it’s paid off and I and the group are very happy to shout from the rooftops! Common since and a lot of generosity has helped our small group overcome bureaucracy and we are delighted with the result. You will, in the coming months notice quite a lot of work going on at the cemetery. If you want to chat to us or join in, if you have any comments at all, feel free to just walk up to us and tell us your thoughts and ideas. Once more we wish all of you a Happy New Year, especially that council officer, you know who you are!

Deana

10 10

Valley Players The Valley Players festival production has now been cast and the youngsters are looking forward to starting rehearsals in January. The play, entitled Spoils of War, has been written by Sue Wilkinson with the action taking place in Yorkshire around V.E. Day. Meanwhile an adult cast is slowly being gathered together for an Easter production concerning the days following the raising from the dead of Lazarus. Watch this space ! Djenane

Friends of Saltburn Library The Friends group committee was reactivated in October with the aim of raising funds, supporting and enhancing the vital service our town library provides for us all. The Council’s budget has to be spread very thinly in these hard times and local libraries are no exception in seeing their budgets much depleted. The librarians work valiantly to provide resources to appeal to all age groups in our community. One initiative the Friends are keen to develop are monthly speakers or local groups, usually held on the third Tuesday of the month at 2.00pm who are invited to talk on a wide variety of interesting, entertaining topics. The librarian’s column will keep you informed about these events and via notice boards around Saltburn. We hope we can tempt you to come along to a relaxed and friendly Tuesday meeting in the near future. Tea and biscuits are served after the talk and all are very welcome. If you haven’t visited the library recently, please make a point of dropping in to browse and see just how much is on offer. Whatever your taste in reading, audio books, interests, research, hobbies and films there is usually something new on offer for you to discover and enjoy. Important public service leaflets, current travel timetables, local education courses, societies and groups, safety, finance, health and well-being are just a sample of helpful resources available in the library. Tourist Information is also housed here with up-to-date material useful both to townspeople and the many visitors wanting to explore our special resort and who also bring welcome custom to our fine shops and eateries. We are also hoping that many of you will show your support for the library by paying a nominal £1.00 annual subscription to become a ‘Friend’. In return, we hope to produce a twice yearly newsletter to keep you in touch with what has been achieved and plans for future. The library service has had to adapt and respond to the huge changes modern technology has made and done so with some success - despite stiff competition. Our intention is that the funds raised by our events and ‘Friend’ subscribers will be ploughed back to buy new equipment and books to refresh and replenish the library’s lending stock to everyone’s benefit. The first event of the year, on Tuesday, 24th January 2015 at 2.00pm, is a departure from our usual events. Peter Southeran will be hosting “Call My Bluff” in which brave, (pre-arranged!) volunteers will face the unknown challenge of Peter’s version of the game. He promises the audience an entertaining time and we do hope you will come along to listen to a light-hearted hour and see how the teams fare, before joining us for refreshments!

Saltburn in Bloom

As the year draws to a close, I would like to pass on to you more good news about successes in our community this year. Britain in Bloom have a non-competitive category, called It’s Your Neighbourhood, aimed at smaller volunteer–led community groups who are greening up their local environment. All entries are visited in September by Britain in Bloom assessors, who provide valuable feedback and helpful advice on how to develop current activities and encourage on-going improvements. There are 5 levels of achievement, ranging from Level 1, Establishing, to Level 5, Outstanding. In Saltburn this year the awards were: Zetland Terrace Allotments Outstanding Level 5 Friends of the Valley Outstanding Allotment Association Thriving Level 4 Hanover House Thriving Hazelgrove Park Residents Assn Thriving Huntcliff Court Thriving Conservative Club Thriving Saltburn Library Thriving Britannia Gardens, 7 Marine Parade Thriving There was a presentation of awards at the Riverside Stadium on November 18th followed by a buffet lunch, enjoyed by all. We would like to congratulate the different groups on their success, in recognition of their hard work throughout the year. Lastly, we would like to invite you to the Saltburn in Bloom AGM, which is being held in the Library on Tuesday 20th January at 5.00pm. If anyone would be interested in joining our committee or helping in other ways please contact me on 01287 209518 (or email lynda_parkes@hotmail.com). We would welcome some new faces and new ideas. Wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year.

Lynda Parkes

Saltburn Charity Crafters Saltburn Charity Crafters would like to thank everyone who has kindly donated wool for us over the past year. We have had a very busy year knitting for Teesside Hospice, the Salvation Army, Mission for Seaman; Bonnie Babies; Leonard Cheshire and others and we enjoy our monthly gatherings where we have a cuppa, and knit and natter. Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, 7th January 2015 from 2 pm to 4 pm at The Workhouse, next to Ripping Yarns in Dundas Street West. If you would like to join us you are more than welcome. For further information please contact Angie on 0 1 2 8 7 2 0 5 1 5 3 o r e m a i l K a t h at kath.west45@virginmedia.com and may we wish you all a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.

11

Saltburn-by-the-Sea Garden Flat available for holiday lets.

Less than five minutes walk from the sea and from the train station, shops and local restaurants etc. The property consists of a fully fitted and equipped kitchen, spacious and well furnished

lounge overlooking the garden (which is for your personal use), and a double bed with en-suite bathroom.

WiFi access Prices - £35.00 per night (minimum of two nights)

Contact Mr & Mrs Smith on 01287 623740 (home) Or 07988 838956 (Mr Smith mobile) Or 07877 384977 (Mrs Smith mobile)

Shane Slater Plumbing & Heating

All aspects of domestic plumbing

Tel: 01287 625657 Mobile: 07812 391418

Bathrooms Fires/Fireplaces Showers Boilers Tiling Heating Systems Underfloor Heating Systems

Andy Pollard 07773006361 (based in Saltburn) 

Residential and 

Commercial Property Maintenance  

Plumbing, Drainage, Property Refurbishment, Roofing Repairs, Fencing, Carpentry, Joinery, Painting and Decorating, General/Ongoing 

Property Maintenance

Phone: 01287 650534 Email: gillian.thirkell@ntlworld.com

41 High Street, Skelton, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Cleveland, TS12 2EF

Jill Thirkell LTCL, EPTA (UK)

Teacher of Piano Keyboard Recorder Theory GCSE Tuition

12 12

A very Happy New Year to you all, both pets and humans alike. Whatever the year may bring, let’s keep our pets, and ourselves, safe and healthy. One question that crops up frequently is “What is a Zoonosis?” Essentially it is a disease that can be transmitted between different species, but is more often attributed to diseases passed from animals to humans. Fleas, whilst they will hop from a dog to a cat or a human, are not really a Zoonosis, more of an annoying itch. We still need to control them, however. More serious zoonotic diseases can be encountered both in this country and abroad. I recently spotted a picture of a holidaymaker in Sri Lanka cuddling a dog. Whilst the incidence of rabies in that specific country is low, as yet it is not rabies free, as the UK is. In saying that, you are also at risk stroking cats or even petting cattle or other animals in rabies endemic countries when on holiday. The rule is never to pet an animal unless being told it’s okay by the owner. Personally, I keep my hands in my pockets, as it is safer and avoids risk. In the UK we do have a small number of significant zoonotic conditions, but thankfully they are few and far between. We have always advised pet owners and the farming community to worm and vaccinate their animals. Both roundworms and tapeworms can be passed on by an animal licking our hands or face, not a common occurrence, but it can happen. We have introduced a new strain of vaccine at the practice I work in which now protects our pet dogs from up to 8 strains of Leptospirosis, and this can only be a good thing for all. Our food hygiene and handling laws in the UK are very comprehensive and prevent a large number of potential infections, but we all

still need to be hygiene savvy. On a slightly different note, please be aware of those left over Christmas gifts of chocolates, flowers and the Christmas cakes. Grapes and other vine fruits are highly toxic to dogs in either the fresh form or in the dried form as found in Christmas cakes and puddings. It is not known exactly how many grapes a dog needs to eat to become ill, but it is always best to check with your vet what their procedure is. Last month a young Visla ate 25 red grapes in one sitting. How do I know that? - I induced vomiting within the hour and she brought up grape after grape, as well as the rest of the owner’s last night’s spaghetti dinner! Again, with chocolate, we have an idea of how much a dog or cat can or cannot tolerate, but the best option is not to let them eat any. Lastly, the three main flowers and plants that we see in our houses over the festive period, namely Lillies, Berry plants (Holly and Mistletoe) and Poinsettias can all make our pets ill, the Lilly being the more serious of them. The best advice is to keep these types of flowers up and away from any dog or cat, and shut in a pet free room when you are out. As ever, if you are not sure, phone your vet for advice. Again, stay safe and enjoy your pets as they can give us company and pleasure. See you next month, and keep the questions coming. If you want to ask me a question or raise a topic for this article, contact me by e-mail on j.haddow@live.co.uk or call where I work at Jacqui Paterson vets on 01642 604555.

Veterinary Matters

James Haddow, Veterinary Eye Consultant, GP and Saltburn resident.

Mrs Pat Straight, who has died aged 89, had several claims to fame with Our Lady of Lourdes parish, Saltburn, where she was a life-long member. She was born on 8th December 1924, four years before the foundation stone was laid and worshipped all her life at the church. She and Dennis Straight were married there in 1948. Pat worked in the goods yard of British Rail at Loftus and Middlesbrough. She took an active part in Saltburn’s social life, joining the Methodist Women’s Fellowship, the Townswomen’s Guild and being a regular at the Methodists’ Saturday morning coffee functions. In Our Lady of Lourdes parish she joined the choir at the young age of seven and was well-known for being a good singer. Monsignor Ricardo Morgan, who conducted the funeral Mass on 27th November, recalled that she was an active parishioner and was a well-known figure for walking round the town with her husband, often doing two-four mile circuits in a day. An amusing story of her days in the parish choir was

printed in a 2003 booklet published to mark the 75th anniversary of the church being opened. “When both our church and St Bede’s, Marske, were consecrated in 1936 we sang at both churches. The Bishop congratulated the priest on his fine choir of boys. As we were all girls we were not best pleased!” said Pat. “The first Sunday that Father Oswin Corboy took over at Saltburn as parish priest in 1955 he swung round when we started to sing the Kyrie and he stared up at the choir (in the organ loft). After Mass we were told our services were not required as he didn’t approve of females singing in church. “That was the last singing (as a choir) until Fr Pat Bluett reinstated the choir under organist Les Soulsby in 1979.” Pat and Dennis Straight had two sons John and Peter and a grand-daughter Helen. A small plaque dedicated to Pat Straight’s mother Mrs Pennock can be seen in a front row at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. It is the only plaque of its type remaining from the 1930s. It was fixed on to the bench to show that the seat was reserved.

Parish stalwart dies

13

Need a website for your Club, Society or Business?

Small or Large, Brochure or e-commerce

All your web design needs catered for: Database design also catered for:

Then contact Anne Henderson for an informal chat on 07835 085719 or email enquiries@annescomputingdesigns.co.uk Website: www.annescomputingdesigns.co.uk

Award winning web designer bringing the world to you!

Anne’s ‘Travel Trilogy’ Part 1

I don’t know if you remember, but I placed an article in September’s Talk of the Town regarding my visit to Saltburn in the Highlands of Scotland. I play host to the ‘travel bug’ virus and I thought: “Where can I go to next? I know, how about China, Australia and New Zealand?” It’s not that far from Saltburn and it’s nice to get away. Anyway, I had a word with Ian, our delightful editor, and suggested, if he approved, that I write about my experiences for Talk of the Town’s readers. Not to bore you all and drone on and on, I thought it would be a good idea to write about the three countries I visited, over three issues of Talk of the Town. Ian agreed so here we go… First stop Guanghzou (pronounced Gwanjo) in Southern China. I think it only right that when visiting a foreign country, it is respectful to learn a few words of the language. So, with the help of Mei and her brother of Min Du, our local Chinese take-away on Milton Street, I proceeded to learn to say hello, thank you and goodbye in Cantonese, along with a couple of phrases on how to ask for things. After all my continuous reciting of these phrases, in my dreadful pronunciation, I couldn’t remember what to say when I finally had to speak to someone in China! So it was a case of sign language (Anne style!) and a few grunts, here and there, to stress the point – but I was fluent when it came to saying hello and thank you to people! So desperate was I to speak in my native tongue and to hear it back, I had a brainwave. I decided to head for the nearest, biggest, poshest hotel I could find, because I was sure that the staff in these establishments would be able to speak English. I was right. I went to the front desk and said: “Ne hao (Hello – pronounced nee how) do you speak English?” (in English!) Once I found out they could I didn’t know what to say to them! Just hearing my language was enough to overcome my feelings of isolation and loneliness – and I’d only been there a day! Nevertheless, this helped me regain my confidence and I began walking through this amazing city consisting of a labyrinth of underground shopping malls, sky scraper buildings and a sea of Chinese folk chattering in their fabulous language. The popular mode of transport was rickety, bone shaking bicycles, (similar to the kind my Dad used to ride to work 50 years ago!) carrying everything from oil drums to extra people. All this, while bobbing and weaving through the busy traffic of cars, wagons and motor cycles! Mind you a few of the motor cycles rode on the pavement. Men, and women, had their crude make-shift puncture repair businesses situated underneath the flyovers of the busy roads above, and a roaring trade was to be had! Everyone was lining up to get their tyres fixed. Even though they seemed poor, those queuing up, were perched precariously upon their trusty bikes with their iPhones and iPads! It’s the same the world over with the young uns of today! It was cheap, too. I got myself a take away for less than £2 – and it was delicious, into the bargain. And there endeth the first part of my travels. It was only two days. I was ready for my next port of call – Melbourne, Australia. I’ll tell you all about that in next month’s issue. Zai jian for now (that’s goodbye in Cantonese!)

Also, Joinery Work Undertaken

Call Liz on: 01287 679913 Mobile: 07834 022289

Email: liz.ingledew@btinternet.com

Website: www.liziesdecorating.co.uk

14 14

Santa’s Grotto in the Woodland Centre was a magic and sparkly success. One young but very eloquent visitor declared that he was “quite shocked” as he did not expect he would ever meet “Real Father Christmas”. Unfortunately the same child was frightened of Rudolph. Apologies from Rudolph – he did not mean to intimidate anyone; he was just content munching through a sackful of carrots. Thank you Father Christmas (we know who you are!) and thank you to all who helped to make the grotto, to Sainsbury’s for providing gifts, to individuals who contributed and served refreshments and in total made it a lovely event. Two new members have joined the board of Saltburn Friends of the Valley Ltd as directors. They are Jane Cuthbert and Jo Greathead and I know already their creative input will be invaluable. Welcome to you both and we will enjoy hatching an interesting programme of events for 2015. We have just had a significant donation of bird food from Teesmouth Bird Club. Member Dave Nelson brought a car load of various seeds and nuts of all varieties. Our valley has been identified by them as an important habitat and they are keen to support us. We are so grateful for this help as keeping the birds fed is a costly business but a vital part of what we do. Dave Miles, who is a superb wildlife photographer is going to exhibit his work in the centre soon and is also interested in running some workshops in conjunction with this. This will be an excellent opportunity to further your skills and we will keep you informed. We also thank local artist Shirley Fletcher who has made a limited edition of a woodland print for us. It is beautiful print and will be on sale at some point but possibly as part of a painting/drawing workshop some time in the Spring. We also hope to use the image as a new logo. So plenty for us to do after Christmas. That is, unless we decide to hibernate. I have long been partial to the idea of hibernation though I think of it

as spending a lot of time under the duvet surfacing regularly for food and drink. Real hibernation is much more complex and is a fascinating process. Only three British mammals truly hibernate; bats, hedgehogs and dormice. Squirrels and other mammals just sleep more but emerge to forage or search for their stashes of food. Hedgehogs need a large supply of insects every day and as these are not available in winter their bodies go into real shut down. Their heart beat drops from 190 per minute to 20 a minute. They take a breath only every few minutes and their temperature drops from 35 degrees to 10 degrees except from around the heart

which stays warm. If their extremities fall below 1 degree C reserves of fat are called on to give an energy boost which brings them out of hibernation and they look for a more sheltered nest. The amazing thing is how this process of rewarming occurs completely unconsciously. They have to build up their fat reserves in the autumn to prepare for this period and some do not survive hibernation. They don’t begin hibernating until late January; not early autumn as many assume. Bats are small, don’t carry a lot of fat and expend vast amounts of energy in their daily flights for food so they also need the hibernation strategy to cope with winter. Dormice likewise are small and very active when awake. They spend roughly half the year in hibernation and their decreasing populations are in part due to their great sensitivity to temperature changes. Anyway, when you read this, the Christmas indulgences will be over and you will be making New Year Resolutions. Here’s one for you: join Saltburn Friends of the Valley for £5.00 annual fee or a standing order and support this local charity in its conservation and educational work. You can do this and find out more about us online at www.saltburnfriendsofthevalleyltd.co.uk or phone the Woodland Centre on 01287 622408.

Lorna Moone

News and Views from the Valley

4 People Not Profit’s film night ‘Open your mind’ returns with ‘The Gatekeepers’. For the first time ever, six former heads of the Shin Bet, Israel’s secret service agency, agree to share their insights and reflect publicly on their actions and decisions. Intimately interviewed, they shed light on the controversy surrounding the Occupation in the aftermath of the Six Day War. The film will be screened as usual upstairs in The Marine, Saltburn and will be on Thursday, 22nd January, Doors at 7pm and the film starts at 7.30pm. With time for discussion after the film, and as ever the event is free entry. Since the Six-Day War in 1967, Israel has been unable

to transform its crushing military victory into a lasting peace. Throughout that entire period, these heads of the Shin Bet stood at the centre of Israel’s decision-making process in all matters pertaining to security. They worked closely with every Israeli prime minister, and their assessments and insights had - and continue to have - a profound impact on Israeli policy. The Gatekeepers offers an exclusive account of the sum of their successes and failures. “The Academy-Award-nominated documentary The Gatekeepers, is a visceral experience. Its combination of technical brilliance, political urgency and moral seriousness left me reeling.” - The Telegraph

4 People Not Profit present

‘The Gatekeepers’

15

Saltburn 500 Club I would like to wish everybody a very Happy New Year and wish you what you would wish for yourself. 2015 brings us the Silver Anniversary of Saltburn 500 Club and the committee are looking at ways of celebrating this marvellous achievement. We plan to have something that reflects on past successes and, at the same time, looks to the next 25 years! The Friends of Saltburn are playing a big part in raising funding towards the £22,000 anticipated cost of refurbishing the War Memorial. At the time of writing, approximately £8,000 has already been raised. I am sure that most of you know Jackie Taylor and will find it hard to believe that her latest fund-raising event has SURPRISED even her! Jackie, backed by the 500 Club/Friends of Saltburn, decided that it would be a good idea to hold a Spring Raffle. One of her wildest dreams was to be able to have a First Prize of a ceramic poppy, from the recent display at the Tower of London. She was struggling to acquire one and a very generous individual has donated one. This means that First Prize will be £100 and a ceramic poppy. The second point that surprised Jackie was the fact that word had got out about the prize and she has already been inundated with requests for raffle tickets – even before they had been printed! We are hoping to make the tickets available at venues around the town. Other businesses and individuals have already donated lots of prizes so be sure to buy your tickets early as it is looking as though tickets may be difficult to get hold of. I was most pleased to see a large turnout for the lighting up of the Christmas tree at the end of November and hope the lights have impressed people enough for them to volunteer some of their time. The lights are to be taken down on 6th January and I am looking for volunteers to meet at the station portico at 8.45am. The more volunteers we have, the less time it will take to store them away for next Christmas so please give some of your time and help my small band of volunteers. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of those individuals and businesses that donated towards the cost of lighting up Saltburn. The exercise of raising funds is on-going as we are getting nearer to the deadline whereby halogen bulbs will be impossible to buy and we will have to be in a position to have all lights replaced with LED bulbs. If you are interested in becoming an active member of one of the groups of volunteers around the town, please make the effort and make yourself known to us. Saltburn library is a good source of information about the various groups so switch the TV off and get active! All the Best

  Trevor Welburn Secretary, Saltburn 500 Club/Friends of Saltburn

Neil Wilson Builder and Joiner

Your local professional builder Established 1974.

All aspects of building and joinery work undertaken by qualified,

experienced tradesmen. For free estimate call: 01287 652124

or 07976 628783

Member of the Federation of Master Builders

16 16

Saltburn Slow and Steady Traditional Tune Session

The members of Saltburn Traditional Music Session would like to thank everyone at Saltburn House for letting us hold our session there for the past year. We have enjoyed ourselves over the last 12 months playing tunes together both familiar and new ones and look forward to the next year. On Wednesday, 14th January and on the second Wednesday of each month from 7.30pm we invite musicians to join us at Saltburn House, Marine Parade, Saltburn TS12 1BX for a slow and steady traditional tune session. We play traditional tunes from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales and encourage playing tunes together. So if you enjoy playing a musical instrument and would like to play with others, then join us and we will break you in gently by playing the tunes slowly for you to pick up. From 9pm we may speed things up a bit. Our ‘official’ finish time is 10pm so we won’t keep you out too late if you have to get to work the next morning. Players of all instruments and abilities are welcome to join us. So dust off that fiddle, drag that flute out of the attic (or any other instrument hiding up there) and join us. A warm welcome awaits you at Saltburn House where you can also get a pint of good ale, soft drinks or tea, coffee etc. If you are interested or know of anyone who may be, please pass these details on. For more information do not hesitate to contact Angie on 01287 205153 (or email four.fools@virgin.net). We do send out a reminder so if you wish to be added to our mailing list please contact us. May we take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.lso gather at Guisborough Rugby Club from 7.30pm on a Sunday night for a ‘nurdle’ before Guisborough Folk Club starts.

Creative Writing Competition The day Fred the Fat Frog learned to swim

Don Agar from Brotton has written the beginning of a short story to which he is inviting Talk of the Town’s younger readers to write an ending. Don will judge the competition and suggests there will be two age groups: up to 11 year olds and from to 12 to 14 year olds. There will be two prizes of £10 book tokens sponsored by Saltburn’s Book Corner (next to Whistle Stop Wines and the Teesside Hospice charity shop). Entry date will have to be Monday, 12th January to give time for judging before the deadline for next month’s Talk of the Town. Entries by email to talkofthetown@tyasi.freeserve.co.uk and a paper copy please to Jackie’s Saverstore, Station Buildings, Saltburn. Try not to write more than 1,000 words! Here is the beginning of the story:

“My name is Herbert the Otter. That’s because I am an otter, the best swimmer on the river. I live in a fine residence in the bank below The Crayfish Club, where they play the best blues music. I listen to so much that I think I might change my name to Otis, but that’s enough about me. I want to tell you about the day Fred the Fat Frog learned to swim. Albert the toad had challenged Fred to a race from Hazel Bank to the island and back, which was when Fred made his amazing confession: he couldn’t swim. Albert was so shocked he fell into the river and swam twice around the island before returning to Fred. “You could swim when you were a tadpole, so what happened?” Fred explained that when he was changing into a frog, the weather was so hot the pond had dried up, and he just paddled around the reeds and forgot how to swim. A meeting was called to decide how Fred was to be taught to swim. Roger the owl (the professor of everything that needed to be known) appointed himself chairman and sat in the big oak tree, but as it was daytime he had trouble keeping awake, but he still managed to ask Bert the magpie (who managed to ‘find’ things that were needed, and some that were not needed but were shiny). Bert found some cork rings to use as floats to keep Fred from submerging. Herbert, or Otis as he now called himself, was voted chief swimming instructor.”

Now, how to proceed......? Can any young reader of Talk of the Town complete the story?

17

Saltburn Rotary - Happy New Year to everyone!

We would like to take this opportunity of saying thank you for your continued support to all our worthy causes locally, nationally and internationally. Our latest donation which has been part of £50,000 given nationally by all the U.K. Rotary Clubs will be used to help with the present Ebola crisis. We held a very successful tombola in the Community Centre in mid December followed by a Christmas Celebration event at the Cricket Club the following day with over 100 people attending where family and friends including other Rotary Club members and the District Governor herself were entertained by a Brass Quartet whilst the children played games and had the opportunity of receiving a gift from Father Christmas. The Carols around the Christmas Tree in the Square were well attended again as they are every year and we look forward to continuing our good work into our 89th year. Thank you everyone!

Singles social club If you are a single person and looking to liven up your social life and make new friends, Nexstep could be just what you are looking for. We are a very active social club for the over 40s, the emphasis being on ‘social’; we are not a dating agency. The club is run by volunteers and it is the members that organise the wide variety of events such as meals out, discos, dancing, theatre, cinema, day & weekend excursions, holidays abroad, various sports and lots of walks. New ideas are always welcome - the activities on offer are only limited by the members’ imaginations. The club meets every Wednesday evening at Marton Cricket Club in Middlesbrough giving members a chance to catch up on the latest gossip and find out what social events are coming up. For more information see our web site www.nexstep.org.uk or phone Carole on 07914 350250.

The funeral ceremony for Patricia Margaret Turner (or Trish/Tricia, as she was known to many of us) took place on Wednesday, November 12th at Acklam Crematorium. Although her sudden death at home came as a shock to family, friends and neighbours, it was less of a surprise that she had prepared the funeral ceremony and made all the arrangements a year before she died. Like everything Tricia did it was meticulously planned, as her friend Audrey mentioned in her eulogy; Tricia had phoned her a year ago and asked her to deliver a eulogy at her funeral. Tricia was born in Redcar in 1939 and was fiercely proud of her Yorkshire roots; her coffin was draped in the Yorkshire flag. After her marriage in 1960 her husband’s job involved them in several moves over the years until they eventually settled in Lichfield where their children Michelle and Ash grew up. In Lichfield Tricia was involved with the local operatic society and the Arts Centre, and it was here that Tricia could indulge her great passion, dancing. She was, said her friend Audrey, an outstanding dancer. Tricia returned to her roots in the North East after her children had grown up. She first lived on Marine Parade and then in the 90s moved to Emerald Street where she named her house, fittingly, ‘Finale’. In 2002 Tricia became one of the founder members of the Emerald Street Residents’ Association. She contributed to the Association’s funds by holding an Open Day every July to display her backyard which was a frequent winner of the best backyard category of Saltburn in Bloom. Tricia would hijack the taller men in the street to put up the very imaginative wall displays (a Union flag in Golden Jubilee year comprised of red, white and blue lobelia proved particularly challenging). Visitors were then treated to a tour of her immaculately kept home of which she was justifiably proud. Her large sewing room held racks of beautifully made outfits for the line dancing, circle dancing and belly dancing which she had taken up after an accident on stage prevented her from continuing with her stage performances. Tricia took great pride too in her personal appearance; always easily identified by her beautifully made cloaks,

ponchos and wraps and the turbans, hats or other distinctive head gear, most of which she designed and made herself. Her make up and hair were always immaculate, skills perhaps culled from her theatrical days. Tricia was proud of her family Michelle and her partner Sam; Ash and his partner Jo and grandchildren Claudia, Matthew, Emily, Laura and Shahin. As a neighbour Tricia was kind and considerate, quick to offer help, bring a card or flowers to bring solace or cheer depending on the circumstances. She was a valued member of our community and she will be sorely missed.

Mo Shevis

Patricia Turner

Saltburn Rotary Club

18 18

So Christmas is over and we wallow in Post festive food, Tikka Turkey Masala and Pigs in Blankets Pie are favourites. Perhaps if you come from North of the border you may be enjoying deep fried Xmas pudding with Turkey sandwiches! The Christmas cake will last for months; we like Wensleydale with ours but when the cheese runs out try it with black pudding and poached eggs with a bowl of Taka Dhal on the side, delicious! No doubt Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood will currently be on the box making Brussels Sprouts, Cranberry and Brazil Nut cakes. The Hairy Bikers will be demonstrating their seasonal heart-warming soup of Dates, Mince pies and Turkey bones. Oh what delights to come. Hopefully you will be reading this by New Year’s Day when I and many more like me will be suffering from massive hangovers. Yet again we will be making the same resolution to give up drinking for ever, only to break several hours later, after our breakfast of strong black coffee and paracetamol have finally kicked in. For some unexplained reason we seem to have formed a sub culture of once a year crowding into a noisy bar, drinking strange and exotic concoctions to excess, singing inexplicable Scottish songs and kissing total strangers who stink of Tikka Turkey Masala. The Scots call it Hogmanay and we call it ‘seeing in the year’. Meanwhile in London and other cities across the world, more explosives than were used in both world wars together will be fired off into the sky, petrifying pigeons and somnolent pensioners, and costing enough to finance the oblivion of world poverty. Seeing out the old year and welcoming in the new is of course a timeless tradition, a time of hope. Many readers will have had a less than good 2014 and want a new beginning. As trivial as it may seem to some, I know that many businesses in Saltburn have had a poor year due to the financial cuts we have all had to endure. Many people have seen their pay packets diminish in value and their lives get tougher but I have optimism that things will turn the corner in 2015, providing we make the right choices. All businesses need good management to succeed and the business of running our national economy needs to be in proven good hands, so we must not hand it over to proven failures and untrustworthy Del Boys. I hope that 2015 proves to be a year of new beginnings and better fortune for us all. After ‘Vieux Carre Jazzmen’ at the club in December, we are following up with two excellent Jazz Bands in January. On 4th January Sunday afternoon between 2pm and 5pm we have ‘Mississippi Dreamboat’ with special guest internationally renowned Annie Hawkins

on Bass. The repertoire of The Mississippi Dreamboats is huge and includes a familiar variety of tunes, both old and new. They produce their own jazz musical sounds, that are special to listen to and rooted in the New Orleans Jazz Style. The band line up usually is Paul Bacon drums, Liz Bacon clarinet, Jeff Milner trombone, Roger Howlett banjo, trumpet John Minnion or Martyn Sharp, Emily Bacon vocals. In the 70s Australian Anne Hawkins recorded and played regularly with Ken Colyer. During the 80s Annie became a cornerstone in the band of friend Sammy Rimington. This experience allowed Annie to further deepen her understanding of New Orleans Jazz by playing alongside many great New Orleans Jazz musicians including Kid Thomas, Louis Nelson, Mannie Paul, and Alton Purnel. Two weeks later on Sunday, 18th January at the same times the club will be hosting ‘Brian Carrick and The Heritage Hall Stompers’. Another genuine New Orleans Jazz clarinettist, Brian learned his jazz by the masters of New Orleans and was made an honorary citizen of the city of New Orleans. He also plays a mean Tenor sax and is well supported in authentic N’Orleans style by The Heritage Hall Stompers. Another jazz gig is being arranged for Sunday 1st February, details of which will be in the next issue. These Jazz gigs are being underwritten by Trevor Reedman for a limited period to see if he can break even. To assist this aim we will be charging £3 entrance to the green room which is a small price to pay for such international music. If you love jazz and want to see it survive in Saltburn please support these gigs. As a bonus it is happy hours between 3pm and 5pm when all beers, real ales and lagers are £2 per pint, so whatever you pay for your Jazz you could get back on your beer. During December we have had several birthday parties with buffets in the green room during the weekends. I have been told by new visitors to the club, that the green room makes an ideal venue for a party of any kind. The room is free to members and our competitive club bar prices apply. Email or text me for booking details. We can be very flexible and versatile. As always, I claim sole responsibility for the comments and remarks made here. If anyone wishes to make comment I will answer all emails sent to me. Other than that, I will be happy to explain and defend my comments over a friendly pint at the bar. Happy New Year.

Mike Sellars, Club President. Email: mike.sellars@ntlworld.com or text 07796990526

This article financially supported by Saltburn Conservative & Unionist Club.

Sunday Afternoon Traditional Jazz at The Cons

Saltburn Cons Club Our Events to entertain in January

4th January Sunday afternoon between 2pm and 5pm we have ‘Mississippi Dreamboat’ with special guest internationally renowned Annie Hawkins on Bass. Sunday 18th January at the same times the club will be hosting ‘Brian Carrick and The Heritage Hall Stompers. Wed 15th and 29th Julie’s Cash Quiz, new teams always welcome. Every Tuesday night at 10 pm, Meat and bottle draw. Every Sun., 6pm, Beer Draw and Cash Rollover, (now £425 & increasing by £25 each week until won). Most Saturday afternoon meetings of ‘The Conmen’, Americana Musicians jam session. Also meetings of The Book Club, Saltburn Line Users Group, Camra, Residents Groups and others. Happy Hours:- Weekdays 5:30pm till 7:00pm, Saturday & Sundays 3:00pm till 5:00pm. All Beers still £2 Pint.

19

Hands On Therapy Clinic Remedial Therapy Reflexology Sports Injuries Relaxation

Louise Clark ITEC Diploma MBSR, GCP, BCMA Reg

Saltburn Leisure Centre, Marske Mill Lane

Tel: 01287 625700 Mob: 07775 610745

Mob: 07739 713474 Tel: 01287 209808

Website: www.homefixcomputers.com

Available Daytime, Evenings and Weekends - Same Price Anytime!

(No Callout Charge - Set Fee Per Job)

Virus/Spyware Removal • Internet Problems Software Diagnostics • Initial Setup

Upgrades • System Crashes • Data Recovery Wireless Networks • New Computer Systems

Mobile In-Home Computer Repair Specialist

Zambia, then and now contrast

Phantom of the Boat Park

Over the last eighteen months tyres of tractors and boats parked on the sea front Boat Park in front of Cat Nab have been relentlessly attacked by an unknown nocturnal vandal. The side walls of the tyres have been punctured by a sharp instrument and the forensic evidence would indicate that the crimes have been committed by the same individual. Well in excess of seventy incidents are known about. Enough is certainly enough and an agreed approach to detecting the phantom has been made between boat owners, local police, local Councillors and the Borough Council who own the Park. Flood lighting is to be installed and CCTV monitoring will be carried out. All night owls are encouraged to assist in observance, although without involvement. Any sightings leading to the phantom being detained at Her Majesty’s pleasure will be rewarded by two tickets for a performance at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Haymarket.

The Rev Barrie Morris checks out a notice board outside the Milton Street Methodist Church. He gives a talk there in February on visits to the copper-rich country of Zambia.

Saltburn’s new Methodist minister the Rev Barrie Morris is flying back to his career roots in Zambia. He travels for a two-week visit to a mission area where he spent 10 years from 1976-86 and helped to build up churches in town and bush areas. In January he flies the 11,000 miles to Zambia to take part in celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the church being opened. Then on 16th February he visits Saltburn and District Retired Men’s Forum to tell members of his contrasting visits. “The title of the talk will be ‘Zambia - Then and Now’, referring to my decade there and further visit in 2006 when I last went there. It will be interesting, I guarantee! And I aim to bring back some artefacts from the area,” Barrie told Talk of the Town. Other speakers lined up for the January-April period include the new Bishop of Whitby, the Rt Rev Paul Ferguson, who will speak about church organs. “The title of my session will be ‘The King of Instruments.’ What’s the pedigree of the ‘chest of whistles’ that stands in many of our churches? Why was it described as, along with the clock, the most complex machine invented before the industrial revolution?” he said. Bishop Paul is the only bishop to hold the diploma of Fellow of the Royal College of Organs. Other speakers include Ray Robertson, a sports writer covering the Boro for around 30 years on The Northern Echo. He worked with 15 Boro managers and has a host of anecdotes to tell, Lynda Parkes and Stuart Smith, of Saltburn in Bloom, and Councillor Sheelagh Clarke on how she got into politics and why she is in it. Forum members meet on Monday mornings at the Milton Street Methodist hall 10 for 10.30am. More information: 01287-622493 (Mike Morrissey) or 623906 (Stuart Wright).

20 20

Help! Your local Playgroup needs you! Little Nippers is in desperate need of willing

volunteers to help out on Monday and Wednesday mornings, either in the kitchen or in the group. We need people to help set up and put away. If you can help, even if it is only for a few hours each month,

we would love to hear from you. So, if you love spending time with young children, painting, glueing,

singing, making music or reading stories, or even simply making drinks, then please contact Little

Nippers Playgroup on

01287 624575 We have spaces in January for babies and

newcomers to the town

PDM

QUALITY PAINTING

AND DECORATING

Specialist in Interior and Exterior work All aspects of the trade Established 1983 HIGH QUALITY AT

AFFORDABLE PRICES FRIENDLY SERVICE WITH FREE ESTIMATES SUPPLY & FIT ALL COVING GUTTER CLEANING SERVICE

WITH CHERRY PICKER

TEL: 01287 280767 MOB: 01916 450203

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! To get Saltburn Blues Club off to a memorable start in 2015, I’ve booked the DAN BURNETT BAND as the main act on January 31st. You’ll need to be quick off the mark to get your tickets for this gig because they’re going to fly. As one of the UK’s leading piano vocalists, Dan has a big following and appeals to a wide audience. You’ll see why if you go to www.danburnett.co.uk and watch the music clips on his website or on YouTube. Influenced by soul, funk, rock as well as blues music, his repertoire is irresistible. Listen to tracks such as ‘Happiest Man Alive’ and you’ll see that Blues music is not as narrow and particular a genre as you might think. It ranges from poignant and soulful all the way through to truly exhilarating. Very different emotions then, but always, always engaging. This band celebrates music and watching/listening to them will definitely lift your spirits. It’s going to be superb. Supporting Dan is acoustic guitarist, DEVONPORT. He’s a welcome return to the live music scene. A talented soloist, he’ll be a perfect warm-up to Dan and his band. That’s looking ahead. Looking back at the November gigs, the 15th was a great success. Two popular acts, HENRY PRIESTMAN and FLOSSIE MALAVIALLE filled the venue. There was lots of banter between the performers and audience, many original numbers from Henry from his Last Mad Surge of Youth and The Chronicles of Modern Life albums and some beautiful covers from Flossie. She played tracks by Beth Neilsen Chapman, Jacque Brel, Edith Piaf, Bonnie Raitt, among others, and ended with What A Wonderful World. It was wonderful - very, very good live music. It wasn’t a Blues night, but definitely one that was a hit. I’m pleased to say both Henry and his support musicians and Flossie are returning to SBC next October. That’s how far ahead you have to book to get them. At the end of November, one week after his namesake won the Formula 1 World Championship, THE LEWIS HAMILTON BAND played for us. For someone so young, Lewis is a formidable talent. He can deliver all the sensitivity required of a number like I’d Rather Go Blind and the sheer full-on Joe Bonamassa-like dynamism in his original numbers such as Like A Burning Tree. Awesome. A gentler session preceded Lewis Hamilton that night.

Sometimes, along comes an artist who quietly takes you somewhere else. JOHN ALEXANDER has a voice that is so mellow and melodic, sounds older than his young years and perfectly portrays all the heartache and longing he sings about. He played tracks from his Rain for Sale album and 24-7 EP, among others. His guitar playing was exquisite – not only my opinion but also that of the musicians in the audience. We’re putting on live music that I’m very happy to promote. It would be great if you would come and enjoy it too. Why not give it a try? Find all our details at www.saltburnbluesclub.co.uk and our face book page. Cheers!

SALTBURN BLUES CLUB

Harry

21

Father Christmas made a visit to Saltburn on Saturday, 29th November. The Christmas tree lights were switched on by two local children who had won a fire safety poster competition - Mia Whittle and Mia Dobson. The Town Crier led the parade which included Mary and Joseph on a donkey, a festively decorated fire engine, Santa on his sleigh, local children and Elsa from Frozen who made a surprise appearance. Santa brought his sleigh to a halt at the tree so that the competition winners could jump on and accompany him to his grotto located at the Station Portico. Hundreds of local residents turned out to enjoy the festivities throughout the afternoon including face painting, Punch and Judy, Christmas crafts and circus skills. The Parish Council wish to thank all those involved who helped to make this a wonderful community event, in particular Saltburn Fire Brigade, the volunteer marshalls who assisted on the day and the local children who took part in the

parade. The Fire Brigade are appealing for photos or video footage of the event. If anyone can assist, please contact W a t c h M a n a g e r P a u l T h o m p s o n (pthompson@clevelandfire.gov.uk). The Parish Council’s Donations Committee will be meeting in January for the final time in this financial year. Any community group who would like to be considered for a grant should ensure that the completed application form is submitted by Friday, 9th January 2015. The Parish Council office was closed from 24th December 2014 to 1st January 2015 inclusive. Best wishes for a peaceful New Year.

Tracy Meadows (Clerk and RFO to the Parish Council)

Tel: 01287 623477 Email: office@smnmpc.co.uk

www.smnmpc.co.uk

Saltburn, Marske & New Marske Parish Council

22 22

What’s in a pantomime? A well-loved fairy tale, colourful crazy characters, slapstick, jokes, music, dancing, a four-legged friend, audience participation and a happy ending. But none of that explains why it appeals so much to so many of us. After all, whatever the story line might be, we know the characters very well: the principal girl and boy, the horse/cow/camel, the villain, the henchmen, the chorus, and of course, the dame. We even know how the plot will develop: the principals fall in love, they will meet with misfortune but will triumph in the end over the bad characters, aided and abetted by the pantomime quadruped; and the dame, eternally looking for love, will somehow find an unlikely partner. There is always a strong element of magic, so we have the satisfaction of knowing that the evil-doers will get their come-uppance and the good folk will live happily ever after; which of course cannot be guaranteed in life and perhaps that’s one reason why we love pantomime. The central theme of good overcoming evil echoes the medieval morality plays performed for centuries on village greens. But although pantomime is often described as traditional, it has survived so successfully as a theatrical genre because it constantly adapts by incorporating novelty in the form of modern trends, ideas and local references into a clearly structured storyline. Novelty within tradition is very much a part of the pantomime which will be performed by Saltburn ’53 Drama Group in January. Director Tony Smith has chosen a varied and unusual cast for Jack and the Beanstalk. Young members of the group dominate the chorus, where they will be expending plenty of energy on singing and dancing. For the first time in many years at Saltburn the principal boy is, in

fact, played by a boy (Sam Blackburn) and the Dame is being portrayed by Dean Heslop, who, at the age of 24 must be one of the youngest actors to perform in this fantastic cross-dressing role. Dean has a wealth of acting experience, both within the ’53 Drama Group, which he joined 13 years ago, and in setting up his own successful performing arts school. In pantomime he has played varied roles, including Buttons in Cinderella, Wishy Whashy in Aladdin and Sheik Mustafa Leak in last year’s Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. He has definitely had moments of hysteria (laughter and a touch of panic!) rehearsing as Mrs. Gertrude Trot, Jack’s mother, for Jack and the Beanstalk. Finding the right larger-than-life character, not to mention the special voice, has been a challenge which Dean thoroughly enjoyed. Like most actors, he finds comedy the most demanding genre. As Tony Smith comments, a huge amount of work goes into the apparently effortless timing of pantomime comedy and the slapstick scenes: “The long process from the first script read-through to the opening night is very hard work but it’s great fun; and the audience enjoyment makes it all worthwhile.” And of course there are always the wonderful opportunities for involving the audience, not to mention the innuendos and the occasional ad-libbing. So, we can look forward to an action-packed story featuring, amongst others, an unusual Dame, a scary giant, an even scarier giant’s wife, a very endearing cow named Buttercup and a grumpy squire with two bailiffs, Grabbit and Scarper, all packaged and presented in gorgeous costumes with a fabulous music score of well-known songs. Christmas isn’t Christmas without a pantomime and this one promises to be special. Oh yes it does…..

Jack and the Beanstalk

*Interiors and Exteriors *Free Estimates

*All Aspects of Decorating Undertaken

*Realistic Prices *Reliable Service Assured

40 Years Experience

Mobile 07757 912575

Time Served Telephone

01287 624016

G . Bishop - Decorator

23

24 24

At Ryedale Auctioneers,  we have fortnightly general sales, with 

live internet bidding. We also have 

Specialist Sales, Antique & Fine Art Sales, 

Militaria & Sporting Sales and Railwayana 

& Toy Sales. We also do house 

clearances, and have our own collection/delivery service. 

We provide valuations for probate, insurance and sales.  

Upcoming Sales:  

Outdoor sale  17th January 

General Household and Collectables  10th & 24th January   

Ryedale 

Auctioneers 

Cooks Yard, New Road, 

Kirkbymoorside,  

York  YO62 6DZ  Sold for £4,200 

Sold for £11,700 

Tel: 01751 431544  Email: ryedaleauctioneers@live.co.uk   

Website: www.ryedaleauctioneers.com 

Spirals  A PILATES, YOGA & BALLET  inspired fitness class. 

 

Wed 7pm   

 

Dance your way to fitness in 2015  

with a variety of classes aimed at all ages & abilities 

The EASY TO FOLLOW,  toning version of Zumba®  

 

Mon 6pm & Thurs 10am  

For more info call ESTELLE on 07887 525234  or visit... 

MISS BOOTY WORKOUT! A steamy toning workout  using a chair and wearing 

heels (or trainers)  

Thurs 6pm 

A PARTNER‐FREE Latin and Ballroom dance fitness class 

   

Mon 7pm   

25

As a farewell gesture to the town that has supported the Saltburn Victorian Footballers & Friends over many years, the ‘Footballers’ have donated the full £1000 needed to repair the town clock. Saltburn Victorian Footballers & Friends regret to announce the closure of this fundraising group. SVF&F have been raising funds for individual children and young people for more than 30 years and in that time, we have organised Race Nights, Quiz Nights, Casino Nights and Christmas Parties; we have played football on the beach (once actually in the sea due to misunderstanding of the tide timetable); we have played exhibition football matches at Ormesby Hall to raise funds; we have performed on stage in various stages of undress – who will ever forget the ‘Full Monty’ and the finale that revealed the words “Happy Xmas” on the behinds of the SVF&F committee? We once performed (or should that be ‘tried’ to perform?) a song and dance routine on the stage of the Community Theatre, which only went to prove that kicking a football about dressed in Victorian football kit was pretty much our level. Over the years we have sold ‘ducks’ for the “Famous Duck Derby” and organised the ‘Derby’ and raced them down the beck in the valley, not the most obviously dangerous of activities, but we’ve had our share of injuries including a previous Chairman developing a “rusty ankle”. Alongside the ‘Derby’ we arranged and produced the Annual Saltburn Family Gala Day; this usually took 11 months of planning and organising and it is fair to say over the 30 years we ran it, we only ever had one day that the weather was against us. Being a member of the SVF&F committee was one of the most expensive memberships ever! The original members set in place a single, solitary rule for members and that was that we would NOT use any funds for ourselves out of the

money raised and that meant that the lovely shirts, fleeces, hats and all our own tickets to the events we put on had to be paid for by the individual members themselves. Over the years, it has been hard work with the increasing fight against bureaucracy, restrictions on what was insurable and what wasn’t, increasing costs for ‘licenses’ and the increasing age and falling numbers of committee members, and thus, sadly, we have come to this point. We have worked hard over the years, suffered tantrums, disappointments, sleepless nights.....however, the unbounded generosity of the people of Saltburn; the joy of seeing families enjoying themselves; the sheer elation of individual young people who thought they would miss out, only to find that the funds were there; the youth groups that thought they would have to cancel or reduce the activity they had planned, only for the support and funds to be provided, has made it all worthwhile: despite all the downs, the ups have been far, far greater! We never really set out a target of how much of this or that we intended to collect or do, we just aimed to help and, with the support of the people of Saltburn, we have over the years raised and distributed tens of thousands of pounds to help the young of our town. So on behalf of the Committee of Saltburn Victorian Footballers and Friends, Thank You and Goodbye.

Full-Time Donation

Pictured L-R the SVF&F Committee: Kelvin Whitwell, Mark Tucker, Dave Hamilton, John Lambert and Rev. Adam Reed receiving a cheque from Jade Fraser the Chairwoman, Nash

Fraser and Mick Cummins. Rev. Reed said that the town will now remember the ‘Footballers’ every time they look at, or

hear, the town clock.

26 26

Our fortnightly Wednesday meetings for January 2015 continue at the Community Centre, Durham Road, Redcar, commencing 7.15pm. On 3rd December most members gave one frame displays, again showing depth and diversity of subjects. On 17th our President David Newstead hosted our Christmas party and conducted our annual Philatelic Quiz. On January 7th the Editor of Northern Philatelist and Postal Historian and the NEPA website www.nepa.me.uk Mike Ellison of Stockton PS will give a display entitled Lighthouses around the UK. The 21st January meeting is our President’s Evening when David Newstead will present his second display of his presidential term 2013-5. We remember his display last year was very impressive: and knowing that he has built substantially on it since, is keenly awaited. R&C PS is delighted to announce that the Royal Philatelic Society, London has elected David Turner (pictured here) with Fellowship (FRPSL). This society dating from 1869 and headed by Her Majesty the Queen as Patron is the epicentre of global philately. His honour acknowledges activity spanning 70 years; culminating in

the publication of his book Ocean Penny Postage, (reviewed in the November issue) and awards for major displays in the last two British Philatelic Exhibitions in London. He is a Past President of Sunderland PS (2004-5); North East England Philatelic Association (NEPA 2008-9); Ferryhill PS (2010-11) and R&CPS 2011-3.

Contact: Geoff Reynolds, Secretary 01642 478229.

Please phone 01287 622008 to make a booking

Redcar & Cleveland Philatelic Society

27

In addition to our usual services of Dog Walking, Pet/Home Sitting,

Day Care Visits for Cats, Dogs and Small Domestic Animals Animal Taxi Service

CRB Checked and Fully Insured Van fully equipped for the safe transportation

of your animals

Visit our website for further information www.petcaresolutions.org

We are now able to offer HOME SECURITY CHECKS

Removing Post from Letterbox/Doormat Closing/Opening Curtains

Indoor/Outdoor Plants Cared For Service tailored to suit your needs

Prices from as little as £5 per visit We offer a free consultation no obligation visit

Contact Alison Tel: 01642 271115 / 774792

Mob: 07974 578363

Snowdrops in December

Green-fingered Keith Thompson is looking forward to January when his back garden at The Fairway will be a ‘mass of snowdrops.’ One in his front garden caught the eye of Talk of the Town in early December, a month earlier than the usual snowdrops in Saltburn. “I’m not claiming mine is anything unusual as its variety comes out earlier than others. But I’m looking forward to January when the back garden will be a mass of snowdrops,” he said. Keith, a retired Lackenby/Cleveland steelworks worker, planted the flowers more than 10 years ago. `He and volunteer Sarah Morris, of Montrose Street, from the Blind Veterans’ Society (formerly St Dunstan’s) admired a yellow rose as well as a lone snowdrop. Sarah attends Teesside University. Keith, who is partially-sighted, is a former National Serviceman.

28 28

Emmanuel Church Hall Thursday  

29th January 2015 9am‐10.15am 

THE FESTIVAL OF THE THREE WIZARDS 

On  Sunday  4th  January  at  Emmanuel  Church  we  will  be celebrating Epiphany  ‐ 'the striking appearance' ‐ where we remember  the Three Kings  journey  to  visit  the Christ  child and present him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.   In  the Bible  Saint Matthew  tells us  these men  from Persia were  not  Kings  at  all  but  Magi  ‐  wise  men,  astrologers, priests, magicians  and wizards.    Indeed,  our modern word ‘magic’ comes from the Greek ‘Magoi’.   Hundreds  and  hundreds  of  years  later  another  famous Christian would write  about  Three Wizards  coming  from  a land  far  away  ‐  their  names were  Saruman,  Gandalf,  and Radagast.   That Christian was of  course  J.R.R.  Tolkien who 

was largely responsible for bringing C.S. Lewis to faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord, God, and Saviour.    Whilst not a thinly veiled allegory for the Good News of Jesus like the Narnia Books were, Tolkien's ‘Hobbit’ and ‘Lord of the Rings’ were heavily influenced by his faith in Jesus and this shows through at many different points.  In a letter to W.H. Auden in 1965 Tolkien wrote, ‘I don’t feel under any obligation to make my story fit with formalized Christian theology, though I actually intended it to be consonant with Christian thought and belief.’  To celebrate Tolkien and his great  faith,  the  release of  the final  Hobbit  film  in  the  cinemas,  and  the  Festival  of  the Three Magi we  are  having  a  special  service  at  Emmanuel Church where we will imagine what it would have been like if  Saruman,  Gandalf,  and  Radagast  were  the  Three Wise Men coming to bow down before the true King of the World ‐ Jesus Christ.    Join us at 10.00am on Sunday the 4th January for 'Open the Book'  style  acting  and  storytelling,  worship,  fellowship, and of course cake  for all with a chance  to win your own crown if you get one of the wise men inside your piece! 

16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER‐BASED VIOLENCE Did you notice the trees  in the grounds of Emmanuel church wearing yellow and  purple?  Or  that  Emmanuel  church  shop  window  was  decorated  with yellow  and  purple?  Did  you  see  people  wearing  yellow  and  purple  tying bracelets together outside the station portico at 12.30pm on Wednesday 10th December?  From 25th November  to 10th December each year  organisations  across  the  world  stage events to highlight gender based violence. Not only Emmanuel’s trees but people from across the  parishes  of  Emmanuel  Church  in  Saltburn and  St  Thomas’  Church  in  New Marske wore purple and yellow for the 16 days.  The challenge now  is to continue to  find ways to highlight and stop the misery that  is caused by  gender  based  violence  throughout  the world during 2015 and beyond. 

Sundays at Emmanuel Church: 9.00am & 10.45am services with refreshments served from 10.10am Tuesdays at Emmanuel Church: 9.30am service with refreshments served from 10.15am

Emmanuel Church: Tel: 01287 622251 / Email: emmanuelsaltburn@hotmail.co.uk / www.saltburnparishchurch.co.uk

29

Emmanuel Church Hall, Macnay Street, Saltburn

Tuesdays at 5.00pm or 7.00pm.

Telephone Stevie on

01642 474920

30 30

Albion Terrace 

Saltburn by the Sea 

TS12 1JW 

01287 624997 

www.saltburnarts.co.uk  

Registered in England & Wales    Company No. 05719152    Charity No. 1113704 

The theatre also plays host to the Saltburn Film Club screenings and we have some great films coming in the New Year.

Thursday 29th January Thursday 12th February Thursday 26th February

Online tickets www.saltburnarts.co.uk e-mail:arts@saltburnarts.co.uk Box Office 01287 624997

An intimate stylish venue. With a comprehensive range of audio visual equipment our Theatre & Cinema, 

Hall and Coffee Room are the ideal meeting place. 

Available for private hire for parties, meetings and conferences. Prices from as little as £6 

Community Theatre and Cinema                  Community Hall 

Coffee Room            Bar Area                Kitchen 

31

The Chairman and members of the Board of Trustees and staff of SCAA would like to wish members,

volunteers, users of our theatre and hall facilities, and the supportive residents and businesses in the

Saltburn area a very Happy New Year!

Following the Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 20th November, a newly constituted Board of Trustees was elected and at the first Board meeting on 9th December, the 12 Trustees were allocated roles and

responsibilities, resulting in:

Les Manship as Chairman, Philip Thomson Treasurer and Kate Bloomfield Secretary.

Joanne Anderson, Kate Anderson, Tony Bloomfield, Ann Brignall, Drexal Parker, Maureen Payne, Adam Steele, John Taylor and Claire Wakeling are the remaining Trustees who will contribute to the

Finance and Staffing, Arts & Education, Maintenance and Health & Safety Sub Committees.

The New Year will continue to bring many challenges, as we continue to put SCAA on a sounder financial footing and endeavour to fill the Theatre and Hall with arts and recreational activities. Offers of volunteer

help is always appreciated, as well as donations to the recovery fund. If you need to contact SCAA, please do so via the SCAA office on 01287 624997.

SCAA Events January

Friday 9th January Saltburn Jazz Night Party with

THE SLOWLIGHT QUARTET Supported by Jazz North

Doors 6.30pm Bar 6.45pm Starts 7.30pm Early Bird tickets £8 On the door £10

Friday 23rd January – 7pm for 7.30pm

BURNS NIGHT SUPPER – All tickets £15 This is a major fund raising event on behalf of SCAA

Thursday 29th

Saltburn Film Society presents PRIDE – Cert 15 (Comedy/Drama)

U.K. gay activists work to help miners during their lengthy strike of the NUM in the summer of 1984. Starring Bill Nighy & Dominic West Runtime 120mins

Doors 6.30pm Screening 7pm Members £3 Visitors £6

Table Top Sales in the Community Hall

Saturday 10th – SCAA Flea Market Saturday 17th – Table-Top Sale

Saturday 24th – SARA Table-Top Sale Saturday 31st – Folk Festival Table-Top Sale

Office Manager 9.30 – 12.30 weekdays

Arts Development Wednesday 12.30 – 4.30 Thursday & Friday 10 until 4.30

32 32

Nigel’s VIPs! Very Important Pets!

DOG WALKING, PET CARE & HOME SITTING Co.

Est’d. 2002 NigelsVIPs@gmail.com TEL: 07891 092007 N.A.R.P. Registered & Insured

Excellent References

Friends of Talk of the Town and Saltburn Friends of the Valley 2015

Calendar Buying this calendar supports sustaining

Talk of the Town and preserving our environment through the work of Saltburn Friends of the Valley. Price £6.99 or £9.99 delivered by Royal Mail to UK Mainland only. Please contact us for overseas rates.

Hire a special place for your meetings or family 

events at the  Woodland Centre  

in Saltburn’s  Valley Gardens  

Contact  Lorna  01287 624571 Ingrid 01287 622454 or  Richard 07910 700429  

 

Further details  online at 

www.saltburnfriendsofthevalleyltd.co.uk 

33

Hello, I’m called Jasper, and the lovely people at SARA tell me that I’m a very handsome boy. I have a gorgeous golden brown coloured coat and a happy smiling face; some people don’t know that dogs can smile, but then they haven’t met me! I am a five year old lab cross. I’m a sweet boy who hasn’t had the best of starts when I was a puppy, unfortunately, but now I am looking for a loving family to call my very own. Due to my past I would benefit from an adult home but I am good with the people that I meet and I really love walking with other dogs. I am a good all round dog who is very enthusiastic and playful and will make a very loving and loyal companion. Sharing the SARA page with me is Kizzy who is a gorgeous 5 month old girl. As she is so young I had to write this for her! Kizzy is the sweetest and friendliest

kitten that you could wish to meet and she loves everyone and everyone loves her in return. She is full of playfulness and loves a cuddle after a day spent playing and sleeping. She has the biggest golden eyes and a beautiful dark glossy coat. Kizzy said that she would ideally prefer to live with a family with older children to play with and she wouldn’t mind living with a tolerant younger cat. She will make a wonderful companion for the right family lucky enough to adopt her. Lots of warm fuzzy furry love, Jasper and Kizzy

Saltburn Animal Rescue Association A small charity seeking to rescue and re-home cats and dogs, Tel: 01642 488108 (weekdays only, 10am to 2pm). SARA has many dogs and cats that need new homes. All are clean, healthy, neutered, vaccinated and microchipped.

The next monthly meeting of SARA will be held in the TocH premises, Albion Terrace Saltburn, on Wednesday, 7th January, at 7.30pm. New members are very welcome. 1st January 2015 - SARA will be holding their New Year’s Day Dip. This will take place at Saltburn Pier starting at 11am. All money raised will go towards the welfare of the animals at Foxrush Farm. This is always a popular event when everyone, including the dogs, enjoys themselves. So please come along whether you wish to take part or just join in the fun. Sponsorship forms will be available from Foxrush Farm or SARA Charity shop in Guisborough. They can also be downloaded. For more information ring Foxrush Farm Monday to Friday from

10am to 2pm on 01642/488108 (or visit our website www.s-a-r-a.org.uk) Recent funds raised: The social evening presented by the Fishermen’s Choir raised £380. The Christmas Fayre held at Marske Hall raised £863.23. The annual Christmas Carols event held at Foxrush Farm, raised £363.75. Thank you to everyone who contributed in any way to these events. We are very grateful for all the support we receive. This enables us to carry on the work with so many animals that so desperately need our help, A Happy and Peaceful New Year to everyone.

SARA fundraising events during January

Sheila Green

34 34

35

Thousands of food fans enjoyed the crisp winter sunshine as Saltburn Farmers’ Market enjoyed a busy end to the year on Saturday, 13th December. And shopper Maggie Mitchell had a day to remember on her first ever visit to the Market, winning a bumper Christmas Hamper made up of something from virtually every stall on the day itself. Maggie, who moved from West Yorkshire to Marske with husband Ian six months ago to be closer to family in the area, said: “We’ve only recently moved here, so this was my first visit to the Market – and what an amazing day! Everyone was really friendly, there was a lovely atmosphere around the whole place and the hamper is just stunning, a wonderful Christmas present. “I remember Saltburn from childhood, coming here on school trips, and we just adore the place. There’s a real sense of community here, we love walking on the beach, the local shops are just wonderful, and the Farmers’ Market was a great part of a fantastic day out.” Saturday was the final event of 2014 in what has been another incredible year for the popular monthly Market. Highlights included being shortlisted as National Farmers’ Market of the Year, and welcoming thousands of people to the Saltburn Food Festival on an incredibly busy day in August. Market Manager Lorna Jackson said: “We’re really pleased for Maggie, and what a great welcome to the town!

We’ve had another busy and enjoyable day here in Saltburn, a perfect way to end what has been an amazing year for the Market. It’s been great to see so many people who share our passion for good local food month after month, and we’re looking forward to doing it all again next year.” Saltburn Farmers’ Market now takes its annual winter break and returns with a brand new season on Saturday, 14th March, 2015.

Busy day for Saltburn Food Fans Saltburn Farmers’ Market enjoys ‘perfect end’ to an incredible year

Murals are explained

The five murals depicting aspects of Saltburn, which were put up outside Sainsbury’s to mark the 150th anniversary of the town being founded, now have a panel of explanation about them. The panel says the murals were made with the help of hundreds of townspeople and visitors during 2011 and were unveiled by various personalities during that year. The artists were Derek Mosey and Helen Jane Gaunt. “They are lovely and the explanation is useful,” said Trixie Swinburne, of Skelton, who has often admired the murals.

36 36

37

Try something different at Grasers

Grasers have started stocking honey, locally produced in Skelton by Dave Whyman. This is honey that used to be sold in Saltburn Health Food Shop. Two types are available: one from bees kept mostly near heather and one from other flowers. Honey has been collected from bees for well over 6,000 years and is a fantastically beneficial food. Its sweet taste is mainly due to the sugars fructose and glucose but honey is also rich in antioxidants, some vitamins and trace elements and is reputed to contain anti-cancer ingredients. Although scientific tests do not always uphold some of the medical claims, honey has been used to treat wounds with its known anti-bacterial properties. It is far nicer and healthier to use honey as an alternative to ordinary sugar.

The winner of this month’s Pride of Saltburn is Allan Whiley. Allan was nominated by his sister in law, Lynda Whiley on behalf of all of Allan’s family and friends. About Allan, she says, “I would like to nominate my brother in law, Allan Whiley, for the Pride of Saltburn Award. Allan is a Manager in Barclays Bank and has lived in Saltburn all his life. Allan lives in The Chine with his wife Sally and son Jonathan (when he is home on a visit). Allan is well known in Saltburn for his voluntary work. He is a member of Saltburn Rotary (being an ex President) and is always there supporting Rotary. Until recently, Allan was Chairman of Saltburn Victorian Footballers who are a group of volunteers who have raised considerable amounts of money over the years for local groups and charities. The most recent event he organised, which we all remember, is The World War 1 Football Match held on the beach and promenade on 1st June last year. Allan thought of holding this event about a year before it actually happened and spent many hours discussing the pros and cons with various people including The British Legion, Redcar Borough Council etc etc. As the ‘ideas man and main organiser’ Allan spent many late nights planning, organising and discussing the day. And what a day! Not only did the sun shine for us but it gave us all a chance to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for us all. Well done, Allan.” Thank you Allan, for being you, the Pride of Saltburn.

Talk of the Town’s monthly Pride of Saltburn Award

We are Moving Join us this month in our 

exciting new shop at 5 Station Buildings, formerly Saltburn 

Health Food Shop. We will continue to sell 

Quality Fruit and Vegetables and our new lines in 

Traditional Health Foods  and Groceries. 

38 38

39

A 50-minute film about Saltburn’s well-received beach football match on 1st June last year is now available in DVD form. It emerged during the film premiere at Saltburn House on 13th November that organiser Allan Whiley, a long-standing community buff, kept his plans quiet to ensure the town got a ‘first’ in marking the famous Christmas Eve 1914 truce football match between British and German soldiers on the Western Front. Allan told nearly 100 people at the premiere £3,615 was raised - mainly through donations given for poppy crosses. This is being matched by Barclays Bank so over £7,000 is being given towards improvements at the town’s war memorial. He said poppy crosses were still available at the library (where copies of the DVD ‘We are Remembering’ can be had for a suggested £5 donation). The film is well-made, with very clear photography from a sunny Sunday. Film-maker Adam Steele cleverly used still photographs from several photographers in between the movie shots. This added to the interest. Adam, who gave his services free like all the ‘amateurs’ involved, took on the main editing role. To distill a day of filming into under an hour of finished product was a massive job. Allan Whiley acted as director/producer. All concerned must be congratulated on producing a DVD which will make an ideal gift for anyone interested in the community aspect of our town. The captioning of people interviewed was helpful. It was unfortunate that high winds towards the end of the memorable day caused words by the Rev Jim Platten to be difficult to hear. But they were more clear than those who were present could pick up. Sadly Jim died two weeks after

performing the closing ceremony. Allan took on the challenging job of naming people and organisations he wanted to thank. And he apologised for missing anyone out. One minor error was misspelling Jim Wingham’s name, which will be corrected elsewhere. Jim made a typical joke about it during his thank you words. He admitted being surprised, as a careful-with-money Yorkshireman, that he had made a donation towards costs! Interesting touches in the film included spotting seamstress Juli Fraser smearing mud on to the uniforms of footballers, music recorded ranging from Glen Miller’s rhythm to hymns and Pack Up Your Troubles, and clear shots being filmed of the Tiger Moth airplane which dropped poppy petals over the sea. Dave Willis, of the Royal British Legion, revealed that the two-year project had been kept quiet so Saltburn would be first with the match. Thousands of spectators turning up and enjoying the sunny day was the outcome. Plus a lot of positive publicity on TV, radio and newspapers and publications like the Rotary Clubs’ regional magazine. Dave Saddler, of Saltburn Rotary Club, praised the “wonderful community.” He also said the service-orientated club needed more members. The day and the film were organised by a small committee, led by Allan Whiley (still nursing a broken finger from the match) and including British Legion volunteers. It was good to see the whole community involved from children in uniform to pensioners marking out the pitch on the sand. Those at the premiere included sponsors, players and volunteers. It was a memorable evening. Further information can be had by emailing Allan (on Allan.Whiley@hotmail.com).

Mike Morrissey

WW1 film reveals a Saltburn secret

40 40

CHOCOLINI'S NEWS NUGGETS HAPPY NEW YEAR  

  

From Liz, Sue, Faye, Anne, Sam, Radu, Harriet,  Grace, Emily, Tereena  and James. 

  We look forward to helping you 

  celebrate in 2015 whatever the occasion. 

  Come in and see us after the 7th January 

  when we re‐open at 10am. 

Chocolini’s Chocolatier Continental Chocolates Moulded Figures Our Own Recipe Bars Speciality Ice Cream Celebration Cake Toppers Wedding Favours Luxury Hot Chocolate Coffees Teas   www.chocolinis.co.uk 

3 Windsor Road Saltburn TS12 1AX 01287 626141 

41

“Since Doorways moved to its present site above Destinations in Station Street in March, our funding has improved and we’re about to take on a new apprentice,” says John Pearson, its enthusiastic Project Leader and Youth Worker. “Between January and September 2014, Doorways was approached by 91 young people and there have been a total of 402 visits for support and development, so we are very busy.” The project was established in 1998 to support and assist young people aged 13 - 25, living in and around Saltburn, to create a fuller integration in their local community. It is run and supported by the generous donations of local people, businesses and charitable grants. The move to new premises has led to a change of emphasis in the work, as there is now no suitable space for a pool table and youth club activities. The Drop In facility for teenagers to play games and watch television has given way to more focused work with those who have left school: the unemployed, the homeless and those with family relationship, drug/alcohol and mental health issues. “We still have access to refreshments downstairs at Destinations and are able to make time available to talk to individuals in depth, though,” adds John. “Some of the statutory services are finding it increasingly difficult to devote the time necessary, because of resource problems.” To get the best outcomes for the young people, John keeps in touch with other agencies and although most of Doorways work is now with 18 - 22 year olds, he is called into schools and with Rev Adam Reed, holds a popular weekly Drop In session at Huntcliff School. “The kids’ questions, for example on racism and homophobia, are fascinating and their sense of values is encouraging,” he says. John does very challenging work with older young people on the edge of despair too. In the last year, he has had to cope with the increasingly stressful effects of ‘sanctioning’. For a variety of reasons, welfare benefits are being suddenly stopped for a week or up to six months, leaving the claimant with no income to pay for food or lodging. Bailiffs may be threatened, when Council Tax goes unpaid. Desperate young people arrive at Doorways asking for advice or to use the phone. “Sanctioned claimants or those unable to claim for other reasons aren’t allowed to use the phone of the Benefits Office, because they’re deemed not to be receiving benefits,” explains John. “They are in tears and feel hopeless, because there are no jobs available to get them out of this situation. They need £60 a week for the most basic single room and shared bathroom and enter a deep depression when they can’t manage this. It’s difficult for them to find aspiration to do better, but Doorways sets out to show them that the apparently impossible is possible, by teaching them to believe in themselves.” John says that relationship breakdown with their parents often prevents the young people from being supported by them and there may be no positive role models to guide them. Sometimes their parents may have been crushed by life’s problems and can offer their children no hope. If the immediate problem is food, John is able to help with that. Although he hasn’t storage facilities, some

members of the public do hand in non-perishable food items to him to pass on and he can give food vouchers to be exchanged at the Food Banks at Redcar, Lingdale and Loftus. A Food Voucher can give three days’ supply to named individuals and three such parcels can be given to cover a crisis period. There are numbering systems to make sure the system isn’t abused and rules to ensure that claimants don’t become dependent on the parcels. “The young people hate asking for food, though,” adds John. If there is a problem with clothing, John has very good links with Emmanuel Church Shop and if furniture is needed, with the Church Shop at Skelton. Members of the public specifically wanting to donate items to the young people are asked to take them to these venues in particular. John encourages the youngsters to take low paid apprenticeships as a step on the ladder, even though some ask little more of them than to clear up and make tea. “An apprenticeship can pay £95 a week which is welcome, but a return bus ticket from Loftus to Middlesbrough costs £19 a week and this eats into the money that’s needed for food and lodging,” he says. “But if they’re valued and appreciated, and feel they are contributing to the business, an apprenticeship can help them discover their identities.” Sadly, some young people are less successful and are overwhelmed by anxiety and depression. John tries to teach them to be aware of their value in a roundabout way, by listening and encouraging. Sometimes, he has to assess whether they’re in a safe enough place mentally for him to end the session in hand. John does a demanding job; he acknowledges the support of Saltburn Christian Projects and all contributors to Doorways’ success. For more information on ongoing projects for young people, visit the website: www.door-ways.co.uk or phone 01287 625305 to donate.

Rosemary Nicholls

Developments at Doorways 2014

42 42

Abi’s Health Advice

Cold versus Flu Although the two terms are used interchangeably by some, cold (common cold) and flu (influenza) are really quite different. When a customer presents themselves in the pharmacy asking for flu remedies for themselves it’s improbable that they actually do have flu. How can I make such a bold generalisation? Well, simply put, it is because if said customer did, in fact, have flu then it is very unlikely that they would be able to stand in front of you in a pharmacy. Let’s take a quick look at how cold and flu compare, in the table below.

So overall symptoms are similar but flu symptoms are much more severe and longer lasting (patients who have had flu describe it as if they have been “hit by a bus!”). Both cold and flu are caused by viruses which means antibiotics are not effective. Plenty of fluids and rest are recommended for both conditions. Antihistamines, pain killers, anti-inflammatory medications, cough suppressants and decongestants can all help to relieve symptoms and can be bought over the counter from your local pharmacy. Talk to your pharmacist to see which remedies are most suitable for you. In some cases, your GP might decide to prescribe antiviral medication to some suffering with flu. This would usually be for people who are more likely to encounter complications such as pregnant women, elderly patients, patients with a weakened immune system etc. Prevention is better than cure so ensure you receive the flu vaccination if it is recommended for you and washing hands well will reduce the spread of infection. So...one question remains...where does ‘man flu’ fit in to all this? That is a whole different matter and would require another article!

Your local pharmacist, Abigail Bowers

SALTBURN CRICKET CLUB Marske Mill Lane, Tel 01287-622761

Wed 31st Dec NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY with THE PERSUADERS

Sat 3rd January – cricketers'

NEW YEAR PARTY – all welcome

Wed 7th and 21st January – BINGO – all welcome

Sat 31st January ... SALTBURN BLUES CLUB … DAN BURNETT BAND support DEVENPORT

(£10) This is an all-ticket nights with 10% DISCOUNT

for Club members

Do you want to organise a party or function? Do you need a convenient venue with loads of free

parking, reasonable bar prices, prize-winning real ales and friendly staff? Look no further!!

Contact us to book your night.

Members and non-members welcome. Available for your functions

Contact Club for details & tickets Facebook saltburncricketbowlsandtennis socialclub

Coldsymptoms Flusymptoms Cough Cough

Runnyorblockednose Runnyorblockednose

Sorethroat Sorethroat

Mildfever(morecommoninchildren)

Fever/chills

Headache Headache,wholebody/muscleaching

Mildtiredness(lastingafewdays)

Profoundfatigue(lastingweeks)

Sneezing Vomiting/diarrhoea(morecommoninchildren)

Canpresentatanytime Seasonal(Autumn‐Spring)

43

A new volunteer-visitor has been recruited to cover East Cleveland by Independent Age, a 150-year-old charity, which is expanding in the Tees area. He is Yorkshireman Andy Godwin, 59, a recently-retired human resources director, who moved into a pantiled-roof cottage at Liverton in May. “I was looking for two things - worthwhile work to do on a voluntary basis and for a house in East Cleveland. Then I turned on Radio Five Live and found the charity I was looking for,” he told Talk of the Town. “Richard Bacon was interviewing a lady who lived on her own and admitted she got lonely. She said she had come across the Independent Age scheme of volunteers, which befriends people on request. She told Richard that the scheme had literally saved her life. That interview caused me to investigate the charity further. I applied to become a local volunteer-visitor and have just started.” Andy said he was attracted to Independent Age because it covered an area he felt needed more support - “old age is something the country is sleep-walking into. It’s a serious issue with many people living 20-30 years longer than they used to. I like the idea of visiting people in their own homes and having a chat. Hopefully we’d find common interests. I’m keen on sport and still ski, play golf, go to the gym and swim. I’m an avid supporter of Huddersfield Town because that’s where I was born. My parents both used to work at ICI Wilton, my father Bob as a personnel manager, and mother Nan as a secretary back in the 50s and 60s.” Andy and his midwife wife Bron used to live at Honley, near Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, but on his retirement they wanted to move to the North-east and be near the North York moors and Whitby. They also wanted to have access to the east coast railway line and good motorways so they could keep in touch with daughters in London and Newcastle. He said he was finding Independent Age “very professional” after attending the annual conference and found colleagues who “care about what they are doing.” He liked

the “ABC policy - independent advice, befriending and campaigning” - the advice and campaigning being done through professionals at the London head office. Middlesbrough-born Brian Hurst, another volunteer, who is the Teesside-wide organiser, said the charity had 60 members, aged 60-96, throughout the area covered by himself, Andy Godwin and another volunteer. A retired manager with banks and Barclaycard, he moved to Eaglescliffe with wife Christine 18 months ago and found “a void in my life” until he picked up an Independent Age leaflet in a doctor’s surgery. He said: “I’ve an interest in football and horse-racing and thought I might be able to meet someone to take to matches or races. Instead I find myself busy helping to expand the number of volunteers - Teesside didn’t use to have an organiser.” The charity has a North-east and Cumbria manager Kay White, who is the only paid staff in the region. And all activities are free of charge, the charity being funded by donations and grants.

Independent Age volunteers start work

Problems faced attempts in Saltburn to support a United Nations’ campaign against domestic abuse in December. There was some bafflement at knitted scarves publicising the 16-day ‘Gender Violence’ campaign being placed on trees surrounding Emmanuel church, Windsor Road. Some people found the small messages fixed to each hard to reach and read. But the Rev Julie Smith, curate at the church, said the scarves created talking-points and got the campaign going. An Act of Witness near the station portico on Wednesday, 10th December drew only eight churchgoers on a bitterly cold and windy day. Emmanuel vicar the Rev. Adam Reed read two Bible passages and led the group in a ‘hope’ prayer. Another problem was the two colours picked to publicise the campaign - yellow and purple. Ms Smith told an ecumenical inter-church Advent service at Emmanuel that they were also the colours of a political party, but the anti-violence efforts were of course not connected with the party.

Mike Morrissey

Saltburn protests and prayers

WITNESSES: Churchgoers, led by vicar the Rev Adam Reed (rear) and curate the Rev Julie Smith (third from left, front) gather at the station portico after an Act of Witness about

gender violence.

Independent Age volunteer Andy Godwin, of Liverton, with the charity’s Teesside organising volunteer

Brian Hurst, of Eaglescliffe.

44 44

27 Milton Street Saltburn-by-the-Sea

Tel. (01287) 623049 (01287) 622056

For a friendly efficient service on all legal matters

CONVEYANCING (FREE WRITTEN QUOTATIONS ON REQUEST) MATRIMONIAL MATTERS CIVIL - CRIMINAL LITIGATION

MILES, HUTCHINSON & LITHGOW SOLICITORS

CHILD CARE IMMIGRATION PROBATE & WILLS INJURY & ACCIDENT CLAIMS LEGAL AID PRACTICE

G Hodgson Joinery

For Domestic & Commercial Property maintenance,

Repairs and Improvements Including

For quality workmanship guaranteed by time served tradesmen at a

sensible price call for Free Estimate 01287 623099 07900 492439

Kitchens Bathrooms Bedrooms Doors Windows Flooring Skirting

UPVC Doors & Windows Tiling Glazing Plumbing Electrics PVC Wall & Ceiling Board Decking

Local literacy charity launches New Year campaign

to boost child reading Local literacy charity Beanstalk has issued an urgent call for volunteers looking to help local children as one of their New Year’s resolution. By starting the New Year as a Beanstalk reading helper you will provide a child with the gift of reading, having a life-changing impact on their ability, confidence, and self-esteem. Each Beanstalk reading helper works with three children and sees each child for two 30 minute sessions a week, during term-time, for three terms. With Beanstalk’s support the child’s approach to learning and enjoying reading is transformed. Peter Lister, Area Manager for Yorkshire and the North East said: “The New Year is here and this is an excellent time for people to start a new, exciting, challenge by becoming a Beanstalk reading helper. Our volunteering programme allows you to have a direct impact on changing the life of a child, giving them the skills they need to succeed in life. We’d encourage everyone to contact us directly if they would like to give a child the gift of reading.” With the support of the local community Beanstalk aims to help children in the North East by recruiting 50 Beanstalk reading helpers. Volunteering as a Beanstalk reading helper is extremely rewarding, makes a lasting difference to children’s lives and is a great way to give something back to your local community. Why not make this your resolution for the year?

To find out more, or to become a Beanstalk reading helper, call Beanstalk on 0845 450 0344 or visit

http://www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk/reading-helpers

45

Pack away those novelty jumpers and get ready for a healthy and prosperous 2015. January is the month to get fit, save some money and do those jobs you’ve been putting off for years, like cleaning out the garage or jet washing the patio. However, everyone knows that the worst job in the word is cleaning out the cupboard under the stairs. Anyone who has attempted it has had to warn their other half like Captain Oates ‘I’m cleaning out the cupboard under the stairs…..and may be some time’…. never to be seen again. Better to put this off till later in the year. They do say that a bit of Feng shui in the home can also help to Feng shui your mind. …or it could just be rubbish, you decide. So the festivities are over and if you’re a parent your living room possibly now resembles a nightmare of primary coloured plastic. Scientific studies show that in the pain stakes, slipping on an upturned mega block is up there with childbirth, worse than standing on an upturned plug or even kicking the door frame with no shoes on. In recent years, the craze of the novelty slipper seems to have worn off mostly due to the sheer number of people falling down the stairs in them and ending up in A&E. Who would have known that reindeer slippers could cause so much upset? Thankfully what better place to put all these newly acquired things than the cupboard under the stairs? It’s the start of the year and the latest craze seems

to be ‘going dry’ for January. Health benefits aside, why would anyone want to stay sober for the most depressing month of the year? Better to drink through it and make another helpful resolution. Perhaps cut down on drinking later in the year when one naturally feels better because of more sunlight. Changing your lifestyle? Tick. It’s always a popular one and we all know that an increase in activity can improve both your physical and mental wellbeing. One of the perks of living in a pretty seaside town is definitely the seafront. Forget about the wind cutting you in half, get those trainers on and go for a bracing walk. If the surfers can dip themselves in the sea in sub zero temperatures and enjoy it, we can go out for a stroll in our thermals surely? Remember that if you don’t return home with wind slapped cheeks you aren’t doing it entirely right. However, as with all New Year’s Resolutions we might start off with good intentions but this seems to go to pot sometime after January the 22nd or once the novelty has worn off anyway. Recent statistics suggest that only about 44% of people are still hanging in there with their resolutions by around June time. If this seems off-putting take comfort in the fact that as the old saying goes - about 73.6 % of statistics are made up. So go for that walk but don’t forget your windcheater. It’s probably in the cupboard under the stairs.

A little corner of Saltburn

Beware the scams Is it over yet? Can I peer out from beneath the mountain of Cliff Richard calendars and Mick Hucknall’s greatest hits? Can we pack away the singing rats, cats and mats (you know who you are) into the novelty boxes for another 12 months? January is the calm after the perfect festive storm. And what a storm; that veritable feast of soggy sprouts, reusable gifts and endless appearances from Jamie Oliver assuring us all it will be lavvverrly jubbly. I love it. Couldn’t, or rather wouldn’t, want it any other way. Aside from the mince pies. And the Christmas cake. And the religion. But hey, I figure they’re a small price to pay in the face of a Lynx gift set. What is a much bigger concern – if you take world peace, debt and Channel 5 out of the equation – are the increasing amount of scams on the market. They’re not new of course but since a family member in Saltburn told me about an approach recently, I felt it appropriate to put them in the spotlight. Since I don’t fancy a legal battle I can’t name and shame – as much as I’d like to – but the scam in question is a familiar tale. They lay a buffet table of goods to try and tempt you – in this case a high-definition TV, DVD player and a hefty amount of cash – and then tell you how much of a bargain you’re in for. The catch? Oh nothing. Simply

send out a modest £19.95 in the post (admin costs obviously) or else face losing out on the chance to bag £20,000 worth of goods. All sounds pretty legit to me. Oh wait. Hang on for just a second here. What’s the back story? Surely if we’re to send out money to a random cause we need something suitably emotionally-charged. Aha! Fear not. Read on and you’ll usually find it; an interchangeable tale about a long lost relative or a Belgian great-uncle who needs the funds to put his cat down since it keeps locking him out of the house. Seriously though, be warned. They’re not all blindingly stupid tales like the latter; some are perfectly believable, seizing on a moment of weakness from those kind enough to take pity. The fact that these scams continue to exist is testament to their effectiveness. Among the majority who throw them in the bin or use the envelopes as coasters, there are a handful of people who are too curious, too generous for their own good. They only need a few people to take up the offer to make it all worthwhile and this month, when we’re all skint from Christmas, it’s like feeding time at the zoo. So you’ve been warned. I’d like to think I’m doing my bit for the Neighbourhood Watch. I accept postal payment incidentally (£90 should cover it) but strictly cash only. Thanks in advance.

Jonathan Whiley

Talking Points

Anna

46 46

Earthbeat to stage music and comedy

Saltburn’s Earthbeat Theatre Company is rehearsing its first production to be staged at its new home - the former junior school at Marske Mill Lane. It is to be staged at the building’s main hall, the theatre, in May 2015. It will be called Classic and involve playing classical music in song and music - with filmed funny sketches. One of the latter will be of a clown dentist. While filming was taking place outside Emmanuel church hall, Upleatham Street, in early November the word ‘dentist’ fell off the wall to the amusement of a dozen actors and actresses. The century-old building, formerly Saltburn Girls’ High School, is being converted into the Earthbeat Centre, which is due to open in February 2015. The Marske Mill Lane site has been empty for a year since Saltburn Community and Arts Association pulled out of the project to turn it into a community centre. The council is selling the football field behind the site to a building developer for housing.

When I were a Lad Animal Firsts

When I were a lad, I spent a lot of my time wandering in the woods and fields looking for any wildlife, something I still enjoy. About a year ago walking in the woods with my brother and his grandson, we had just told him to keep a lookout for deer as the light was beginning to fade. Then just a few feet from us (or about 5 metres to those who don’t understand real money) a deer broke cover; the look of excitement on the boy’s face took me back to my first deer encounter: walking with my dad in the same conditions, fading light, he stopped me and quietly pointed ahead. Two roe deer stood staring at us. For a while all four of us stood still and then the deer just melted into the undergrowth - a magic moment that has always stayed with me, and I am sure that the same will apply to our young explorer. To see a Badger in the wild for the first time, was one of the best experiences of my young life, even better than the first Fox sighting. Early morning during the school holidays, I had caught out this Badger as he wandered home after a night shift searching for food, he was keeping to the tree line for safety, but as he was near to his sett had increased his speed to be home before it got too light. Badgers have poor eyesight but a keen sense of smell, so as long as I was downwind of him I was able to follow it back to the sett, which is still used today. My first Red deer stag was when I was on holiday in the highlands of Scotland. I spent most of the holiday travelling in my uncle’s lorry picking up eggs from local farms. It was another early start, driving through a forest. As the sun fought to drive away the morning mist, a huge stag leapt over the deer fence and stood in front of the lorry head down as if challenging us, then calmly walked across the road and jumped the opposite fence into the forest. I sat spellbound camera in hand, but never pressed the shutter. My first Otter sighting was a flash of brown and white, which I took to be an otter, but my first proper view was again in Scotland. I had gone to the west coast on a family holiday but my plan was to photograph otters, so we crossed over to the Isle of Skye, my camera fitted with a zoom lens. I set up on a pebble beach expecting to see an otter in the distance, but one brave individual came up close to look at me. I managed to focus on it and took two photos before it disappeared never to be seen again. Over the years I have had many firsts that remain in my memory, red kites, golden eagles and ospreys to name a few but still eluding me are Scottish wildcat and pine martens. In Saltburn we are lucky to have the Woodland walkway through the Valley gardens, so why not take the kids for a walk and see what ‘firsts’ you can see.

Tyke

New Year Wishes from the staff and volunteers of Sue Ryder

Another year gone! Christmas over for another year, and we hope we all enjoyed the festive season and have not over eaten or over spent! We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our customers a very Happy and Prosperous New Year and to say ‘Thank you’ for the generous donations that have come our way over the last 12 months. We couldn’t continue without the great support we have. On Saturday the 13th December our Town Crier Sharon was out and about busy with the Christmas farmers’ market and the community centre holding an event, the town was very hectic. Sharon came into our shop to pull the winning ticket out of the bag for the Christmas hamper that we were raffling. The winning ticket was 388 which was claimed by the winner Yvonne from Marske who had bought the ticket only 5 minutes before the draw took place. Well done, Yvonne; you deserve some good luck. Thanks to all.

Carol

PARK NEWSAGENCY Home News Delivery Specialists

Cards & Gifts Magazines & Books Blue Nose Friends Toys & Games Confectionery, Drinks, Ice Creams Stationery Lottery

Stockists of Talk of the Town 102-104 High Street, Marske. Tel: 01642 484371

47

Based in the Sea Studios I am proud to work alongside a team of wonderful people all offering complementary services. Not one but five business enterprises are based here, and are flourishing, despite the economic climate. One year on I am delighted to announce PosiTone® are celebrating their 1st Anniversary in business! PosiTone® is a bespoke exercise and wellness coaching programme that offers three distinctive packages all uniquely tailored to your own physical capabilities and personal growth; a Deluxe low impact passive exercise only programme; a Supreme exercise and mentoring programme; and the ultimate Precious package of exercise, mentoring and holistic wellness coaching. You are warmly welcomed to join in the celebrations on Sunday, 4th January 2015 from 11.00am – 3.00pm where there will be an opportunity for you to see the business in action at the Sea Studios, 1 – 3 Bath Street, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, TS12 1BJ. PosiTone® is the inspired creation of BELIEVE

Holistic therapies who are joining the celebrations too, it being their 3rd Anniversary in business next month in February 2015. And there is more! VLAZE laser tattoo removal and IPL laser hair removal are also celebrating their 3rd Anniversary in business in January 2015 and they too are joining in the day’s event where we will have lots of January specials on offer, entry into a free prize draw with varied vouchers from both our own and local businesses, also light refreshments will be available. We look forward to seeing you on the day and sharing our knowledge and fun loving vibes! I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt thanks to all my loyal customers for their business throughout this past year, to all the local business owners who have supported me, to the wonderful team at Sea Studios and to Ian Tyas for the great job he does in producing the Talk of the Town magazine.

Jenny Tollinton

Enterprising Saltburn Just a stone’s throw from Saltburn town centre, in Bath Street, lies a hidden gem

48 48

Wednesday, 7th January ‘Bingo Night’, a review of the members entries in a Summer challenge. Wednesday, 14th January NY&SD Silver Salver prints results. Wednesday, 21st January, results of the 3rd Monthly Competition ‘Action’. Wednesday, 28th January, ‘California and the Golden West’ presented by our Competition Secretary and the Treasurer, Alan and Christine Parker. Meetings are held in the upstairs hall, Saltburn Milton Street Methodist Church TS12 1EB at 7.30pm.

Visitors are welcome to any of our meetings; there will be a small charge. A practical evening will be held on Monday, 19th January when the subject and demonstration will be ‘High Speed Photography’. Starting time in our normal meeting place is 7.00pm. For more information visit our web site www.saltburnphotographicsociety.co.uk or contact Tony Lynn 01287 622519.

Saltburn Photographic Society

Hello, and welcome once again. I hope you all enjoyed the last edition as we hope this will become a regular feature for you all. We hope to highlight the things which really make the woodlands ‘tick’, be it animal sightings, countryside activities or the works carried out by the Saltburn Countryside Volunteers. So let us start off with some of the smaller creatures within the valley, they may be small but they add so much to any visit to the Valley. By early December, most birds have changed either their homes or habits, or both, in preparation for the winter to come. This is your chance to see a last flush of berries and fungi before severe frosts become a regular event. With the fall of autumn leaves, the woodland floor is flooded with light, making the search for wildlife easier. Providing an extra source of food in your garden will encourage birds to visit and one of the easiest ways is to put out a variety of seeds and nuts to ensure a greater variety of visitors. Greenfinches and siskins are fond of bags or feeders with peanuts, especially during a harsh winter. The best place to hang your feeders is next to some sort of vegetation, be it a tree or thick bushes, so that the birds feel less insecure and are more comfortable darting to and fro. Hang them high enough for cats to be unable to reach them, but near to a window so that you can watch the birds and enjoy their antics. For some strange reason red peanut bags are more attractive to siskins than other colours, but eventually they will become used to whatever you put out and become regular visitors. You just have to be patient! Chaffinches spend a lot of their time on the ground and prefer to search for food that has fallen from a bird table or bird feeder. They will appreciate food scattered on the ground, as long as there are no cats nearby. Bullfinches and bramlings eat a range of seeds and berries, and may be tempted by fruit left on the ground. One of the cheapest and most effective bird foods is lard! The birds love it, smeared onto a tree with a palette knife or your hand (with rubber gloves on). Put out a good dollop, sometimes adding in some seed for variety and I guarantee you will see some bird activity. The great spotted woodpecker and the nuthatch in particular seem to enjoy it. Just make sure you put it out of dog reach, as they love it too! Sparrow hawks soon detect concentrations of small birds at winter feeders. They are magnificent birds similar in size to a

kestrel but with distinctive short, broad, rounded wings and yellow eyes. Unlike the hovering then diving kestrel, they will have a gliding swoop at great speed to catch the smaller birds by surprise, leaving just as quickly in a swirl of feathers and loud squawking from the ones that got away. Some people tolerate or even welcome the occasional sight of a small bird being snatched, but if you want to minimise attacks, site your feeders a little more in the open where an approaching predator can be seen at a distance. You can always encourage goldfinches and linnets into your garden if you leave a small area to grow wild with plenty of native seed-bearing plants, such as thistles and teasels. Sunflowers are very tasty for finches if you leave the heads on the plant after flowering and let them go to seed. Once you have started to encourage birds into your garden you must keep up the supply as they will learn to rely on that little bit extra, and it is definitely worth the effort. You will have noticed that the volunteers have been busy within the Valley since the last edition of this article. The Community Orchard which is located adjacent to the Viaduct has had a good winter clear out, some of the fruit trees were beginning to get a bit overgrown and required clearing of vegetation around their bases. The volunteers have also been busy in other areas, clearing some of the encroaching vines from around the railings of the Bandstand. These railings are fashioned from the decorative pieces of the Ha’penny Bridge which once spanned the Valley. The group are also keen to venture to other woodland sites within Saltburn, both Hazel Grove and Spook Wood require a little winter maintenance also. The Saltburn Countryside Volunteers will continue to meet throughout January on Fridays at 10am outside the Woodland Centre. If you would like any information regarding volunteering opportunities either within Saltburn Valley, or the wider Saltburn area please feel free to contact; ( K a r e n . p r e s t o n @ r e d c a r - c l e v e l a n d . g o v . u k , Sophie.Lyth@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk or myself paul.murphy@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk). And finally, from all within the Countryside Service we that you all had a very Happy Christmas, and will have a Prosperous New Year.

Paul Murphy

The Countryside Ranger and Volunteers, January 2015

49

01287 348548 or 07796 478361

I would like to introduce you to the Volunteer Co-ordination Team for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council. My name is Karen Preston and I am the Natural Heritage Co-ordinator with responsibility for volunteer co-ordination and my colleague Sophie Lyth who is the Volunteer Co-ordination Assistant. The team are currently responsible for the recruitment and co-ordination of volunteers across the Natural Heritage and Cultural services sections which encompass Kirkleatham Museum, Guisborough Forest Walkway, Flatts Lane Woodland Country Park, Foxrush Community Woodland, Errington Woods and Saltburn Valley Woodland. So why would you volunteer? Volunteers are regarded as a valuable resource to our organisation and we are committed to increasing voluntary opportunities within the Borough. We recognise the vital contribution volunteers can make to improve life in the local community and the services we provide as a council. We understand that people choose to volunteer for a variety of reasons. For some it offers the chance to give something back to the community or make a difference to the people around them. For others it provides an opportunity to develop new skills or build on existing experience and knowledge. Regardless of the motivation, what unites all volunteers is that they find it both challenging and rewarding.

We have fantastic volunteering opportunities within our services which can be a great way for you to become more involved in the borough’s beautiful countryside and your local cultural and heritage sites. Opportunities available in our organisation include: Countryside volunteer, Countryside visitor centre shop volunteer, Kirkleatham Museum archives and collections volunteer, Kirkleatham Museum reception volunteer, Education Craft Steward. There are no set criteria for hours we expect volunteers to offer; each hour you can offer is a valuable contribution. There is no upper age limit; however, we do insist volunteers are at least 16 years old (younger people will be considered depending on area of work). No matter what your past experiences have been we are sure that your skills, knowledge and experiences can be put to good use within our organisation. You can find more information, as well as see all of our ‘one off’ opportunities on our volunteer webpage (www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/volunteer). Interested? To request a volunteer application form please contact a member of the volunteer team shown below.

Karen Preston – 01642 496428 Karen.preston@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk

Sophie Lyth – 01642 496442 Sophie.lyth@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk

Volunteers – We Need You

50 50

Who knows what can happen when you decide to make a long-held ambition a reality? And if that ambition endures, one thing inevitably leads to another…. So here’s the story. Looking ahead to a time when the pressure of work would be easing, Harry Simpson set up Saltburn Blues Club. He’d seen a gap in his home town’s music scene. It didn’t have a regular Blues night. With a good dose of determination, he set about filling that gap and since September 2011 we’ve enjoyed a steady stream of extraordinarily talented bands and solo artists. New to live music promotion, Harry had to learn as he went along, take advice from more seasoned hands and keep steady when the going got tough. Finding a good venue, advertising the gigs, persuading those who don’t really understand the genre (which is hugely broad and varied) to come along to the club and give it a go were, and sometimes still are, the challenges. But one thing is very obvious: Harry knows good music and can spot superb performers even before they’ve become well-known and established on the Blues circuit. Somehow, and regularly, he manages to do this. We all benefit. Often becoming award-winners, highly regarded musicians come to Harry’s club friendly and eager to share their music and passion for performing live. Week after week, artists who have appeared at Saltburn Blues Club are played by Paul Jones, BBC Radio 2’s Blues Master. No surprise, then, that when the internet-based radio station, Palace FM, came to Redcar, Harry was keen to share his music with an even wider audience. He was given his own radio show and he gave it the best title – STILL GOT THE BLUES. The iconic sound of Gary Moore’s guitar as he played the title track signalled two hours of the most fabulous Blues music. The first show went out in May 2013. The first track was ‘Call On Me’ by our very own glorious Blues guitarist, Chris Rea. Harry openly admits to his favourites and Chris is right up there. Week after week, the listeners were treated to the very best Blues music. From the earliest tracks and trailblazers of the genre to the extraordinary artists of today – and everything in between – Harry opened up what the Blues is about. It wasn’t only superbly entertaining, it was a Blues education. As the weeks went on and Harry mastered his presenting skills, we became familiar with more and more artists, heard who would be playing locally and which tracks were must-haves on our own Blues playlists. Harry is proud of his home town and promotes local talent as well as playing big names in the music world. Harry’s musical tastes are by no means confined to the Blues. He began to present a second show, CHILL WITH H, two hours of the best and most relaxing chillout music from a whole variety of genres. So

different from his original show. But Palace FM was not long-lived and ended in 2014. Before it did, however, Harry went international. Kansas City Online Radio (KCOR) adopted his STILL GOT THE BLUES show and it still goes out today on Mondays at 9pm USA Central Time. Following the Palace FM experience, Harry decided to present STILL GOT THE BLUES from his own home and set about doing this with the help of Richard Dales-Coupland, of Saltburn’s popular Woodland Centre. So the show continues online, now via MIXCLOUD. You can listen at your own convenience and post your comments to Harry. Feedback is vital. It creates a dialogue that helps presenters and also gives listeners a voice. Technical advances in the media have worked in Harry’s favour. All from home now, he puts out his weekly 2-hour STILL GOT THE BLUES show, which KCOR still takes for its station, and also CHILL WITH H which is now one-hour long. The commitment has paid off. The enthusiasm is evident and the listeners share in it. Music means many things to many people. We are all the better for it and promoters and presenters like Harry make our enjoyment of it all the more possible. Follow Harry’s shows STILL GOT THE BLUES and CHILL WITH H on www.mixcloud.com. Like on Facebook too.

Live Music Promoter, Harry Simpson, Takes To The Airwaves

51

Brian Hudson Decorator

Interior and Exterior 30 years experience

Free estimates

01287 624011

Moola 1 Dundas Street West

(Next to Easy PC & Music)

Moola is open from 9.00am until 5.00pm Tuesday to Friday, 9.30am to 12.30pm Saturday, and Closed Monday and Sunday

Repairs and Alterations

Sewing Workshops

Dressmaking

Mobile: 07472 178817

Letter to the Editor I was saddened to hear about the closure of the Money Tree & Glen Credit Union which I presume means the end of the Redcar & Cleveland Credit Union Development Agency... or had that already gone? The creation of the latter began when the idea was passed onto myself from John Groake then of Loftus Development Trust c. 2007. The necessity for a borough-wide credit union was important because of low income families, the threat of loan sharks and the need for safe banking, the latter to become extremely prevalent a year or so later! The Credit Union required a greater workforce to establish itself in the consciousness of the local populace and this is what it never had. I myself, as Community Empowerment Officer was warned off creating such which I refused, acknowledging the absolute need for such. Interesting enough, if you travel to southern Ireland you will find a welcoming Credit Union in every town and village, but not so here. The council showed no interest in the development of such, which beggars belief and did not acknowledge it at all, so the people of the borough all lost out. In a time of such financial distress this is more than ridiculous. Thanks Jim Wingham for mentioning such in his December column. Someone lay a tawdry wreath outside a Job Centre.

Martin Smith

52 52

Saltburn Line User Group

Next Meeting: Tuesday, 6th January

2015 Meetings at Saltburn

Conservative Club are held on the first Tuesday of the month

19.15pm for a 19.30pm Start. As always, all welcome.

Talk to Saltburn Line User Group. The Group exists to protect

passengers’ interests. Find us at www.facebook.com/

saltburnlineusergroup

Telephone the secretary on: 07875 242350

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL LINE

RITSON Tree Care QUALIFIED ARBORISTS

Sympathetic Tree Pruning Sectional Dismantling Hedge Trimming Storm Damage Tree Planting Tree Inspection Woodchipping Stump Grinding All Aspects of Tree Surgery

undertaken All Debris Removed All Areas Covered

ALL WORK TO BS3998 STANDARD. N.P.T.C. Certified & Fully Insured

Environmentally Friendly

Member International Society of Arboriculture

(01287) 625457

MEMBER

Local Authority Approved

Postal Subscription to

Talk of the Town

If you enjoy reading Talk of the Town, why not subscribe to the postal service? You can have the magazine delivered to your door, anywhere in the UK for as little as £33.50 per year. Simply send a cheque payable to “Gbiz IT” for £33.50 to TotT Subscriptions, 9 The Wynd, Marske, Cleveland, TS11 7LD. Don't forget to enclose your name and address. Alternatively, you can call us on 01642 477200 if you wish to pay by credit or debit card.

Starting 2015 with a big THANK YOU for all who voted for us in the Teesside Philanthropic Foundation’s Goalden Give Away; gaining sufficient votes to be awarded £750 for the Group! Many thanks. Any suppor t i s g rea t ly

appreciated and is a welcome boost as we close for Christmas; with more plans for the building. Beavers have been both within the building preparing for the festive season, but also getting out. They (and Cubs) attended the Santa Parade and were amazed at the numbers thronging the route and the station approach. Many thanks to parents (and Sam) who supported that evening; wearing reflective jackets to ensuring safe marshalling of our young people. Beavers also joined in with the District Christmas Event at Emmanuel Church, a new event and sure to be repeated; more of that later. Cubs continue work on their Global Challenge and local knowledge badge; both involve maps and their signs (hopefully to ensure they do not get lost) as well as improving their own awareness of their local community. Cubs also joined in the Santa Parade and were a credit, enjoying the experience and like Beavers have received a gift for joining in. Cubs also were at the Christmas event at Emmanuel Church; attendance could have been better from parts of the District, but the young people enjoyed the event, singing well and being fascinated by several short films Rev. Adam Reed had selected. The church was warm and Adam very welcoming. It is hopefully going to be an annual activity and certainly all our young people hope so as well.

Scouts also joined in for the Christmas event (an especial thanks to Aaron being willing to be a reader), but owing to the timing of the event some Scouts were unable to attend. So with a 7.15pm finish I and the Scouts met up again for a regular Scout meeting. An impromptu session of how to deal with a rabbit (ie skinning, etc) proved an immensely enjoyable evening. The original planned activity had to be deferred to the following week. Another time the plan is to prepare a rabbit and hopefully cook (and taste). Even the vegetarian members will be prepared to ‘look on’ – at a distance – and join in the vegetable preparation the next time. Scouts are also familiarising themselves with streets in Saltburn – to take out Scout Post – we have welcome parental involvement; however, the Scouts relish the opportunity to ‘roam’ the streets at night. Our ‘new’ kitchen looks amazing, replacement floor covering and a smart array of cupboards, many thanks to all who toiled to achieve a useful addition to our building’s facilities. The Group executive are now preparing to insulate and re-line the main hall (additional insulation would be wonderful) and present a more acceptable area for our young people to enjoy. Hopefully also over the break our floor will be sanded down and re-varnished (courtesy of Invictus Health Studio). This will benefit many of our games activities and also ensure our young people do not get as dusty! Many parents continue to offer assistance in a variety of ways and I must thank them for their support. We are continuing with our recruitment strategy to attract Leaders for the Group and are pleased that parents are becoming involved in ensuring our Sections are exciting and interesting for our young people. If you can offer assistance or are interested please get in contact: 07811 801627 or johnghannah@yahoo.co.uk.

1st Saltburn Scout Group

John G. Hannah

53

I’ve lived in Saltburn since 1985 and have always been proud of the community spirit in the town. I feel privileged to have been part of this community and have thoroughly enjoyed bringing up my family here,” says Ann Wright, who has made many valued friends over the years. Ann was born in Middlesbrough and was brought up in Park End with her brother, Alan. “I had a very happy childhood,” she says. “I was very sporty and heavily involved in hockey and basketball at Springfield Secondary School.” After leaving Springfield, she took up secretarial work and worked for three years at Shaw’s Foundry, then for eight years at Cleveland Area Health Authority. Ann met husband Ian and they married in 1977. For their first eight years together, they lived in Normanby and began to bring up their sons, Graham and Kevin. They moved to Saltburn, because of the good schools and its situation on the coast. After a while, son Gary was born and Ann devoted her time to the family. “I know it wouldn’t suit everyone, but I thoroughly enjoyed being at home with my boys and getting involved in all their activities,” she explains. Graham, Kevin and Gary have thrived on the attention. Graham is now a buyer for a marine construction company at Stokesley and he and his wife, Amber, live in Saltburn with their seventeen month old daughter, Peggy (named after Ann’s mum). Kevin is Head of History in an International School in Shanghai and Gary is studying Economics and Business Studies at Northumbria University. When the boys were growing up, Ann took a City and Guilds course in Care and worked part-time in two Saltburn nursing homes. “This training helped me immensely when I looked after my mum for her last couple of years in Guisborough,” Ann adds. She was also busy driving her enthusiastic sporting sons around North of England Cricket grounds. They represented Cleveland Schools Cricket, while they were at Huntcliff. “I really enjoyed watching them compete,” she says. All the family have been very involved in Saltburn Cricket Club since the mid-1980s; Ann has taken part in scoring, helping to run junior sides and making cricket teas. Initially on long distance walking and then running and most recently cycling, Ann has great experience of raising money for charity. She took up running at the age of forty-nine and trained for a while with New Marske Harriers. She took part in three Lincoln 10k races and three Races for Life at Ormesby Hall, finishing sixteenth in her last attempt at this. In 2012, having never ridden, Ann signed up for Cycle India and bought her first bike. The event involved cycling around 360 km over five days between Agra and Jaipur with another sixty-four women, in high heat and humidity. She completed the challenge and raised well over £3000 for women’s cancer charities herself. “It gave me an immense feeling of achievement riding for such a worthy cause, showing that with effort you can surprise yourself,” she explains. During this event, Ann visited the Taj Mahal in Agra and the ‘Pink City’ Jaipur and met some wonderful people on the journey through India. All the family had a great holiday in Hong Kong to celebrate Graham and Amber’s wedding in 2008 and since Ian retired in 2012 from his job in oil and gas and offshore wind construction, he and Ann have taken some long haul

holidays to Canada, Australia/Dubai, China and Japan/Korea. Their last two holidays included meeting up with their middle son, Kevin in the Far East. While travelling around the world, Ann likes to try out the local cuisine. On the last holiday in Japan, Ann celebrated her sixtieth birthday at ‘Abbey Road’ venue, watching a Beatles Tribute Band called ‘The Parrots’! Ann is a keen dog walker and the family have a clumber spaniel called Harvey, who was born and bred on Exmoor. She enjoys holidays in the Lake District with him. In fact, she celebrated her fiftieth birthday and their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary by walking up Hellvellyn. She never tires of walking in Saltburn’s Valley Gardens with Harvey, stopping at the cafe for a cup of coffee, then continuing along the beach and through the town. All the family are keen Boro supporters and have season tickets. They attended all the big Cup Finals at Wembley in the 1990s and the triumphant game at Cardiff in 2004. Ann is a keen gardener, growing mainly potatoes, onions and carrots in her back garden. She enjoys knitting and sewing, especially now for granddaughter, Peggy. “But I’m not one of the secret knitters!” she adds. Ann likes a wide range of music, but her favourite is Soul. The Wrights are a musical family as Ian, Kevin and Gary all play the guitar at various musical venues, including Folk Clubs. Kevin is lead singer in a band called ‘Girls Like Mystery’ in Shanghai and the musicians played a gig when Ann visited in 2012. Ann’s brother, Alan, is amazed how many people she greets when they’re out for a walk when he visits. “That’s Saltburn,” she says. “It’s a very friendly place!”

The Saltburn Profile by Rosemary Nicholls

Ann Wright

54 54

Architectural Services &

Chartered Structural & Civil Engineers

Architectural Planning and Building Regulation Advice

Listed Building Experts House Extensions & Loft Conversions

Alterations and Refurbishments Residential New Builds Shop Layout Designs

Alcohol Licence Applications Office Warehouse Designs

Structural & Civil Engineering Structural Surveys

Beam Designs Building Restoration

Foundation & Underpinning Design Tree Surveys

General Building Works

Professional and Friendly Service

Gregory Sills BEng (Hons) CEng MIStructE FGS

t: 01287 624644 m: 07960 967865

www.scurator.co.uk info@scurator.co.uk

SALTBURN EVANGELICAL CHURCH

Leven Street, Saltburn Worship Services each Sunday

10.30am & 6.30pm Ladies Fellowship

1st & 3rd Mondays @ 2.00pm Weekly prayer meeting Thursday 10.30am.

A warm welcome to All An independent Evangelical Church

"Christ-centred ministry on the foundation of the Scriptures"

Corporate Business Apartments Accommodation available at

www.yorkshire-corporate-accommodation.co.uk Phone: 07969 280499

NEED HELP?

• Decorating • Joinery

I’M YOUR GUY

Based in Saltburn CALL GUY ON

07780 008985

55

I was sitting on the sofa a few evenings ago when my eyes alighted on a slim magazine that had arrived through the door earlier in the day and which Kate had been perusing. It was one of those ‘everything you never really needed’ sort of catalogues that do not usually interest me at all; however, my gaze fell upon something that immediately commanded my attention. There, at the bottom right hand side of the page was something for which I had been searching most of my adult life. In full colour and modelled by an amiable looking man who was staring wistfully into the middle distance was the perfect hat! I have to stress that this was a very important occurrence because the perfect hat has eluded me almost since I was a child and now there it was. How stupid I had been in the past. It was now suddenly self-evident that what I had been seeking all along was a Breton fisherman’s cap! It all suddenly made sense. When I had last been to Brittany on a research trip almost everyone I met thought I was a local. When they discovered that my Christian name was Alan – that just sealed the deal, because it is the most popular Breton man’s name. It became obvious to me as I stared at the fisherman’s cap in the magazine that I must have a previously unrecognised genetic predisposition to this age-old chapeau. And why not? My surname, Butler, is French in origin. For all I know that first Butler who stood proudly on the beach at Hastings with William the Conqueror in 1066 was wearing a Breton fisherman’s cap. When Kate came back into the room I announced triumphantly that the quest was over and that I had, at last, discovered headgear heaven. I showed her the picture but instead of cooing in enraptured delight, to my profound shock Kate began to laugh. In deference to the sensibilities of my readers I cannot write here what Kate almost immediately told me I would look like in a Breton fisherman’s cap but it was short, to the point and not remotely complimentary. Of course I was crestfallen and grumped around the house for the remainder of the evening. What could I do? Kate obviously looks at me much more frequently than anyone else and it clearly would do my ego no good whatsoever if she was going to dissolve into fits of laughter each time I left the house with her. Later that night when I went to bed I gazed up in utter disbelief at the many hats that dustily adorn the top of the wardrobe. These represent the results of decades of trawling round every imaginable sort of men’s shop and market stall. After countless years and when the range of hats commercially available to me was fully exploited (or so I had thought) I became so desperate that I began to make my own hats. I suddenly realised that all the decades of struggle, pricking myself with needles or fighting the sewing machine into submission had been a total waste of time. A little like Captain Ahab and his white whale I had been constantly scouring the distant

horizon (well shop windows actually but it amounts to the same thing) and just when my obsession was over and hat-heaven showed itself bright and clear before me, it appeared that all my hopes would be dashed and I would have to remain bare-headed and exposed to the elements. It was a letdown of epic proportions. In my collection are cowboy hats, flying hats, flat caps, engine driver’s hats, hunting, fishing and shooting hats, bobble hats, German despatch rider’s hats, tank corps caps, forage caps and a whole collection of straw panamas and fedoras but not one of them has the simple honesty of a Breton fisherman’s cap (which I have since learned is sometimes referred to as a Greek fisherman’s cap, a Swedish fisherman’s cap or even a John Lennon cap.) I have never seen a picture of either George Orwell or D H Lawrence wearing this sort of headgear but I feel certain that they must have done so habitually, if only for the sake of socio-political solidarity. This was the hat which shouted on behalf of its wearer “You can put me in chains but you cannot rule my choice of head covering.” It was just as provocative but more practical than the red Liberty cap of the French Revolution and starkly, deliberately at the opposite end of the spectrum to the bowler. I well remember seeing a picture years ago of the entire workforce of a North Eastern shipyard quitting the day shift on a Friday evening and setting off homeward en masse. There were literally hundreds of men in that faded sepia picture from the turn of the 19th century and every single one of them sported a cap of some sort. Photographs I had seen of days out to Bridlington in Edwardian times demonstrated that women too once refused to leave home without exactly the right sort of hat. After much deliberation I would go so far as to say that if there is a genuine blight on humanity in the early 21st century it is that we have forgotten this obvious primary need of our species to cover the top of our heads. There comes a time in everyone’s life when they have to do what is self-evidently right for them, irrespective of any other consideration and even despite the opinions of their nearest and dearest. It was for this reason that I telephoned the catalogue the next day and ordered the Breton fisherman’s cap, with its 60% wool and 40% polyester dark blue material, its narrow peak and corded piping. I waited anxiously for it to arrive, avoiding going to the shop each day until after the postman had called and wandering around in soul-searching anxiety, desperately anxious to fulfil a lifetime’s yearning. At last, at long last it arrived – this material expression of the centuries of toil, servitude and social inequality that had been heaped upon my long-lost Gallic ancestors – a personification of the right to my individuality and self expression. I ripped open the packaging and taking my new and precious cap in my hand, whilst fondling its proletarian softness I walked with it to the hall and placed it ceremonially on my head as I gazed with anticipation into the mirror. Kate was right. It makes me look like a _ _ _ _!

The Perfect Hat by Alan Butler

56 56

Happy New Year. We had a really festive Farmers’ Market for Christmas with wreaths and table centres made by our Grow and Learn team. If you’d like to learn to grow your food this year, let me know as I have a short list of people interested in a new course. If it were a bit longer, I could start something up. It’s a healthy, environmentally friendly and financially beneficial thing to do. We have New Year giveaways this year. We have a number of gazeebos. They are several years old and flimsy in the wind but otherwise they provide good cover and are free to any good homes. We would especially like to give them to like-minded type groups. If you made a New Year’s resolution to get started early this year and, if you have a greenhouse, a polytunnel or a couple of windowsills, you could sow peas, beans, spinach, onions, leeks, salad leaves and parsley. Tomatoes, peppers, chillies and aubergines are possible if you have heat. They need a constant temperature of at least 15 degrees C so a windowsill would be fine if you don’t have a heated greenhouse. You could plant rhubarb and bare rooted fruit trees and bushes as well. If you didn’t summer prune your fruit, you can winter prune now. If the weather is REASONABLE, you can continue with clearing jobs. This will include clearing and digging (the digging is very weather dependent as digging over very wet soil is a bad thing) bare soil, taking out weeds and roots, particularly of those perennials such as thistle, dock, couch grass, bindweed and mare’s tail. If you are a no dig gardener, you will want to be putting loads of bulky organic mulch on any bare patches, if you didn’t do this before Christmas. Don’t put any compost/manure etc. on any patches you plan to put carrots, parsnips or any of the unusual long roots into. This is one of the things that can cause the roots to fork. Carrying on the good work, you’ll be clearing anything left over from last year’s harvested crops, old brassica leaves and the like. Cleaning labels is a good idea. Continuing on the “early” theme, if you have rhubarb, there’s still time to split it if it’s getting elderly. You’ll be able to tell if you find that there’s a dead middle of the crown and the stalks seem to be moving, in a ring, further and further away from the middle each year. You can dig up the crown and, with a sharp spade, chop chunks off the outer part of the crown for re-planting. You could, at this point, plant a couple of pieces in big pots, cover with something light proof (a pot with the holes covered over for example) and get some early forced stems. Finally, come and see the allotment containers for your seeds and other gardening supplies to start off a happy gardening New Year. Cheers, Sue

Saltburn Allotments Association

Saltburn Beachwatch Macro/Micro Plastics

Someone asked me recently if micro-plastics were just large pieces of plastic, which pollute our beach and cause havoc in the marine environment, that have been broken down into smaller pieces. The answers are yes and no! Yes, the action of waves and the exposure to Ultra Violet radiation mean that macro-plastics, which are over 5mm in size, become smaller and smaller fragments making the sea become a kind of plastic soup. Just as alarming is the continued use of micro-plastics or micro-beads in items we all use like household cleaners and personal care products such as skin defoliators, scrubs and washes. These micro-beads range in size from the size of fish eggs down to microscopic proportions and are unable to be filtered out by sewage facilities thus ending up in the sea. These particles then tend to float on the surface of the water before often becoming colonised by micro-organisms which alter the properties of the plastic leading it to sink to the seabed where it is taken up by, amongst other creatures, filter feeders and then up the food chain ultimately to humans. Large multi-national companies who use micro-beads in personal care products have been lobbied by scientists and environmental groups who have pointed out the dangers to the environment by continued use of these micro-beads. Many but not all of these companies have said that they will phase out over the next two years using micro-beads in their manufacturing processes and will use safe natural alternatives in future, which is what they had used before the invention of micro-beads. The micro-plastics contained in these products are usually labeled in the lists of ingredients on the products’ packaging. The ones to look out for are Polythene, Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polyethylene terephthalate and Polymethyl methacrylate. If you do not want to use products containing these chemicals, a good source of information for natural alternatives is the Good Scrub Guide website which also has a supporting smartphone app. Saltburn Beachwatch cannot pick up micro-plastics off the beach because we can not see them, but we can do something about macro-plastics and other visible items of rubbish which despoil our marine environment by doing a litterpick and survey and adding our results to the Marine Conservation Society’s database thus helping to change environmental policies. If you would like to help at the next Saltburn Beachwatch litterpick and survey which will take place in March 2015 please see these regular monthly notices in Talk of the Town or contact me on 01287 204204 (or e-mail roye.smith47@yahoo.co.uk). Roy Smith

57

The Muses of Jim Well. What a week I was having. Monday’s eye operation was cancelled, due to an emergency, which is fair enough. I have always taken the view that the next emergency could be me. I have been told they will come to me as soon as they can, which is good enough for me. I am a great fan of the National Health Service and have always been grateful and pleased with the service I received. Monday evening was the last full council meeting before Christmas and it is a tradition that the Chairman buys a round of drinks. After a quick pleasant drink in Saltburn Cricket Club it was time to go down to Saltburn House to meet friends. Then home stopping on the way to check on possible noise from coolers from our local supermarket. These seem to be functioning well at moment, but a ‘compressor’ appears to be rather aggressive. Up early on Tuesday morning, so that I can catch the first train out of Saltburn. I’m off to London, as it is the quarterly meeting of NALC, which stands for the National Association of Local Councils. This meeting is also the annual meeting where all committees are elected. I managed to get re-elected on the Policy Committee. Unfortunately, the highlight of the day was when I thought I had left my mobile phone on the train, only to discover that I had put it on charge on arrival at the meeting place. Laughter all around. The journey home was marred by the fact that the train was 18 minutes late leaving London. This meant that I had missed my connection at Darlington, thus arriving in Saltburn one hour late. Wednesday was my birthday so therefore was a much better day indeed. Texts from children and presents to enjoy with a quiet drink with friends. Thursday brought a lie in and the afternoon saw a planning meeting of the Older Peoples Partnership where a full programme of events was planned for 2015. Today, Friday, again saw me in London. This time at a meeting of the Sustainable Community Advisory Board at Great Russell Street, where a full programme was dealt with appertaining to the work of the board. With an earlier finish than planned, a well pleased Jim Wingham made his way to Kings Cross Railway Station, using his much loved bus pass, intending to catch an earlier train. One such train was caught but it was full, and I mean full. Poor me, I had to stand all the way to Peterborough before I was able to sit down. That’s just this week described in outline. Earlier, in the previous period I did discover a hidden gem in Saltburn. This hidden delight is called Friday’s Friends. They meet at the Church Hall of Emmanuel Church every, you have guessed it, every Friday, am and pm. This group like many others lost its funding, but unlike many others it, like the Older Peoples Partnership, fought back, seeking help elsewhere. Well done. Finally, on my way to London today, I did what I always do and I called at the Spar for my morning paper. Unfortunately, the papers had not arrived, so I went to wait for the train. Just as the train was about to leave, my morning paper was thrust in my hand. ‘Pay tomorrow’ was the cry as the kind person disappeared. Only in Saltburn.

Jim Wingham

S.O.S. Update It now looks like January 2015 at the earliest before the Taylor Wimpey (TW) outline planning application for housing on the western edge of Saltburn is considered by R&CBC Regulatory Committee. TW are rightly worried by the extent of opposition to this opportunistic application and have instructed their agent to register a response to the objections made. We now have the majority of the township, our Parish Council and politicians of all colours against this proposal. Additionally this area of greenfield land has never been proposed for housing development by our Borough Council in any current or previous plan. Our community therefore expects the Regulatory Committee to reject the application given that a 5.3 year housing supply has been robustly identified without it. Should TW appeal it is to be hoped that the Planning Inspectorate/Secretary of State would uphold the rejection decision. Not to do so against the will of the local people, their elected representatives and Councils, would expose a serious failure in the workings of the National Planning Policy Framework and of Central Government. When the date for the application hearing is known we encourage as many objectors as possible to meet for a photograph before the meeting and to witness proceedings. Please do everything you can to be there. Thank you.

Terry Cox

58 58

The Saltburn Crossword no 163 set by Advena

Solution to Crossword no 162

The winner of last month’s crossword was Marguerite Barber of Wiltshire Road, Skelton.

Name___________________________________ Address_________________________________ ________________________________________ Telephone_______________________________

D. V. Townend & Co Country Outfitters

New Shop Premises Open at No. 8 Dundas Street, Saltburn

Outdoor Clothing and Footwear, Walking Boots and Socks, Gifts and Knitwear, Hiking Poles and Walking Sticks Plus Lots More...

Tel. 01287 623754

8 Dundas Street East, Saltburn TS12 1AH

www.dvtownend.com

Across 1 The original Christmas, so the angels said (3, 5, 4) 9 Surfacing rock layer is not in field produce (7) 10 Pressure injury sobered with disturbance (7) 11 Equine artefact starts horses hoeing (9) 12 See 7 Down 13 Absurdly oh Sir, ye garments collectively hanging up on Christmas Eve (7) 15 Eric and Al mix badly with a cream filled pastry (6) 18 To barter, Leah reorganised, including gold and gems firstly (6) 20 Carolling at Christmas, it’s how the bells ring on high (7) 24 Large country house found in Durham, a northern county (5) 25 It’s eating badly to provoke action (9) 27 Action taken by the pier fishermen and also Saltburn’s ’53 Drama Group, with Stuart initially acting slightly disturbed (7) 28 Deb, deer go backwards in the filtration system for Saltburn’s red river (4, 3) 29 This Nativity trio meet where sin disturbed (5, 4, 3)

Down 1 Saltburn in Bloom was awarded one of these in retro physics (6) 2 Come inside the Ear Nose and Throat department adjoining a famous American medical TV drama (5) 3 Sir, a lie confuses an inhabitant of Nazareth or Tel Aviv (7) 4 A real gem on Saltburn’s new bus routes? (8) 5 Puzzled loner, including Banquo initially, Hamlet wonders whether it is thus (6) 6 Strangely, mice end peculiar to a particular location (7) 7 and 12 Across On Saltburn beach in 2014, it commemorated the same at Christmas 1914 (8, 5) 8 In French the dear Yves initially generates debauchery (7) 14 A musician heard in church to groan before soloist conclusion (8) 16 What devoured Christmas on December 13th in Saltburn’s theatre? (3, 4) 17 A British wildflower could be the sleeping facility in the stable at Bethlehem with best ward rearranged (8) 19 Fairly big girl has disintegrated (7) 21 Dear Sir, unexpectedly they mount a surprise attack (7) 22 Crazy Nigel led by John first makes a Christmas sound (6) 23 Fibre connecting muscle inside forgotten donkeys (6) 26 I left Malibu confused, with a book of photographs (5)

Send your completed crossword to: Saltburn Crossword no 163, c/o Jackie’s Saverstore, 8 Station Buildings, Saltburn, TS12 1AQ by Friday, 16th January 2015. First correct solution out of the bag wins a £10 voucher kindly donated by Tim and Sheila of Real Meals.

SERVICING ENGINE TUNING MOT PREPARATION REPAIR WORK-WELDING For a fast friendly local service contact: PETER MOORE:

01287 625587 or 622912 Bath St Garage, Bath St, Saltburn TS12 1BJ

THE TOTAL MOTORING PACKAGE

BATH STREET GARAGE

59

60 60