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Coastal View & Moor News Issue 67 - March - April 2016
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Fears over future of popular Guisborough allotments
abour MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland has called on the Conservative Chair of Guisborough Parish Council to quash the developing rumours that he has had talks with Lord Gisborough regarding plans to sell of the town’s Wilton Lane allotments. It is believed that Malcolm Griffiths, the Conservative Parish Council Chair, has had discussions with Lord Gisborough’s estate regarding the possible sale of the Wilton Lane allotments and surrounding area to a housing developer. Tom said: “Part of the land where the allotments are was purchased on behalf ‘of the denizens’ Guisborough after World War Two and some have been managed by the same families for over 100 years. “I have written to Guisborough Parish Council and Malcolm Griffiths to seek assurances that the town’s allotments will not be lost now, or in the future. I will be working with Guisborough Borough Councillor Shelagh Holyoake and Labour Town councillors to make sure that the allotments are saved for future generations. Labour Candidate for the Hutton ward byelection Ian Taylor added: “The residents of Guisborough have a right to know what the Chair of their Parish Council has discussed with local land owners, especially if it was about the future of the town.” A petition calling for the Parish Chair to make a statement regarding the future of the allotment is available to sign at TomBlenkinsop.com/ save-wilton-lane-allotments Malcolm S Griffiths, Chairman of Guisborough Town Council told Coastal View: “I was initially advised by a concerned third party of the MP’s email petition and the MP’s intention to notify myself and Guisborough Town Council by letter, but as of yet no letter has been received.
Tom with Ian Taylor, Labour candidate for Hutton ward by-election at the allotments “In regard to the, I suggest manufactured, rumour referred to, it appears to have emanated from a small number who’s infantile intent does those responsible little credit, I also include the MP. “However as requested, I am absolutely delighted and able to confirm I have have never engaged in discussions regarding our Wilton Lane Allotment site with either Lord Gisborough or Gisborough Estates in the past or present! “This small cartel rumour-mongering destroy their own credibility by ignoring that highly qualified and experienced estate professionals manage large estates, not Parish or Town
Centenary Commemoration project
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By Quita Owen
ields in Trust (the old National Playing Fields Association) are currently running a Centenary Commemoration project with the Royal British Legion to mark and protect any site which has what they call “a tangible link” with the First World War. This could be an open green space with a memorial cenotaph or obelisk, a war memorial park or garden, or an open space named after someone or known to have been used for something connected with WWI. The sites would then be legally protected and provided
with an attractive commemorative plaque. I think “indoor” memorials such as a village hall could also be eligible, provided there is an ongoing community use, though they would prefer something outdoor. The hope is that at least one suitable site will be found in every local authority area, but so far they haven’t been able to identify much in the North East region as a whole, and would therefore be very grateful for any help with this project locally. If you did want to know more, the website is www.fieldsintrust.org/centenaryfields.aspx
Councillors. “He seeks an assurance for the present and future, for the present, I am aware this MP already knows the Lease for these Allotments expires in 2023. I decline to predict the future, but do believe that any future Town Council would seek a renewal of this lease in regard to the continuation of Allotments in 2023 from Gisborough Estates. “Since the MP’s Petition started, many who are now aware of the correct factual circumstances they consider the MP is
engaging in a personal vendetta, and I am extremely grateful to those who have contacted myself proffering their support. “Our Allotment holders, many who have committed countless tens of thousands of man hours and, in many cases thousands of pounds deserve and rightly expect to be treated with equal respect. In this instance they have been badly let down by the staggeringly naive only intent on spreading vexatious question of no real substance, in doing so they achieve nothing positive but to provoke unneeded concern.”