Earthbeat Centre on a roll The Earthbeat Centre, which opened in February in Saltburn, is enjoying an incredible first year. Earthbeat, which provides drama training and performance opportunities for learning disabled adults, has been chosen as Sainsbury’s local charity of the year. Sainsbury’s will not only raise much needed funds for the group but they will also work alongside the Earthbeat members when they stage their shows and other events. Earthbeat manager, Tony Galuidi, is delighted with the partnership. He says, ‘The Sainbury’s staff have been really enthusiastic and have come up with some very creative suggestions, including a plan to sponsor 500 tiles which we will use to repair the roof. People will be able to sign and sponsor a tile outside the Saltburn branch of Sainsbury’s during Saltburn’s Food Festival on the 2nd August. The branch manager, Malcolm Mitchell, has even threatened to break into song to the tune of The Proclaimers hit, ‘I would walk 500 miles’. Only in Saltburn!’ After the Food Festival, folk legends Ranagri will be performing at The Earthbeat centre.
The centre recently took delivery of a 4 ton, 7ft tall sandstone monolith which stands beside the main entrance. Local business, Steve Brettle Fabrications, has sponsored the striking feature and has created a magnificent steel sign, free of charge, which will guide people into the building. Saltburn Golf Club have also continued to support the charity and have donated £600, which will be used to upgrade and maintain the grounds and community garden. The two captains, Penni Hughf and Norman Malone, will continue to raise funds for Earthbeat throughout the year. Trustee, Trevor Longden, couldn’t be happier. ‘After all the hard work we put into bringing the building back to life, it’s really gratifying to see such support from local businesses and individuals. There’s such a lot going on at the centre and we have a really diverse range of activities on offer, from archery through Tai Chi to Morris dancing. We’ve even got American Wrestling taking place within the centre.’ Earthbeat has been putting on amazing, sell out shows for 25 years and plans to make this a year to remember. Tickets are now available for their 25th anniversary show which take place on the 4th, 7th and 8th of September. The group will reproduce the very first show they performed, back in 1990 – but with a few added tweaks and improvements. Amazingly, many of the performers who took part in that first show are still with Earthbeat and will be taking part in the forthcoming production, which will be titled ‘25 years of Earthbeat’. More details about the centre can be found on their website at www.earthbeatcentre.co.uk and see also the small article on page 8. 12
Saltburn in Bloom
Glorious sunshine greeted the Northumbria in Bloom judges to Saltburn on Wednesday, July 1st and, after a light lunch at the Golf Club, we set off on our planned route around the town. Everything looked fantastic and many positive comments were made by the judges. They enjoyed their afternoon meeting individuals and groups who talked so enthusiastically about their projects. This summer we visited Gloria Coleclough in Hob Hill Crescent, Huntcliff Court, Graham and Carole Gaunt at Britannia Mansions, Saltburn House, The Cemetery, The Valley Gardens including the wildflower meadow and orchard, Zetland Terrace allotments, Hazelgrove allotments and Town Centre allotment, some of the public gardens and ended at the Library, where we enjoyed tea and cake served to us by Committee members. Every town and village who enter the competition are judged under three main headings - Horticultural Achievement, Environ mental Resp onsibility and Community participation and are marked accordingly. The results are then announced on September 15th at Berwick upon Tweed. This year we are going to hold a combined presentation and thank you event in the Community Centre, where we will show appreciation to all those who have supported our work throughout the year. There are too many to mention in an article like this, but you know who you are and we hope you recognise that your contribution is valued. You will have noticed that the town welcome sign on Marske Road disappeared in early July and has now been replaced by a new one, which was made by Kirklevington Grange Open Prison. Peter Hartley, Councillor Stuart Smith, John Taylor and Simon Wilcock (the Parish Warden) teamed up to collect and erect the new sign. Thanks to them all. Plans are ongoing to restructure the Fossil bed at the Cliff lift, but progress is slow at the moment as we are awaiting permissions from Redcar and Cleveland Council in order to continue. The hanging baskets are being taken down on Tuesday, 22nd September starting at 7.30am. We would certainly welcome some help if you are free that morning. If you would like to collect any compost from the baskets for your own use please come before 10.30 but you will need your own bags. Ring me on 01287 209518 if you have any queries. Lynda Parkes (Chair)