Talk of the Town March 2023

EDITION 261

CIRCULATION 4,000

MARCH 2023

SALTBURN’S FREE MONTHLY MAGAZINE

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Saltburn’s Town Talk Craft Fair

Letter from the Editor

At the Community Hall on Windsor Road on 1st April, from 10am-4pm. Lots of beautiful crafts including jewellery, wood work, candles, patchwork etc. Tea and coffee. Free entry.

Hello, my name is Garry. I am humbled to be taking over as Editor of Talk of the Town magazine from Ian. The magazine has a long history in Saltburn, and has grown under Ian’s expert stewardship over the past 21 years. I’ve managed the postal subscriptions for Talk of the Town for much of that time.

As a resident of Saltburn for the past 30 years, I’m sure many people will know me, or know of me through my other venture, Gbiz IT. I therefore hope I will be a familiar face.

I recall the first editions of Talk of the Town being delivered through our door, which followed on from the earlier Saltburn Journal.

I only hope I can live up to the high standards Ian has held the magazine to, and I appreciate the traditions of the magazine that make it such a welcome source of news and information for the residents of Saltburn. I will do my best to maintain the quality and standards set by Ian, whilst bringing fresh ideas to its pages.

It is only when you start putting the magazine together that you fully appreciate the amount of work and effort that goes into coordinating all the contributions, business adverts (which pay for the magazine) and updates that are needed to be ready for publication.

Whilst you will find some minor changes and updates, my aim is to continue the existing format and articles that represent the community of Saltburn, and build upon that.

The format of the magazine has worked well for many years, and it would be foolish to change that.

I would like to thank Ian for the opportunity to represent the community of Saltburn through the pages of the Talk of the Town magazine.

As we enter March, when spring officially starts, we’ve already seen the signs of plants, trees and flowers reminding us that it’s the season of renewal. Rather apt then that the magazine is also having its own renewal.

All the best, Garry.

Farmers Market Returns on Saturday 11th March to its usual outside spot, in and around Saltburn Town Centre.

We have a great lineup of producers with home grown vegetables, British bakery, international cuisines from Korea, Spain, Italy, India and America. There’s an ever changing line up of beer, cider and gin. Cheese makers and doughnut makers and even a ‘Pup’ Cake maker! In the secret square you’ll find Gluten Free options and a pig farmer and a fresh fish seller ‘out the front’! Come on down to see what your treat will be from 9am-2pm.

KICAS News We meet on the first Saturday of each month from 11am12pm at the Victorian Shelter on the lower promenade.

Buckets, pickers and gloves are available; however, feel free to bring your own.

We meet on: 4th March, 1st April, 6th May, 3rd June, 1st July, 5th August, 2nd September, 7th October, 4t November and 2nd December. We would love to see you.

Further updates on Facebook (Keeping It Clean At Saltburn) and Instagram (kicasaltburn).

Random Stitchers of Cleveland Sat 4th March, 2pm at Sunnyfield House, Guisborough, Jean Allsop “From Four to Eighty-Four”. Jean is a long standing member of the Embroiderers Guild and is a member of Random Stitchers. Jean has spent years abroad and has experience of stitch techniques from many cultures. Her talk is her life in stitch from a young child to the present day.

Sat 1st April, 2pm at Sunnyfield House, Guisborough, Gina Smith “Inspirational Journey”. Gina is a textile artist working in North Yorkshire. She is a founder member of the textile art group Diverse Threads with whom she exhibits. Gina is inspired by the landscape as well as the architecture of our cathedrals and abbeys.

Saltburn & District Retired Men’s Forum

Contact Talk of the Town

See our larger feature on page 33

Saltburn Studios and Gallery

Send any letters, adverts or contributions for the next edition of the magazine by the 20th of the month to hello@talkofthetownsaltburn.co.uk Advertising rates, postal subscriptions and online copies are available at talkofthetownsaltburn.co.uk Our postal address is: Talk of the Town, The Innovation Centre, Redcar, TS10 5SH. 01287 236110.

Window Exhibition featuring artwork by our 17 Studio Artists who are busy creating in their Studios. This year we’re planning some exciting Art Workshops in our Art Gallery. Watch this space for more details.

WI Report See our larger feature on page 11

Cover Photograph: Dwarf Irises in the Fossil Garden by Heather Lofthouse 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.

Printed by DC Print (Yorkshire) Ltd, Mercury House, Grove Lane, Hemsworth WF9 4BB. Edited by Garry Stonehouse, Talk of the Town Saltburn Ltd, The Innovation Centre, Redcar, TS10 5SH.

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Saltburn-by-the-Sea Pier Year of the pier 2023 celebrates our wonderful seaside National Piers Society members are being invited to piers and of course Saltburn-by-the-Sea is special being the visit Saltburn Pier and Cliff Tramway on Sunday, 14th only surviving pier on the Yorkshire coast and the most May 2023. Our pier has been photographed many times; northerly of the English piers. we are sharing a few from our collection.

A busy scene which shows the one of the original octagonal buildings at the entrance.

An interesting 1960 comment on an idea to increase the paying public to pass through the turnstiles.

1907 entrance buildings, also the bandstand and shelters at the pier head.

Flags fly on the pier while stunt aircraft make a flying display.

High wire walkers perform during a Victorian celebration week.

The Little Theatre occupies the pier entrance; BBC broadcast a number of events from this location.

A firework grand finale for a Victorian celebration week.

1960s very busy with the younger generation trying their hand at fishing.

Cath & Tony Lynn 4

Saltburn to London Kings Cross You can now travel by rail directly from Middlesbrough to London, but there was a time when you could do that journey starting in Saltburn. You took your seat in the carriage at Saltburn and didn’t disembark again until you were at King’s Cross. Although it was possible to do this at various times until the mid-1960s, the particular service we are looking at here is one we know a great deal about and it gives a good portrayal of such a journey.

The service was called The Tees-Thames and it ran every day, though only once a day, leaving Saltburn at 7.05am. The first part of the route involved stopping at Redcar East, Redcar Central, Middlesbrough, Thornaby, Eaglescliffe and York. A ‘feeder’ service allowed passengers from West Hartlepool Station (as it was called then) to join at Eaglescliffe.

At York there was a pause while five more coaches were added – there being sufficient joining passengers from York and its environs and connections from the north to warrant those extra coaches. This doubling of the train meant the locomotive was changed and the ‘medium mixed traffic’ engine that was sufficient from Saltburn was replaced by a much more powerful mainline express type.

The train then ran almost non-stop to King’s Cross, with one stop at Welwyn Garden City. It was scheduled to arrive in London at 12.28pm, meaning passengers from Saltburn would have been on the train 5hrs 20mins. The same journey today, changing at Darlington, would take about 3hrs 40mins.

The Tees-Thames left King’s Cross on its return journey at 2pm, but on its way north to York it didn’t stop at Welwyn Garden City. Instead, it stopped at Peterborough and then at Grantham. At York there was a change of engine and removal of five carriages, so passengers for any of the stops from Eaglescliffe to Saltburn needed to be in the correct carriages when boarding the train at King’s Cross. Saltburn passengers would step out into Station Square just after 7.30pm.

For an extra two shillings (the equivalent of £2 nowadays) you could reserve your seat on the London-bound train if joining it at Saltburn, Redcar Central, Middlesbrough or York. For the return journey you could reserve your seat at King’s Cross for any stop.

It’s difficult to imagine just who the timetable would appeal to in the Cleveland/Teesside area, and indeed the service didn’t last very long. The Tees-Thames left Saltburn for the first time on Monday 2nd November 1959 and the final one seems to have been at the end of the summer of 1961 (Saltburn’s Centenary year), less than two years after the service had commenced.

All the locomotives used on this service were steam to start with. But the change from coal to diesel electric on British railways was already underway even by the time this service commenced, and in February 1960 the trains on the York-London part of the route were pulled by diesel electrics.

Although the types of steam engines used on this service are well documented, our records are not

This well-known picture shows a Thompson Class B1 preparing to leave Saltburn heading The Tees-Thames on its inaugural run on the morning of 2nd November 1959. That’s the Methodist Church on Milton Street in the background.

At the other end of the route The Tees-Thames leaves King’s Cross on 5th January 1960 on its way to Saltburn. The Gresley A3 Pacific will take it as far as York.

A timetable from 1960 showing the times of the various stops.

sufficiently clear to show whether diesels were eventually used along the whole of The Tees-Thames route.

As always, many thanks indeed to Ian Colclough for his research – further information is, of course, very welcome.

Paul Sanderson sanderson-by-the-sea@hotmail.com 5

New Business Feature North Star Sleep Consultancy “Doing Liz’s Sleep Training was the best decision we ever made,” say Katie and Rob, parents of ten month old Harry. Their testimonial on Liz’s NSSC Facebook page reflects the success of her consultancy business, which she set up recently to help parents whose babies and toddlers are frequently waking during the night.

“When our son was ten months old, I was coming to the end of my maternity leave and was wondering how I would manage my job as a primary teacher while often up in the night trying to rock him back to sleep,” says Liz. He was sleeping for short periods before becoming unsettled and morning for them started around 4am; “I could be up about ten times a night.”

She did an online search and contacted a sleep consultant in Kent for help. Following his online advice over a ten night period, their son’s sleep problems were solved. She admits that she felt so sleep deprived that she would have tried anything, but she found that having one plan to follow, with the support of someone who knew what he was doing, was life-changing. “Not chopping and changing our methods was key,” she thinks. “Now our toddler sleeps for a twelve hour stretch and as parents, we no longer dread night-time.”

Talking to other parents at Toddler Group, Liz heard that sleep problems were very common and she was intrigued by the success of the method that she had followed. The Kent consultant also runs certified courses through his online Training Agency, so she decided to sign up and become a sleep consultant herself. She studied theory of sleep modules and case studies, which were followed by assignments over several weeks. A small group of students took part in online webinars and there was a four part assessment at the end.

Having passed the training and been awarded the certificate, Liz considered names and branding for setting up her own consultancy business. She marketed herself on social media, while working on her website. She’s now launched it: northstarsleepconsultancy.com and interested parents can use it to book directly. She retains a presence on Facebook and Instagram.

The website gives information about the packages she offers. The Stellar Sleep Support option is a bespoke sleep programme tailored to a baby or toddler with ongoing support and guidance from Liz. The Light in the Dark option provides a personalised sleep programme for families to implement themselves and the Newborn Navigation package gives expert guidance and support to parents in the very early weeks of a baby’s life. An initial free fifteen minute Discovery Call is available to parents who would like to talk through their needs.

Liz is now running the North Star Sleep Consultancy alongside her four day a week primary teaching job. She offers a local face-to-face option, but by working mostly online, she can provide a service over a wider geographical area.

A new client taking the Stellar Sleep Support package is asked to compile a four day baby/toddler sleep log, so that in the following one hour consultation with Liz, they can develop a partnership approach, discussing individual circumstances and clarifying parental goals. She then tailors her support programme to run over about thirteen nights.

Liz is flexible about the way she provides support; the parents can opt for phone, What’sApp, Zoom or email.

Generously, she says she can be contacted anytime during waking hours, but if she’s teaching, there may be a little delay in her response. If parents want to return to the service after a pause, that’s possible too.

Liz is giving Continuing Professional Development high priority. “I’m still part of The Sleep Consultant Academy, which provides us with a monthly complex case to review together,” she says. “Twice a month, I meet the consultant to discuss my current cases in a confidential way. Chris is the only male sleep consultant in the country and is part of the husband and wife team ‘The Mummy and Daddy Sleep Consultant.”

Looking ahead, Liz hopes to work with as many clients as possible; she has the flexibility to fit it round her other tasks. She’s been a teacher for eleven years, but this is her first business venture. She says it’s been a big learning curve, but it’s good to know that she’s supporting parents who are challenged by an ongoing lack of sleep like she was a year ago.

Liz is very open to ideas for reducing tension and encouraging relaxation. Before the birth of her son, she took a course in hypnobirthing, a technique to reduce the need for intervention during labour. A therapist came to their house for four to five sessions with recordings to listen to. “What I learnt did come in really handy,” she remembers.

Now that her son sleeps through the night, she has the energy to go hiking again in North Yorkshire; their son travels with them in a hiking backpack with a little cushion in front for him to rest his head on while he naps.

Bliss!

Rosemary Nicholls 6

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Speed Limits

Saltburn Charity Crafters

The 30mph speed limit sign on Marske Road (from the oval roundabout) is to be moved closer to the roundabout, to encompass the new housing estate being built.

The 40mph speed limit sign on the same road is to be moved all the way back to the roundabout.

A motion by Saltburn Neighbourhood Action Partnership (SNAP) calling for the town of Saltburn to be designated a 20mph area has been delivered to the Chief Executive of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council for consideration. It has been requested that this is introduced at the earliest opportunity.

We have moved!

Hello fellow crafters and friends. Our regular monthly meetings will now take place in Saltburn Library, the first Wednesday of the month from 1.30pm until 3.30pm. We are looking forward to our new venue and, hopefully, welcoming some new members.

We all create ‘our own thing’, and also specific items as requested for any charitable cause.

Currently we are producing warm items to go to Ukraine and are pleased to know we have contributed to some of the van-loads which have already gone, courtesy of Saltburn Vets.

If you have any wool that you would like to donate to us, please call Chris on 01287 204170 to arrange delivery or collection. Alternatively items may be left at SPAR on Marske Road.

If you know of a cause which would like hand crafted garments or household items, please also contact us.

Looking forward to 1st March for our next gathering!

Chris Ferguson

8 Station Buildings Station Square, Saltburn-by-the-Sea An Aladdin’s Cave of Homeware Essentials!

“The Great Little Shop that Sells Everything!”

Offering Cheaper Prices on all our products, including Toiletries, Cleaning Products, Greetings Cards and Much, Much More!

Pop in and check us out.

You will be amazed at what we stock!

We sell Saltburn Souvenirs, Postcards, Fridge Magnets, Key Rings, Prints and Greetings Cards.

We Now Take Card Payments Temporary Open Times: 9am to 3pm, Tuesday to Saturday Closed Sunday and Monday.

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1st Saltburn Scouts Strawberry Laces & Awards What do you get if you add strawberry laces to a colony of Beavers? Three types of edible knots of course! Now they can tie each other up, tie shoe laces and hitch a horse to a pole in the Wild West should they ever need to.

We've also been finishing off a few bits and bobs from activity and challenge badges including the Digital maker.

The Beavers have been designing pixel characters and understanding why computers need humans to tell them what to do. Once the little bits had been ticked off we were delighted to be able to present Xander and Toby their Bronze awards - the highest award a Beaver can earn!

Congratulations to you both, you're a total asset to our group and we wish you fun and friendship as you move on to Cubs.

The silver award is the highest award a Cub can earn.

To complete it, they need to earn six Activity Badges, as well as all seven of the Challenge Awards. The Chief Scout’s Silver Award shows that they’ve given new things a go, played their part, and stuck it out, even when the going got tough. It’s a really big achievement, and we were super proud to award Josh, Lukas and Noel their silver award last week. We are looking forward to getting out and about next month now that the nights are drawing out.

All Sections spent a night ten pin bowling. It was a

brilliant night, some frustrations but mainly laughs and cheers. Scouts have learned about electromagnetism and built their own gadgets. They had a Warhammer re-enactment with amazing extras and new tactics. Four Scouts were also presented with their Chief Scout Silver Award, delayed from Cubs (thanks Covid!). As in Beavers and Cubs, these are not given out without a lot of commitment, can do attitude and trying new experiences on the part of the young person. Well done Harry (at last!), James, Thoren and Leo. Amazingly proud of what all our Chief Scout Award recipients have achieved.

Jo, Philippa and Karen

Saltburn Methodist Church Services Sundays 10.45am Wednesdays 10am Women's Fellowship 2pm 9th and 23rd March Coffee Mornings Wednesday 10-11.45am and Saturday 11th March 10am-noon with Scones Come and join us anytime Everyone is welcome 9

Councillors’ Column

The Saltburn Masterplan remains unpublished. The promised panacea for traffic management, distilled from public consultation in May 2022, is still a document in draft, and will probably remain so until after the May elections. With so much expected, there is disappointment in its continuing delayed publication. One certainty is that the 2017 request for right angled parking along the remaining length of Marine Parade will be further delayed until the end of 2023.

In the interim, a proposal to extend the several existing 20mph areas in the town to the whole of Saltburn was proposed and agreed at the January meeting of the Saltburn Neighbourhood Action Partnership. Further highway safety issues will be discussed at the next public meeting on the 22nd of March in the Community Theatre, with a proposal to create a pedestrian crossing in Milton Street, and to consider improved cycle pathways in and around the town.

The fourteen year old proposal to create a car park beside the pumping station is now finally coming to fruition. The virement of capital development funds, untapped for four years, will allow the 25 vehicle park to progress and be complete by Spring.

Council Tax will rise in April by 3.99% along with a range of increases in fees and charges. This will carry the Council into another year but with a considerable draw on reserves to compensate for the anticipated deficit of £5.5 million in this current year.

A comprehensive savings plan is being proposed to reduce ongoing overheads.

One of the savings proposed is a rationalisation of the Library Service. In order to assist deliberation a consultation is being held. Forms are available online or via hard copy available at Saltburn Library. Residents are encouraged to complete a survey form. Deadline for submission is the 5th of April.

It is anticipated that work will start on renewing the rail fencing on the Top Promenade this month and remedial work on the Council listed chalets early in the new financial year.

As the warm weather begins to return, many venues which have offered warm spaces over the winter will be reviewing their offers. Many of these have successfully brought parts of the community together and some may well continue.

The Number 18 bus service, providing a direct link with Guisborough, has gone. The Tees Flex service was similarly scheduled for a demise but lobbying has so far delayed its execution. The Tees Valley Combined Authority, the responsible body, has been asked to reconsider keeping this important operation running.

Whilst the TransPennine direct service to Manchester Airport has been welcomed with its introduction of an hourly timetable and the comfort of the Class 185 units, some residents in the vicinity of the station have raised concerns about the environmental effect of diesels not shutting down when alongside the platforms for any length of time. Representations have been made and engine idling has considerably reduced as a result.

Philip Thomson

G. Bishop - Decorator All aspects of decorating undertaken

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Interiors & Exteriors Realistic Prices Reliable Service Assured

Free Estimates Time Served 40 Years Experience

Telephone 01287 624016

Mobile 07757 912575

Saltburn, Marske & New Marske Parish Council

Saltburn WI

Coronation, Donations & Allotments The Coronation ceremony for His Majesty King Charles III will take place on Saturday, 6th May at Westminster Abbey. Events are being planned around the weekend of the Coronation including the ‘Coronation Big Lunch’ on Sunday, 7th May and ‘The Big Help Out’ community event on Monday, 8th May, which has been designated a Bank Holiday. The Government wants to see people across the UK and the Commonwealth come together to celebrate this momentous occasion.

A sum of money has been set aside to support events associated with the King’s Coronation - community groups can apply for a small grant towards the cost of hosting an event - download the application form from our website, which must be completed and returned to the office no later than 6th April 2023 or alternatively ring the office and we can post a form out to you. Further details and ideas to celebrate this milestone can be found on these websites: thebiglunch.com, streetparty.org.uk and thebighelpout.org.uk The next Donations and General Purposes Committee will take place in April and any community group wishing to apply for a small donation can get further details from our website.

At the January donations meeting grants were given to New Marske Primary School - towards a memorial bench and to Clean Planet - towards removing litter from the sea and beaches For those residents with an allotment, rents are now due and can be paid at the allotment shop located on the Hazelgrove site, there has been a small increase of 50p (pro rata) to £29 per 1/16th acre plot. The first inspection of the allotments will take place mid to late May.

Our busy start to year continued into February when we hosted the volunteers from the RNLI based at Redcar.

Despite some technical difficulties they kept us entertained with some great stories. The highlight of the evening was when they invited one of our members to try on their kit to our great amusement. Well done to Tina who definitely looked the part.

As part of the wider WI several of our members attended an International Day which focused on the mountainous Kingdom of Nepal.

We were entertained by several speakers, including two Gurkhas based at Catterick Garrison who described how the Gurkhas came to be such a respected part of the British army. The day was rounded off with a lovely Nepalese lunch.

Lesley Wilson

MILES, HUTCHINSON & LITHGOW SOLICITORS

Joanne Manning (Clerk and RFO to the Parish Council) 01287 623477 office@smnmpc.co.uk smnmpc.co.uk

Conveyancing (Domestic & Commercial) Free written quotes on request Property Leases Probate & Wills Divorce and related Property and Financial Issues Children Disputes

Contacting your Councillors Cllr. Craig Hannaway - 07561 467168 craig.hannaway@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk

Immigration, including Visas Leave to Remain Naturalisation, Passport applications and EEA Applications Powers of Attorney Deputyships Civil & Criminal Litigation

For a friendly efficient service on all legal matters

Cllr. Stuart Smith - 07557 540628 stuart.smith@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk Surgery held outside Sainsbury’s every 3rd Saturday morning

Tel:

01287 623049

Cllr. Philip Thomson - 07747 044858 philip.thomson@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk

Our New Address: First Floor, 15 Station Street Saltburn-by-the-Sea, TS12 1AE

Also at 68/70 Borough Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 2JH

Tel: 01642 242698 Email: mileshutch@aol.com for enquiries at both offices

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Saltburn Ward Newsletter

Saltburn Beach Loses Blue Flag Status

safe, being patrolled by lifeguards where necessary and be fully accessible to the public, including the disabled.

The authority will be applying for a Seaside Award, an Saltburn has lost its coveted Blue Flag beach status, the award that will continue to showcase Saltburn as one of gold standard, among beaches due to a decline in bathing the best beaches in the UK. It is felt that hopefully, the water quality. drop in classification will be a one off and we can resume The beach was the only one between Whitby, in North Blue Flag Status in 2024.

Yorkshire, and Roker, on the outskirts of Sunderland, to boast the internationally recognised certification which Marine Parade Fencing was awarded to 80 beaches in England last year. & Allocated Parking Spaces While this year’s results won't be announced until May, Keep Britain Tidy, which manages the certification Ward councillors are having regular meetings with council process in the UK on behalf of the Foundation for officers from the ‘Place Investment Team’ who are Environmental Education, confirmed it is not eligible to overseeing the refurbishment of the perimeter fencing apply this year. along Marine Parade.

Saltburn bathing water quality, based on samples The replacement will be undertaken in the materials previously taken by the Environment Agency, which that were originally used and not in wood which has been calculates the results of tests, fell from ‘excellent’ to used to replace damaged sections recently.

The look-out area opposite ‘Jack’s Castle’ will be ‘good’. Water quality is an important part of the criteria, with a Blue Flag certification meaning beaches must meet totally refurbished with new balustrades. Changes to the the ‘excellent’ quality standard as set out in the EU’s parking lay-out of Marine Parade are still planned bathing water directive with the most important stipulation hopefully before the tourist season begins, but are being being that no industrial, wastewater or sewage-related held up by Northern Powergrid with the works they need discharge should affect a beach. to carry out to move street furniture and to provide the Beaches can gain or lose a Blue Flag each year with power source for the needed additional EV charging the award period running from the middle of May to the points planned for Marine Parade. end of September, during which time the flag can be Ward Councillors have indicated to officers that the flown. Several other criteria are also assessed. Beaches planned conversion of the land next to the Northumbria must be kept clean and free of litter and waste and there Pumping Station into car parking should be priority. must be toilets available to the public. They must also be Stuart Smith

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On behalf of the 500 Club, I would like to wish Ian every happiness on his retirement from the post of editor of Talk of the Town. Ian has done an amazing job in keeping the magazine going all these years and has thoroughly earned his ‘me time’.

Congratulations go to the following winners in the February Saltburn 500 Club Prize Draw: G Ruddock (£100), E Tilstone (£50), J Mulroy (£25) and H White (£15). Membership of the club remains around 440 so please make every effort to push the number towards the magic 500.

One of our members has volunteered to organise a Classic Vehicle Show, with proceeds going to Saltburn 500 Club for future funding of projects around the town.

The event will take place at the Hob Hill Car Park (opposite the golf course) on Sunday, 11th June from 10am to 4pm, and will offer free entry with donation buckets available. We are looking for volunteer stewards to help us on the day. If it is successful, it is hoped to make this an annual event.

A representative from the Skate Park committee gave a presentation at the February committee meeting and, as a result, committee have decided to make a substantial donation towards the cost of Phase 2 of the construction.

We wish the Skate Park team every success in the venture.

The 2023 summer bandstand schedule has now been finalised, although there are still some spare Saturdays available, and is available around the town. We look forward to the May opening of events and hope that each performance is well supported. As always, we would welcome any volunteers who would be prepared to assist the team we have.

The 500 Club have been asked to greet the team of judges who will be visiting Saltburn pier, as a part of the 2023 Pier of the Year. Detail of our plans has not yet been finalised so more will be reported in my April article.

Trevor Welburn

info@hendersonsflooring.co.uk hendersonsflooring.co.uk

Saltburn Cheese Festival In celebration of Great Northern Cheese

Mon 20th to Sun 26th March A week of themed cheese events in Saltburn.

Check out what’s happening at Seaview, Surfs Up, The Spa Hotel, Rapps, Number 23, Real Meals, Signals, Parlours and Brockley Hall.

The week finishes with a tasty cheese market, tastings and cookery demos in and around Saltburn Theatre on Sunday 26th March.

Check out Saltburn Cheese Festival online for up to date details.

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My thoughts on Ukraine Seeds of Defeat

Initial progress of Hitler’s armies attacking the Soviet Union was spectacular and it seemed they would be in Moscow in a matter of a few weeks at most and in fact German units did reach the suburbs of Moscow. In a similar way Putin thought he would have Ukraine in a couple of days In preparation for war with the Soviet Union, when asked to equip his military for winter conditions Hitler refused. He believed he’d conquer Russia and be in Moscow before winter would set in. Confident of his superiority he also refused to provide more tanks when one of his commanders requested them.

We see similarity again in ill prepared Russians losing to Ukrainians, combined with the assumption the conflict would be over in a matter of a rather short time.

Surrounded by “yes” men Putin, like Hitler was probably not even considering listening to any contradictory opinions, never mind voices of reason. The “yes” men are generally afraid of contradicting their boss and even more afraid of bringing bad news to him as either one could spell falling out of grace, jail time or worse. Therefore as time goes by the picture a dictator sees is getting more and more different from reality. And this is yet another seed of defeat.

Lies and accusations are instruments some dictators reach for because as tools for their propaganda they are cheap and easy to use. Basically you invent whatever you like and throw it as accusation at the target of your choice.

It is ironic that waging this war against “fascists in Ukraine” the Russian government looks more and more like a fascist regime itself. Overlooking the fact that it was Putin who started the war with Ukraine, he is asking who started attacks at water supplies and energy distribution centres. The ever favourite accusation blaming the (collective) West for the war in Ukraine just does not go away. But – whether Mister Putin and his government like it or not, nobody buys their lies and absurd accusations and these are nothing but seeds of defeat.

Synthesis of those seeds leads to collapse of the regime because in the grand scheme of things the truth prevails and any system that lives by lies and corruption is always rotting. This is why and how dictatorships perish and this is the fate of Putin’s government. As to when – it depends to some degree on the world community. There are countries that still do not condemn this war (like the Communist China, India or South Africa). I suspect they do so just to oppose the West. Those countries are only playing to the Russian hand even if only for some short term gain.

In practical terms it depends on how well and how fast we help Ukraine with the military equipment they need so much. In moral terms the Russian Federation lost this war the minute it crossed the border to invade Ukraine.

Regimes and dictators fail and collapse because they are built on lies and abuse and these are seeds of defeat as well.

Wojtek Migdalski

Dictatorships are sometimes born with uplifting slogans and considerable enthusiasm evidencing or at least pretending to be populist movements. Sometimes the future dictator wins in a perfectly real and fair (as opposed to rigged) elections. Not that it will take long for dark ideas and nasty currents to spread cancer-like like tentacles within society. It all develops quicker and stronger when it is unchallenged and unopposed, especially if met by the quiet complicity of citizens. But what no dictator ever realizes is that the very same quiet complicity is actually the first seed of his defeat.

Some historians speculate (because there is no evidence) that Hitler, while looking at the tomb of Napoleon, was thinking of outdoing him. Napoleon as we know had practically the entirety of Europe in his hands.

Hitler, who had just easily conquered France, felt confident and wanted more - the world perhaps? - or at least a big chunk of it.

Contemplating Peter the Great, Vladimir Putin is possibly dreaming of outdoing him. After all, the Red Army conquered one of the greatest or at least one of the most murderous dictators ever, namely Hitler (in Russian narration the D-day and the Western front was always and still is being played down by the way, as if the Soviet’s effort was greater and more important). Putin himself expresses admiration for Peter the Great and for what used to be the Soviet Union.

Hitler easily grabbed Austria and Czechoslovakia, then in a blitzkrieg conquered and together with Stalin, carved up Poland. He then ran with not much difficulty over Denmark, Belgium and Holland and in the next move, in an even shorter war (than the one with Poland) he conquered France. You could say this was his finest moment which may have given him confidence to move on Russia. He was well aware of Napoleon’s failure in his Russian campaign and was determined not to repeat Napoleon’s mistakes.

Similarly Putin easily grabbed a piece of Georgia, subdued Chechnya, just as easily annexed Crimea and established the separatist regions in Eastern Ukraine (nobody really believes that the separatist regions created themselves, just like nobody believes the referenda in those regions carried out last September were real and fair). He gained confidence to move on Ukraine which no doubt was on his list for a long time anyway.

For dictators the road from confidence to overconfidence is very short. After so much easy successes who is out there to oppose me? And this is another seed of defeat.

Hitler outlined his attack on Russia not as an act of a conventional war but as a clash of superior vs inferior. The opponent’s (Russians) were to be looked as the worst kind of humans intended to be made extinct by the superior race. Note another analogy to Putin’s narrative about Ukrainians being Nazis, not worthy to have their independent and sovereign state, being western pawns etc.

15

Anya’s Nutrition Advice Sustainability: one bite at a time Eating sustainably is a great way to look after yourself, the environment and the planet for future generations.

Adopting small sustainable practices every day might seem insignificant but it can help support a cultural shift in the long run. The good news is, it’s not as hard as it sounds! Here’s a guide to help you get started with a more sustainable diet. ● Opt for whole, unprocessed foods in their most natural form e.g. fresh fruit and veg, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. Try not to let convenience dictate your decision-making. ● Eat seasonal and locally grown produce when possible to not only reduce the carbon footprint of your food, but to support local farmers. ● Reduce your consumption of meat. The meat industry is incredibly carbon rich by contributing to greenhouse gasses and water pollution. Try switching it up with a few plant-based options like beans, lentils and soya.

Things like ‘meat-free Mondays’ can be a great place to start. ● Did you know that if food waste were a country, it would be the world’s third largest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions after China and the USA? Manage your food waste by planning meals ahead of time, storing food appropriately, buying food in bulk, composting food scraps, eating leftovers, freezing food and sharing with others. ● Baking, boiling, steaming and grilling use less energy and resources than frying or roasting. Slow cookers and pressure cookers can also help reduce cooking time and energy use. Why not give batch-cooking a go to save even more energy? ● Eating sustainably starts with shopping so say no to single-use plastic bags and instead carry a reusable tote bag, refillable water bottle and choose products with minimal packaging or those that can be fully recycled or composted. ● Support sustainable fisheries by looking for products that are certified by organisations such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). Good options to try include Cornish hake, hand-line caught mackerel, Cornish sardines and Dover sole. If these aren’t available in your local supermarket, there are plenty of options for fresh fish delivery online. ● Eat mindfully and continually educate yourself. The more we know about sustainable food practices, the easier it is to make informed choices about what and how we eat. Reading books, following social channels and joining community programmes helps to embed sustainable practices into our culture and everyday life.

So there you have it, a simple guide to a more sustainable diet and way of life. The point is that doing ‘something’ is better than nothing at all. Small shifts and tweaks to your everyday can make a huge difference long-term.

16

Saltburn Photographic Society Final Indoor Meeting Our March programme brings us to the end of our indoor meetings for this season, although we do have regular get togethers during the summer months.

March 1st, Results night for our final monthly competition “Natural World” March 8th, Malcolm Blenkey ARPS gives us his talk “Outdoor Wonders” March 15th, Miles Langthorne visits us from Northallerton with his talk “Keep it Simple” March 22nd, The Frank Sanderson ‘knockout’ competition. A firm favourite with our members and not to be missed.

March 29th, Our Annual General Meeting.

All meetings are held at the Methodist Church Hall, Milton Street, Saltburn.

Tea and coffee is available from 7pm to allow for some socialising prior to the meeting starting at 7.30pm.

Guests are always welcome.

For more information, visit our website saltburnphotographicsociety.co.uk, follow us on facebook or contact Phil Dove on 07976 634252 Phil Dove

Three sessions on Tuesdays at 3.30pm, 5.30pm and 7pm at Emmanuel Church Hall Saturdays three sessions at Earthbeat Centre.

7.30am, 9am and 10.30am. No booking required.

Please contact Stevie 07740 725210.

A warm welcome is waiting

British Summer Time Sat 26th / Sun 27th Remember to put your clocks forward for the start of British Summer Time (BST), which is 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Clocks change at 1am on Sun 27th March, meaning you will lose an hour.

17

Happiness and what we offer in life

Ian, the editor of this magazine is leaving. For many years every month a few days following the last one going out he begins work on the next.

I think a massive amount of praise goes out to Ian. He has worked out a formula that has allowed the whole of Saltburn and beyond to have a free monthly magazine for many years now. Full of beautiful old pictures, articles of interest and information for the community to come together.

It’s a service that most of us don’t question and we don’t have to give back for in return. Perhaps because of the internet, the NHS and seemingly free education we are perhaps in a culture of receiving and with that perhaps comes an ingrained sense of entitlement to do so?

Each of us is a piece of the jigsaw, a colour in the kaleidoscope, our whole society revolves around the co-dependence we are all part of. The health services require the sick so there are jobs for the nurses and the hundreds of connected supporting services. Shops require others to make new things and the transportation and packaging that goes with it. And then the waste industry to clear up all that is discarded. Criminality creates work for police, magistrates and prisons. Every aspect of our society is dependent on another aspect.

People of Saltburn arrive newly and others leave. A

new shop opens as an old shop closes. A new worker at the supermarket moves and another is employed. It goes on, year after year. Hopefully improving year in year, hopefully providing the town with better quality entertainment and food to make it a more healthy place to live. Though supermarkets are not a good example as they are designed to think of their own profits and not the betterment of their society.

Each of us is a cell in the organism of life. We come into existence and go out of existence and the organism evolves.

I reflect on the relay runner, passing the baton one to the other. And with it the big question, what are we passing? What are we adding?

For those of us who are egocentric we make it all about what we can get hold of. Capitalism all around us encourages this mentality. We are told to pile up what we can, money, a house, cars, material things. Many ask “what’s in it for me?” Yet some realise, particularly as we get older and closer to death that in the big picture this is not the question. For the biggest of achievements is what we offer to others, what we pass on. To have a child is no big achievement. Many have them and treat them quite badly, feed them terrible food and put them in front of screens as a way to distract them while parents do what they want. Yet to really give time and care and to educate a child so they are kind and loving is something truly of value. To give, it could be said, if we are all one is to receive on a bigger level.

We are all part of an opportunity to offer something to others. It’s easy to consume without awareness of what we give back. Yet there is something dare I say noble about being someone offering something new as Ian has, a gift to the people of Saltburn. For this I applaud him and hope that you join me in appreciation of what he has given. For this is what life is, a baton that we pass on. We take care of our little corner of the world and in giving we add to the richness of life, the flowering, the ripples flowing out to humanity. Thank you for what you have given Ian, and to the many others who give freely too.

Counselling / Psychotherapy one-to-one.

Contact: Kendal 07944 883961

18

Saltburn, Redcar & Cleveland Philatelic Society The Royal Air Force The history of the Royal Air Force, spans a century of British military aviation. The RAF was founded on 1st April 1918, towards the end of the First World War by merging the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service.

During the war it was responsible for the aerial defence of Great Britain, strategic bombing campaign against Germany and tactical support to the British Army around the world. During the Cold War, the RAF took part in several large scale operations, including the Gulf War, the Kosova War, the war in Afghanistan, and the Iraq War, and not forgetting the long range conflict using Avro Vulcan bombers flying from Ascension Island to the Falklands.

In 2004, four RAF Panavia Tornado F3s deployed in the Baltic States for three months to provide the British contribution to NATO-led Baltic Air Policing Operations and in 2005 support and transport aircraft were sent to South East Asia following the 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake disaster in order to provide aid and relief support.

During the interwar years the RAF had to fight for its Survival – some questioned the need for a separate air force, especially in peace time. To prevent itself from being disbanded and its duties returned to the Army and the Navy, the RAF spent considerable energies keeping itself in the public eye with the Hendon Air Show, supporting the team for the Schneider Trophy air racing competition, and producing documentary films.

In 1936 a reorganisation of the RAF Command saw the creation of Fighter Command, Bomber Command and Coastal Command, and today the RAF plays a large role in air-sea search and rescue.

Great Britain, Jersey, and many commonwealth countries have issued stamps on the RAF. In 2008 a set of 6 stamps designed by Graham Turner & Atelier Works printed in litho by Walsall were issued on 18th September illustrating RAF uniforms.

In 2008 a set of 6 stamps designed by Graham Turner & Atelier Works printed in litho by Walsall were issued on 18th September illustrating RAF uniforms In 2018, RAF Centenary year, Great Britain issued 6 stamps showing RAF military Aircraft from illustrations by Michael Turner, designed by the Royal Mail Group litho.

We meet on the 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month at Redcar East Community Centre, Durham Rd, Redcar TS10, 7-9pm. Come and see us. For help on your collection call Martin Snowdon on 01287 622504 Martin Snowdon

RITSON Tree Care

Saltburn Line User Group

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● Sympathetic Tree Pruning ● Tree Inspection ● Sectional Dismantling ● Wood Chipping ● Hedge Trimming ● Stump Grinding ● Storm Damage ● All Debris Removed ● Tree Planting ● All Areas Covered All Aspects of Tree Surgery undertaken

The next SLUG meeting will be held on Tuesday 7th March 2023 the Cons Club in Saltburn, at 7.15pm. All are welcome.

Talk to Saltburn Line User Group.

The Group exists to protect passengers’ interests.

Find us at facebook.com/saltburnlineusergroup Email the secretary on: slugsecretary@gmail.com

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SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL LINE 19

20

The Saltburn Profile by Rosemary Nicholls Julie Spitler-Wood “I once had a sketch picked for the Edinburgh Festival and I was one of a team of writers creating parody songs about politics and current events for the News Revue, which is London’s longest running revue show. These were performed in the Canal Street Cafe in Little Venice. I still submit parodies from up here, but taking part means staying up late at night and it’s harder doing that now than it was in London when I was working shifts in retail,” says Julie, who now runs Saltburn Hypnotherapy from the Well-Being Centre in Station Street.

Julie has local family roots, but she was born in Ohio.

Her mum had met her dad in the UK, when he was serving in the American Air Force and they set up their first home in the USA, but when Julie was three, they decided to move the family back to Marske. Julie’s grandparents, Doris and Wally Gathercole were living in Wilton Bank.

After attending Errington and Bydales schools in Marske, Julie joined a Youth Training Scheme. As she wanted to work in retail, she got a Saturday job in Binns in Middlesbrough, but there were no full-time jobs to apply for locally in the early 1980s. So distant relatives in London encouraged her to join them there where opportunities were available.

She started working in Boots, in cosmetics and worked her way up to Cosmetic Business Manager in brands such as Dior, Clinique and Clarins in some of London’s leading department stores. “I loved it and after a while sofa-surfing and renting, I saved enough to buy a house,” she remembers. However, the long hours – it could be 9.00pm to 10.00pm before she started to cash up and ever higher targets to reach meant that she turned her attention to working for herself.

Julie decided to take a hypnotherapy course, which included practice sessions and she qualified after a year’s training. She heard that a pharmacist in Covent Garden had a spare room for rent and using her experience in retail, she put forward a business case to him and he offered her a good deal. She put up a sign outside the pharmacy, developed a website, emailed a possible client list from previous contacts and talked to people running local offices to establish corporate work. “I left my store job and opened up my full-time practice in 2011,” she says. “I paced myself by not booking back to back appointments and I found I really enjoyed my new role.”

But after a couple of years in Covent Garden, Julie and her husband, decided to rejoin her family in Saltburn and Marske. “Ian is a journalist for the BBC and now works at BBC Radio Tees. He loves living here,” she says.

She was soon developing her business plan here and is now working from the Well-Being Centre in Station Street, Saltburn. She acknowledges the help she had from other Saltburn shop owners, who displayed her posters and she put a regular advert in Talk of the Town magazine. She has a Facebook page: Saltburn Hypnotherapy and a website: Saltburn Mind Therapies, which has a FAQ section that

includes lots of information for people who want to learn more.

Julie specialises in hypnotherapy sessions for smoking cessation and grief therapy for people whose pets have died. To discuss how the caller’s needs can best be met, Julie offers a free initial 20 to 30 minute confidential phone consultation. She focuses also on helping sports people overcome emotional blocks: “I work with young gymnasts, tumblers and trampolinists using Brain Working Recursive Therapy to deal with anxieties that are stopping them perform.” Under-16s must have a parent present in the same room, in line with the regulations of the Complementary and Natural Health Care Council, the independent UK regulator, with whom she is registered.

Julie enjoys walking in the local area. She’s a member of a Nordic Walking Group that goes out on Tuesday mornings in the Saltburn/Guisborough area. She goes to a Yoga class with Rachel at Studio 21: “It’s relaxing and inclusive, welcoming all ages and sizes,” she says.

She loves local history and likes to pore over photos of Teesside in the 1940s and 1950s to see how the area has evolved. For Christmas she was given local history books and in summer when he’s out in his garden, she enjoys a chat with Saltburn historian Tony Lynn.

As her younger brother lives in San Francisco, her godmother is in Washington and she has friends scattered through the USA, Julie and Ian travel there when they take holidays. “I’m not good in the heat though, so we go in May or October and focus on two or three places,” she says.

Julie says her musical age is the 1980s. She went to concerts featuring the bands Squeeze and the Pet Shop Boys in Middlesbrough and Stockton. She was also fond of the Teesside band Wild Cats of Kilkenny. As she’s always enjoyed writing, she had great fun contributing parodies to the Treason Show in Brighton and to the News Revue in London. “I was very proud when I took my parents along to the shows,” she remembers.

21

Near enough is not good enough when safety depends on sight. Can you trust your eyes - can you be sure of their efficiency when the task requires clear vision?

Yours Eyes Are Busy All Day Long Keen sight is your natural heritage, but sometimes your eyes are not equal to the never-ending demands made upon them. Reading, writing, sewing, driving your car, mobile phones, computers, viewing films, playing cards or your favourite sport - all these activities result in eyestrain and neglect of these eye disorders can lead to serious impairment of vision.

Specialist Care Only with specialised care can you protect your most priceless possession. You must rely on regular eye tests every two years...on the invaluable services provided by your Optician.

At my opticians the eye test includes a special advanced Optomap' scan on your eyes to help me make sure your eyes are healthy. We are one of only a few Opticians in the North East with this kind of technology.

Do You Suffer With Headaches or Pains in the Eyes?

Headaches can often be caused by eye strain, which can be remedied by properly fitting glasses.

I will test your eyes free of charge and will not advise glasses unless you really require them.

Don't Be Shy With Glasses Don't hesitate to wear glasses when your Optometrist recommends them. True beauty demands clear, healthy eyes, and it is a fallacy that glasses detract from your smart appearance.

When the prescription you need has been executed, the glasses will be fitted in frames designed to flatter the contours of your face in a choice of a galaxy of beautiful shades.

You will see clearly, in style.

As part of the service, you will get a free eyewear styling consultation. Nothing is rushed, you are treated as an individual and we take everything into account to match you to your perfect glasses.

Energy Crisis & Mortgage Rates With the cost of living going up from the energy crisis and changes to our mortgage I want to offer you big savings for your eye health and glasses. If you are over 40 please read on...

Hitting The Big "Four O" If you are 40 or over (like me) you may have noticed your vision changing. For this reason, I am providing you a complete eye care package that includes a free eye test when glasses are purchased.

The special package includes a detailed eye health assessment, vision check and half price frames including brands such as PRADA, normally £250, now only £125 and Ralph Lauren £130, now £65.

Opening Times To Suit You Normally we are open 9 to 5 Monday to Friday but this may not suit you. That's why I offer late night appointments and weekend appointments on request, simply ask when you book your appointment.

If you struggle to get out and about, I can even come to you to do a home visit eye test with my mobile optical equipment.

So really now there's no excuse not to have an up-to- date eye test!

GET BETTER VISION FOR BETTER LIVING

Are You Over 40? Get Your Free Eye Test Package Here: This Includes: ● FREE (One off) Advanced Eye Test Including the Optomap Ultra-Wide Retinal Scan (Worth £60) ● 1/2 Price Optical Frames (All frames from last year's stock are now 1/2 price) ● 1/2 Price Sunglasses Including Oakley & RayBan - perfect for the winter sun! They normally start from £130 so you now pay as little £65!

Free Eye Test Offer ends March 28th and only valid with this Talk of the Town voucher - please bring this with you.

BONUS OFFER: If you book before March 28th I will give you a HALF PRICE 2nd pair of glasses as well!

A 2nd pair is needed if you drive as the DVLA have made it a legal requirement to have a spare pair of driving spectacles in your car.

If you would also like a free copy of my special report "The Top 3 Ways To Keep Your Eyes Healthy & Your Vision Sharp", simply ask and I will post you a copy for free!

For Your Free Eye Test Offer Visit Your Local Branch At Skelton or Loftus: Skelton Optical 107 High Street, Skelton, TS12 2DY Phone: 01287 650655 Loftus Optical 24 Zetland Road, Loftus, TS13 4PW Phone: 01287 644211

OFFER ENDS MARCH 28th

22

Do You Have Real Hearing Loss OR IS IT JUST EARWAX?

Poking around in there with a cotton bud can't answer that question - and it's probably not a very good idea anyway.

But if you ARE experiencing common hearing problems, you NEED a check-up. And your troubles may very well be the result of accumulated, imbedded earwax, which can easily be taken care of with a...

FREE EAR EXAMINATION Our amazing Video Otoscope with its miniature camera lets you see the condition of your ear canal right up on a TV monitor! It's safe, painless, even fascinating.

And my expert Audiologist, Gus, will explain what you are seeing and advise you whether or not you need an earwax cleaning or if you should get additional hearing tests - which we provide FREE to you in our local practices.

If it turns out you could be helped, we provide all the information you need. A limited number of appointments are available each week.

Call for your special offer for the FREE ear canal health check and hearing test on

FREE The Most Comprehensive & Complete Hearing TestTM Let's start with The Most Comprehensive & Complete Hearing Test - FREE at Loftus & Skelton Optical. Just call to book your appointment. There's no cost and no obligation. It's possible we'll find that your "blurry hearing" is simply being caused by accumulated, imbedded earwax, easily corrected.

Or, if tests reveal hearing loss that can be helped with hearing aids, we'll explain your condition and even give you an immediate demonstration of how your hearing can be improved. We'll explain the different options and hearing aid models available.

At Loftus & Skelton Optical we have the ability to give you an actual, "live" demonstration of how your hearing will be improved, including what the TV and your spouse's voice will sound like. You can be the judge.

We call it the HEARING SENSATION DEMONSTRATION, because if you have been having trouble, feeling as if people are mumbling around you, missing words in conversation or on TV...you'll agree this is a SENSATION, when you instantly, actually hear everything with so much more clarity!

The Most Comprehensive & Complete Hearing Test includes a complete Audiometric Electronic Hearing Test, a Video Otoscope Examination of your ear canals - and you see what we see on a colour TV video monitor.

YOUR HEARING TEST AND HEARING SENSATION DEMONSTRATION ARE BOTH FREE. TO BOOK, CALL OR VISIT YOUR LOCAL BRANCH AT: Loftus Optical, 24 Zetland Road, Loftus, TS13 4PW, 01287 644211 Skelton Optical, 107 High Street, Skelton, TS12 2DY, 01287 650655 The offer ends March 28th

01287 644211 (Loftus branch) or 01287 650655 (Skelton branch).

If you would like a copy of our free report 'The Race Against Time: How Hearing Loss Can Cause Dementia' simply ask for a copy and we will post it out for free

23

Grenfell Club opens its New Day Service in April

Saltburn Friends of the Valley

The Grenfell Club, which has provided social and leisure activities for children, young people and adults with complex needs for fifty years, is excited to announce the launch of its new Day Service for adults in April.

At the purpose-built Grenfell Club Centre in Grant Street, Redcar, members will be able to enjoy personalised activities from 8.30am to 4pm every week day. They can make their own choices, learn new life skills, and have fun. They will be supported by experienced and trained staff in a safe and caring environment.

Having its own purpose-built facility enables the Grenfell Club to offer a variety of indoor and outdoor activities to suit many different individual needs.

Activities will include, but not be limited to: • Indoors - Zumba, cooking, health & wellbeing events, pamper days, arts & crafts, music & singing, life skills including handling money and budgeting, personal care and hygiene, relaxation techniques.

• Outdoors - Football, swimming (at the local pool), gym, outdoor walks, life skills, choir, gardening at our centre or grow your own at our allotment, garden to table activities, shopping.

More information is available from: The Grenfell Club, Grant Street, Redcar TS10 1AD. Tel: 01642 471747. There is a website at grenfellclub.org and a Facebook page; both show a sample timetable of events on Day Service days and members will be encouraged to make further suggestions.

We are a small local charity, promoting the conservation of the fauna and flora of the local woodlands and valleys.

Volunteers are the crucial lifeblood of our organisation, being truly central to its success; we could not function without them.

We run practical activities and workshops, such as gardening and nature inspired arts and crafts workshops, to connect everyone taking part with the beautiful, natural local environment. Some of us are going to be learning hazel coppicing from Tees Valley Wildlife Trust soon and as a result hope to run hazel workshops in the summer.

All our activities are based around the Saltburn Woodland Centre and Old Nursery Garden. A weekly team of volunteers keep the garden tidy on Thursdays and are always looking for new members to join in.

This wonderful venue, maintained purely by volunteers, is available to hire. If you are a local voluntary group and would like to use our base for a get together, meeting, etc. Let us know as we are reducing our costs to local groups in an effort to help with the financial crisis.

Huge thanks are due to Ingrid Salomonsen (pictured above), who sadly passed away in December 2022. It is thanks to Ingrid’s years of dedication and hard work that the centre and garden look as they do today and that we have a long lease to manage the building and grounds from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.

You can find out more about what we do and perhaps join us at our Annual General Meeting. We very much look forward to seeing you there.

For more information you can contact our secretary at: suefeatherstone58@gmail.com Sue Featherstone 24

Saltburn Rotary Club In common with many organisations February was a quiet month for Rotary and served as a planning and consolidation period. However, the year is now starting to gain momentum and our first major fundraiser gets underway this month.

On Saturday, 11th March, Rotary Saltburn will be holding a Chocolate Tombola at the Saltburn Farmers Market, to raise funds for Saltburn Athletic (junior) Football Club.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the football club, the aim of which is to provide a worthwhile pursuit for young people whilst maintaining a sense of physical and mental wellbeing. It caters for children aged between 5 and 16, both boys & girls and will have 9 teams next season. It is a voluntary organisation and is run entirely on subscriptions and fundraising activities The Rotary Club of Saltburn has supported the football club right from the very beginning and are proud to continue that support by holding a Chocolate Tombola on the 7th March. Also helping at the Tombola will be Saltburn Rotakids from Saltburn Primary School and indeed some of the Junior footballers themselves.

Chocolate products have been donated by Sainsbury's of Saltburn and the Junior footballers and parents. If you can, please come to our stall and buy a ticket. You will be made very welcome and also be supporting a great cause.

Dave Sadler

25

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North Skelton Postmaster Anthony Chapman, known locally as Tony, has celebrated his 30 Years’ Long Service Award at his branch located at 17 Vaughan Street.

In 1993, Anthony took on the Post Office after leaving the Finance industry to pursue a new self-employed opportunity as a Postmaster. Mr Chapman has been lucky enough to receive the help of his family within the business. During the early years, his late mother was heavily involved on the retail side of the business and more recently, his daughter Olivia has helped with going to the wholesalers and on the shop floor.

Anthony was presented with his 30 Years’ Long Service Award. The popular Postmaster had also presented with Community Service Award from Post Office Area Manager, Martin Wyer, who was also able to thank Anthony for the long-standing work he had done for both the Post Office and the local community.

Anthony said: “It has been an interesting and life changing journey becoming Postmaster for North Skelton.

It allowed me to merge myself within my community further, whilst also in my early days being a Councillor for the local Parish Council and becoming Chairman of a local organisation, Action North Skelton. Becoming Postmaster was an even better way to meet new people and get to know the community.

“During the pandemic we managed to keep our shop and Post Office open. They needed us for shopping, fresh produce, to send mail and parcels, home shopping returns, bills and their banking.

Post Office Area Manager, Martin Wyer said: “Anthony really is the pillar of his society. I commend his great work for looking after the Post Office for over three decades now and going above and beyond to help the community in all that they do. Anthony is a first-class Postmaster. It was great to be able to visit and mark his 30th anniversary.”

Anthony is involved in his community in so many ways. Throughout his three decades, he has supported a plethora of local charities within the town, including his work with the local Rotary Club, in which he has been President twice and is now the Treasurer. Anthony’s customers come from across the whole community, and he is very happy to serve everyone.

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26

Saltburn in Bloom We’ve had some lovely, mild, sunny days recently and the birds have been hopping about and singing and all the signs are looking towards spring. I haven’t seen any lambs yet but I might not have been looking in the right places.

Last month I focussed on the fact that we are back in the Northumbria in Bloom competition and I asked if anyone had an area they’d like to suggest judges visit. One group has replied and we will be getting in touch with them and visiting their area. It’s not too late; if you are involved in a group which is improving your street, cul de sac, whatever, let us know. Another option if you are a small, very local group is to join the “It’s Your Neighbourhood” competition. You are judged against a set of criteria, not against other groups, and you will be awarded a certificate.

Now we come on to sponsorship. Our sponsorship club has been working hard to get letters out to current supporters identifying what they have done in the past in terms of baskets, tubs etc. We have also contacted potential new people and businesses, outlining what opportunities are available for them. If you are interested in joining our club, there are extra areas available such as the barrier baskets on the railway station railings and some of our gardens. For example, the amazing fossil garden can now be sponsored, along with the picnic area, the anchor bed and other areas we look after. If you are interested to find out more, do get in touch with us on

facebook or saltburn.in.bloom@gmail.com.

We are aiming for a cut off date of 31st March after which we may not be able to promise your usual basket or barrel. I have added a picture this time so that you can see some of the lovely things you could sponsor. Sponsorship includes compost, planting up, maintaining and watering.

Until next month, Sue

27

28

Saltburn Solidarity Food Bank steps up in 2023 “Having our own premises is great; we can offer help to people in lots more ways,” says Saltburn Solidarity Food Bank founder, Lynn J.P. Since the volunteers moved into the ground floor of the former Zetland Medical Practice at 2 Windsor Road, Saltburn, in June 2022, they’ve welcomed people in need from 12pm to 4pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and have now extended Monday opening to 10am to 8pm, so that working people struggling to pay their bills on low wages can call in if they need food items.

“I don’t think everyone realises how people are suffering. There's real poverty both nationally and within Saltburn,” says Lynn. She would never break confidentiality, but she says there are more people with one or more jobs, including nurses and teachers, now coming to the Food Bank. Especially if they are single parents, some are finding their incomes insufficient to buy enough food after meeting ever-increasing rent, fuel and household bills. “Wages aren’t going up, but everything else is. One lady told me that she used to put £10 a week by for electricity, but now it’s £40 a week,” she adds.

“Something has to give.”

The ramp at the entrance has been kept from its Medical Practice days to make the Food Bank accessible for wheelchair users. Disabled people can often struggle financially and Lynn says: “Hard times can happen to anybody; we welcome people from every possible demographic that you can think of.”

Despite doing all they can to earn enough to feed their families, Lynn says it’s very common for people to feel shame as they ask for food. To alleviate their distress, the volunteers can offer them a hot drink and a comfortable chair in the new space. One resource that SSFB isn’t short of its volunteers; so many local people want to help and this has enabled Lynn and her team to expand their offer, adapting to changing circumstances.

“As fuel has become so expensive, we’ve changed what we buy, for example from fresh chicken breasts to frozen cooked chicken slices from Iceland,” she explains.

“Since the Saltburn launderette closed, we’ve set up a washing machine and tumble drier for free use and we have a brand new fridge freezer. The funding for these has been donated to us by local individuals.”

A skilled volunteer made twenty Christmas cakes and Sainsbury's provided twenty bags of seasonal vegetables and fruit to go in Christmas 2022 hampers for families in need.

“Mentioning every person and organisation who’ve helped runs the risk of missing someone out,” says Lynn, “but we’re very grateful to them all.”

“Our donation tub in Sainsbury’s needs daily emptying as it fills up quickly with food,” says Lynn. “We’ve benefited from some generous fundraisers too. The Community Meal arranged by Sarah Hill last November raised over £2,000 and Paul Como’s music night at Shanti Cafe was for us.” Two young lads called to ask Lynn what food was needed, as they’d decided to shop for the Food

Bank rather than buy each other Christmas presents and members of Saltburn Cubs and Brownies have made collections.

Ever resourceful, Lynn developed skills in making mulled wine before Christmas, when she was offered a stall to do it at the Bees and Carols Saltburn Concert. “I did some research into how it's made and even at a moderate charge, it raised £660 for us before stocks ran out!”

She pays tribute to the help given by Councillors Craig Hannaway and Stuart Smith: “Craig has been busking for us with his guitar and Stuart cleared all the rubbish out of the premises before we moved in.”

Lynn is acutely aware of the importance of preserving the dignity of people coming for help; she won’t ask them to jump through hoops. Since that day when after watching a Panorama programme on life on Universal Credit, she knocked at the doors of Garnet Street residents asking for food donations to meet local hunger, she and her volunteers have helped numerous people. But she says they’re working at the tip of the iceberg really.

“It’s a bigger crisis than is realised,” she believes.

‘Yvonne’ says that since her partner died, she and their three children would have gone hungry without SSFC’s help. “We wouldn’t have had a Christmas dinner without them, so we’re very grateful to the volunteers and the people who donate the food. They probably don’t realise what a difference they make.” She praises Lynn’s response to appeals: “She doesn’t make you feel embarrassed about it.”

‘Susan’ adds: “They’re marvellous. I wouldn’t be able to afford food without it. They’re beautiful people.”

Lynn confirms that SSFB is non-political, but when I’m back home, I wonder why the sixth richest country in the world runs in this way. What do we want our children and grandchildren to learn?

Rosemary Nicholls 29

Book Review Changing Marske-by-the-Sea If you’re not closely familiar with Marske and its history, you may be tempted to perceive it as essentially a fishing village.

Regular images on television weather forecasts highlight the beach with boats in the foreground and Huntcliff in the distance. However, as this delightful publication demonstrates, it was other primary industries – agriculture and mining – that largely shaped its evolution. Agriculture came first, the gently sloping and fertile land being conducive to mixed farming.

Farming continues around the village but much of this land has been sold in the last sixty years to make way for housing and related facilities. Ironstone mining came along in the mid-19th century with the opening of Upleatham Mine in Errington Wood, a mile or two inland.

The mine was abandoned in 1923 but its impact on the district is still evident today.

Changing Marske-by-the-Sea charts the development of the village and its vicinity with a wealth of images and supporting text. This edition is a progression from the first one, published in 2012.

Much of the focus is on the village centre, where a roundabout and several zebra crossings now take care of the movement of vehicles and pedestrians. This area has seen much renewal – some might suggest other words – since the 1950s and local resident Jack Anderson documented these radical changes with his camera. His photographs populate much of the book, with the effective ‘then and now’ contrasts from the same locations in extensive use.

Several farmhouses and their outbuildings were once in the village, the present-day leisure centre and Co-op supermarket having been the site of Fitzhugh’s Farm. The advent of ironstone mining brought about demand for more housing, to the extent that accommodation needed to be built closer to the mine at what is now New Marske.

All these changes are covered in detail, together with developments in transport, entertainment and other areas.

As with other communities, a key theme that underpins the story of Marske is the role played by property ownership. The Zetland Estate features regularly across the book, as does the Pease family of industrialists who had Cliff House built in 1844 as a summer residence.

The sale of land – and buildings – shapes the future character of a community, something that’s still very relevant these days. Some landowners have a philanthropic dimension and the book demonstrates how Marske has benefited in this respect.

Changing Marske-by-the-Sea comes strongly recommended to anyone with an interest in the development of this village and surrounding district.

The book is available at Marske Shoe Repair Shop (next to Winkies Castle Museum), by emailing post@winkiescastle.co.uk or phoning 01642 472583.

John Roberts

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Saltburn Allotment Association You may not be aware of our allotment shop, this is on the track beyond Tingdene site. It may not look like a shop, as it’s just a group of containers! We have a sign under construction to make it more obvious. You don’t need an allotment to use it, we have a small stock of peat free compost, fertilisers, Seeds, seed potatoes, canes etc. and open each Sunday from 10am to 11.30am, we don’t have a card machine however so cash only.

Spring is a great time of year as almost everything is starting to grow. Seeds like: Peas, Cabbage, Broccoli, Caulis, salad crops, herbs and root crops, can go into a seed bed or started in pots ready to be transplanted in a few weeks to their final growing position. (Read seed packs to check what varieties are good to plant now). Always label, as you are likely to forget what you have.

Next month is our AGM and we hope to have a professional gardener with links to the area coming to give a talk for us! This was sadly postponed last year, fingers crossed it will go ahead. It will be in the ECHO conference room on 20th April, at 6pm.

Rents are due, you can pay at the container or details for online payment are on the Facebook page or available from committee members.

We will be having our first farmers market stall of the year this month and will be making use of the town garden for this again come and have a look at our little oasis in the centre of Saltburn.

Julia

Saltburn Evangelical Church (Leven Street Mission) Following Jesus - the Bible our guide WELCOME

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

John 3:16 Sunday morning service at 11am Guitar Praise on the 3rd Thursday each month at 10.45am

Leven Street, Saltburn, TS12 1JY saltburnevangelicalchurch.org.uk 31

Saltburn Athletic Football Club

Saltburn Community Response I’d like to start with a big thank you to everyone who got involved with our projects or with helping us promote our work last year. I should have explicitly said this in the summing up the year post last month. Special thanks to Rosemary Nicholls for writing lovely articles about our volunteers, And to the various people and organisations who made donations so that we could fund all the wonderful projects.

Which leads me onto another thank you to Guy Cuthbert, The Saltburn Folk Club, The Pillar Box Pub and several well-known folk artists who put on a benefit gig for us on the 18th February. Pictured is Andy Brodrick who sang a wonderful set of Irish Folk tunes. I intended to pop in for an hour as I had ‘too much to do, to stay for longer’ but realised I’d been there for three hours before I managed to leave. I’ll definitely be emptying my diary for the whole day next time something like this is organised! The generous crowd who came to listen and play raised over £140 for SCR funds which will be put towards the projects that you want to see happen.

The weather may not have been great but the under 16s continue to battle for the winners position in their division. Two draws against Billingham 2-2 and Saxon Juniors 3-3 (Saltburn did have a player sent off) and a win against Saxon Juniors away by 5-1 have kept them in second place.

The under 14s are having a difficult time after their promotion up the league with losses against Billingham Juniors 4-3 and Billingham Juniors Lions 5-3. They did however have an excellent win when beating Richmond Town at Home 3-2.

The under 12s are still enjoying their football despite two losses against Hartlepool Reds (Division Leaders) 7-0 and then against Dormanstown by a far closer result of 2-0.

The under 7s, 8s and under 9s continue their progress week by week.

Andy Croll, Club Secretary

Now that February is over, we are planning on springing back into action. Our themes for projects this year are environment and wellbeing as always. Plus an emphasis on projects that help out with the cost of living crisis that we are all being affected by. Our first event of the year is: Seed Swap, 10am-12pm on the 4th March in the meeting room at Saltburn Community and Arts Centre on Albion Terrace.

Everyone is welcome and you can come and take seeds even if you have no seeds to swap. New to gardening and don’t know where to start? We’ll be very happy to give you some tips. If you have any questions about this event or ideas for projects that you would like our support with then please contact us via our Facebook page or by emailing info@saltburnresponse.com Looking forward to seeing lots of you on seed swap day.

Rowan McLaughlin (on behalf of SCR CIC) 32

Saltburn & District Retired Men’s Forum We meet on Monday mornings in the coffee room in the Methodist Church Hall on Milton Street from 10am with tea/coffee and biscuits for a 10.30am start.

We begin this month with a presentation from Chris Harris about the Fire Brigade on 6th March. Denis Claridge returns on 13th February to tell us about “The History of the Wilton Castle Club”.

We take “A Journey Along The Tees” with Mike Sidgwick on 20th February.

The Great North Air Ambulance forms the subject of the talk on 27th February.

Colin Hatton will present “Railways - Saltburn and Beyond” on 3rd April.

We are always delighted to welcome prospective new members to come along and join us. For further details please contact Ken Bladen on 01287 205153 or email kenbladen99@gmail.com

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We now provide a Box Office facility every Thursday afternoon from 2pm to 4pm accessible down the path beside the notice board on Albion Terrace.

If you are able to do so please continue to buy tickets online via our website saltburnarts.co.uk That will keep you in the warm and dry and help us to make best use of the limited Box Office opening hours which are intended to help those who cannot access that service.

If you cannot or are unwilling to use the website for ticket purchases then please come along on Thursday afternoon where you will be made most welcome and be able to buy tickets with cash or card and collect and pay for any tickets you may have reserved.

Please note that Early Bird Tickets and Buy one Get One Free Offers are time limited and will end around two weeks before the date of the event.

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33

Saltburn Folk Festival 10-13th August Line Up Announced

Rattlejag Morris at Saltburn Folk Festival - Picture Michael Sreenan

The sun shone on the Saltburn Folk Festival in 2022 as it returned after a two-year COVID absence and the new team running the festival were delighted by the reaction of performers and audiences alike that it had been a success.

Over the winter the team have been hard at work finding ways to refresh the festival and win an even bigger audience in 2023. The roots of the Saltburn Folk Festival lie in the Redcar Folk Festival which dates back to the late 1960s and while I can remember those early festivals in iconic venues like the Redcar Pier Ballroom most of our potential audience can’t and the festival must continue to evolve in ways that will make sense to younger potential audiences.

So the early announcement of the line-up for 2023 includes some exciting acts playing Saltburn for the first time and some returning much loved performers. The Saltburn festival wouldn’t be the same without the simply extraordinary Wilson family from Billingham whose powerhouse unaccompanied singing has won them acclaim throughout the folk world and beyond.

By contrast Lady Maisery make their Saltburn debut

this year. Hazel Askew, Hannah James and Rowan Rheingans are three of the most accomplished and adventurous artists in modern folk and come together to form a unified voice, carrying stories of sisterhood, human struggle, the joy of living and the vitality of music.

The festival has always had a significant dance element to it and this year will be no exception with several of the very best dance teams already signed up to take part.

There will be a strong programme focusing on young performers and audiences too and a highlight is certain to be the appearance by the National Youth Folk Ensemble which brings together talented young folk musicians from across England. These exceptional 14–18 year olds meet up throughout the year for intensive weeks of music making with top folk musicians and educators.

“But enough of who is playing” I hear you cry “How to we get some tickets?” Much the simplest way is to visit our website at saltburnfolkfestival.com and if you are very quick you might even be able to grab one of the “Early Bird” tickets which are selling for just £70!

Sir Steve Bullock, Festival Patron

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Home from home with daily activities and weekly trips out in our own minibus.

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01287 622498 and 01287 625178 34

Saltburn Blues Club I write this having had our first gig back at our newly refurbished venue New Marske Institute on February 11th and what a gig it was! Hats off to the team of workers who have transformed the Institute. It really is a state of the art venue now, everything has been renewed. Mind you, on the morning before the gig I visited to see how the work was progressing only to be faced with a chaotic building site in the concert room. I did not believe it could be ready for the next night. But it certainly was!

Moving on to our March gigs of which there are two.

The first, on 4th March with The Redfish Blues Band supported by local musicians Seaview Playboys, which is contrary to the information in the February edition, as we had to reschedule the February gig. They have played at the Club before and we welcome them back.

Redfish are an exciting Blues band, featuring some very talented Scottish and Cumbrian musicians who create a distinctive sound that blends blues, roots, jazz and soul.

The second gig is the 25th March but unfortunately the headline Band The Cinelli Bros have pulled out due to their success in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis they have been awarded a recording contract in America that week. However, I’m delighted to say that I have replaced them with the well loved local Band The John P. Taylor Band. The support that night is still Jenny Wren & Her Borrowed Wings. Tickets for the 4th March are £15 from The Spar, Milton St, and Ents24.com.

The Balmoral Acoustic Blues Club (Saltburn Conservative Club) welcomes The Kelvin Davies Duo on Sunday 12th March, reserve your seats directly with me for this one (£11). Kelvin is a traditional country blues and ragtime musician, with a British folk vibe. Keeping the style and music of some of the great bluesmen from the 1920s – 1940s alive … These nights are proving very popular and with limited seating contact me asap. There are some tickets available at Ents24.com.

As usual you can get your Blues injection from my show Still Got The Blues on Zetland 105FM, Mondays 7-10pm, Listen Live from the Zetland website, on Alexa and Virgin Radioline. Keep diggin' the Blues folks. Harry

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March 2023 Things to do Weekly Events

This Month’s Events St David’s Day the patron saint of Wales. More modern celebrations include the St David’s Day Parade which is held around the streets of Cardiff each year.

1st Saltburn Charity Crafters monthly gathering 1.30-3.30pm meet new people make & donate to local charities @ the Library 2nd World Book Day World of books craft session @ the Library 3-4.30pm 6th Cost of living drop in 1-3pm @ the Library 15th Free Dr Bike checks 3rd Wednesday of every month drop your bike off on the day between 10am-2pm @ the Library 17th Red Nose Day “comic relief” raise money while raising a smile, buy and wear a Red Nose 17th St Patrick’s Day celebrated all over the world, wherever there is an Irish community 19th Mother’s day. According to the flowers & plants association, Mother’s Day is the biggest event in the UKs sales of cut flowers & indoor plant industry. A trip to the garden centre maybe on the “card” 24th Free Friday Tea @ Emmanuel Church Hall drop in from 4-6pm. Soup & a bun refreshments, all welcome, come alone, bring a friend or bring along the family 26/27th British Summer Time Begins so remember that the clocks go forward one Hour at 1am in the morning 31st Vintage history murder mystery @ Brockley Hall 7pm

Saturday ● Generation Climate Group FREE for young people 11-17 years old @ the Toc H Hall rear of Albion Terrace 10-12pm ● Farmers Market Every second Saturday of each month @ the Portico Sat/Sun ● Table top sale 10-4pm @ the Portico Monday ● Retired Men’s forum 10am @ the Methodist Church Hall Tuesday ● Learn to Salsa beginners class no partner needed, 2 left feet welcome 7.30pm @ Saltburn Community Hall Wednesday ● Coffee morning Methodist Church 10am ● Health walk meet near Sainsbury’s 10.30 start ● Tiny Tots family drop in 0-4yrs Emmanuel Church Hall 1-3pm ● Saltburn Charity Crafters monthly gathering first Wednesday of every month 1.30-3.30pm meet new people make & donate to local charities @ the Library ● Saltburn 500 Club monthly meeting first Wednesday of the month All welcome at the Conservative Club 5.30pm Thursday ● Alternate Thursdays; free Crochet Class & Informal Tuition 1.30-3.30pm All welcome, including refreshments @ the Library ● Whippet Up free art & crafts for adults @ Saltburn Arts Hall ● The Man Cave 1.30-3.30pm @ Emmanuel Church Hall Friday ● Self-led playgroup every Friday morning 10.30-11.30am at the Library ● Teas in the afternoon 2-3.30pm at the Library on the 10th and 24th March all welcome

1st

The above information may be subject to change. If you have or know of any events happening in Saltburn please inform the Library and they will pass “What's On” to others. Please remember to pass on your Talk of The Town magazine once read to someone who is unable to get one, thank you.

Saltburn Toc H Branch would like to wish you all the Best for March. God Bless.

Saltburn Toc H Branch

36

Saltburn Miniature Railway All aboard for a new season!

Railway dog Robbie waits for the first train of the season

How time flies (or in our case, rumbles by). Yes, it’s almost time for Saltburn Miniature Railway to open for the 2023 season!

Throughout the closed season, the volunteers have again been hard at work servicing and painting the locos, replacing old sleepers, laying brand new track, painting the ticket office and preparing the lawns and flowerbeds.

Other upgrades and improvements are planned for the railway in the future, so watch this space!

Our drivers, guards and ticket office staff are looking forward to welcoming residents and visitors alike at Easter for what we hope will be another busy summer season in our beautiful town by the sea. Talking of volunteers, please give a warm welcome and wave to our new trainee fireman and fitter, Harry, who is being mentored by Bob. Yes, just like police officers and politicians, even the volunteers are looking younger these days - which bodes well for the future of the railway.

As always, any prospective volunteers out there who would like to help us keep the railway running will be made most welcome in the ‘shed’ on Wednesday or Sunday mornings. We are a very friendly group and will be glad of any assistance you can offer. Bring a warm drink and have a chat with us – we won’t bite, and even Robbie the railway dog will be glad of a new face.

In conclusion, may we thank you all for your continued support of one of Redcar and Cleveland’s premier visitor attractions. Here’s to another successful season down at the railway!

Saltburn Miniature Railway.

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Photo ID: What will voters need to present at polling stations on 4th May 2023?

Voting in elections is about to become more challenging for some as a result of the Government’s new law. This will apply to the Borough Council election on 4th May 2023. Electors can apply to the Local Authority for a free postal vote up to 5pm on Tue 18th of April (redcar-cleveland.gov.uk or phone 01642 774774) because they would find it more convenient and no photo ID is required.

However, if people intend to vote in person, they need to consider what photo ID they will present at the polling station. A passport (even if expired), a driving licence or blue badge will be acceptable, as will a list of other less well known means of identity, some particular to local areas of England. The acceptable forms of photo ID are predominantly held by older people, for example the older person’s bus pass is allowed, while student ID cards are not.

Details can be checked on electoralcommission.org.uk (This is an independent body which oversees elections and regulates political finance in the UK: “We work to promote public confidence in the democratic process and ensure its integrity.”)

Polling station staff will judge whether the photo being presented is sufficiently like the person submitting it. Those who are unsure if their photo ID still looks like them and anyone else who doesn’t possess one of the acceptable ID examples can apply to the Local Authority for a free Voter Authority Certificate. The deadline for this to vote on 4th May will be 5pm on 25th April.

To apply for the Voter Authority Certificate, it is essential to have registered to vote with the Local Authority by midnight on 17th April. Most people will have done this automatically last year. The Electoral Commission offers a helpline to answer general queries: 0800 328 0280.

The Government says it has introduced photo ID for people voting at polling stations to combat fraud. In elections in 2019, the Electoral Commission reports that 58 million votes were cast, 4 people were convicted of fraud and 2 people were given a police caution. Most reported cases were about campaigning offences, such as not including details about the printer, promoter or publisher on candidates’ election material.

The Government has run photo ID pilots in some areas in recent years. Considering the 2018 trials, the Cabinet Office estimated that a national roll out of the photo ID model would cost £5.9 million to £17.9 million per General Election for costs of additional staff, training and facilities, and producing local elector cards.

A consequence less commented on is the changing relationship of the polling station staff and the voters.

People once primarily employed to help and guide will now be judges of photographic likeness. Some arresting conversations could ensue!

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38

Letters to the Editor

The Coronation of King Charles III

A Heartfelt Thank you to our Long Serving Editor, Ian I feel this is a time to acknowledge the tremendous contribution that Ian Tyas has made to the life of Saltburn through his editing of ‘Talk of the Town’ for two hundred and fifty-one issues over twenty-one years. Lots of us have strived to encourage him by supporting in various ways, but the bulk of the work has been his. We know it has often been challenging to compile the magazine and get it out by the beginning of each month and we understood when he said he was thinking of retiring, but many of us didn’t think he’d really do it!

Fortunately, an excellent successor has volunteered.

Thank you to Garry Stonehouse, whom readers may know as owner of the computer company Gbiz IT, which started up in Saltburn. He will build on Ian’s work, keeping him as the monthly crossword compiler.

Ian has been the most wonderful Editor, making suggestions of Profile subjects when ideas were running low and always printing articles in full, after approval from people who’ve featured in them. He has acknowledged the receipt of submissions and messages in good time, which helps writers be confident about what’s happening.

The adverts he has given space to have helped local businesses to develop and provided readers with a fruitful place to look for tradespeople. Ian has delivered consignments of the magazines to independent businesses in our surrounding villages rather than to big company outlets, to support small-scale traders. He has given Saltburn youngsters a taste of employment as house to house deliverers, with the job passing down to younger siblings in families over the years.

Behind the scenes, his partner Heather Lofthouse has been contributing to the magazine’s success and has provided many cover photographs of local scenes. Our thanks are due to her too.

Four thousand copies of each ‘Talk of the Town’ issue are printed. What a splendid and unique contribution they have made to the lives of readers in Saltburn and beyond.

Rosemary Nicholls

The Parish Council has set aside an amount of money in its budget to support community events to celebrate this Royal milestone.

In order to allow community celebrations to take place, Monday 8th May 2023 will be a Bank Holiday and residents are being encouraged to organise celebratory events.

Community groups that are planning an event to mark this occasion can obtain a small grant towards the cost of hosting an event. Just request or download the application form which must be completed and returned to the Parish Council offices no later than 6th April 2023. If you need any further information please contact the office. 01287 623477 Saltburn, Marske & New Marske Parish Council office@smnmpc.co.uk

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LORNA SMITH 39

Cleveland Diving Club In 1977 the seed of an idea was planted and nurtured through all its phases until its realisation formed Cleveland Divers BSAC branch 0978 of the ‘British Sub-Aqua Club.’ The value of any idea is, of course, in how it is used and over time Cleveland Divers have put their ideas to good use. Delving through pre-digital club records unearthed a multifaceted approach to the interests and activities of club members, the following, however, can only provide a small flavour of these pursuits. First and foremost, the club was created to bring like-minded divers together to enjoy scuba diving and club management, its diving activities, training programmes and its relocation to its current base in Saltburn in 1988 are meticulously recorded, including social events and diving trips around the UK, to the Red Sea and even to the Bahamas.

Over the years the diverse interests of club members evolved and a variety of projects reached out to embrace and incorporate different sectors of the local community. For example, the 2001 marine archaeology project ‘Shipwreck Dimitris’ was awarded £10,000 from the ‘Local Heritage Initiative Grants’ scheme which facilitated exploratory investigations and surveys to provide information and explanations about the ‘Dimitris’ (photo 1) to the local population, while at the same time attending and protecting the wreck within the tenet of local traditions and culture. In brief, the outcomes culminated in a ‘Shipwreck Dimitris Exhibition’ held in Kirkleatham Museum with a ‘Virtual Reality Dive’ for non-divers to enjoy, videos, photographic records, information posters and relevant artefacts to view.

Another, community project grew per chance whilst members were helping a local fisherman recover lost crab pots. Club divers discovered the anchor of the shipwrecked ‘Birger’ which met its demise on the rocks of Redcar in 1898. Club members raised the anchor in October 2002 which was then erected opposite the Zetland Lifeboat Museum (photo 2) as a memorial to the 13 men, from a 15-man crew, who lost their lives that day.

A joint venture between Cleveland Divers and ‘Redcar Sports Development Team’ called ‘Getting Back into Sport’ in 2009 has proved so popular that the scheme continues to this day under Cleveland Divers ‘4 week Try Dive Course’ which offers members of the community the opportunity of a first-hand experience of scuba diving.

2009 also saw the first of many years of members hitting the icy cold waves of the North Sea for a boxing day dip in aid of the ‘Jim Maidens’ memorial fund. A local fisherman lost at sea. All funds being donated to the RNLI along with funds raised at Saltburn’s Farmers Market.

Supporting the community is an essential part of who Cleveland Divers are and has been recognised by ‘Sport England’ with two further awards of £10,000 each.

One in 2012 to facilitate an inclusive training programme for all ages and all genders (photo 3) and another in 2019 to install specialised equipment to support members and tourist divers to our region and, allow members to

participate in local and regional environmental projects such as: gathering important information about local marine life conditions to support the ‘Marine Conservation Society’; monitoring and protecting our local seal colony in collaboration with the BDMLR and more recently the creation of the ‘Clean Planet’ charity no 1200299, set up by club member Steve Smith to rid our local coast of ‘ghost fishing’ waste (photo 4).

Great ideas, great achievements from a community conscious dive club. Contact us on facebook: ‘The Diving Club-Cleveland’ or 07960 608529.

June Coomber 40

SARA The Anne Prosser Foundation Saving and Rehoming Animals s-a-r-a.org.uk Registered charity 1051037 A small charity seeking to rescue and rehome 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.

Hello! We are the Two Bears! We are looking for our forever families. This is Bear the dog, and he’s a very sweet 6 year old, lovely natured boy, who adores lots of attention! He is a Staffie cross Pug lad. Bear is a little nervous of men; he’s definitely a ladies dog, and because of this we would like to rehome Bear with a female owner.

Bear could possibly live with another female dog as he has enjoyed walking with the girls at the centre. Bear loves to play with toys but his favourite thing to do is to sit on your lap; he doesn't realise that he’s maybe a little to big for that!

He came into our care with his mum Bubbles, they could potentially be rehomed together if anyone was

interested in adopting a pair. They would prefer living with children 16 years plus and have never lived with cats.

Now meet Baby Bear! He is a two year old domestic shorthair and his ideal home would be in a safe area so he can enjoy the outdoors. He could live with children 10 years plus but would prefer not to live with dogs or with other cats.

Baby Bear is as cute as his name suggests! He can be very affectionate and does enjoy the company of our cat cuddler volunteers. He is a little shy at first but purrs in seconds when he gets a head rub. Bear enjoys venturing outside so would need to live in a safe area that isn’t situated near any main roads.

SARA Fundraising events Meetings for SARA supporters and the general public are now held every TWO MONTHS instead of monthly but will continue to be on a Tuesday. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, 4th April 2023 at 7pm and will be held at the Arundel Centre at Foxrush Farm, Kirkleatham Lane, Redcar.

Hot drinks available and dogs welcome. Everyone welcome to hear news and updates of the charity.

The Shop and Cafe situated in the Arundel Centre will open each Saturday and Sunday 10am to 3pm. Please join us for great bargains and banter. Dogs welcome and friendly atmosphere.

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The Saltburn Crossword no 261 set by Dinosaur Across 1 New journalist? Sense a yoghurt or stirred (5, 10) 7 Necessity? At home, sure can run about (9) 9 Walked up and down but at a regular rate (5) 11 Heavenly joy found when British Leyland is south (5) 12 Eat too much? Actually more to do with upholstery! (9) 13 Marske had one in Saltburn as I’ll chase after a thousand (4) 14 Part department (7) 17 Without purpose and employ fewer? (7) 19 See 26 Across 21 Old coin circulating wolf ranch (4-5) 23 Picture I’m of certain years (5) 24 Not this of brothers (5) 25 Chosen option would be red ref rep! (9) 26 and 19 Across Trip along the path of nostalgia?

Lemonade mind row very disturbed (5, 4, 6, 4) Down 1 Saltburn street transforms bogus aid or rough draft (11, 4) 2 He has an avenue in Saltburn with short Russian family (6) 3 Former county of the riding school? (9) 4 It’s usually aluminium these days! I lift on assortment (7) 5 Wishes for shop around east (5) 6 And so life goes on at bedtime, they fade and/or no dreaming (3, 2, 7, 3) 8 Seven not at odds (5) 10 Relative American in coin (6) 15 It doesn’t really have so many legs! But it knows how to bake decent pie (9) 16 Money when we halt production (6) 18 Bend forward to confuse post around zero (5) 19 It shines forth from a slant Ernie demonstrated (7) 20 Get an improved appearance! Rio had some adjustment (4-2) 22 Bend that must recur very revealing (5)

Name ______________________________ Address ____________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ Telephone __________________________

Send your completed crossword to: Saltburn Crossword no 261, c/o Jackie’s Saverstore, 8 Station Buildings, Saltburn, TS12 1AQ by Friday, 17th March 2023. First correct solution out of the bag wins a £10 voucher kindly donated by Real Meals.

Solution to Crossword no 260 The winner of last month’s crossword was Liz MacDonald of The Zetland, Saltburn

D. V. Townend & Co 8 Dundas Street East, Saltburn TS12 1AH

Stylish Leisure and Outdoor Wear Grisport Footwear, Brakeburn, Aigle, Scippis Biker Style Jacket, Exclusive Tweed Jackets, Hiking Poles, Picnic Rugs and Hampers, Leather Bags and Accessories

Tel: (01287) 623754 Email: info@dvtownend.com d-v-townend.myshopify.com 42

Letters to the Editor

We are introducing a new regular section that will feature letters to the editor. If you wish to comment on an article published in Talk of the Town, you will now have an opportunity to do so.

Letters on any subject relating to Saltburn will be accepted. Although we can’t guarantee that we’ll have the space to print every letter, we will try to include the best ones we receive.

Send your letters either by post to Talk of the Town, The Innovation Centre, Redcar, TS10 5SH, or by email with the subject ‘Letters to the editor’ to hello@talkofthetownsaltburn.co.uk The deadline for letters to be considered is the 20th of every month.

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£60 £30

£39.00