Scarborough Review
6
June - Issue 46
CONTINUED FROM COVER STORY Words by Mike Tyas
The grandstand (to order photos ring 353597) Scarborough Athletic FC and Scarborough Ladies FC will showcase their skills and there will be friendly matches between the main squad’s junior teams. The sport complex is being run on Scarborough Council’s behalf by sport and leisure operator Everyone Active, which manages the existing swimming pool at Northstead and the sport centre in Filey Road. Both are due to close. The company is the UK’s longest established leisure operator, with nearly 30 years’ experience of managing leisure facilities across the country. Colin Jackson is the ambassador of Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions scheme, which provides funding and support for talented athletes in the UK. Council chief executive Jim Dillon said the
Scarborough Athletic chair Trevor Bull, right, and Everyone Active’s area fitness manager Martin Russell
opening would be the “culmination of years of planning, following an ambitious vision to bring together state-of-the-art facilities for wet and dry sports and leisure under one roof, alongside an eagerly anticipated new stadium for local football. “We’re looking forward to celebrating the completion of the latest chapter of the borough’s transformation programme”. The company’s area fitness manager Martin Russell said: “It’s really important that we get everybody in the community more active and engaged with activity and exercise”. Work on the sport complex began in January last year. It has been built by contractors Willmott Dixon, who also built the neighbouring University Technical College and Coventry University buildings.
The main swimming pool
Knife man jailed after threatening medics A SCARBOROUGH man is behind bars after threatening ambulance staff with a knife. Paul Chapman, 52, of North Marine Road was sentenced at York Crown Court to 16 months after previously pleading guilty to charges of possessing a knife in a public place and affray. He was given two jail terms of 16 months, one for each offence, to run concurrently. Chapman was also ordered to pay £140 victim surcharge and the judge ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the knife. On the night of 26 February, Chapman made an emergency call to the ambulance service who attended his home in North Marine Road. Paramedics tried to treat Chapman who said he was unwell, but he became aggressive and abusive towards them. The medics returned to their vehicle to await the arrival of police but while waiting for them to arrive, Chapman came out of the address armed with a knife and threatened the
paramedic and ambulance technician, saying he would harm them, himself and others. When police arrived they seized the knife and arrested Chapman who was taken into police custody and subsequently charged with the two offences. Detective Constable David Adams, of Scarborough Police, said: “The sentence handed out reflects the seriousness of this offence against medical staff carrying out their duties to help and care for members of the public. “It sends a very clear warning to others of the consequences of such behaviour. “The ambulance service’s role is to protect life, treat, and help people in need, as Mr Chapman was that night. They should not be subjected to violent behaviour which makes them feel threatened or vulnerable within the course of their duties. “They did all they could to help Mr Chapman but sadly, they were rewarded with abuse and aggression. “I hope he reflects on his behaviour whilst in prison and realises the impact that this behaviour had on people carrying out their public duty that evening.”
PEOPLE in Scarborough and Filey have until June 23 to contribute to a survey that will help shape support services for families living with dementia. North Yorkshire County Council recently published their draft dementia strategy for the next five years called ‘Bring me Sunshine’ and now want to hear opinion on it. ‘Bring me Sunshine’ is based on the experiences of people living with dementia, their carers and health and social care experts. It describes the improvements the council want to make to dementia support. Its themes include: • Challenging the stigma associated with dementia and raising awareness • The importance of early diagnosis • Ensuring Conistent care and support • Seeing the person, not the dementia • Supporting people living with a learning disability and dementia • The value and importance of carers support
• Planning for the future and dying well The strategy has been produced in cooperation with voluntary organisations Dementia Forward and Making Space, and the Alzheimer’s Society. The Conultation began during national Dementia Awareness Week in the middle of May. Details of the Conultation and the survey can be found at: www.northyorks.gov.uk/ dementiastrategy In North Yorkshire, 10,000 people are estimated to be living with dementia, but only 5,793 people have actually been diagnosed, according to information in the strategy document. • Dementia Forward: 01765 645904 email: info@dementiaforward.org.uk www. dementiaforward.org.uk • Making Space: 01723 371958 email: enquiries@makingspace.co.ukhttp:// w w w. m a k i n g s p a c e . c o . u k / i n - y o u r community/north-yorkshire/
Cyclists welcomed home as heroes Words by Mike Tyas NORTH Bay played host to another big bike finish just days after the dramatic finale to the Tour de Yorkshire. This time 11 amateur cyclists took centre stage as they raised their hands in triumph, all as winners, after completing a three-day 150-mile coast-to-coast sponsored ride. Led by the Area Dean of Scarborough, the Revd. Mike Leigh, the team returned home to a heroes’ reception outside the Sands development from about 60 family and friends, plus the Mayor and Mayoress of Scarborough, Coun. Simon and Val Green. The ride, from Morecambe, was part of St Mark’s Church, Newby’s fundraising to raise £85,000 to pay for a new roof. Cash is still coming in but the final figure is expected to be around £12,000. “We had a ball – it was just fantastic,” said an elated Revd. Leigh, 47, as each rider lined up to receive a commemorative medal from the mayor to mark their triumphant ride across the Pennines. He added: “What was best about it, was that we all got on very well. We’re all different ages and come from different churches but we gelled really well. We stuck together all the way.” One of the riders was Ros Dykes, just a week short of her 66th birthday, who came home looking as fresh as a daisy, no doubt benefitting from the 1,000 miles of training she had put in since January. “It was an absolutely fantastic experience; great team work, a great leader in Mike. There were lots of hills but we managed them all,’ said Ros, whose jubilation at finishing was increased by the surprise of being greeted by her daughter, Kirsty Charlton. Kirsty had travelled down to Scarborough from her home in Chester-le-Street to be there at the finish. “We’re all very proud of her,” said Kirsty, who presented her mum with a bouquet of flowers as a well done present. Also delighted to see the riders home were the mayor and mayoress, who posted on Facebook: “Well done coast to coast cyclists. The Borough of Scarborough is proud to welcome you home.” The team of riders so enjoyed the ride that
they are contemplating an even longer cycle down the east coast from Edinburgh next year. The riders were: Revd. Mike Leigh, Ros Dykes, Jane Millar, Jackie Raw, Hilary Watts, Mark Brown, David Trigg, Bill Holmes, Charlie Clapham, Jonnie Clapham, Tim Boreham. With support all the way from Bernard Dixon, Ralph Witty, Freda Boreham and Geoff Boreham and the trip was organised by Trevor King. Jubilant vicar Mike Leigh (picture by James Giddings)
We’ve done it!: St Mark’s cyclists celebrate at the finish (picture by Mike Tyas)