Saltburn by the Sea

It started with a kiss...

2009-06-16T09:28:00.002+01:00

Jay Preller, 51, and fiancée Hazel Costin, 39, of Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, shared their first kiss on the town's Grand Pier back in 2007 and since then the couple have developed a love and fascination for one of Britain's most traditional seaside features.

So much so that they are now touring Britain to visit each of the 54 piers before getting married. The latest to have been visited - and kissed on - by the couple is Saltburn's very own award-winning pier.

Hazel, a teacher, said: "Of all the piers we have visited this is certainly one of the best. It's nice that it is so old fashioned. We've found that every pier is different - we're becoming real experts."

The couple met for the first time at the entrance to the Weston's Grand Pier, which was destroyed by fire last year. They started their tour a year later but once it has finished it won't be the end of the couple's pier antics. Next year, Jay and Hazel will be the first to get married on the re-built Grand Pier.

They will then sit down to write about their travels in a book.

"Neither of us have ever written a book or anything before so it will be a challenge," Hazel said."Hopefully in 10 years we will be able to tour them again - we have grown quite fond of them!"

Action plan for Sea Front

2009-05-12T07:26:00.003+01:00

A meeting of the R&C council's Cabinet on Tuesday will be recommended to approve a two-year maintenance programme in a bid to get the Saltburn sea-front building, pictured above, fully operational.
The £212,000 action plan is yet another attempt to try and get the Lower Promenade building fully up and running, seven years after it was built.
The council took it over in 2002 after the community group that conceived it, the Saltburn Improvement Company, ran into difficulties.
The £600,000 building has two retail units - Charlie's Don't Surf and another which is currently under offer and hoping for a summer opening. It also houses the Seaview Restaurant, changing and shower rooms for surfers and a community room. Since its inception it has been dogged by damp problems, legal wrangling and allegations that it was turning into a "white elephant".
The council's Cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism, Councillor Sheelagh Clarke, said: "There have been real difficulties with this development since it was delivered by the Saltburn Improvement Company and we need positive action. A lot of work has already been done in securing our control of the building and we believe its tenants appreciate we are moving forward with purpose. I am delighted we are very close to having the building fully let for the first time, but there remain problems."
A structural survey identified the building needs remedial works and an annual maintenance regime. It will cost £212,000 over two years. The first year will tackle structural issues, roof and damp problems. The second year's budget is earmarked for replacing shutters and tackling brickwork and decoration.
Cllr Clarke added: "The need for funding is paramount - if not, the building will remain in disrepair and with the limited maintenance budget currently available, the structural issues will not be addressed. The state of the building will inevitably deteriorate, so approval funding is essential to carry out the renovation to bring it back to an acceptable standard."

5 Pieces of Gold for Saltburn Biathlete

2009-05-07T13:08:00.003+01:00

Charlie Pasco (pictured with coach Bill Cook, © Dan Hill) of Saltburn & Marske ASC, successfully competed in the 2009 Northern Region Biathlon and Triathlon Championships at Maiden Castle on 5th April. Charlie finished in first place in the Youth Group C category for both the biathlon and the triathlon, taking best shoot, run and swim all with personal best times (shoot 43, 100m swim 1.10, run 1000m 2.58). He has now qualified for the National Championships to be held in Macclesfield on 17th May.
Charlie is also a member of New Marske Harriers and takes shooting lessons from his granddad.

Singular and Unique - Freya North 'Secrets'

2009-04-22T15:13:00.032+01:00

Best selling author Freya North celebrates Saltburn's uniqueness in her new novel:
Secrets. Would you share yours?

Whilst interweaving herself into the fabric of Saltburn both Tess and Joe explore their own personal growth and their developing relationship set against the enchanting house in which Tess and her daughter find themselves 'house-sitting'.

But don't be deceived. This isn't your usual 'set' romance. The book is full of sparky moments you'll find yourself re-reading. Individual, liberating, symbolic, a compulsive read. We all have secrets. Would you share yours?

"And now I mount above the sands,

And in amazement see

The mighty works now carried on

At Saltburn by the Sea.

I gazed delighted on the scene

And found it soon moved me,

To write a book, a little book

On Saltburn by the Sea."

John Farndale, 'A Guide to Saltburn by the Sea' 1862

Freya North gave up a Ph.D. to write her first novel, Sally, in 1991. For 4 years she turned deaf ears to parents and friends who pleaded with her to ‘get a proper job’. She went on the dole and did a succession of freelance and temping jobs to support her writing days. In 1995, throwing caution to the wind, Freya sent three chapters and a page of completely fabricated reviews to a top literary agent, and met with success: five publishers entered a bidding war for her books. In 1996 Sally was published to great acclaim and Freya was heralded as a fresh voice in fiction. Her next books, Chloe, Polly, Cat, Fen, Pip, Love Rules, Home Truths and Pillow Talk have all been bestsellers. She lives in London with her family. In 2008 Freya won the RNA award for ‘Romantic Novel of the Year’ with Pillow Talk.

http://www.freyanorth.com/

Rebecca Hilton

Saltburn Beach, April 2009

Pierrots? Christmas Day 2008

Pier scoops national award!

2009-04-15T16:30:00.000+01:00

Saltburn's Victorian pier was today hailed the best in Britain. The pier - the last remaining pleasure pier on the North-East coast - beat resorts including Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight and Bangor in North Wales to scoop the Pier of the Year title.

It was runner-up in 2006 in the National Piers Society awards, and it has regularly featured in the top four from votes cast by the organisation's 600 members. This award comes hot on the heels of other successes including an award for the illuminations which light up the pier and cliff lift from dusk to midnight.
Friends of Saltburn Pier chairman Tony Lynn said: "A lot of work has been done towards saving the pier. It is something very dear to the heart of Saltburn people. It is so much part of Saltburn and we are so pleased to be recognised by the National Pier Society. They held their AGM here just after Saltburn Pier had been restored and the members were very impressed with what they saw."
The pier won the award due to its impressive design and unique features - simpilcity and quality restoration. An important feature is the lighting on the underside of the pier which reflects on to the waves and sand offering a unique experience for many people.
The pier itself has been plagued by misfortune since its opening in 1869 - incidents include the pier-end collapsing into the sea, a ship crashing through it in a storm and a section being removed to prevent German landings during World War Two, all of which gradually caused the length of the pier to diminish.

Norman Bainbridge - Saltburn's 'Mr Pier'

Norman Bainbridge, who died at the age of 83 in December 2005, was born and brought up in Saltburn and was the driving force behind the 'Friends of Saltburn Pier'. Ten years ago the future of the pier was under threat after it became apparent that it was in urgent need of reconstruction. When a bid for funding to restore it failed Norman, as founder member and chairman of the society, led a group of fellow enthusiasts to press for Government help as well as raising funds themselves.. He also worked closely with Redcar and Cleveland Council to lead the fight for survival and did much to help it win a £995,000 lottery grant to carry out the work that was needed to restore the pier.
Norman was very proud when the pier finally reopened to the public in July 2001 and was upgraded to a Grade 2* listed building. He was also proud when the pier lighting scheme was installed as the Friends had long pressed for this facility.
Five years later it won the annual Lighting Design Award for Transport Lighting following work under Redcar and Cleveland Council's Lighting Our Culture initiative. Norman was given the honour of switching on the lighting feature that illuminates the Pier, the Cliff Lift and the lower promenade.

Cliff Lift ready to go.

2009-04-03T19:47:00.002+01:00

Saltburn's Victorian Cliff Lift is hoping to carry over 100,000 passengers on its up and down journeys when it starts operating again on Good Friday, April 10 th.
The lift's winter maintenance schedule has been successfully completed by the Council's Fleet Management workshop fitters assisted by the Cliff Lift Engineer Paul Wakeford in good time for the beginning of the new season.
Last year just under 100,000 visitors made the journey on the lift which links the town with Saltburn Pier and the lower promenade and sands.

The lift, which first opened in 1884, is now the oldest remaining water-powered system using the original technology in Britain.

From April 10th, the lift's operating hours will be 10am-1pm and 1.30pm-5pm, then from Saturday, May 23, the hours will be extended until 7pm with a one hour lunch break, from 1pm-2pm. Admission prices are 70p adults, 40p children, oaps 40p - free for Redcar & Cleveland pensioners, pushchairs/prams 40p.

War of the Roses?

2009-03-28T19:13:00.003Z

A small grassed area in Laurel Close has proved to be contentious after Council workers moved in to dig it up in readiness to plant rose bushes.
Some residents, who want it kept as grass for the Close's small children to safely play on, were infuriated by the council's actions.
Louise Sutherland was among those who objected. Her children are among those who happily play there and, as Louise is blind, she says it's even more important that she can hear them playing safely close to home.
The council said the diggers had been sent in following complaints about children playing. The grass had been temporarily reinstated after Mrs Sutherland raised her objections.
Mrs Sutherland said the saga dates from 2006, when a poisonous bush was removed from the area and residents were allowed to grass the patch over. Her husband regularly mowed it and it became a popular place for toddlers to play safely. That prompted Louise to refuse requests to plant bushes there as part of the town's Saltburn in Bloom effort and she was told that nothing would be done to the grassed area without proper consultation.
" If people didn't want it, I'd have to accept that, but we should at least be properly asked our opinion. I don't think it's been handled very democratically".
Mrs Sutherland added: "If it's a choice between rose bushes and flowers or a safe environment for our children to play, I know what I'd choose."
A Redcar and Cleveland Council spokesperson said: "We have received complaints from some residents regarding the use of the area by children for playing. In direct response to this we began to prepare the area for planting. We have now made the decision to stop the preparation of the area and return it to its previous state so that further consultation with all residents can take place."

Capsized!

2009-03-15T19:15:00.002Z

Redcar's lifeboats were called out to the rescue after a small boat capsized while ferrying its passengers to and from the shore at Saltburn.
The alarm was raised just before 5.30pm when a 7ft inflatable tender capsized while trying to reach shore to pick up the crew of a 34ft motor cruiser, which was anchored off the beach near Saltburn pier.
The Bay Dream III had sailed from Hartlepool earlier in the day. Its crew had left the craft to run ashore in the tender for a meal at the Ship Inn.
The motor cruiser's skipper, a Sheffield man, had successfully taken his wife back to the cruiser after the meal, and was returning to shore to pick up two more crew when the craft capsized.
Although unhurt, the skipper was unable to re-launch the tender because of heavy seas breaking on the shoreline, and called for help.
Redcar RNLI dispatched both lifeboats and transferred one crew member to the motor cruiser to be with the lone woman left on board. Another crew member managed to lift the craft's anchor and steered it into safer waters. Meanwhile the lifeboat picked up two more of the cruiser's crew to take them back to the vessel.
Finally the skipper was picked up and the tender towed back offshore.
Redcar RNLI spokesman Dave Cocks said: "The skipper was very lucky to be unhurt when his inflatable capsized. We had a major rescue at exactly the same spot last year when a large number of fishing boats capsized and a woman suffered a nasty head injury."

Body found

2009-03-15T17:28:00.000Z

Following an alarm raised by a dog walker at about 9.30am this morning the body of a man, believed to be in his early thirties, was reclaimed from a spot about 60ft from the foot of cliffs between Saltburn and Skinningrove. The dead man's identity was expected to be confirmed by police later today.
In an operation involving Redcar's two lifeboats, the Staithes lifeboat as well as members of the Coastguard and police, the body was brought down to the base of the cliffs and transferred to the Redcar lifeboat. The location of the body made the operation particularly difficult but the teamwork of the volunteer crews successfully brought the body to the bottom of the cliff where it was transferred to a rescue craft.
The body was then landed at Redcar lifeboat station and handed into the care of the police.

Time capsule.

2009-03-11T18:54:00.007Z

An intentional time capsule, purposely placed and intended to be opened one hundred years from now, has been buried on the site of Saltburn's new learning campus.
With the modern replacement for the old Huntcliff School now open pupils decided to mark the occasion by burying the capsule to commemorate the now demolished school's past.
They collected a host of items suitable for placing into a sealed metal box which they hope people might find interesting when the box is dug up.
Whoever opens it in 2109 should discover a brief snapshot of school life in Saltburn from 2009.
In addition to hundreds of photos, stamps, pencils, CDs, key rings, a Y11 group photo and money, scores of pupils filled in small index cards with their thoughts and feelings of life at the birth of the new school.
History teacher and project coordinator, Hannah Mohon, commented: "It's social history reflecting our students thoughts and how they feel about society and the world. A historian is like a detective and part of the fun of this has been compiling something that will be fun to unpack."
Local historians Cath and Tony Lynn helped to advise on what to include in the box.
Tony said: "When the old British School was built in the 1860s they buried some sort of time capsule, but when the school was bombed in World War Two they took the rubble away and the capsule has never been found. I think this story helped fire the schools imagination to create their own time capsule."

According to time capsule historian William Jarvis, most intentional time capsules usually do not provide much useful historical information: they are typically filled with "useless junk", new and pristine in condition, that tells little about the people of the time. Many buried time capsules are lost, as interest in them fades and the exact location is forgotten, or are destroyed within a few years by groundwater. Let's hope that this capsule endures the test of time and is more successful than it's earlier counterpart.

Crawl, slither and slide... up close and personal!

2009-03-05T16:46:00.003Z

Saltburn children have recently experienced the chance to get close to some special rodents and reptiles during their science lessons. The Zoolab Tour is visiting schools as part of the University of Teesside's Meteor Scheme, bringing along a snake, giant snail, cockroach, rat and a frog. As well as being able to handle the animals the pupils learned about the vital role that sunlight plays in our lives and how the animals fit into the food chain.

During its two week run the university's Meteor programme aims to inspire pupils to think about the benefits of higher education.

Bath Spa Express

2009-02-25T08:40:00.001Z

Seats are still available for this years luxury return train trip from Saltburn to Bath.
Saltburn Railtours' Bath Spa Express, from July 3-6, will see up to 276 people whisked south on a Pullman-style service, recreating the heyday of classy train travel.
Tickets for the trip are £395, and also include accommodation in a choice of three or four-star hotels and an excursion to Longleat.
Trip organiser, Loftus GP Rob Dallara, says the annual Saltburn Railtours trip is usually sold out by now, but the credit crunch is biting.
He said: "It's a lot more than just a train ride."
To book, call 01287 625956, 07813 841496 or write to Flat 10, Zetland Ct, Dundas Street, Saltburn, TS12 1GA. For details visit http://www.saltburnrailtours.co.uk/

SHINE at the Wellbeing Centre

2009-02-25T08:36:00.001Z

The official launch of a community interest company called SHINE, a new start social enterprise formed by the collective action of ten skilled and accredited therapists and trainers, is to be held at 2pm, on Friday, February 27 at The WellBeing Centre, 6A Station Road, Saltlburn-by-the-Sea, TS12 1AE.
All founder members of SHINE have experience of working in a range of contexts and a variety of client groups within the NHS and the 3rd Sector.
Following a short presentation outlining the main aims and objectives of SHINE, attendees from organisations across Tees Valley will have the opportunity to participate in three informal discussion groups on themes that are high on the current Government Agenda i.e 1) Worklessness, 2) Substance Misuse and 3) The Improved Access to Psychological Therapies Programme currently being implemented according to NHS guidelines.
SHINE members believe that the company is in a good position to offer partnership work in these three areas with some of the main providers within the public, independent and 3rd sectors across Tees Valley.
SHINE is committed to enhancing the psychological well-being of people in the community and provides an integrative, holistic therapeutic service to meet individual needs.
The company aims to provide rapid and alternative access to treatment services for people experiencing physical and mental distress by offering a range of psychological services and complementary therapies on a 1:1 basis, training courses/workshops linked to personal development e.g anger management, anxiety/depression, confidence building, drug/alcohol awareness, health and diet, motivational interviewing and stress management and clinical supervision for staff in a variety of professions.
For further information on this event please contact SHINE at the WellBeing Centre on 01287-204400.

New Exhibition at Saltburn Artists Gallery

2009-02-08T09:49:00.001Z

Running until March 8, CLOUD, the new exhibition by Saltburn Artists' Project features the work of Govinda Sah and Georgina Vinsun.
The gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday, noon-4pm. There will be an artist's talk on February 7 from 2-4pm when Govinda Sah will be talking about his arts practice and his work in the current exhibition.
A children's workshop is also being held on February 14 from 10am-noon when visitors can work with local artist Kathryn Wren to create their own pieces of art based on the current exhibition. Open to children aged eight and upwards, the event is free.
Details on 01287 626060.

Cliff Lifts new engineer

2009-01-21T19:02:00.000Z

Saltburn Cliff Lift's newly-appointed engineer Paul Wakeford is delighted to be at the controls of the Victorian masterpiece - and is even ready to offer on-board entertainment during wet weather. Paul, who reckons he now has his "dream job" after enjoying several summer seasons of part-time work on the Cliff Lift, will also bring his musical talents to the job, with a spot of banjo playing on rainy days. Paul, 57, explained: "I love the Cliff Lift and this is my dream job. It's a tourist attraction, part of Saltburn's heritage and being here makes me feel part of the town. I intend to be here until I'm at least 65, even longer if I'm fit and able."
Middlesbrough-born Paul has lived in Saltburn since 1993 and has had three spells since then working on the lift as a seasonal brake person in between a varied working life after deciding to call time on 18 years as a motor mechanic. He has fond early childhood memories of the Cliff Lift, but admits: "I think it was two pence up and one penny down and my dad would say, 'I'll see you at the bottom, you walk down!' So as a kid, I don't think I ever used it!"His first journey didn't come until he joined the workforce in 1994 - then he got a shock. "I expected the lift to be driven from the bottom - I thought the top was just a ticket office. I didn't realise it was driven from there, didn't know how it worked. And the banjo playing? A self-employed busker at one time, he brought the banjo along when he worked the summer "and played it when the weather was rotten!" said Paul who is currently busy on winter maintenance before the Lift reopens on Good Friday, April 10.

Deeply Dippy

2009-01-04T16:56:00.006Z

Scores of swimmers took the plunge at the regular annual New Years day dip in Saltburn. As the chill winds swept in from the sea they stripped off - or paraded dressed in fantastic costumes before taking to the waters.
At Saltburn the main support was for the the Saltburn Animal Rescue Association (SARA), which has acquired a new site for its work with strays and abandoned pets.
Association chairwoman, Ann Prosser, said a string of dogs and cats had been taken in over the Christmas period.
"We hope to raise between £500-£600 from the dip," she said.
"We are grateful for all those who turned up to take part plus the volunteers and all those who help - dog walkers, kennel cleaners, everyone."

Halcyon Days

2008-12-26T18:08:00.002Z

The Halcyon Singers were formed in 2003 under the leadership of outgoing conductor Rose Bottomley, pictured above. Now the gran-of-three is determined to find a replacement so that she can return to the ranks as a soprano. Rose, who teaches piano and singing, said: "I really don't want to see the Singers fold, but I can't carry on running it. I want to spend more time with my family and on my other hobbies, like painting and travelling."

The successful candidate will have to have exemplary organisational skills, and naturally, an interest in music and singing. They will be responsible for organising rehearsals, choosing the programme and arranging performances. And the new conductor should be willing to accommodate the occasional big name from the world of music. In 2006, the Halcyon Singers performed with Guisborough lass and international opera star Sarah Sweeting.

The 30 members perform concerts singing a variety of popular hits from the musicals and, as well as a new conductor, they are looking for more members to join their ranks.
Rose said: "We'd really like some more younger members to come and join us, with lots of energy and ideas."

Brenda Marquis is in charge of publicity for the Singers, and was first in a long line to pay tribute to the director. She said: "Rose started this group with just eight people, and now we have more than 30 members. She has made an enjoyable hobby popular for so many people, and it will be great to still have her around."

If anyone is interested in leading the Halcyon singers, or joining as a singer, they can contact Rose on 01287 209123.

Tea time all year round.

2008-11-10T09:18:00.003Z

The newly refurbished Valley gardens tea-rooms opened for business this summer, and now, for the first time, thanks to the building being fully insulated, the Tea Rooms can offer year-round opening. The café will open remain open from 10am - 3pm offering teas, coffees, delicious scones and cakes.
You will receive a warm welcome from the staff, some of whom are currently attending Redcar and Cleveland Council's Learning Disability Day Service. Their voluntary work will not only
provide them with additional training but also enable them to be supported into paid employment in the catering field in future.

The rise and fall of a Cliff Lift engineer.

2008-11-06T08:51:00.005Z

After eleven years of working as an engineer carrying the responsibility of ensuring that more than a million visitors were transported safely between the lower and upper promenades Alan Ismay drove Saltburn's Victorian Cliff lift for the last time this Sunday.

The trip marked the last summertime run for the lift and Alan's retirement. This season a total of 99,904 passengers have experienced the 55 second journey on the cliff lift's rare water powered system which dates from 1884.

A former customs and excise officer, Mr Ismay commented that many of his passengers did not understand why they sometimes had to sit and wait for the lift's water balanced mechanism to work and were baffled by the system.

Alan will be staying on to welcome his successor as Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council will be interviewing applicants later this month and he will be helping the annual winter maintenance programme. Its attraction is also strong enough to make Alan think twice when reopening time comes round on Good Friday, April 9. "I might be back to do a bit of relief work," he admitted.

Pageant of Light 2008 - a breeze.

2008-10-28T08:37:00.005Z

Sunday. Celebrating the passing of British summertime this year saw the Valley Gardens lit up once again with a procession of music and light following Mr Toad and his friends from The Wind in the Willows. Refreshments were available from the Tea Rooms courtesy of the Saltburn WI.

In times past the Pleasure Grounds were illuminated with lights and concerts were performed at the garden bandstand with the NER providing special late night trains for the occasion.

Fireworks! A license to thrill...

2008-10-22T18:16:00.002+01:00

Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council has invested in a licence to thrill for its spectacular Fireworks Night display on The Stray at Redcar on Wednesday, November 5.
The display, featuring 15,000 aerial fireworks, will be fired off in a secure area on The Stray car park, starting at 7.30pm, against a background of eight James Bond film music scores.
Organiser Steve Illidge, director of Highlight Pyrotechnics, explained: "In the opening sequence, we've got several litres of petrol ejected into the air on fire, creating large rolling balls of flame fired in time to the 007 theme. When we play From Russia With Love, there will be huge red hearts appearing in the sky whilst thousands of pink comets are fired over 30 metres into the night sky it fits beautifully with the tempo of the track. The final flourish is Live and Let Die one of the best tracks for fireworks - and the final salvo is made up from hundreds of brocade shells which will turn the entire sky to silver!"
Other featured soundtracks in the 25-minute display are On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Thunderball, Diamonds Are Forever, Goldfinger, Casino Royale and the latest Bond, Quantum of Solace.
A stretch of the Coast Road will be closed to traffic from 5pm, reopening at approximately 9pm. The Council is organising a free park and ride bus service from the Majuba Road car park, with four 26-seater minibuses starting a shuttle service from 6pm.
This years Skinningrove Bonfire will celebrate the Mining Museums 25th anniversary, the mines closure 50 years ago and its opening 125 years ago. Organisers plan to build a bonfire that depicts a pony coming out of the mine, pulling trucks. And there are plans for a brass band and a folk group, singing traditional mining songs. The celebrations will start at 6.30pm on Wednesday, November 5. The Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism Councillor Sheelagh Clarke said: "Every year the Fireworks Display on The Stray at Redcar gets better and more and more people choose to enjoy this spectacular event rather than have their own bonfire parties. Skinningrove's Bonfire in the Mining Museums 25th anniversary year will be very special, providing family entertainment alongside the firework celebrations. Parents appreciate this is the safest way to enjoy Guy Fawkes night and this year promises to be the best ever for both events."
Saltburn Cricket Club holds it's own event on the cricket club grounds.

Pageant of Light 2008

2008-10-22T18:07:00.001+01:00

Saltburn is ready to celebrate the end of British Summer Time with its annual Pageant of Light, themed this year to the classic children's tale of Wind In The Willows, through Saltburn Valley on Sunday, October 26.
Hundreds of people are expected to join the procession of music and light, through the Valley, which will set off from the Cat Nab car park at 5.30pm, reaching the Woodland Centre at about 7.30pm.
There will be some spectacular sights along the way, including fire sculptures and juggling and scenes from Wind in the Willows, acted out by members of Saltburn 53 Society - look out for Mr Toad in his car, riding along the miniature railway track.
The Council's Leader Councillor George Dunning, with the Cabinet portfolio for Rural Affairs, said: "The Pageant has become a marvellous community event for all the family and I'm sure this year's procession will be a wonderful evening out for young and old. When the public arrive at the car park, they will be guided to the start of the procession. Entry will be £1 - or three tickets for £2, with under fives free. Tickets will be available from the Woodland Centre until 4pm on Sunday, October 26, then can be purchased at the start. All the proceeds go to the Friends of Saltburn Valley to fund next year's Pageant.
Everyone is urged to bring a torch - or they can make a lantern at a special craft session in the Valley's Woodland Centre before the event on Sunday, from 1pm-3pm. Booking is essential. The fee is £1.50.Children have already been busy at a Mask and Willow workshop in the Woodland Centre, making colourful masks and lanterns and there is another craft session on Sunday, October 19, from 2pm-4pm. Booking is essential. The fee is £1.50.
The recently-refurbished Tea Rooms will be open from 10am and there will be a special offer of a cup of tea and a cake for 50p from 6pm provided by the Saltburn Women's Institute.For more details, contact Saltburn Valley Woodland Centre on 01287 622408.

New Huntcliff School building opens.

2008-09-08T14:55:00.003+01:00

500 pupils were making themselves at home in Saltburn's new Huntcliff School, which opened today.
Head Teacher, Ruth Headdon said, "We've got excellent facilities for our students and the wider community. We asked the students what they would like and they're going to be delighted. All their major requests have been met - wide corridors, light, airy classrooms, all equipped with interactive white boards and computers.There is a superb atrium with a massive exhibition space, leading to a sports hall and a main hall, plus a resource centre as well as external seating areas, some sheltered."

Ms Headdon added: "We're thrilled with our drama and music facilities which include an outdoor amphitheatre and we're looking forward to developing performing arts within the school."
The return of the 500 pupils represents the first part of creating the Government-funded £16million Saltburn Learning Campus, which will also see the relocation of Saltburn Primary School, with its new build ready for opening next September.
Huntcliff students will get a new look, too, with new sweatshirts - the old ones are going to The Smiles Foundation, a charity which support orphanages in Romania.
Parents will be given a special Huntcliff bookmark, with contact information and term dates.
The Campus will also open the Saltburn Youth Club later this month and there will be a series of adult education classes, with courses in cake decorating for beginners, pilates, crystal therapy, card-making and free adult literacy and numeracy classes. Call community co-ordinator Heather Ollerenshaw on 01287 621010 for details.An open evening for prospective parents and children has been arranged for Tuesday, September 30, from 6pm-8pm.

PC stays put.

2008-09-05T10:38:00.005+01:00

Saltburn residents are celebrating following the news that their favourite community policeman - who was due to move at the end of August - is no longer being transferred.
PC Smith was placed in Saltburn five years ago and developed close links with local people and businesses, including Scott Hill, owner of Windsor's Bar - who along with his manager Doreen Hawkins - formed petitions requesting PC Smith be allowed to continue to serve the local community.
Reactions were so strong in the community that police bosses have allowed him to stay.
Chief Constable of Cleveland Police, Sean Price said: "I fully understand the reasoning behind the proposed move and desire to spread his expertise and skills to other parts of the Cleveland Police area. However, having balanced this against his contribution in Saltburn, and the high regard in which he is held by so many of its residents, I felt he should stay. If we are serious about neighbourhood policing, we have to listen to our communities. I look forward to seeing him continue to do an excellent job in Saltburn."
PC Smith said: "I'm absolutely delighted to be staying in Saltburn and am grateful to the local community for all their support. I feel privileged to be able to continue serving such a great town."

Storms close Smugglers Centre

2008-08-30T15:12:00.002+01:00

Recent bad weather and heavy rainfall has forced the closure of Saltburn's popular Smugglers attraction.
Heavy rainfall over the past week led to water flooding the centre causing internal damage to the building, its interior and some of the artefacts.
The damage caused by the flooding and the associated repair costs are still being investigated and the centre has been closed for the rest of this year's season. It is hoped that the attraction will reopen in time for the start of next year's season on 10th April 2009.