Thursday 28 November 2013

Big switch-on for multi-coloured Redcar Beacon marking completion of town's £30m seafront redevelopment

Friday’s light-up is part of a day-long event that includes the switching on of the Christmas lights and a high street concert.

The Redcar Beacon is set to live up to its name when its striking multi-coloured lights are switched on tomorrow, marking the completion of the town’s £30m seafront redevelopment.
Friday’s light-up is part of a day-long event that includes the switching on of the Christmas lights and a high street concert.

Energy-efficient lighting was specified as part of the original brief for Beacon and seafront development, delivered by the Environment Agency and Redcar and Cleveland Council.

The LED installation sweeps round the Beacon and runs along the seafront wall, around canopies of shelters, through water features and is incorporated in street lighting.
It can be programmed to reflect real-time weather, like rain, wind and waves, or seasonal events like Christmas.

An engineer from the designers will be on hand tomorrow to run a special launch sequence.
Children from schools across the borough, as well as the community hub Tuned In!, will be performing from around 10am in the high street tomorrow.
The Beacon and sea- front lights will be switched on at 4pm, during a performance by the One Voice Choir.

A short parade will take place along the high street to the tree by the town clock, before the town centre lights are switched on at 5pm.

Article from Gazette Live:
http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/big-switch-on-multi-coloured-redcar-beacon-6349322

Tuesday 26 November 2013

Back-from-the-dead canoeist John Darwin may face prison return after allegedly leaving UK without permission

John Darwin who could be facing a return to prison  
John Darwin who could be facing a return to prison




The back-from-the-dead canoe conman John Darwin could be facing a return to prison after he left the UK without permission to meet up with a mini-skirt wearing Ukrainian woman.
The 63-year-old was pictured in The Sun on a date with a blonde woman in her 20s in the town of Sumy, 1,500 miles from his home in Hartlepool.

He was freed early on licence in January 2011 after being sentenced in 2008 to serve six years and three months for fraud.

That meant he was not allowed to leave the UK without Probation Service permission until his entire sentence was served.

The Probation Service would not speak about individual cases but a spokesman said: “Any offender subject to licence supervision is required to gain permission from probation to travel outside of the UK; permission is only granted in exceptional circumstances.

“Any offender who travels without this permission will be subject to recall to custody.”
It was believed Darwin is still in the Ukraine.

According to The Sun, Darwin and his date, a local woman named Anna, enjoyed a two-hour meal assisted by a translator, but the evening turned sour when he was confronted by a reporter.

The newspaper said Darwin first made contact with the woman over the internet.
He faked his own death in a canoeing accident in 2002 so his then wife Anne could claim hundreds of thousands of pounds from insurance policies and pension schemes.

The couple, from Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool, were jailed at Teesside Crown Court in 2008 for the swindle, which deceived the police, a coroner, financial institutions and their sons Mark and Anthony.
Darwin admitted fraud so received a slightly shorter sentence than Anne, who denied the offences. They have now divorced.
After faking his own death, Darwin continued to live in secret with his wife before they escaped to Panama to start a new life.

But in December 2007 Darwin walked into a London police station claiming he had amnesia and was reunited with his stunned sons.

His wife, then still in Panama, initially also claimed to be surprised - until a photograph emerged of them posing together.

Article from The Northern Echo:
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/teesvalley/redcar/10836168.Back_from_the_dead_canoeist_John_Darwin_may_face_prison_return_after_allegedly_leaving_UK_without_permission/
 

21 'faces' of Redcar to be part of new public artwork are revealed


Locals asked to nominate 'faces' of Redcar and judging panel met to choose who would feature in permanent art exhibition at Redcar railway station
Some of the 'faces' of Redcar
Some of the 'faces' of Redcar
Some of these faces may already seem familiar - but they’re about to get even more well known.
For soon, their faces will greet rail visitors to Redcar as part of a piece of public artwork at the town’s railway station.

Last year, locals were asked to nominate the “faces” of Redcar.
A judging panel then met to choose who would take part in a photo-shoot and feature in a permanent art exhibition at the station. And those chosen provide a fascinating snapshot of life in a northern town.

From little cancer battler Ruby Hodgson to veteran historian Vera Robinson MBE, they’re the sort of people who make up the fabric of Redcar life. And by next spring, their official photos will be installed as part of a £1.3m station revamp.

Councillor Olwyn Peters, the borough’s cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism, said: “This has been a really fun and vibrant project to work on and one that will brighten up the railway station and enhance the arrival experience for residents and visitors. It just goes to show how Redcar is packed with many wonderful people with colourful and interesting lives, just like the rest of the borough.”

So who made the final 21? Some you’ll know, some you won’t - but they all have the Redcar area pulsing through their veins.

The Redcar Faces Project:
Steve Atkinson: Member of the town’s brave lifeboat crew
Linda Green: A familiar face to rail travellers, she’s worked at the station booking office for 30 years.
Vera Robinson MBE: Now aged 99, what she doesn’t know about the town’s history isn’t worth knowing.
Ruby Hodgson: Inspirational three-year-old who has taken on, and is beating, cancer.
Phillip Noble: A keen runner who encourages folk to get fit by donning? trainers and following in his footsteps.
Dennis Jenkins: The one and only - a disco legend from the 70s and 80s who has turned to knitting as a hobby.
Ray Preston: Former lifeboatman and Sharky’s licensee who is now Coastwatch’s station controller.
Claire Rachel Hewitt: Fitness instructor who changes lives by helping people lose weight and get fitter.
Tracy Stubbs and Debbie Honeyman: Familiar faces who work at the family-run Miller and Daughters fruit and veg shop and stall - whatever the weather!
Chris Nixon: Teacher who encourages children to reach their performing arts potential.
Mary Lee: Secretary of the Friends of Zetland Park.
Lindy O’Hare: Founder of invaluable support group Survivors of Domestic Abuse.
Claire and Philip Green: Owners of thriving - and charity-backing - cafe Sophellies.
Norman Evans MBE: Busker Norman, who has multiple sclerosis, has raised thousands of pounds for charity over several decades.
Mike Findley MBE: Former mayor Mike was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2005 and continues to raise funds for, and awareness of, the muscle-wasting condition.
Brian Lewellyn: Upholding a Punch and Judy family tradition that began back in 1953.
Thomas Gibbon: Master butcher at a shop that make pies people come from miles around for, Goodswen and Son.
Rene Gibbons: Now 90, Rene served up school dinners at the former Cleveland Grammar and Corporation Road schools for 31 years.
Lewis Collins: A talented musician, rapidly becoming one of Redcar’s best known street entertainers.
Jessica Rushby: She’s only two, but she can’t get enough of the new Redcar Beacon, having visited it more than 10 times already.
George Pacitto: Redcar - lemontops - Pacittos - the boss. What more is there to say?

Article from the Gazette Live:
http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/21-faces-redcar-part-new-6334489

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Monday 25 November 2013

Sculpture celebrating town's fishing heritage unveiled in Redcar

A SECOND sculpture at the heart of the regeneration of Redcar seafront has been installed to celebrate the work of the town’s fishing boats.

Lifelines, which was created by Ian Randall and can be seen at the southern end of the Esplande, near to the RNLI museum, was designed to reflect the natural environment of the seafront.
Its base features five vessel forms designed to represent the notion of boats being launched or having been dragged back to shore – a reflection of the present fishing fleet perched on the esplanade and a reference to the lifeboat ‘The Zetland’.

Councillor Olwyn Peters, cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism, said: “Lifelines is a real addition to the seafront and once again we are delighted Ian has produced such a striking piece of art that has been inspired by the natural environment of Redcar Seafront.

“This fantastic piece of artwork really compliments, the first sculpture, ‘Sinterlation’, which was installed earlier in the year and is a tribute to the town’s fishing and steel connection.”

The regeneration scheme is part of a multi-million pound sea fences project involving the council and the Environment Agency. 

Article from the Northern Echo:

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/teesvalley/10832521.Sculpture_celebrating_town_s_fishing_heritage_unveiled_in_Redcar/?ref=BreakingNewsTeesside&utm_medium=facebook

Friday 15 November 2013

Lanterns released for Georgina Anderson in Stockton on Affinity bridge on You Tube Video

The out pour of emotion stretched further than East Cleveland last night as hundreds also gathered on the Affinity Bridge in Stockton. People from Teesside and East Cleveland showing their respects for a very talented singer Georgina Anderson. Our thoughts are with the Anderson family.

Thursday 14 November 2013

Lanterns launched for Georgina Anderson

People gathered tonight to say good bye to the wonderfully gifted and extremely brave Georgina Anderson. East Cleveland Residents meet 8pm at "The Stray" car-park in Marske, for a lantern release for in memory of Georgina Anderson who unfortunately lost her battle with cancer, thousands gathered in Redcar and Stockton.

The sky was light for Georgina Anderson and everyone showed her family we're all thinking of them at this terrible time.

Georgina Anderson from Marske passes away today at home

Marske teenager Georgina Anderson,  - who had a lifelong dream of having her music heard across the globe - passed away at home.

A teenage girl who touched the hearts of hundreds of thousands of people across the world through her music has passed away.

Georgina Anderson died today - just four months after being diagnosed with an extremely rare and aggressive form of cancer.

The talented musician courageously battled the disease - even taking to social media to show her fighting spirit, at one point tweeting: “OK I’ve stopped feeling sorry for myself now. Cancer I’m coming to get you!”

But Georgina - who had a lifelong dream of having her music heard across the globe - was told that she had exhausted all treatment shortly before her 15th birthday last month.
And sadly, the Marske teen, who was wheeled onto the Riverside pitch last weekend while her song

Two Thirds of a Piece was played to 14,000 fans, passed away at home.
She leaves  behind parents Helen, 45 and dad Paul, 46 and brother Joe, 20.
Tributes have been flooding in for the Year 10 Bydales School pupil who busked in Middlesbrough town centre.

Alasdair Kesson, Bydales headteacher, said: “Georgina was a much loved, popular pupil at Bydales School.
“She was a very talented and gifted musician and will be fondly remembered by all. Georgina will always be part of Bydales and her friends have already taken part in lots of fund raising activities and these will continue over the coming years.

“We understand that this will affect a lot of people and we have put support in place for any pupils, parents or staff who feel they need help in dealing with their grief as we understand that this may also affect families dealing with similar circumstances at home.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Georgina’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time.”

Georgina’s death comes as it is hoped that one of her self-penned songs will be released as a charity single by Sony.

The singer was diagnosed with stage four liver cancer, which had spread to her lungs in July shortly before breaking up for the summer holidays.

She underwent chemotherapy but last month medics at Newcastle’s RVI said that there were no other treatment options available.

Desperate to help Georgina fulfil her ultimate dream of having her music heard globally,  family and friends worked to get one of her songs to go viral.

It went on to get celebrity endorsement including from Cheryl Cole and James Arthur, as well as praise from people across the world.
And now her version of Bonnie Raitt’s I Can’t Make You Love Me on YouTube has nearly had 200,000 hits on YouTube.

Georgina previously said it was “amazing” that so many people had watched her video, which features a sunrise at Marske beach.
She told the Gazette: “Music is something I really enjoy, something that makes me a bit different. I’m so happy with how many people have already heard it.

Following her diagnosis Georgina inspired family, friends and even strangers to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

This included brother Joe a student at the London School of Economics having his hair styled into a bright pink mohican  while a charity night attended by X Factor winner Joe McElderry was also held in her honour.

Article excellently wrote by the Gazette Live:
http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/georgina-anderson-teenage-girl-who-6305124


Tuesday 5 November 2013

Calls for a new traditional pier for Redcar to be placed in council's plans


A NEW pier for Redcar could be included in plans for the town's future - but the council's leader wants reassurances that the local MP will push the Government to supply the money.

The Labour leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council's Labour, George Dunning, was responding to criticism from Liberal Democrat MP Ian Swales that the pier wasn't already being considered.

Mr Swales noted the authority had not included a pier in its Local Plan, which outlines planning aims for the area, and said, therefore, there was “no chance” of one being built.

Mr Swales said: “I have told the council bosses that I will fight for Government money to help build a proper pier at Redcar. But if a pier is not included in the Local Plan then there is no chance.”

He was backed by leading Liberal Democrat councillor, Chris Abbott, who said: “One thing missing from the Labour Council’s draft plan is a pier for Redcar and Lib Dems are asking residents to support the campaign to have a pier included in the Local Plan.

“It would show a commitment that the council is listening to what people in Redcar want.”
However, George Dunning, a member of the Redcar Pier Association, said the local plan was only at draft stage.

He urged Mr Swales to write to the council about the issue and wanted a firm assurance the MP would lobby for Government funding for a new pier - which would be the first such structure in Britain in 56 years.

He said: “We had our other MP, Tom Blenkinsop, bringing the issue up in the House of Commons, but he was told it was extremely unlikely money would be made available.

"The message we get from Government is actually to sell assets. We’re having to make job cuts and our priority has be elsewhere, saving jobs and services, at this time.

"However, if Mr Swales is prepared to lobby for this and writes to us we would look at it. I would love there to be a traditional pier once again.”
The Redcar Pier Association was formed in 2011 and has more than 550 members who have each paid £10 to join.

Investigations have been made into the feasibility of drilling down on the same site of Coatham Pier, destroyed in 1899, which is near today’s new 80ft Redcar Beacon building.
The old Redcar Pier, a second pier in the town, was demolished in 1981.

Article from the Northern Echo.
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/teesvalley/10783924.Calls_for_a_new_traditional_pier_for_Redcar___but_money_will_have_to_come_from_Government__council_chief_says/?ref=BreakingNewsTeesside&utm_medium=facebook