Do you live in Lazenby? Want to join the village activites in this year's Scarecrow Festival?

THE picturesque village of Lazenby is taking part in the East Cleveland Scarecrow Festival for the first time in the event’s four-year history.

Residents of the village are being encouraged to band together and join in with the festivities, creating scarecrows to display in their front gardens for all to see.

Elizabeth Robinson, who is organising Lazenby’s entries in this year’s festival, said: “We are really excited to be joining in with this year’s Scarecrow Festival.

“We’ve already been down to the school to give a demonstration on making scarecrows. The children were really keen and have made some wonderful scarecrows already.”

“We’re hoping to get everyone in the village involved; we want to see as many scarecrows as possible.”

The festival began in August 2015 in the village of Liverton and over the past four years it has encompassed more and more local areas. This year it will launch in its birthplace of Liverton on Saturday 3 August, with subsequent events in Dunsdale, Guisborough, Carlin How, Lazenby, Saltburn, Loftus, Easington and New Marske, before finishing up in Stanghow on 1 September.

Deputy Leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, Councillor Karen King, said: “The East Cleveland Scarecrow Festival is a fun way to bring communities together and I’m delighted that the people of Lazenby will be joining in this year.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the marvellous creations they’ve got in store for us.”

Each area will craft their scarecrows around a different theme. Being a newcomer, Lazenby has opted for an ‘Anything Goes’ theme, whilst Liverton’s theme this year is ‘Calling All Wizards’. Other themes include ‘Disney’, ‘Circus’ and ‘Children’s Nursery Rhymes, Fairy Stories and Films’.

Local community champion and creator of the East Cleveland Scarecrow Festival, Denise Nesbitt, said: “We are going from strength to strength. More people are joining in getting involved in the festival. It’s just a great month!”

To find out more about taking part in the East Cleveland Scarecrow Festival, visit: https://www.eastclevelandscarecrows.co.uk/

If you’re a resident of Lazenby who would like to know more about joining in with the festival, contact Liz Robinson by emailing fred.lizrobinson@gmail.com or calling 01642 454123.

Time is running out enter the NAB run here. The NAB Returns

RUNNERS taking up the challenge of competing in the second SABIC Eston Nab Challenge Race on Saturday 20 July will be rewarded with stunning views of the Eston hills as they reach the summit.

Returning after the phenomenal success of 2018’s inaugural event, the race offers a 5km and 10km race from Eston square, through the challenging hills to the peak of the Nab itself.

Councillor Karen King, Deputy Leader of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, said: “The race is fast approaching and places are going well.

“Anyone who wants to take part should get online quick to book their place.

“Events offer a great chance to show off our Borough. The views from the Eston Hills certainly show how beautiful our patch truly is.”

Event sponsor SABIC’s Site Director Daren Smith said: “The SABIC Eston Nab Challenge was a huge success last year, so we are delighted to be able to support this fantastic event again this year. 

“We encourage those interested to sign up quickly to avoid disappointment as we know that this year will be even bigger and better.”

Races begin at 10am in Eston square with the winners’ presentations taking place at 11.30am.

To enter the SABIC Eston Nab Challenge Race, please visit: www.hardmoors110.org.uk/eston-nab-challenge-race/

Entry prices (which includes a t-shirt and reusable water bottle for all entrants):

5km - if a member of a UK Athletics affiliated club: £10. If not a member of a UK Athletics affiliated club: £12

10km - if a member of a UK Athletics affiliated club: £15. If not a member of a UK Athletics affiliated club: £17

Entries close on Sunday 7 July.

There will also be an open-air market in Eston centre during the day offering a range of snacks, treats and gifts.

The SABIC Eston Nab Challenge Race is a partnership of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, event sponsors SABIC and race organisers Hardmoors.

Support local business owners and Shop Lovcal as much as possible this Christmas

‘Shop local!’ is the rallying cry this Christmas.

This Saturday (1 December) is Small Business Saturday and with Christmas getting closer, shops in the Redcar and Cleveland borough are reminding people that our town centres are packed with great shops with gifts for the whole family.

Calling on people to support their local high street, Councillor Bob Norton, Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, said:

“We all know that town centres and High Streets are facing stiff competition from online retailers and out-of-town shopping centres. I understand the appeal and convenience but shops are essential to our town centres’ survival.

“Local shops are run by local people, employ local residents and contribute to our economy and social lives in numerous ways. We’re proud to support Small Business Saturday and will do everything we can to promote our town centres.

“We all value our high streets and want to see them thrive. Take the time to visit one and see the incredible amount of shops we have to offer. You may well be surprised.

“There really is one solution to reverse years of decline and support our local retailers: shop local!”

The town centres in Redcar and Cleveland, including Redcar, Loftus, Eston, Guisborough, Saltburn, Skelton and Marske, are home to many small, independently owned shops offering a variety of gifts as well unique cafes and coffee shops to stop for a drink or lunch

Parking in all Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council operated car parks is free after 1pm and there is an extensive bus and rail network for those who prefer not to drive.

The latest on Durham Tees Valley Airport from Council leader Sue Jeffrey, as she responds to petition: "Tees Valley Mayor blocked investment plans"

Many thanks for taking the time to contact me about the future of our airport.

 Like you, I want three things:
1. To keep our airport open
2. To reverse its decline; and
3. To bring back holiday flights.

Plans to do all three have been ready for over two years. They were developed by the Tees Valley Combined Authority in partnership with the current operator and were to be funded by a mix of cash from tax payers and from the operator themselves. Sadly, those plans have been blocked by the Tees Valley Mayor who instead has announced that £40 million of your devolution money will be spent to ‘save the airport’.

You may remember that 2016/7 the five Council Leaders, working closely with business leaders in the Local Enterprise Partnership, agreed a £15 million a year devolution deal with government to deliver jobs and growth right across the Tees Valley . This is where the £40 million will come from. From the little I know it appears that the cash will be used to buy 800+ acres of land in Stockton/Darlington, including the airport.

What has not been explained is how much more will be needed to fund new flights and to improve airport facilities. These are likely to cost many millions of pounds. And then there will be the day-to-day operating costs. We know that the airport currently loses £2 million a year. As Leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council I am responsible for running a multi-million pound organisation providing services to 136,000 people including you and your family. Before we use £40 million of your devolution cash to buy 800+acres of land in Stockton/Darlington and a loss making airport I will need to know much, much more about the proposal.

What I do know for sure is that if this plan goes ahead then there will be a lot less money to spend on other projects, possibly for many years to come. Money that could be used to: · create new jobs, including buying the land at the SSI site which is a priority - we don’t want to lose out again like we just have with car maker Ineos · invest in local transport services, including better roads, buses and trains · help our businesses and communities succeed; and · Indirectly, support all the services our council provides including for our children and older people. So this will be a difficult decision. I am committed to doing absolutely everything in my power to stop our airport closing and to support it to grow and thrive. I will also do all I can to make sure that your hard won devolution cash is not wasted, and that plans agreed now do not mean you have to pay more Council Tax in the future.

Times remain hard for many and every penny we have needs to be spent to bring real local benefits for you, your family and the people of Redcar and Cleveland. I have copied the Tees Valley Mayor into this email in case you want to get in touch directly about the points I have raised. If you would like to talk to me about the plans for the airport or anything else at any time please contact me.

 With best wishes to you and your family for a very Happy Xmas and New Year.

 Kind regards Sue

£167 million boost to the economy and 1,700+ jobs in Redcar and Cleveland

Increase in visitors results in £167 million boost to the economy and 1,700+ jobs in Redcar and Cleveland

Increase in visitors results in £167 million boost to the economy and 1,700+ jobs in Redcar and Cleveland

REDCAR and Cleveland welcomed an increasing number of visitors to a staggering 3.74 million in 2017, spending £167 million and supporting more than 1,700 jobs throughout the borough.

The latest figures (for 2017), calculated by Global Solutions on behalf of the Tees Valley Combined Authority, reveal:

·         3.74 million people visited Redcar and Cleveland – an increase of 5.6% from 2016

·         £167 million spent on tourist related activities – a further increase of 5% on 2016

·         1,749 people directly employed in tourism – an increase of 4%. When indirect employment in the supply chain is taken into account total employment stands at 2,197, up by 4.5% on 2016

·         4.18 million ‘visitor days’ – a further increase of 5% on 2016

·         327,000 overnight visitors, representing a £50 million spend - an increase of 2.7% on 2016

·         3.4 million day visitors, representing a £118 million spend – an increase of 6% on 2016

·         The Food and Drink sector accounts for 34% of all spend and 36% of all employment

The percentage increases are broadly in line with the rest of the Tees Valley which saw an overall increase of 6% in visitor numbers to 19.76 million and a 5% increase in spend to £923.41 million.

Councillor Carl Quartermain, Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Communications, said: “This is really great news.

“A large part of our economy is dependent on tourism so we’re thrilled to see it thriving. But we aren’t resting on our laurels.  There’s always more we can do.

“The figures show most of our visitors come only for the day. We want them to stay overnight, to experience more of what we have to offer and frankly, to spend more money while they’re here.

“Our ‘Welcome to’ support scheme provides match funding for hotels and B & B’s in the borough to bring unused rooms into use to create more bed spaces for visitors. The more hotel rooms we have, the more people can stay.

“We’ve also recently launched a new place marketing campaign, in partnership with local business and other organisations, to show the benefits of Redcar and Cleveland as a great place to live, enjoy and do business. We’ve got a great new website and active social media feeds to show off the best of our borough.

“As a borough with a coast on one side and stunning countryside on the other, we have a unique offer here in Redcar and Cleveland. We’re keen to share it with as many people as possible.”

To find out more about what Redcar and Cleveland has to offer visitors and tourists, visit: www. redcarcleveland.co.uk/enjoy 

Hotel and B&B owners interested in the 'Welcome to' funding opportunity should call 01642 444494 or email: placeinvestment@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk.

FREE Christmas Parking across Redcar and Cleveland

All council-operated car parks and on-street parking bays across the Redcar and Cleveland will be FREE for motorists after 1pm every day from Tuesday 6 November 2018.

What a great way to encourage people to shop local!
Local shops support local high streets, employ local people and are often owned and managed by our friends and neighbours.

Councillor Bob Norton, Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, said: “Free afternoon parking has become a Christmas tradition here in Redcar and Cleveland and I’m thrilled we’re able to spread a little seasonal joy once again. 

​

“We’ve got great shops throughout the borough to suit everyone, from major retailers to locally-owned independents. There’s something for everyone in Redcar and Cleveland.”

For more information on the free parking scheme motorists should refer to notices in each council car park or go to www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/parking.​​

So why not put the tablet down and do some real shopping in your community?

For a complete list of car parks offering free afternoon parking, visit: www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/parking.

Parking charges still apply between 8am and 1pm.
Normal charges will resume on Monday 7 January 2019.

Rethinking Parks in Redcar and Cleveland draws in £194,000 in funding

Rethinking Parks in Redcar and Cleveland

PARK users in Redcar and Cleveland can look forward to a bright future as Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council has today voted in favour of establishing a new Foundation to manage eight much-loved parks. The Council has secured £194,000 in funding to form a Parks Foundation from Rethinking Parks, a joint project between The Big Lottery, The Heritage Lottery Fund, and Nesta, supporting park innovators across the UK to adapt to changing circumstances. The Park Foundation, made up of trustees from the community, local businesses and the Council, will take over the day-to-day management of Flatts Lane Woodland Country Park, Guisborough Forest and Walkway, Eston Recreation Ground, Locke Park, Zetland Park, Borough Park, King George V Playing Fields and Marshall Drive Playing Fields, Brotton.

While the Council will remain the owner of the parks, the Foundation will deliver maintenance, litter picking and be responsible for future developments and all commercial activity such as cafes and events. The Parks Foundation will have greater autonomy over commercial endeavours to raise revenue and can access funding unavailable to a Council, such as grants, corporate sponsorship, individual donations and crowdfunding. The Council has committed to financially supporting the Foundation with the budget for maintenance which will remain at its current level.

Councillor Alec Brown, Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “Fifty local authorities put in a bid to Nesta for funding, and we were one of only eight to receive a financial award. “Our aim is to create community-led parks, parks that are run by local people and businesses to the benefit of the local community. Nesta recognised the strong working partnership we already have with the park’s Friends groups and voluntary sector, and clearly consider our Foundation proposal to be a workable solution to securing the ongoing future of the parks. “Of course we can’t do this alone so we’ve consulted with Friends groups associated with the parks, Groundworks North East, Beyond Housing, sports clubs like New Marske Harriers and Redcar Football Club, charities such as The Junction Foundation and Age UK and several leading businesses including PD Ports and MGT Teesside.They’re all on board with the project and we’re keen to move forward with the next phase which is the formation of the Park Foundation itself.”

Amy Solder, Project lead at Nesta, said: “Parks are wonderful free public resources that communities treasure. “They support health and wellbeing as well as provide spaces for socialising, play, activity and a connection to nature. Nesta aims to help parks, and the people who run them, to innovate to keep them free, open and truly valued community spaces. “Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council’s proposal reflected our ambitions by putting people at the heart of a bold and ambitious parks foundation to creating vibrant parks at the centre of their communities." It’s envisaged that the Parks Foundation will include a management board made up of local stakeholders, including businesses wishing to work on the project as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility by supplying finance, staff time or specialist services. Formation of the Parks Foundation will begin in January 2020