Saltburn
Allotments Association
Where is 2010 going? We had so many wet, cold, snow covered months that now everything’s all to be done at once. I’ve been sowing seeds like mad in our polytunnel and many are now like children who need new shoes. The polytunnel’s full and I haven’t even thought about taking our windowsill grown tomatoes down there yet to get strong and start to flower and fruit. Last Sunday quite a few people came to see us to buy
maize seed and I sowed my first batch this morning. There are absolutely loads of seeds to be sown this month, including; turnip and swede, melons, cucumbers, beetroot, chard, loads of varieties of greens, spring onions and salad leaves (including rocket and chicory as well as lettuce and oriental types), herbs (we love basil and coriander best), radishes, carrots, the squashes and climbing and dwarf beans. We have just about everything in our “shop” to get you going. Most vegetables will be as happy in tubs, window boxes and other containers as they are in the ground, so long as they are watered and fed. It’s been great to be at the allotment at the beginning
of this month. The lesser spotted woodpecker is hammering away and muck is being delivered, spread and rotivated into beds. People’s plots are really coming to life and rhubarb is springing out from all over the place. Do come and see us at the next Farmers’ Market on 8th May 2010, especially if you would like some locally grown, air miles free rhubarb (and anything else we have). If you are like me and have been growing vegetables
from seed on your windowsill, lean to or greenhouse, to plant out strong little plants outside, they will need “hardening off”. This means acclimatising them to the great outdoors. Put the plants outside during the day time for about a week and bring them inside at night. This gives them a fighting chance when they get outside full time. If you plant out (again, whether in tubs on your doorstep or in the garden) and there is a very cold spell, try and cover them up with, for example, cloches, fleece or a plastic bag tied around the tub with string. Make sure in all cases that you are not squashing the plants. It’s much more time consuming to grow plants this way, whether flowers or vegetables, but it does mean that you have robust, healthy plants much more able to cope with the pests and diseases queuing up outside to attack. There has been a lot of interest in our Grow and Learn
training course which will be starting this month. It will be held on Wednesday and Thursday mornings, with the afternoons available for people to practise what they learn, sow their own dinners etc. The project will take place at Upsall Hall Rural Centre which is accessible by public transport. There are a few places left and anyone interested can contact
spf.bs@
ntlworld.com. Use the same e-mail address to let me know yours (if you are a plot holder). It’s so much easier to keep in touch with people these days via e- mail. Two people responded to my last request about e- mails. You know who you are and thanks for starting the trend. In the meantime, enjoy the sun and the outdoor gym.
Sue
52
Rotary Club News
The Rotary club of Saltburn’s ‘Grand Ol’ Oprey of Cleveland’ was a huge success. It exceeded the £3,000 target. Our charities, South Cleveland Heart Fund, South Cleveland Prostate Cancer Research and Saltburn Theatre building fund, will each receive £1,250. The show on Easter Monday, opened by three
teenagers with amazing talent. The trio called ‘The Mentulls’ electrified the audience with keyboard, drums and guitar, playing with confidence belying their tender age. Folk trio ‘Stormcrow’ followed with their unique style. Colin Holt and Adam provided a great contrast. Duo Trish McLean and Ian Wright had the audience singing along. The brilliant international guitarist Paul Donnelly, his son and Mick Wright led the evening into the wonderful finale with French singer Flossie Mallavialle who captivated the audience with her magical voice and Geordie accent. Martin Nesbitt compared the show. Tuesday opened with singer Martin Culley and
guitarist Stuart Cunningham who were superb. Duo ‘Blue Sun’ performed beautifully and was followed by Stan Gee and Evelyn May who ‘put the west back into country’. A newcomer to Cleveland’s Oprey but a veteran of the ‘Opry’ in Nashville, Tony Goodacre showed his skill and talent. The Tees Hot Club completed the night with their mix of gypsy jazz. The debonair John Dadd in white tux was compère. Wednesday started with Cliff Healey, the local
Johnny Cash, followed by a talented band ‘Country Strings’. The fancy footsteps of ‘Jump Back’ dancers mesmerized the audience. Maggie Camp followed with sweet songs with strong messages. The Show closed with the incomparable ‘Con Men’ with Tony Legg, Eric Bell, Mick Leyland, Carolyn and Colin Burns, and Dave Manship, (Cons club regulars). Martin Green was compère. Thursday sold out because it was Gene Jarred’s Big
Band night. Saltburn audiences love to hear the classic swing of Gene’s eighteen piece band and they were not disappointed. Gene was compère for the night with his usual humour. The Oprey closed on Friday with a high. Bernie
Johnson started with his fine vocals. Phil Armstrong made a début singing his own compositions with guitar and grand piano. Martin Nesbitt brought the house down with his own zany songs. Multi talented Joe Solo had the audience singing his Nah nah song. Eddie Walker followed and made an encore with his wonderful vocals and guitar playing. The show closed with Caterina Rea’s beautiful soulful vocals accompanied by Ian Sidgwick on keyboard. The terrific evening was hosted by Tom Balls acting in Dean Martin style.
During the week actors from ’53 Drama Group
represented the sponsors, sometimes with great verve, especially incomparable John Dadd. Entertainment was provided by gallery players and buskers were Liz and Gary Bishop, Frank Maidens, Paul Wakefield, Chris Hill and Blue Sun. John Wilcox, soundman, did a superb job. The Rotary club thank the eighty plus performers
who gave their time to make The Grand Ol Oprey a memorable event. Next year we are aiming higher and have set an Easter Oprey target of £4,000, not bad for a small club in a small town. Also see page 31.
Mike Sellars
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56