Sad to report that Saltburn war veteran Eddie Straight has passed away at the grand age of 97. It was an honour to get to know Eddie these past few years and an incredible priviledge to make the film about his wartime experiences. Many thanks to John Connolly for looking out for Eddie for many years and for introducing me to him.
EDWIN HOWARD STRAIGHT 1920 - 2018 Veteran of
Operation Overlord & The European Campaign
including the liberation of Bergen-Belsen
with the 11th Armoured Division
&
The Burma Campaign
with
The Royal West African Fighting Force.
Gwen Waldon, the last of the 'A Century in Stone' interviewees and one of the last Pit-Top natives has passed away at the grand age of 94. She was born, the daughter of Tom Seymour miner, at Pit Top on the top of Eston Hills in 1923. She spent her young life foraging across the moor for firewood with an old tin bath, and also for wild mushrooms, brambles and bilberries. She helped daily with cooking, baking and possing clothes. In 1938, the family left Pit-Top to join "The Townies" down in California. I interviewed Gwen in early 2000 at her High St. home. She died at a Redcar nursing home aged 94. More on the cast of interviewees here
Sept 2017:
"What's your next project?" I am often asked. Well the answer is NOT a film!
Making more of my painting and photography is long overdue. Watch this space for 'From Eston Iron to the End of Steel'... and then the book on the same subject !
Sept 2017: Me and Meg did the COAST TO COAST for Zoe's Place Kids Hospice: £6,668 raised!
(£5,756 + £912.19 gift aid) Not Too Late To Donate !
'A Century in Stone' pulls in a crowd of 60 on a Sunday morning at Labour 100th birthday event in Saltburn. The great Tony Nicholson joined me and told the fascinating story of the formation of the Cleveland Ironstone Miners Union back in 1872.A great follow up to the Durham Gala the day before which had the best atmosphere I've ever known and biggest crowd in decades !
GOVT APPROVES HOUSING DEVELOPMENT DESPITE MASSIVE OPPOSITION
800 letters of objection. 2,500 signatures. Passionate speeches from local people and the MP. They all counted for nothing. The government inspector has sickeningly approved the controversial plans to build 400 houses on a greenfield site next to Flatts Lane Country Park. It is a bitterly disappointing blow to local democracy and our campaign. The valid concerns from the public and planning committee about the negative impact the development would have on the environment and infrastructure, traffic congestion in particular, have been steamrollered over. On the very afternoon the news broke, I happened to drive over Flatts Lane and with near-tragic irony discover a 4 vehicle crash at the Flatts Lane-Guisbro Rd junction.
The inspector states his decision for approval was because the Council failed to provide a 5 year housebuilding plan for the borough that meets the minimum as per govt policy. But this is not true. The council did provide more than the minimum. At present, the Council is looking into legally challenging the decision. It really is farcical how 1 man can overrule a democratic decision made by democratically elected planning committee? The fight isn't over yet.
.
06.06.17: Vin Garbutt 1947-2017
So very saddened by the passing of a great man, good friend and Teesside legend. He, his talent and story were precious which is I made the film. I never expected it to become so precious so soon. It was an honour and privilege; and of course a great laugh working with him. He is gone way too soon but what a legacy! He will live on in the hearts of thousands around the world; and on many formats for all time!
Salute from Craig
(aka Scroteface McTavish as he so tenderly often called me!)
From Sat 18th March 2017: Exhibition of stunning photographs by the great Ian Macdonald with a 10 min version of 'A Century in Stone' showing on a continuous loop at Danby Moors Centre launching the NY Moors National Park 's new project LAND OF IRON.
FLATTS LANE CAMPAIGN - UPDATE
PUBLIC INQUIRY 25th APRIL 2017
Following our inspired campaign and RCBC planning committee's decision to reject plans to build 400 houses on greenbelt next to Flatts Lane Country Park, the developer has appealed the decision. The 4-day public inquiry will begin at the Redcar Heart building on 25th April. Updates via the Facebook page: Flatts Lane Preservation Group.
2016
1st SEPT 2016:
COUNCIL REJECTS PROPOSAL
OF 400 HOUSES
ON BOTTOM OF HILLS click here
22nd Aug 2016:
THE PROPOSAL OF
A NEW MONUMENT FOR ESTON NAB
PROPOSED HOUSING DEVELOPMENT WILL MEAN HABITAT LOSS AND ENCROACHMENT ON FLATTS LANE COUNTRY PARK PLUS POSSIBLE DOMINO EFFECT ALONG BOTTOM OF THE HILLS...PLEASE SIGN PETITION BELOW !
Last Thursday, at the full council meeting of Redcar & Cleveland, a motion was put forward by Cllr. Steve Turner to scrap the existing criteria for Freedom of The Borough nominations citing it was "not fit for purpose" given the recent debacle involving my nomation of Eddie Straight. The result was a unanimous vote in favour by the entire council- all 59 members- and that included the Mayor. A working group will now be set up to review the FOTB procedure and rewrite the criteria. I would like to thank Cllr. Turner for taking up Eddie's cause and putting forward the motion entirely of his own accord. I would like to thank the Mike Findley MBE for his vocal support at the previous council meeting in December; and every councillor for backing the motion. Hopefully at some point in the future, we may yet see Eddie awarded the honour. Thanks to all members of the public who also voiced their support in recent months. Thanks!
