Scarborough Evening News - 10-21st June 2002
Forget the plastic men you once saw in table football. Real people are now being used in a full-sized table football game, taking place at Hotel Raven Hall. “We are already well-known for outdoors pursuits in our 100 acres of ground, and this new fun and challenging game is part of our effort to satisfy the demands of football-crazy conference delegates – especially durinEg a World Cup month,” said general manager and Liverpool supporter, Matthew Loades. The game is provided in association with HSS event hire, a corporate leisure company. The new game uses real people as players and recreates the table-top football game in adult size.
This is roadwork with a difference. Noise and slow traffic inconveniences have been avoided whilst the 800 mile stretch of Stepney Road at Jacob’s Mount is set to be resurfaced overnight to allow normal traffic during the day. The area to be done is in significant poor condition, and will be worked on over four nights commencing 24th June. Contractors have agreed to close the road at 7pm for the traffic to be diverted via Seamer, Crossgates and the A64. The resurfacing is scheduled for completion by 7am on 28th June “This is the ideal time of year to carry out this work, when there is plenty of daylight and the weather will be hopefully fine,” said Bernard Goulding, who added, “by carrying out the resurfacing during late evening and through the night we will be keeping disruption to a minimum. We trust drivers will be as understanding as they usually are during this important maintenance work.”
Eighty-six year-old Albert Morse, of Stepney Drive, celebrated his birthday on board the Fred Olsen Liner Braemar, whilst cruising the Mediterranean. The Scarborough man received an extra bonus when he learned he would enjoy good fortune for the rest of his life. “I reckon I’ve been pretty lucky in life as it is, but it’s nice to hear this sort of thing whether you believe in legends or not,” stated Albert, looking back on the 13-day cruise from Dover. Staff upon the cruise ship told Albert that any foreigner that has a birthday on a Norwegian ship will have good luck from then on. “The bonus came when they told me about the legend,” he recalls. During their cruise, Albert and wife Susan Navarro visited Lisbon, Malaga, Barcelona, Menorca, Cueta, Gibraltar and La Coruna.
Cutting your electricity costs is one of the things Sally Hepworth, a trained energy efficiency advisor, can help you do. The Energy Efficiency Advice Centre can be found in York and offers free, impartial advice to help householders nationwide keep their energy costs down. For one day only, Sally can be found giving advice in Filey Library to save the journey, on Wednesday 26th June. Backed by the Scarborough Council, the centre is also fully supported by eight local authorities across York, North Yorkshire and East Riding. Newcomers to the centre will receive a free reusable cotton book bag as a special treat.
Harbour Pictures has announced that the new feature film ‘Calendar Girls’ will begin shooting on location on Monday 24th June. The film, starring Helen Mirren (Gosford Park) Julie Walters (Billy Elliot) and Linda Bassett (East is East) tells the story of a group of Yorkshire women who set out to raise money for the Leukemia Research Fund by posing nude for a Women’s Institute calendar. The women go on to raise 500,000 before the media spotlight changes their lives forever. Helen Mirren plays Chris, the ringleader. Julies Walters is her best friend, Annie, in bereavement of her late leukemia-stricken husband. The pre-conceived comedy unfolds into a true tale on grit, sheer determination and celebrity, telling the seductive charm and the danger of the media spotlight. The production is directed by Nigel ‘Saving Grace’ Cole, produced by Suzanne Mackie and Nick Barton of Harbour Pictures. Written from true life events by Juliette Towhidi and Tim Firth, ‘Calendar Girls’ will be filmed in Yorkshire, London and Los Angeles with interiors at Shepperton Studios. ‘Calendar Girls’ will be distributed by Beuna Vista International and is set for cinema release in 2003.
A new 24-hour service for Arriva customers has been introduced, enabling people in the North of England to gain access to travel information and support at the touch of a button. Advisors can give information, deal with customer complaints, give advice on train services and organize assistance for disabled passengers by calling 0870 602 3322 around the clock. “People’s working lives aren’t always nine to five and as a result of this they may need answers to their questions and concerns at a time that suits them. By ensuring that we are available twenty-four hours a day, every day, we can meet their needs,” said managing director of Northern Arriva Trains, Ray Price. Mr Price also added, “Knowing that there is someone at the end of the phone, whenever you need them, who can help you if you have problems with your travel arrangements, is very reassuring. Since we changed to a telephone-based service, we have been able to help more people and deal with customer queries or concerns much faster.” The new system is also available, day and night, via email, at customer.relations@arrivatn.co.uk
A new movement in Scarborough was established at a Scarborough Mind Annual Meeting last Wednesday. Circle of Friends, developed by Julie Nichol, aims to aid people with mental health difficulties across the Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale region. “The idea for Circle of Friends grew out the development of our commitment to working in the community. It’s a simple idea – taking healthy friendships as its model, it’s based on five factors – sharing information, practical, emotional and social support and advocacy. In other words, the benefits that people naturally derive from good friends,” explained Julie, who combined existing research and service models to develop the programme. Julie concluded, “Circle of Friends is a simple idea and we’re all very excited by its potential to change lives. If it helps just one individual significantly, it will be a success, but I’m sure it will do much more.”
Treasure hunts, bucket-shaking, cream cracker, pie and donut eating competitions and a student party were among the many fundraising efforts put together by several Scarborough Sixth Form College students, who chose this year to support St Martin’s Children’s Hospice, after they announced they were to open a teenage wing. Over the year, the pupils manage to raise an incredible 1,000. “It is very pleasing to see young people doing things for others and enjoying themselves simultaneously,” commented Vice-Principal Tom Potter, who added, “1,000 is a creditable achievement.” St Martin’s Children’s Hospice were also aided by the Head of Law Department, who gave a rendition of ‘A Hard Day’s Night’. Other activities included the obligatory staff-in-stocks event, and the rain accompanied the sponges being thrown.
