Pupils at Wilton Primary School open memorial garden to remember teacher

Staff and pupils at Wilton Primary School have set aside a special part of their playground in memory of a much loved member of staff.

A memorial garden has been created by the youngsters who wanted to create something at the school to remember teaching assistant, Maxine Wilkinson.

Maxine, whose last role at the school was as a teaching assistant, had played a huge part in the school for over 15 years, touching the hearts of all the children.

Sadly, Maxine, of Lazenby, passed away in September 2013 at the age of 46 following a battle with breast cancer.

The garden’s colour theme of purple was chosen by the children as this was Maxine’s favourite colour.

Alongside a bench where the children can sit for a moment to reflect at playtime, a tree was also planted as well as numerous flowers.

At the official opening of the memorial garden this week, headteacher, Alison Hill, 47 said: “The children have been very much part of designing the garden.

“They were keen for it not to be an area away from where play time happens so that they can come and go from the garden as they please.

“They have put their wishes on the fence and on the tree for Maxine.”

The youngsters will be planting more plants and a water feature will also be placed in the centre of the garden.

Alison, who worked with Maxine for eight years said: “All of the children had a very good relationship with Maxine as we are a very small school.”

Following the opening of the garden which was attended by parents, children also engaged in arts and craft activities. Instead of the usual coffee morning, a coffee afternoon was also held in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. To round off the afternoon, each child launched a balloon in Maxine’s memory, with the messages attached to their tree in the memorial garden.

Alison said: “Maxine had a very bubbly personality with a huge heart.

“She loved being part of the school community and making a difference to the children within it.”

Redcar dad who inspired his community to take pride in their area nominated as a Community Champion

A dad who inspired his community to take pride in their area has been nominated as a Community Champion.

Dad of two Neil Baldwin, of Charles Street, in the Zetland area of Redcar, has been nominated as a Community Champion by Friends of Redcar (FRED) chairman, Carl Quartermain.

The nomination comes after Neil set up Zetland Pride, a community group dedicated to cleaning up the streets around their homes and to cutting down instances of anti-social behaviour.

FRED founder Carl Quartermain said: “He sets an example - you see him out there with his kids litter picking - he puts in a lot of time and effort.

“People need to know what’s going on and what he’s doing for the area. In a very short space of time he’s got a lot of people involved.

“The area had started looking more and more run down but then Neil comes along and says, ‘I’m going to change this’.

“I think he just went for it. He is showing people to be proud of where they live. It’s a lot more than just alleyways, it’s about waking people up.

“He has worked hard with council, police and fire brigade and the area has began to see a real difference.” Neil, 38, who lives with his wife Anne and children Carly, 13, and Fletcher, seven, said: “A few months ago the general area was becoming a bit neglected.

“There was a lot of graffiti, bin fires, dog fouling and fly-tipping. Everything was covered in rubbish.

“I decided to set up Zetland Pride to try and make a difference. It’s mostly about raising awareness, we work in association with the council and make sure people know things like when their bins need to be brought in and taken out.”

The community spirit that has been encouraged by Zetland Pride is starting to make a big difference.

Neil said: “A lot of people tell me they’re going out on their own doing litter picking and things like that.

“We’re involved with Keep Britain Tidy this weekend - there’s 20 people from the community attending as well as ward councillors and MPs.

“People are really getting into it. I’ve had people suggesting Christmas parties and barbecues in the alleys which I would like to do once we’re past the horrible stuff like bin fires and dog fouling, and get everything is up and running.

“The only descenting voices have come from people who don’t live in the area.”

Neil’s ambition to transform his home community doesn’t stop with litter picking.

He added: “If my seven-year-old son, Fletcher, wants to play somewhere, he has no play parks or play areas.

“We’re going to try and get some community gardens set up. That would be the next step.”

Marske nursery which sacked staff for 'inappropriate conversation' praised by Ofsted

A nursery which sacked four staff members after an “inappropriate conversation” about children has been praised by Ofsted inspectors.

Cheeky Monkees nursery, on Redcar Road, Marske, has once again been given a ‘good’ rating by inspectors after they visited earlier this month.

After an inspection in April, nursery owners sacked four people after the regulator found safeguarding procedures to protect children’s well-being had “not been followed correctly” and downgraded it to ‘inadequate’.

Angela Mehegan - owner of the nursery which also has branches in Stockton, Eaglescliffe and Thornaby - said: “It is a big relief that the nursery’s rating is back to good. It is down to the hard work of all of our staff and parents.

“Our parents have been a great help, and they feel very confident with the staff - everyone is over the moon really.”

The recent report praised the nursery, saying children “are very well safeguarded in the nursery as staff have a good understanding of child protection”.

Inspectors also say children make good progress in all areas of learning because teaching is good and staff plan stimulating activities, while managers ensure continuous improvement in provision through effective self-evaluation and good motivation.

Ms Mehegan acted after the ‘one-off’ incident in April, when two nursery nurses and a room leader were involved in an “inappropriate conversation” about children.

All three, along with a deputy manager who did not report it, were dismissed.

She continued: “The only reason we got the inadequate rating was because of that behaviour, the rest of the report showed we are a ‘Good’ nursery and this latest report proves it.

“We dealt with it, the staff and the management changed and they have worked really hard to turn it round.”

Speaking about the previous ‘inadequate’ rating, Ms Mehegan said: “I can understand why Ofsted had to do it, but it was unfortunate the perception that some people took from it.

“A lot of parents do not understand how Ofsted work, all they see is the ‘inadequate’ rating without seeing that everything else was ‘good’.”

Ofsted inspectors also praised the nursery for actively involving parents in children’s learning, and say that children enjoy good quality learning experiences.

To become ‘outstanding’, the nursery must encourage children to use mathematical language and maximise provision for children to have free access to outdoor provision.

Ms Mehegan also said the Cheeky Monkees nursery, at Durham Road, in Stockton, had received a ‘Good’ rating after a recent inspection.

Modi @ Reliance hospital opening: ‘Plastic surgeon may have fixed elephant’s head on Ganesha’

In ancient times, the Prime Minister said, India had marked new frontiers in the field of science.

“Mahabharata says Karna was not born out of his mother’s womb. This means people then were aware of genetic science. There must have been a plastic surgeon who fixed an elephant’s head on Ganesha,” he said, adding what mathematician Aryabhata said centuries ago, world has accepted now.

Modi said like the “kayakalp” (renewal) of the 98-year-old hospital by the Reliance Foundation, it was possible to “renew and transform” the nation.

Sir Harkissondas Narottamdas hospital was founded in 1925 as Mumbai’s first general hospital. The hospital celebrated its silver jubilee with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel as its chief guest and the Golden Jubilee celebrations were graced by Jayaprakash Narayan.

During pre-independence period, it treated many freedom fighters, including Mahatma Gandhi.

In 1997, the Reliance Foundation joined hands with the hospital, which has since undergone major renovation and expansion to become one of the most modern hospitals in South Mumbai.

North East veterans struggling to adjust to civilian life encouraged to use new helpline

Veterans struggling to adjust to civilian life are being encouraged to talk about their feelings and seek help.

As the country comes together to remember the sacrifices of our service men and women next month, two North East mental health trusts are launching a campaign to tell veterans about the range of support available to them.

From Monday, buses travelling on major bus routes across the North East will contain posters urging those who are finding it difficult to return to civilian life to get in touch.

Supported by the Royal British Legion and Combat Stress, the posters will travel on four wheels all over the North East – from the Scottish border to North Yorkshire.

The six-week campaign is being launched by the Veterans Wellbeing Assessment and Liaison Service (VWALS) at Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (NTW) and Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV).

Anna Burke, NTW’s Consultant Nurse for Military Veterans’ Mental Health said: “Increasingly more men are coming to us with mental health issues.

“Men are taught to be self-reliant and to put on a brave face.

“This is accentuated in the military but is also set against a backdrop of a society that stigmatises mental ill-health.

“This campaign is important because we need to make sure we are accessible to this hard-to-reach group.”

The VWALS service was launched in June 2012 and aims to make use of existing community, primary and secondary care mental health services across the North East to help veterans and their families.

Veterans’ physical and mental health is initially assessed before they are then directed to the various support available in areas such as finance and housing.

The service will run until 2016 when NHS Commissioners will decide its future.

Around 46% of the veterans are self-referred, but GPs and other local authorities can also make refer people who are struggling with “life on Civvy Street”.

Anna Burke said: “This transitional period can be stressful and sometimes may take its toll on the mental health of an individual, but VWALS has produced information to help people take that important first step.

“We hope this campaign will encourage people to come forward and get the help they need in an understanding, compassionate and caring environment.

“If people don’t know we are there then we cannot help them.”

You can self refer by calling VWALS on 0191 441 5974, or email vwals@ntw.net or visit www.ntw.nhs.uk/vwals for more information. You can also ask your GP to refer you.

Darlington boxer Stuart Hall beaten in his bid to regain crown

Darlington's Stuart Hall saw his dreams of becoming IBF bantamweight champion for a second time go up in smoke as Randy Caballero claimed the vacant belt with a points win in Monte Carlo.

Hall lost the title in his last fight earlier this year to domestic rival Paul Butler, who promptly vacated the belt which gave the 34-year-old a chance to immediately become a two-time world champion.

But Hall was largely outclassed by his unbeaten American opponent and was knocked down in the second round on the way to a points loss, with two judges seeing it 116-111 and the third giving it to Caballero by a slightly generous 118-110 margin.

Caballero (now 22-0, 13KOs), started strongly, with a straight left snapping Hall’s head back in the opening round before dropping his older opponent in the second with a sharp jab.

Hall walked straight onto the shot but it proved to be a flash knockdown although he continued to be beaten to the punch by a fighter 10 years younger than him.

The Briton did manage to gain a foothold in the middle rounds and landed several blows but none of them threatened to put down Caballero.

The Californian appeared to be tiring down the stretch, having never fought beyond 10 rounds before, but he found a second wind to finish strongly.

The defeat was Hall’s fourth in his 22-fight career in the paid ranks.

Meanwhile Chris Eubank Jr warmed up for next month’s domestic showdown with Billy Joe Saunders by claiming a quickfire victory over unheralded German Omar Siala at Liverpool’s Echo Arena.

Despite the biggest test of his fledgling professional career just five weeks away, the unbeaten Eubank Jr opted to take a tune-up and it paid dividends as he claimed his 18th straight victory in the paid ranks.

The 25-year-old needed less than two rounds to see off Siala, the referee ending the fight just over a minute into the second round after Eubank Jr had landed yet another crunching uppercut on his opponent.

It was a clinical display but Eubank Jr is likely to face a much sterner test on November 29, on the undercard of Dereck Chisora’s heavyweight re-match with Tyson Fury, when he challenges rival Saunders (20-0, 11KOs) for the European middleweight title in London.

Eubank was quoted as saying by boxnationtv’s Twitter account after his win over Siala: “The main fight is on the 29th against average Joe.

“The best is yet to come. This guy didn’t deserve to fight me.

“I took this fight because I’m a fighter. Even if I did get injured I still would have fought Saunders - and beat him.

“You saw the power my punches were causing to the other guy.”

Royal Navy Met officer from Middlesbrough joins fight against Ebola in Sierra Leone

A Middlesbrough woman is joining the fight against Ebola in Sierra Leone as part of the UK military operation against the deadly virus.

Royal Navy Met officer Jennifer Russell is on aviation support ship RFA Argus, which is currently sailing to the West African country.

The ship’s deployment is one element of the Department for International Development (DfID) led response to the Ebola outbreak.

Former Kings Manor pupil Jennifer, who grew up in Beechwood, is Acting Leading Hand on board the ship.

As a member of the Met team, her responsibilities include ensuring the ship’s command structure has the most accurate and up to date weather forecasts as it heads towards the stormy equator.

Jennifer, 22, said her family were not worried about her being exposed to deadly Ebola, which has struck about 10,000, claiming about 5,000 lives.

“When I told my family and friends that I was going to Sierra Leone nobody was worried about Ebola, everyone was just immensely proud,” she said.

“I feel like we are going to West Africa to carry out a really important role.”

As a youngster Jen used to hear stories from her uncle who was in the Military Police that made her want to join the Armed Forces.

And when she looked into the Navy she found she was also able to follow a career in Meteorology.

“My love for Meteorology came about thanks to my Geography teacher at Kings Manor, Peter Dawes, who was an inspiration, and I knew this is what I wanted to do,” she said.

“My fiancé, Oliver, is also in the Navy, also in the Met branch, but on a different ship. We actually met on the train to HMS Raleigh to begin our training.

“He is also really proud that I am on this deployment which is going to be busy but also a good learning opportunity.”

The UK military deployment to Sierra Leone is part of a wider humanitarian aid program led by DFID, involving Save the Children and the Sierra Leonean Government and military.

Police concerned for safety of Thornaby man who has been missing for three days

Police are concerned for the safety of Sean Jamieson, from Thornaby who has been missing now for three days.

Sean left his family home in Thornaby on Thursday morning at 6.30am and has not been seen since.

Sean, who is in his fourties, is believed to be wearing a grey hooded top and a brown overcoat and carrying a grey and red rucksack. He may also be on a black and white mountain bike.

The photograph released is of Sean but he now has a beard so looks a little different.

Anyone who sees Sean or knows of his whereabouts is asked to contact Cleveland Police on 101.

Stockton MP will take Oxbridge Lane School's campaign to 10 Downing Street

A Teesside MP will take a Stockton school’s campaign to 10 Downing Street after visiting children on Friday.

Children at Oxbridge Lane School in Stockton have put together a petition and made colourful pictures for the Send My Friend to School campaign - which aims to provide aid money is properly spent on the education of children across the world.

They handed it to James Wharton, MP for Stockton South, when he visited the school - and he has pledged to pass it on to Prime Minister David Cameron.

He said: “I am happy to pass on their petition. I had a wonderful time chatting to the school council, and finding out more about their campaign.”

Mr Wharton also stopped for a school dinner - to see how the school is dealing with a new Government policy.

From September, primary schools had to provide a free hot meal for all children up to seven years old - a challenge for schools like Oxbridge Lane, who have no kitchen facilities.

But thanks to the efforts of the school’s management and catering team and the help of local Mandale Mill school who deliver hot food every day, kids are enjoying the new menu.

James continued: “I had quiche with vegetable and really enjoyed sitting down with the children for dinner.

“It is a good example of a government policy making a difference to children. You can’t underestimate the importance of ensuring a child has a proper meal, and a real eating experience at a table, and the school have coped very well.”

Headteacher at Oxbridge Lane, Dianne Gage, said: “It is quite an operation. We have managed, with a lot of effort from all of our catering staff and help from Mandale Mill, to supply meals and we also have proper plates, bowls and table cloths rather than the old trays we used to have.

“The new policy was a challenge, but it is not hitting our budget - although we must be careful that we do not miss out on pupil premium payments, as parents now do not have to register children who are entitled to free school meals - because they’re entitled to them anyway.”

Speaking about the Send My Friend to School campaign, Mrs Gage continued: “The children are very enthusiastic about helping. We are also putting together Mary’s Meals shoeboxes, which is another initative to help children in poverty by putting together everything they may need for school - pens, pencils and even things like toothbrushes.”

Rugby round-up: Redcar endure nightmare afternoon as serious injury compounds heavy first defeat

REDCAR’s unbeaten start to the season came to a crushing end at Ponteland - and their misery was compounded by a serious injury to influential fly-half Richie Young.

Young was taken to hospital with a suspected broken arm shortly before half-time, and the Seasiders never recovered as they were swept aside 40-17 by their Northumberland opponents.

In the clash of the two unbeaten sides in Durham and North Two, it was Ponteland who ultimately used the testing elements to far greater effect.

From the kick-off Redcar found themselves under extreme pressure but when they did finally get their hands on the ball they used it well.

Neil Young’s side opened the scoring through winger Matt Curry before Ponteland pegged them back, and the Seasiders approached half-time with a slender 10-7 advantage after Craig Newlands’ try.

However, in the final play of the half Young took a blow to his arm when clearing his lines and was taken to hospital in an ambulance.

Losing their attacking talisman, Redcar lacked direction in the second period and Ponteland ran in five second-half tries to secure a resounding victory.

Licking their wounds after a first defeat of the season, Redcar chiefs were left more disheartened by the injury to Young - which they believe will keep him on the sidelines for the rest of the season.

Redcar’s defeat allowed Acklam to go level on points with their rivals in second place after a comfortable 37-15 win over Hartlepool at Talbot Park.

The hosts were forced to play 20 minutes with 14 men, but their strength prevailed on an afternoon when they could have scored several more tries.

Andy Dunn set Acklam on course with a try inside five minutes, before James Ffitch crossed the line on the half hour mark.

Leading 13-5 at the break, Danny Ashton and Chris Walker secured Acklam’s bonus point - but there was still time for Marcus Sudron to get his name on the scoresheet and help his team to an impressive home victory.

In National Three North Billingham recovered from last week’s heavy defeat to beat Wirral 29-8 at Greenwood Road.

Chris Evans opened the scoring for the hosts before Dan Burns touched down, and Peter Evans’ duly converted to hand the home side a 14-3 lead at half-time.

The Merseyside outfit came back into the game with an opening try in the second half, but an Evans penalty and a super try from Anthony Rumis helped Billingham rise to fifth in the table.

Middlesbrough secured back-to-back league wins with a tight 33-30 win at Pontefract in Yorkshire One.

Despite conceding an early try, Boro came roaring back with scores from captain Rob Bellerby, Iain Bradford and Rhys Kilbride.

Boro extended their lead after the break as Bellerby bagged his second try - but their 28-11 lead never felt comfortable.

The hosts hit back and came within four points, but Bradford’s timely second pushed Boro further in front. And despite another Pontefract try, Ian Heslehurst’s side dug deep in the final 10 minutes to cling on to victory.

Free-scoring Guisborough kept the pressure on league leaders Morpeth by thrashing Gateshead 61-14 in Durham and North One, but Stockton lost 17-16 at Medicals.

Meanwhile Yarm saw their unbeaten start to the season come to an end with a surprise 29-11 defeat at Washington.

Middlesbrough running group Albert Parkrun join the race for Wish tokens

A Middlesbrough running club has entered the race for Wish tokens in this year’s campaign.

Albert Parkrun is a group of like -minded people who meet every Saturday morning at 9am for a free, timed 5k run, jog or walk in Middlesbrough’s Albert Park.

Runners of all ages and abilities are invited to get involved with the weekly challenge.

Having first began six years ago, with 25 runners, the group now welcomes between 250 and 300 each and every week, who all run at their own pace – it is you against the clock.

The course is mainly tarmac paths, but some sections may get wet and accumulate mud and leaves following rain.

Following the run, everyone also grabs a post Parkrun coffee in the park cafe near to the finish line.

Having entered The Gazette’s Wish campaign last year, the running group used the money they received to purchase high visibility coats. Any support the group receives from this year’s campaign will also be used to buy high visibility clothing.

Parkrun team leader Louise Campbell said: “Albert Parkrun is run entirely by volunteers, so we hope to continue to purchase high-visibility clothing for the volunteers to wear in the winter.”

Every year, The Gazette’s Wish campaign gives away thousands of pounds to not-for-profit groups and organisations benefiting the Teesside community.

Each registered group will be guaranteed a share of our £40,000 fund. The more tokens a group collects, the bigger its share of the prize pot.

Tokens are now appearing daily in The Gazette. The last token will appear on January 21.

Submissions for tokens will close at 5pm on Monday, February 23. To help Albert Parkrun, send your tokens to: 7a Limes Road, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, TS5 6RQ.

Northern League: Marske United seize local derby bragging rights with victory over Billingham Synthonia

Marske United maintained their championship charge by seeing off Billingham Synthonia 2-0 to seize the local derby bragging rights.

Second half goals from Reece Kelly and Danny Brunskill kept the Seasiders within touching distance of leaders West Auckland in division one, three points adrift but with a game in hand.

In the first derby duel of the season Marske found it difficult to break down the resolute Synners defence in the opening period, with the scoreline locked at 0-0 at the break.

But a much-improved second half display helped the hosts to another win at the GER Stadium, with winger Kelly opening the scoring after Sam Garvie rounded the keeper.

Then on 68 minutes man-of-the-match Brunskill, who played his second match since returning to Marske from Bishop Auckland, wrapped up the points after heading home after Jamie Owens’ free-kick was parried into his path.

Elsewhere Guisborough slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Whitley Bay with the below-par Priorymen dropping to eighth in the league.

After the match manager Chris Hardy said: “Today saw a home defeat in a game that has us two goals down at half-time in an opening 45 minutes that should really of had us with more to show from our efforts.

“In the second half, unfortunately for us, we didn’t quite have the cutting edge needed to make up the deficit.

“On reflection a draw probably would have been a fair result in a nip and tuck game.”

Meanwhile in division two Norton survived a second half fightback at South Shields to remain one point away from league leaders Team Northumbria.

Andy Campbell’s side bounced back from Tuesday’s disappointing defeat at Seaham Red Star in style, and coasted into a 3-0 lead at the break.

Michael Jameson opened the scoring inside four minutes, before Rocky Andrews and Dale Mulligan appeared to have wrapped up the match before half-time.

But Stephen Ramsay pulled one back for the hosts on 63 minutes, before Paul Kane netted less than a minute later to set up a nervy finish.

However, Norton’s defence held firm and Ramsay saw red in added time to hamper the hosts’ late surge to find a leveller.

Billingham Town crushed Tow Law Town 4-1 to pick up their first home win of the season, with goals from Callum Brown, Thomas Sweeney, Nathan Mohun and Alan Taylor helping them to a comfortable afternoon.

Meanwhile Thornaby made it seven games unbeaten as they saw off Hebburn 2-1 courtesy of goals from Kieron Edwards and Danny Lofts, while Stokesley beat Alnwick 4-1 at Broughton Road.

In the Wearside League Stockton Town thrashed Whitehaven 5-0 to extend their remarkable unbeaten run this season to 20 matches.

A brace from Chris Stockton helped Micky Dunwell’s side go nine points clear at the summit, while Kallum Hannah, Tony Johnson and David Dowd also got on the scoresheet.

And there was also a win for Redcar Athletic, who managed to grind out a 1-0 win at Jarrow despite winning two penalties.

But Wolviston slipped to a 1-0 home defeat against Annfield Plain with Ross Nicholson’s first-half strike proving the difference.

Wolviston had to play the second half with 10 men after Christian Selby was red carded on 50 minutes, before the referee then sent off Plain’s Aaron Oliver five minutes later.