Below is the video of Frontpage Editor Jamie Glazov’s introduction of Geert Wilders at David Horowitz Freedom Center’s 20th Anniversary Restoration Weekend. The event was held Nov. 13th-16th at the Breakers Resort in Palm Beach, Florida:
And don’t miss Jamie Glazov’s interview with Geert Wilders on The Glazov Gang – the episode that won the Glazov Gang 2014 Episode of the Year Award:
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Proud parents Nicola Richardson and Darren Rudd’s little one - the first Teesside baby to be born in 2015 - say she hung on as long as she could to make sure she had a birthday to remember.
The tot - who is as yet unnamed - made her entrance into the world at North Tees University Hospital in Stockton at 2.08am today.
Though not due until January 4, mum Nicola, 34, of Stockton, first felt the labour pains early in the morning of New Year’s Eve, at around 4am, but they settled down by around 10am. The pains then returned later in the day and Nicola knew the time had come.
Nicola went to the hospital with partner Darren, 36, a machine operator, at around 11pm and they welcomed their 7lb 8oz daughter into the world just over three hours later.
Nicola, a full-time mum who recently sold her business, Foodies cafe on Albert Road in Middlesbrough, joked: “She obviously waited for the New Year. I think she thought ‘I’ll never get in the Gazette if I’m born on New Year’s Eve’!”
However, the honour of being the first baby born in Teesside this year went to tiny Ashtyn-Jae Williams, of Peterlee, who arrived nine days early at 12.25am, weighing just 5lb 7oz. He was the fourth child for mum Yolanda Williams, 38, who said she was looking forward to going home after being in the hospital since Tuesday. Complications meant she’d had to have the birth induced.
Darren said: “We hoped to get the first New Year baby and didn’t quite manage it, but we got the second, and she’s the first girl.”
The couple, who have three other children between them - Nicola’s two, Charlotte, five, and four-year-old William, and Darren’s daughter Olivia, also four, are yet to settle on a name for the youngster.
Darren said: “I wanted Ava and she wanted Isabelle.”
Nicola added: “Isabelle’s the name of my nana.”
Over at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, baby Reggie was welcomed into the world seven days early by mum Claire Joyce, 31, and husband David, 30, of Grangetown.
Born weighing 6lb 15oz at 3.50am, little Reggie was a welcome surprise for the couple.
Claire, also mum to Jessica, 14, Molly, 11, and seven-year-old Macey, said: “We have three girls, then Reggie. We’ve had the name picked out since the first one, in case we had a boy, then we never did.
“After the third girl, I said no more. Seven years later, Reggie’s come along.”
Pub name: The Smith’s Arms
Address: 54 The Green, Billingham, TS23 1EW.
Landlord/manager: Kathryn Mockler.
How long have you been at the pub? Six years.
What’s your recent history as a landlord? I have been running pubs in the North-east for 25 years.
Tell us three of your best selling drinks: Foster’s, Carling and John Smith’s.
Tell us why you think your pub is one of the best on Teesside: It’s warm, welcoming and great value with fantastic staff. We also offer an open fire, Sky Sports and a pool table.
What’s your most popular meal? Our top-selling meal is parmos served with home-made chips. Our two meals for £9.50 offer is popular.
What is your most popular night and why do you think it is? The busiest nights are Friday, when we have live music, and the Wednesday quiz night.
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A Grangetown jazz band is hoping to beat competition for readers’ tokens in this year’s Wish campaign.
Formed in 1984, the Royal Sapphires is a non-profit marching jazz band charity.
With over 40 members ranging from the age of five up to adults, the band is one of the largest in the Teesside area.
The Royal Sapphires are marching members of the Cleveland and District Association and compete against other member bands every Sunday.
During their regular meetings, everyone in the group learns how to play musiclal instruments as well as meeting new friends as they travel across the North-east.
Last year, the jazz band used their Wish support to help with travelling expenses.
With regards to this year’s campaign, Margaret Kennett of the group, said: “We intend to put this year’s Wish money towards new uniforms and travelling expenses for competitions.”
Every year, The Gazette’s Wish campaign gives away thousands of pounds to not-for-profit groups 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 the Royal Sapphires, send your tokens to: 19 Bridgend Close, Grangetown, Middlesbrough, TS6 7PD.
AFTER avoiding relegation by the skin of their teeth last season, Billingham have defied the odds and have already secured their national league status for next season.
Two wins from their opening two matches in National Three North set the tone, and despite a three-game blip at the beginning of November, the team bounced back to form before the festive break.
Convincing victories over Huddersfield YMCA and Burnage at Greenwood Road fell either side of a morale-boosting win at Morley, and those three successes before Christmas ensured Billingham will have no such relegation worries this time around.
With the instrumental Peter Evans at full-back, the team have more than held their own against sides boasting riches far greater than themselves.
Defeats against Rossendale and Cleckheaton must go down as the season’s disappointments to date, but having already beaten the seven teams below them in the table, seventh place means Billingham are on a solid footing.
Next up on Saturday is a trip to high-flying Sheffield Tigers, but having won their last three matches, confidence certainly won’t be an issue for this exciting Billingham side.
A SLOW start looked to jeopardise Guisborough’s Durham and North One promotion hopes, but a scintillating run of form since the end of September means top spot is now within their grasp.
Trevor Edwards’ exciting side failed to banish their away day demons at Hartlepool Rovers on the opening day, and that was soon followed by a disappointing 24-0 loss at leaders Morpeth.
That game perhaps came too early in the season for the Priorymen, but the home win over Novocastrians on September 27 was the start of an incredible run that has seen them win 10 of their last 11 matches.
Huge scores were wracked up against the division’s strugglers Blyth (89-0), Gateshead (61-14) and Sunderland (75-5), but it’s the team’s consistency that will be most pleasing to the coaching team.
Two tricky away games at Gosforth and Medicals tested Guisborough’s resolve before Christmas, but the team marched on and won both games convincingly.
That now sets up a mouthwatering match at Belmangate on Saturday as Guisborough host leaders Morpeth - and a home win will see the Priorymen go top of the division.
Edwards’ side have won six from six at home this campaign, and if current form is to be believed, few would bet against Guisborough claiming the title this year.
PROMOTION looked a definite possibility for Stockton in Durham and North One after they won their first three matches, but that dream slipped away during what has been an inconsistent first half of the season.
Gateshead, Durham City and Darlington were all beaten by a Stockton side boasting plenty of attacking talent, but the single-point loss to Consett in September was the start of a ragged period.
Wins over Blyth and Hartlepool Rovers were followed by defeats to local rivals Guisborough and Medicals, and it’s been that kind of season for the team.
That 55-12 defeat at Belmangate was a shock result for the team, but to their credit they bounced back and produced one of the outstanding performances of the season when they ended Morpeth’s unbeaten start to the season in November.
With the reliable boot of Jeremy Good, Stockton are usually a tough nut to crack at Station Road, and they will be desperate to return to their early-season form when the season resumes.
A trip to Darlington awaits on Saturday, and a win there would surely mean that a top four finish is not out of the question for Stockton.
A FIRST season in Yorkshire One was always going to be a test for Boro, but they still sit a credible third in a season that has pleased and frustrated in equal measure.
An away win at Bridlington on the opening day set the pulses racing, but that was followed by back-to-back defeats against high-flying Doncaster Phoenix and Hullensians.
A highlight has to be the home win over Malton and Norton, who currently occupy second in the table, but too many times Ian Heslehurt’s side let themselves down on the road.
Defeats at North Ribblesdale, Selby and Yarnbury came as something as a surprise, but a three-game winning run starting at the end of November showed that the team was finding its feet.
Earning two losing bonus points at Doncaster Phoenix before the Christmas break highlighted Boro’s capability at this level, but lying 16 points off second spot, Boro may have left themselves too much to do.
A top three finish is definitely a realistic aim, and with the likes of Rhys Kilbride, Jack Bircham and Conner Foley in the back-line, Boro have plenty of attacking threat to trouble any team in the division.
A TURBULENT season off the pitch doesn’t seem to have knocked the Seasiders off their stride and Redcar will be itching to get going again in Durham and North Two.
Winning their first seven matches, Redcar exploded out of the blocks under Neil Young and looked every inch promotion contenders after winning at Acklam.
However, a bad afternoon at Ponteland on October 25 became even worse when fly-half Richie Young suffered a season-ending injury, and all of a sudden the wheels threatened to come off the promotion push.
A defeat at Bishop Auckland in November was hard to take for the management with the team desperate for some selection consistency, and Neil Young’s resignation came soon after due to his wife giving birth to twins.
But injured younger brother Richie stepped up to the plate and took over the reins at Mackinlay Park, and the team have not looked back since.
It’s now four wins from four under the new coach, and Redcar now find themselves occupying the second promotion spot.
With leaders Ponteland and rivals Acklam still to come to Mackinlay Park in 2015, a ground in which the Seasiders boast a 100% record, and the future looks bright.
A trip to Hartlepool awaits on Saturday, with that crunch clash with Acklam on January 10 looming large.
HEAVILY tipped for promotion this season, Acklam failed to live up to their pre-season billing and lost two of their opening three matches in Durham and North Two.
A defeat at Seaton Carew was hard to take, but that was nothing compared to the home loss to Redcar on September 27.
Acklam found themselves camped in the Redcar 22 for long periods, but couldn’t break down a resilient away defence - coming away empty-handed.
But to the team’s credit, that setback and the arrival of coach Johan Otker inspired them to go on a seven-match winning run through October and November.
That saw Acklam catch up with second-placed Redcar, who themselves were stuttering at that point, but a narrow away day defeat at Barnard Castle knocked Acklam back to third.
Christmas cheer around Talbot Park was further dented when leaders Ponteland clinched a 30-24 win on Teesside in a game that could have gone either way.
Acklam’s trip to Bishop Auckland before the festive break fell victim to the weather, meaning they lie seven points adrift of second place with a game in hand.
Seaton Carew are next up with Acklam keen to get revenge for their early-season defeat, and then it’s the huge trip to Redcar for a clash that could decide that second promotion spot.
SIX consecutive wins at the start of the season and promotion looked almost a certainty for a Yarm side that was walking over their rivals in Durham and North Three.
But October 18 was their last victory, in a season that has been hampered with postponements, narrow defeats and tight draws.
A 29-11 defeat at Washington was their first setback of a campaign, and that was followed by a 15-0 home defeat to title rivals Whitby.
Draws with Seaham and Houghton fell either side of their cancelled match at Chester-le-Street, and the Christmas break then came shortly after a high-scoring defeat at Newton Aycliffe.
However, there is still plenty to play for in the second half of the season, with Yarm sitting fourth in the table and hot on the heels of Newton Aycliffe and Houghton.
A return to the early-season consistency could soon see Yarm fire themselves back into the promotion mix, but with Whitby running clear at the top time is of the essence for the Eagles as they look to kick-start their campaign.
January the first is traditionally a time when we look forward to the year ahead.
But Marske couple Ray and Ann Peacock look back with pride every year.
And this New Year’s Day will mark a special milestone for the couple, who celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary.
The pair, who were married at St John’s Church on Marton Road in Middlesbrough in 1955, have endured ups and downs throughout their 60 years of marriage.
But the diamond duo say “sticking together” is the secret to their longevity.
Ann, 78, said: “We have had a lot of good times and some bad times, but we stick together throughout it all and that is all you can do really.
Ann and Ray, 81, who worked most of his life as a self-employed joiner, lost their son Clive to leukaemia aged 34 in 1992.
They also tragically lost their 17-year-old granddaughter Charlotte Peacock, of Saltburn, earlier this year.
“We can honestly say we have never really argued, and we just think being able to give and take and deal with what comes is the best way to stay happily married,” continued Ann.
The couple met on a hot day when Ray, then an apprentice joiner, popped into the M&M sweet shop in Middlesbrough where Ann worked for a penny ice lolly.
Ray said: “It was a sweltering day, and I went in for a penny ice lolly and saw Ann behind the counter. I asked her out straight away, it was different back then. And it only cost me a penny!”
Both originally from Middlesbrough, they married two years later just before Ray left to do his National Service in the 1st Batallion Green Howards.
Ray continued: “It only took us about six weeks to plan. We wanted to be married before I left for the army. Ann had to borrow her sister’s dress.
“It was a real family affair, but it was a heck of a good wedding.”
Ray and Ann then enjoyed a honeymoon at Gate Helmsley, and were greeted getting off the train with confetti and a sign saying ‘Just Married’ painted across their carriage.
They lived in Middlesbrough and later moved to Redcar, Scarborough and Moorsholm before settling in Marske around 17 years ago.
The couple have two other children - Steven and Julie - four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
They will celebrate their 60th anniversary quietly with family.
Boro are set to finalise a loan move for promising Chelsea defender Tomas Kalas in the next few days, The Gazette understands.
The highly-rated 21-year-old, who can play at right-back or centre-back, spent the first half of the season on loan at Bundesliga club FC Koln.
But Jose Mourinho has terminated the loan deal and looks set to send another of his Blues stars to the Riverside - an agreement that has already benefited the development of Patrick Bamford and Kenneth Omeruo.
Strapping Kalas has already played 17 times for Czech U21 side and once for the seniors. He was thrust into the national spotlight at the end of last season when he started and impressed during Chelsea’s victory against Liverpool at Anfield.
Premier League side QPR have also declared their interest, but Mourinho and the Blues hierarchy are understood to be impressed with the Chelsea-Boro link which yesterday saw striker Bamford extend his stay on Teesside until the end of the season.
Action Images / Craig Brough
Aitor Karanka confirmed yesterday that he will be delving into the January transfer market as he prepares to lose both Emilio Nsue and Albert Adomah to the African Cup of Nations in the coming weeks.
And the Spaniard has wasted little time, with Kalas expected to wrap up the terms of his short-term move to the North-east in the next few days. The deal is understood to have been agreed between the two clubs.
One man who has left the Riverside is goalkeeper Jason Steele, who completed a permanent move to Blackburn Rovers yesterday.
The 24-year-old initially joined Rovers on a season-long loan at the end of August and has since made 15 appearances for the club.
Rovers are one of the three Championship teams to be handed a January transfer embargo due to breaching Financial Fair Play regulations, but have moved quickly to tie Steele down to a three-and-a-half year contract before the sanctions come into force.
Planning to lose weight this year?
Weight loss groups such as Weight Watchers and Slimming World are popular ways to help you along.
Here are some online tools to help you find your nearest meetings.
Weight Watchers say it has a "plan for everyone" - from gluten free through to vegetarian.
Weight Watchers works on a 'points' system - each food having a certain number of points and you working to an allowance.
You can attend meetings with others on the plan and there is also online support if required.
Slimming World teaches you a way to eat which means that you can consume unlimited food - and still lose weight.
No food is banned.
Again, there are meetings if you'd like to meet with others following the regime and also online support available.
Residents were shocked this week at pictures showing an astonishing 40 tonnes of post-Christmas waste dumped at a recycling facility in Coulby Newham.
Those responsible for the giant deluge of festive waste at the Parkway Centre recycling site have now been warned by Middlesbrough Council they could face possible prosecution.
And potential fly-tippers are being warned that the Middlesbrough Council-run site, near Tesco, will now be monitored to prevent more dumping.
But Teessiders can help to avoid the same thing happening again with the post-New Year's Eve waste with this handy search tool by Directgov.
Tap in your postcode to find the nearest recycling facility in your area - and see which others are available if one if looking full.
You can see what readers had to say about the post-Christmas dumping here.
Is 2015 the year you’re going to finally get fit?
If so, then there are plenty of gyms across our area where you can work on your body beautiful.
From luxury facilities through to basic, cheap and cheerful - we have a selection of ten from across Teesside to consider.
We have also included details of council-run fitness schemes and facilities.
Happy workout!
Key facilities: Play tennis, badminton and squash on match-quality courts.
Hit your fitness goals with help from expert coaches.
Explore family activities, pools (indoors and out) as well as a range of classes, gym facilities and ‘DLicious’ cafebar.
Contact: 08451 257115
Key facilities: There is a range of training equipment suitable for all levels of fitness, including a 200 metre indoor running track, free weights area, stretching and conditioning area and resistance and cardio machines.
There is also a 25 metre swimming pool and a smaller family pool alongside a hydro pool, foot spas, a steam room, saunas and a sanarium.
Contact: 01642 664888
Key facilities: The Escape Zone has a fully equipped gym, 25 metre pool, sauna, steam room and spa pool.
Qualified gym staff can assist you to set up a routine and bespoke programme in the gym.
The Escape Zone offers a family friendly swimming pool with no time restrictions on access for children when accompanying an adult on a full membership.
Gym members wanting to swim and get fit in the pool have a designated swimming lane.
Contact: 01642 578100
Key facilities: There is a range of fitness equipment to suit a variety of workouts from cardiovascular machines to a weights room.
There is a pool, sauna and spa as well as a wide range of classes and personal trainers.
The gym is kept up to date with innovative equipment.
Contact: 0844 249 53 06
Key facilities: There is functional training zone, a ladies only gym, vibration plates and two large air-conditioned studios.
Personal trainers and training programmes are available.
There is also spacious changing rooms with saunas, 40 plus free classes per week and a coffee and juice bar.
Contact: 07876 833854
Key facilities: Membership here includes unlimited 24 hour access, members’ lounge, extensive cardio, free weight and resistance zones and spinning room.
There are also free group classes, sauna and steam relaxation rooms.
Contact: 01642 611 576
Key facilities: More than 400 pieces of high spec resistance and cardiovascular equipment, a team of personal trainers and a ladies only gym area.
There is also a fitness studio hosting more than 40 free classes each week, a boxing ring and combat zone and spin studio.
See website for contact details.
Key Facilities Coulby: Resistance and cardio machines, spinning studio, free weights area, sauna, steam room, changing facility, aerobics studio, retail shop and 17.5 metre swimming pool.
Key Facilities Ingleby: As well as all of the features of the Coulby gym there is also a cafe bar, sunbeds, five-a-side football pitch, children’s soft play area and creche.
See website for contact details.
Key facilities: Swimming pool, spa pool, hydrotherapy pool, sauna and steam room.
Parkmore has an extensive gym incorporating new cardio and resistance equipment, free weights and power plate.
There is also a dance and aerobics studio with full class programme as well as a beauty salon and snack menu.
You can find details of council-run fitness schemes at the following links:
:: Active Gym: Middlesbrough Council fitness club venues across the town
:: Tees Active: Stockton Council fitness club venues across the area
:: Redcar and Cleveland council run fitness facilities
Aitor Karanka says 2014 has been an “amazing year”.
Over the past 12 months, the Boro boss has overhauled the first team squad and guided the club out of the bottom half of the Championship and into the top six.
He acknowledges none of that would have been possible without the support of chairman Steve Gibson and all of the staff at Rockliffe Park and the Riverside Stadium.
“It has been an amazing year for me because it has been my first complete year as a manager and I am very pleased with my time here,” he said.
“The year is improving every single day. We started in January building a team and now, in December, this team is a very strong team and I am optimistic thinking about the future.
“My feelings about this year are very, very good.
“I can’t do it alone,” added Karanka. “I can’t say ‘my year’ thinking about myself. I am also thinking about the whole club.
“I couldn’t do all I have done here without the chairman’s support, the players’ support, the support of all the staff who work here, our fans, we are all a team.”
One thing that’s particularly impressed Karanka over the past year has been the support from the Boro faithful.
Attendances at the Riverside have been on the increase this season peaking with a Boxing Day crowd of 32,277.
Boro travelling support has always been exceptional but this season has witnessed some remarkable turn-outs.
Karanka is certainly grateful for the support, saying the fans can be Boro’s 12th man in 2015.
He said: “My message for the supporters is to express my gratitude to them because since my first day here they have always been behind me, behind the club.
“Everyday our supporters are increasing and the last month it has been amazing - in the game against Wigan; against Blackburn we had 7,000 fans, on Boxing Day we had 32,000 people, so I would just like to express my gratitude again.
“The fans can be our 12th player in January.”
Karanka insists he learned a huge amount about management in 2014 but little about the division that he didn’t already know by January 2014.
“You learn something new every day but my feelings about the Championship are the same that I had two months after arriving here,” he explained.
“That was you can beat everyone and everyone can beat you, so it’s not different.
“Now I know more about the club and the players, about management, because this time last year I had only been a manager for two months and now I have been a manager for 14 months.
“It’s not a big period of time but I am learning every day and I think and I hope my management on the pitch, on the training ground and in the changing room is improving.”
