Appeal for information after firefighters tackle blaze on Eston Hills

The battle to put an end to fires being started on Eston Hills continues after firefighters battled a blaze.

Cleveland Fire Brigade and officers from Cleveland Police were called to the beauty spot on Saturday afternoon following reports of the blaze. At its height, five fire appliances attended.

And once the fire was out, Eston’s neighbourhood police team took to social media to appeal for information about how it started.

Urging people to share and retweet information about the blaze, the Facebook message read: “If you have any information on who may have started the fire which could put people’s lives, businesses in danger please let us know.”

Eston Hills is regularly targeted by arsonists, especially in the summer months and during school holidays.

Over the years, campaigns to deter youngsters from starting fires there have been carried out. Cleveland Fire Brigade has also used a specialist 120ft-high CCTV camera to look for suspicious behaviour and fires in the area.

Speaking last year, John Feeney, Cleveland Fire Brigade’s district manager for Redcar and Cleveland and Middlesbrough, said: “Deliberate grass and moorland fires are reckless in the extreme. They damage our beautiful countryside and divert our resources away from dealing with real emergencies where lives may be at risk.

“Arson accounts for around 70% of fires across Cleveland and this is why the brigade continues to work very closely with the police, other key organisations and local communities to put a stop to it once and for all.

“We do target resources into areas where deliberate grass fires are most prevalent and patrols are being stepped up following these recent incidents.”

As reported last year, a spate of destructive grass blazes on Eston Hills and across Teesside cost Cleveland Fire Brigade £108,000 in less than a month.

From March 1 to March 17, there were 54 grass or moorland fires within Redcar and Cleveland and Middlesbrough - including 14 on Eston Hills. This prompted Marty Challenor, watch manager at Grangetown fire station, to launch a campaign to educate youngsters on the damage the fires cause and discourage them from setting them.

Marty, who has worked at Grangetown for 14 years, said: “We are going into schools and taking appliances around the area to let the youngsters know how dangerous their actions are.

“It is a long-standing problem, but we are seeing more fires recently. It is very dangerous, and it also ties up resources that should be put to better use elsewhere. It takes us at least 10 to 15 minutes to get up to the hills, then we are in our off-road vehicle and have to get to where the fire is. We need a crew of at least four, often more, and they cannot respond to calls for things like house fires if we are putting out a grass fire.”

Cleveland Fire Brigade was also called to a blaze on land at Ormesby Hall over the weekend, during which the crew that attended received verbal abuse from youths.

If you have any information about the incidents call Eston Police Station on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Israel to demolish homes of dozens of Bedouins in Abu Dis

JERUSALEM (Ma’an) — Dozens of Palestinian Bedouins from the al-Jahalin community in eastern Abu Dis have received orders from Israeli forces to demolish their homes themselves.

The steel structures in which the community lives were put up nearby the Khillet al-Raheb area on which the Gateway to Jerusalem protest camp has been continually re-erected by activists in recent weeks.

The Gateway to Jerusalem was set up in protest to Israeli plans to displace Bedouin families from their dwellings in the corridor known as E1, between Jerusalem and Jericho.

Daoud al-Jahalin, the secretary-general of the Fatah movement for Bedouins of the al-Jahalin community, said that their homes are expected be demolished soon, as Israeli bulldozers have been razing lands in the nearby Gateway to Jerusalem camp for several days.

Al-Jahalin added that the Israeli civil administration department informed nine families who live in 14 steel structures that the demolition order would be carried out by Israeli forces if they do not demolish their own homes by themselves.

Between 50-70 Bedouins in the Khillet al-Raheb area have been living in these steel structures since 1997.

Shadi and Ayman Muhammad al-Jahalin are among those who received notices from the civil administration to demolish their homes, built more than 10 years ago and housing nine family members, according to al-Jahalin.

He said that the notices claim that the steel structures were built on confiscated lands and state property. The notices also indicate a court session to be held next Sunday.

The secretary-general emphasized that the Israeli side aims to empty the Palestinian desert of all its inhabitants in order to use the land for military purposes and to build settlements. This includes 22 Bedouin communities living on 62 percent of the West Bank’s areas of Jerusalem, Jericho, Anata, al-Eizariya, and Abu Dis al-Sawahreh, extending to the Dead Sea.

Al-Jahalin said that despite the fact the Israeli bulldozers razed these lands, residents will resume their strike that started 25 days ago.

Israel has demolished 562 Palestinian structures in the occupied West Bank since the start of the year, according to the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions.

Last summer, Israeli authorities in the occupied West Bank released a series of plans that would include relocation of around 12,5000 Bedoin from the Jahalin, Kaabneh and Rashaida tribes to Talet Nueima. If the plan comes to fruition, the evacuation of the Bedouin tribes would free up additional lands for settlement construction, especially in E1, according to Israeli news source Haaretz.

Rights groups slammed the plans, adding that the forcible transfer amounts to a massive land grab and an attempt by authorities to annex the crucial E1 area and effectively cut the West Bank in two.

Palestinian Bedouins in the West Bank are largely composed of refugees of Israel’s 1948 ethnic cleansing of 750,000 Palestinians

Aitor Karanka can't understand Boro fans' concerns over club's current position

Aitor Karanka believes the Boro fans should not be concerned about the club’s current position.

Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday means Boro have lost two games out of three and have scored just two goals in their last five fixtures but are still second in the Championship table.

Asked if the supporters should be worried about the losses and lack of goals, Karanka said: “I can’t imagine anyone is concerned or worried because the club was two points above the relegation zone 15 months ago.

“I am very happy because I came here 15 months ago two points above the relegation position and now we are second in the table so I don’t know why someone would be concerned?”

That’s not to say Karanka was happy with Boro’s display at Hillsborough. Wednesday took the lead early in the second half through a controversial penalty which was awarded when Kenneth Omeruo was adjudged to have handled the ball.

Atdhe Nuhiu converted the spotkick and the hosts added a second when Will Keane headed home from close range two minutes later.

Karanka was scathing in his assessment of Boro’s display. He pulled no punches in his post match interviews and was equally critical of himself, admitting he made mistakes.

Ahead of kick-off, the Boro boss made five changes from the side that started the 1-0 victory over Bolton and also switched to a 3-5-2 formation.

“It was worse than Bolton,” he said. “I said after Bolton that was the worst performance but now this is the worst performance of the season.

“It was awful, I don’t have words to explain what happened but we know have a game on Tuesday we have to learn from this game very quickly.

“I have to learn a lot of things from the last two games and we have to keep going.

“I made mistakes and we have lost the game and that performance was very, very bad. We have lost three points - I came here to win the game and three points.

“I can’t say what the mistakes were but they were my mistakes and I have to learn from the mistakes and improve for the following games.”

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Karanka was naturally quizzed on the wisdom of making five changes to a winning team and on his formation switch.

“I thought the squad was the best to play here,” he answered. “Against Blackpool I made six changes and we won the game so I don’t think about how many changes.

“Maybe yes about the quality of some of them but that is now in the past and I have to think about the future.”

Boro were denied an early penalty when Albert Adomah appeared to be tripped inside the box by Claude Dielna.

With Wednesday later winning a spot-kick, Karanka was quick to point out that his side also suffered rough justice in the same fixture last year when a Jacob Butterfield shot crossed the line but wasn’t awarded.

“It’s curious,” said the head coach. “I don’t know what happens here but last season it was the same. Last season we scored a goal but the linesman didn’t see it.

“They see the bad things that we might do but don’t see when bad things happen against us.”

There was an flashpoint in the 65th minute when Grant Leadbitter and Jose Semedo clashed with the Boro player appearing to claim he’d been spat at but both managers later said they didn’t see the incident.

Karanka, meanwhile, refused to use the state of the Hillsborough pitch as an excuse for Boro’s poor display.

“The pitch is not in a good condition but I said before Blackpool game that if we had lost the game I would not have blamed the pitch and I don’t want to make excuses today,” he said.

Rugby round-up: Guisborough miss out on winning bonus point as promotion race heats up

Guisborough maintained their title charge with a tight 17-9 win over Durham City - but missed out what could prove to be a valuable bonus point.

It’s now 10 straight wins at Belmangate for the red hot Priorymen as the Durham and North One promotion race continues to simmer along nicely.

Coming up against a strong City side sitting third in the table and having beaten Guisborough 36-17 in November’s reverse fixture, it was never going to be an easy test for Trevor Edwards’ men.

But the Teessiders’ latest win means it’s now no defeat in 12 league matches - a scintillating run dating back to November 1.

However, there was a tinge of disappointment in the air after Saturday’s match as Guisborough fell short of their four-try target, which would have kept them one point above Morpeth in the table.

As a result, they remain above their Northumbrian rivals but only on points difference, after Morpeth recorded a convincing 53-0 win over Stockton.

With only five games remaining, any slip-up could now prove fatal to Guisborough’s title aspirations - with Edwards’ side desperate to avoid the jittery play-off route that has seen them fall at the final hurdle in each of the last two years.

Promotion was also the word on the lips of both Acklam and Redcar on Saturday - and both teams recorded maximum points to maintain their respective Durham and North Two charges.

With only one promotion spot available behind runaway leaders Ponteland, it will be ecstasy for one Teesside club and bitter disappointment for the other when the curtain comes down on this season.

Acklam remain in the driving seat to clinch that spot after their 39-7 victory over Whitley Bay Rockliff at Talbot Park.

Andrew Dalton opened the scoring after seven minutes, with Dean Roberts also crossing to help Acklam into a 15-7 win at the break.

But in the second half Acklam went up a gear, with Roberts scoring his second to cap off a team try, before notching his hat-trick with four minutes remaining.

There was also tries for Danny Ashton and Adam Hutchinson as Acklam maintained their four-point advantage over Redcar.

The Seasiders, meanwhile, did all they could to keep the pressure on as they cruised to a 67-17 win at North Shields.

Centre Craig Newlands bagged four tries, veteran full-back Rob Bryce and winger Danny Addison each notched a brace, while there were also scores for Danny McIlvenny and Matt Curry.

In National Three North, Billingham’s spirited display saw them earn a four-try bonus point against leaders Sale, but went down 41-22 at Greenwood Road.

The result keeps Billingham sixth in the table ahead of next weekend’s trip to Rossendale.

Boro moved up one place in Yorkshire One to fifth despite slipping to a 13-7 defeat at Scarborough.

Meanwhile in Durham and North Three it was an afternoon to forget for Yarm, who were beaten 57-5 at Whitby.

Eddy Eats: The Masham, Hartburn Village, Stockton

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Tel: (01642) 645 526

Food served: Noon-7pm

The Masham’s website records that Location, Location, Location was once filmed in its surroundings.

And it is indeed an ideal venue for an aspirational television property show: a charming, cosy terraced pub in a beautiful terrace in leafy Hartburn village.

The website further proudly describes a pub which has been in the same family’s hands for more than 20 years and has had ‘hearts and souls’ poured into it. All of this is easily believable. The feel is comfy and welcoming - the kind of place you could easily settle into for an afternoon. And it would seem that we were not alone in thinking this.

We were told before we had even received our drinks (choice of ales including Strongarm, Bass, Doom Bar and Deuchars IPA) that we would have to be out in two hours because there was another booking after ours.

Fair enough, if a little jarring. We made our way to our table before returning to the bar to order.

Starters arrived 20 minutes or so later. Mrs Eats loved her foray onto the specials board: pan-seared rare beef fillet with pear, crunchy pine nuts and plenty of stilton.

My tandoori salmon skewers were firm and tasty and came with a warm flatbread and side salad. What they did not come with was the advertised mint yoghurt - meaning another return to the bar.

I went for roast pork and it was a mighty main. A vast, crispy Yorkshire pudding sat atop lovely meat (albeit with no crackling) and a carefully prepared creamy mash. The gravy was the highlight - rich and fulsome - but the sweet red cabbage ran it close. Great stuffing too. This was an excellent meal.

‘When in Rome’, thought Mrs E, as she opted for a half parmo which came with hand-cooked chips and salad. She was satisfied but not overwhelmed.

While she nipped to the loo, I was asked - as I sat with forkful midway between plate and mouth - if I had finished eating. Perhaps this was a hint. I looked again at my watch.

Desserts - a strawberry tart and chocolate brownie - were also good. By this point, we were nearing our deadline so made another trip to the bar to settle the bill.

The table was being turned round before we’d even got back to the door. The place is clearly hugely popular - but we did head back to the Eatsmobile wondering if Phil Spencer and his entourage felt the same as we did after their visit.

One child in every classroom in Middlesbrough receiving social services support

One child in every 20 in Middlesbrough is receiving help from social services, shocking figures show.

The Teesside town has the second-highest rate of children in contact with care services in the country - the equivalent of at least one in every single school class.

And Hartlepool and Northumberland are also in the top 10, with the ninth and tenth highest rates in England respectively.

Today, councils have said the figures represent a “compex picture” while one campaigner praised social services for coping with the vast numbers needing their help.

Jeremy Cripps, chief executive of charity Children North East which works with children facing poverty, said: “It is a credit to local councils that they continue to provide support to very high numbers of children who are in need, despite huge cuts in central government grants to North East councils.”

The figures, released by the Office for National Statistics this week, showed that 694 out of every 10,000 children in Middlesbrough are getting some form of intervention from social services.

That equates to around one in every 20 children, and is second only to Torbay in Devon.

However the numbers have actually fallen by 11.6% from 2013, with 2,197 children in need of social service help at the end of March 2014 compared to 2,485 the previous year.

Just under half (47.1%) of the children needed help due to family dysfunction, while social services stepped in due to abuse or neglect in 28.5% of cases, the figures showed.

The Sunday Sun was unable to reach anyone at Middlesbrough Council for a comment, but Councillor Jeanette Walker, chair of the council’s children and learning scrutiny panel, this week said the Troubled Families programme – known as Stronger Families in Middlesbrough – was “working well” in the town.

It is understood that every school in Middlesbrough has a named social worker attached to it.

Meanwhile, some 1,226 children in Hartlepool were in contact with social services last year, up from 1,112, a 10.9% increase.

That is 608 children for every 10,000, with the majority of cases (51.2%) being taken up due to abuse or neglect.

A Hartlepool Council spokesman said: “Most of the increase in the figure for Hartlepool is due to the work which the council is doing to identify and support more families which are vulnerable.

“Despite the severe financial pressures which the council faces, it will continue to make the wellbeing of children a priority.”

Northumberland has seen a 17% rise in children in contact with social services.

Around 607 children per 10,000 are in need, making it the tenth-worst area in England. The total needing help rose from 3,153 children in 2013 to 3,681 in 2014.

Elsewhere in the region, Sunderland also saw a sharp increase in the amount of children needing care, up from 2,353 to 2,663 (12.8%).

Its rate of 489 children needing help per 10,000 puts it in the worst 20 in the country.

Coun Pat Smith, portfolio holder for Children’s Services at Sunderland City Council, said: “The latest statistics confirm what our own experience has been here in Sunderland, that there has been a steady but marked increase for the past few years in the number of children and young people needing support.

“It’s a complex picture and there is no single reason why numbers are increasing year on year, but it does present a challenge for us and our safeguarding partners here in Sunderland as we work to protect vulnerable children and continually improve our practices.”

Redcar and Cleveland, Stockton and Newcastle also came in above the national average.

In Redcar and Cleveland, 428 children per 10,000 needed social service help, in Stockton it was 491 per 10,000 and in Newcastle it was 447 - up 8.4%.

Newcastle city council pointed out that its most recent figure for 2015 gave a rate of 386.2 children per 10,000 - down 13.5% from the March 2014 figure.

Across England there were 397,600 children in need of social service intervention as of the end of March 2014, equating to an average of 346 per 10,000 - a rise of 19,000 youngsters.

Arab League condemns Israel attacks on mosque, church

CAIRO (Ma’an) — Secretary-general for Palestinian affairs in the Arab League, Muhammad Sbeih, on Friday called for the United Nations to hold Israel responsible for recent attacks on Palestinian holy sites.

The attacks were a result of an environment of “extremism and racism” and would likely increase in the run-up to Israeli elections, he added.

PLO official Saeb Erekat strongly condemned the recent attacks, labeling them “a direct consequence of the calls for recognition of Israel as a ‘Jewish State’ and Jerusalem as the eternal and undivided capital of the Jewish people.”

On Thursday suspected Jewish extremists set fire to part of a Christian seminary in East Jerusalem’s Old City and sprayed “Jesus is a son of a whore” and “Redemption of Zion” on the walls.

A day earlier, extremist Jewish settlers set fire to a mosque in the southern West Bank town of al-Jaba and sprayed racist slogans calling for killing Arabs and Muslims on the walls in Hebrew