Vandals tear down Saltburn’s knitting masterpiece.

Saltburn's marvellous knitting masterpiece on the pier.

MINDLESS vandals have torn down a 50-yard long knitting masterpiece on Saltburn’s pier, which has boosted tourism in recent weeks.

The huge woollen scarf, which depicts scenes from the Olympics as a tribute to this year’s games, was cruelly vandalised on Friday.

The sensationally detailed piece, which includes teddies skiing and rifle shooting,  was made by a mysterious group of ‘yarnbombers’ who secretly tied it to the pier’s handrail.

It has led to thousands of tourists flocking to the quiet seaside town to see it in recent weeks and it has even hit national news.

One woman even went so far as to call it “the Banksy of the knitting world” on Twitter.

Saltburn-by-the-Sea has also been in the news this week after police held an eight-hour stand-off with a woman believed to be in possession of a bomb.

She was arrested and the incident ended safely.

Saltburn-by-the-Sea under threat of bomb attack

The picturesque coastal town of Saltburn is the unlikely target of the bomb threat.

The quiet seaside town of Saltburn on the outskirts of Middlesbrough was the target of a suspected bomb attack on Tuesday.

Cleveland Police were called just after 11am after a woman was seen buying tools that could be used for a bomb from a local hardware store and was acting suspiciously.

Worried for her welfare, police tracked the white woman, who was wearing a hijab, to the beachfront where they held a standoff for over eight hours.

Businesses on the lower promenade by the beach were evacuated and a cordon was put in place to prevent public access to the area.

Officers from the army bomb disposal unit and trained negotiators were called to the scene.

At 7:20pm police managed to detain the 40-year-old woman, who at one point was knelt on the floor. She was arrested under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act.

Supt Ciaron Irvine of Cleveland Police said: “This was a fairly lengthy incident with a successful outcome.  My officers and their counterparts from other agencies worked professionally and efficiently together to bring the matter to a safe conclusion.

“I would like to thank Saltburn residents who have endured a degree of disruption– their understanding, support and co-operation is much appreciated.”

A leap day leap of faith!

February 29 marks the day that women can traditionally propose to men.

February 29 is a day that holds a special significance for many people. Not only is it a day that occurs once every four years and leap year babies can become a year older three years after everyone else, but it is a day that strikes fear into the hearts of men across the world. February 29 sees the gender roles reversed and women are suddenly allowed to wear the trousers and pop the question.

The tradition of women proposing to men on February 29 originates from 12^th century Irish folklore. Legend has it an Irish nun, St Brigid, asked St Patrick to grant permission for women to propose to their suitors, who were allegedly too shy to do it themselves.  St. Patrick allowed women to propose to their men every four years on a leap day. The folk take suggests that at the same time, St Brigid dropped to her knee and asked St Patrick the all important question but he declined, giving her a gown and a kiss as an apology. Irish tradition therefore dictates that if a man declines a woman’s proposal he must give her a silk gown and a kiss.

So what did this year’s leap day have in store for the unsuspecting men out there? Loose Women’s Lisa Maxwell became engaged this year when she proposed to her partner, Paul Jessup, in bed. One man was proposed to in the middle of Wembley stadium. Another looked down at the words ‘Marry me?’ drawn into the sand as he stood at the top of Blackpool Tower. One woman even wrote into the first Sun on Sunday asking her boyfriend to marry her. She had the paper delivered to their room while they were away for the weekend. Luckily, these proposals have happy endings (and surprising starts) but one unlucky woman was refused live on air when she rang her radio DJ boyfriend’s show. He said he was a traditionalist and wanted to ask her himself. Here’s hoping he does it soon!

But would you propose to your man? Or would you say yes to your woman if she asked? Although February 29 can empower women all over the world to do a job traditionally meant for a man and I commend the women for having the guts to do it, I don’t think I ever would. I like my traditions and I’d like the man to choose when to propose (but God forbid he ever asks at the wrong time!)

What do you think of this tradition?

Emma xx

Vandals prompt fountain switch-off.

The All Saints fountain in All Saints Square, Rotherham

CONTINUOUS vandalism of the All Saints fountain in Rotherham town centre has made it such a hazard it has to be turned off at night.  

The fountain, which is used by children to paddle in, has had broken bottles, food and litter dropped into it.  

Hooligans have damaged metal grids on the fountain causing the sharp edges to rise.

In February Rotherham Council spent days cleansing the fountain’s filter system after yobs poured washing up liquid into it. This cost nearly £600 to repair.  

The council says there's also been anti-social behaviour from young people riding mountain bikes and skateboards who congregate there at night. 

Principal engineer Graham Kaye said: “The Council has seen an increase in maintenance costs for the fountain year on year because of the anti social behaviour and in maintaining the safety of the fountain.”

Continual damage to the fountain’s pump means it will need to be replaced in the near future, costing the council approximately £10,000 to £15,000.  

The council decided this morning that the fountain should be turned off from 6pm to 8am in the hope that it will stop mindless vandalism. 

Freezing temperatures in winter have also caused the fountain and nearby pathways to become icy and dangerous to pedestrians. 

The council has decided that the fountain should be turned off from December to March to avoid this.