Luke John Frost

So it seems that Stockton could lose not just the HMS Endeavour Replica but also the Teesside Princess. However, it is not a surprise that this may be the case with both being underused and looking a little tired. But if Stockton was to lose these attractions it would dent any hopes for a Riverside Revival when it comes to Tourism. Stockton has of course a track record of losing heritage sites and overlooking moments of history but if the town was to lose the HMS Endeavour that would be a major blow to the area. Of course, some people think it shouldn't be in Stockton anyway and some preferred the TS Kellington to the James Cook Replica. I like to think that if the marketing was done correctly the Riverside would be a place of interest to visitors, such as the Hartlepool Quay and the HMS Trincomalee which draws in visitors from far and wide. Marketing is also something that has a tricky track record. It would be great to hear what the council think of this and I wouldn'...

For those that don't know I have been blocked by Facebook, this has happened 3 times in as many days. Facebook says that is due to being reported and in my opinion I most probably know who by. But never the less, I will continue to inform people of what I do and what I think by other means. Twitter and Blogger are to become my main source of communication and to be truthful Facebook was beginning to get on my nerves anyway. Fake news at its finest. So from now on I will get family members and friends to post the links up to this blog and if you are on twitter you can follow me at @LukeJohnFrost where you can also send me private messages if you so wish to do so. I know there was a lot of people who relied on this on Facebook. But not to worry, if you are not on Twitter you can still request my email or catch me as some do in the Town Centre or Library.

Over the past two years I have experienced the up and downs of being a volunteer, so much so that it has led me to posting this update. In December 2015, there was calls from local residents looking to air their views about the anti social behaviour within the town and after the lack of interest from ward councillors in Mandale and Victoria I took it upon myself to organise and pay for a series of public meetings aimed at giving local people a voice on local issues and it helped to a certain extent. One of the things that came from the meetings was my idea to start a youth provision in the town aimed at giving young people unique opportunities that they wouldn't of otherwise available to them. Youth Week 2016 was the first major youth based sporting event in the town and over 180 young people took part, this highlighting the need and demand from young people and parents to have more active youth provision locally. I then got together with family and friends to create the Th...

So we are nearing the half way point of 2017 and it has been like a roller coaster ride for myself. I began the year introducing the Cooking on a budget course to new adults living in Thornaby and drawing in resources to help with welfare advice and housing issues. The Community Cafe took on a new lease of life and was very busy at the times we were open. At the same time I spent quite a few evenings drawing up activities for young people so that they would have something to do throughout the school holidays. To say it has been exhausting is an understatement, I ended up being burnt out and sadly stepped down from the Organisation I founded. After a few weeks of walking around in circles I ended up putting my energy back into the Youth Zone and have since made it an Organisation within its own right, with new aims and a new way of working. I am now planning for the Summer Holidays and I am hopeful that we will see hundreds of young people in and on the water as well on other activi...

 I am pleased to say that we have a new Member of Parliament(MP) who will represent us in London and represent us he will. Paul has been a GP in the local area and has shown throughout the campaign that he is open to listen to people and talks openly about his views. After 7 years of a Conservative Member of Parliament we will now have a true voice in Westminster, a voice that is going to represent the majority of Stockton South not the minority unlike the previous MP for the area. I am also pleased that with the exception of Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland the rest of Teesside and Durham returned a Labour MP. I am also pleased that Jeremy Corbyn got people out to register and vote. His values resonate with many people and this showed on Thursday, despite the attempts of the Conservatives to belittle him with their dreadful and disgraceful election campaign. I expect to see some apologies from those MP's who had previously tried to stab him in the back. I have my per...

I have just come back from what was a fantastic morning at the local mosque. Thornaby turned out in force to show unity and that amazing community spirit that we hold so dearly. Over 200 people sat and stood to listen. I want to thank the imam and all the volunteers who made this day happen and talking to people afterwards the message was of love for the town. Thornaby Community has done itself proud today. Better still the media was there to see it.