Luke John Frost

The Category list for this years Annual Thornaby Horticultural Show are now out, this years Show takes place on September 4th at the Annual Thornaby Show. I am hoping this year will be its biggest yet and with all the work being put in, it should be another fantastic day. (Click the image to see the lists)

I will be holding a Community Litter Pick on June 11th at the Aerodrome Club on Queens Avenue at 11am. All are welcome, if you are Interested please let me know a day prior to the event.

The Stockton Flyer is soon to be launched on the High Street and you can get a glimpse of it as work continues to install it within the plinth on the hydraulic scissor lift. I am on record saying that I originally thought that it would be polished and an eye catching piece of art work ... It is however Art but I am not sure on the eye catching part. But one will have to wait and see what becomes of it and see if footfall will return to the High Street. If footfall doesn't pick up it would be a major loss in terms of finance that the taxpayer has forked out for. Fingers crossed.

After I finished on my Community Health Ambassador Stall in the Parish Gardens, I thought I would take the opportunity to have a look around the High Street and of course the Farmers Market, especially seen as how Yorkshiredales Cheese Company were in attendance and the Skinningrove Country Wine Company 🍷 So whilst looking around, I thought I would pop into the Rediscover Stockton Centre and see what Information was available for Thornaby and other parts of the Borough, I was quite saddened to be told that it was primarily for Stockton and the High Street and that they occasionally have promotional material for other areas. Now to me, Stockton Council are putting money into this venture and I am slightly Irate that people living in other areas are paying for a service that should be inclusive to the Borough, the whole Borough. I will write a letter to Stockton Borough Council and the Arts and Cultural Committee and ask them to include other areas in what is the principal...

I attended the planning committee meeting of Stockton Borough Council this week to give my view about the proposal to open up two takeaways at the Lanehouse Shops and I am happy to say that both got refused and Thornaby is that little bit healthier. I will add the video of the meeting to this update when it gets uploaded onto YouTube by the Council.

I had an opportunity earlier today to attend the North East Economic Forum (NEEF) and the topic was the EU Referendum at the Premier Riverside Stadium (UTB) - To say It was thought provoking and clear cut I would of course be lying, nothing about this EU Referendum is simple and easy to understand. The Dual was between Northern Powerhouse Minister James Wharton MP (Leave) and Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson (Remain) and the independent man in the middle was non other than the BBC Political Editor for the North East Richard Moss (Sunday Politics NE&Cumbria) The first speaker up was Phil Wilson MP and he set out the stall for why Britain must remain in the European Union with an opening statement of "It will be a mistake of monumental proportion if we decide to leave the EU" and "Time to play to our strengths" he went on to state a fact by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) that if "Britain left the EU we would have to renegotiate with all 161 members of t...

We have some great things to do in Stockton, yet not many people know about them. This is partly down to the lack of promotion of the tourist attractions. Which is something that angers me about the local council, if we were based anywhere in the country, but Teesside we would have people flocking to the area to visit these attractions, yet most hotels are occupied by business men and women on short stays or one night check ins. My view of the situation is that since the local LEP crushed the Tourism arm for the Tees Valley (Teesside, Cleveland, North Yorkshire, Durham) we have had very little opportunity to tell the world what we are about, yet the North East region does particularly well and so does Yorkshire with its "Welcome to Yorkshire" Campaign. Yet we have the Stockton News and local press. From someone who studied Travel, Leisure and Tourism at College, I wanted to work in the sector to promote the area, but by the time it came to leaving the college, the Vi...

Below is my letter to the Highways Department at Stockton Borough Council regarding the traffic issues on Baysdale Road outside of the St Patricks Catholic College. I am contacting you to see if there is anything planned regarding the parking on Baysdale Road, outside of the Schools at peak times. As you are aware Baysdale is a major artery within Thornaby and hundreds of vehicles pass through there on a daily basis and is also a section within the busy bus commute. I am for thinking that due to the lack of parking provision within the area this is causing traffic to build up and is becoming a dangerous stretch of road for both drivers and pedestrians alike. In a meeting recently I mentioned to councillors about creating parking bays on Baysdale Road by removing a section of grass verge outside of the St Patricks Academy to help with the flow of traffic, I think that would be a great scheme, although that will not stop parents from dropping their children off even if they li...

Below is a copy of my letter I sent the Chief Executive of Stockton Borough Council regarding Diamond Road and to ask if there is anything in place to stop the flow of speeding traffic. I am writing today to see if there is anything planned to stop the amount of speeding traffic hurtling towards the bungalows on Redcar Road in Thornaby. Vehicles are often twice over the speed limit when driving down Diamond Road and I believe if nothing is put in place to stop this there will soon be an accident and maybe worse a fatality. As you are aware The Mandale Estate has undergone redevelopment and there is now more housing occupying the area with what I believe three times the amount of traffic than a decade ago. Diamond Road is major artery through Thornaby and one that is becoming ever the more dangerous as the weeks pass. I am aware that councillors are pushing for a traffic light system on the Junction of Diamond Road with Lanehouse Road, however this will not deter spee...

I recently got asked why I did what I do when I don't get paid to do it and that got my thinking about exactly why I have a passion to work in the Community Sector, especially in Thornaby. Well the answer to that question is simple, in my eyes anyway. It all starts with family. So here goes ... My family has always been involved within the Community and has often led to working in local politics to bring about change. Starting with my great grandma Elizabeth Knox JP. She worked tirelessly within the community and set up the local meals on wheels in Thornaby using Head Wrightsons to prepare and cook the food to distribute to the elderly in Thornaby, she worked for the WVS who was based at number 9 Mandale Road and helped out as many locals as she could. She also organised day trips for the elderly women of Thornaby to go to the coast and visit the Dales, thankfully the day of the biggest coach crash in Britain's History she was unwell to go, but sadly over 30 people lost the...

I have seen many Facebook posts and plenty on Twitter to why we should be voting to Leave the EU this June, I have also seen the reasons behind the Remain camp. But for me, I have made my mind up based on what we get out of the EU here on Teesside and what we get off our current government and any government before it. Here on Teesside we do a great deal with the EU and the funding streams that come from it, it has helped our little region to grow and we now have an economy worth £11bn, not bad for a little area like ours. We have had funding to create jobs and businesses, funding to expand local businesses who are making their mark on the global stage and we get a good deal to get young people into work and out of Neet. Whether our local authorities are efficient enough with the money is another matter all together. The EU has provided funds to kick start a new digital age on Teesside with the creation of the Boho Hubs in Middlesbrough and Fusion Hive in Stockton. It has ...

I have been out for the second time this week to collect litter to ensure the place is looking better than usual, its not a big problem as I do it when I go to see if there is anything that needs reporting to the local council, but I do think that sometimes we are overlooked and nothing gets done, or seems to get done and the past few weeks the area where I live has looked an eyesore, it may be down to me not having time to pick up or residents are not bothered and are throwing their rubbish anywhere they like. Its a constant battle but at least someone is bothered about it enough to actually get it cleaned and when finished picking litter up turn around to see more litter has been dumped arrrghhh.

Below is my comment of objection against the plans to open up two further takeaways at the Lanehouse Road Shops, there is already 2 takeaways and a Cafe on this parade. I strongly object to this application on the following grounds, Health - There is currently a high number (9) of Hot food takeaways in the Thornaby area and this is without the inclusion of the KFC and Macdonalds Restaurants and the eating establishments on Teesside Retail Park that are situated less than a 15 minute walk from the location of this proposal. Anti Social Behaviour - Last year I arranged over 6 meetings with members of the public and the local authorities to raise awareness of the Anti Social Behaviour problems that are ongoing on this particular stretch of Lanehouse Road. Stockton Borough Councils Anti Social Behaviour team were present at all these meetings. Parking - Lanehouse Road is a main route through Thornaby and at times the stretch of road outside the parade of shops is impassable due ...

You may remember that a few year ago Stockton Borough Council rejected an application for a Travel Lodge Hotel, Harvester Bar and Restaurant on the old Springs site at Teesside Park. The reason at the time was due to it not being on North Shore and that it would have a "Detrimental impact on the High Street" if it was given. Now fast forward a few year, said Council now want to borrow money to develop a site on North Shore to construct a hotel due to the demand of midweek occupancy in other Hotels across the Tees Valley. Now, bare with me I am going somewhere ... It is either down to lack of long term framework that is costing the area or its simply down to the fact that the Council believe that other areas are not of value to invest in, especially if them areas have "Detrimental Impact on the High Street" I have said many a time that the ruling party within Stockton have a one sided view and favour an area such as Stockton Central over other areas,...

I feel the need to congratulate Thornaby Town Council for showing why it is a forward thinking Town Council, in the minutes published on the town Council website it shows clearly that the Independent run Council is steps ahead of the rest. The Thornaby Independent run Town Council has agreed to funding which will provide defibrillators for every School in Thornaby, but that is not the only thing the Town Council has agreed too, it has agreed to give funds to the Sea Cadets to help them renovate an empty building on Thornaby Place to create as their Hub. Brilliant news and to me, personally, money well spent ... However I doubt it is welcomed by the Local Labour Party on the Town Council as it shows that one member abstained from voting and on another agenda item objected to the Town Council adding a plaque to a bench in memory of two Stalwarts of the Thornaby Community who worked tirelessly for the town and the people of the town. Over the past few weeks I have noticed that th...

Earlier today I attended a Seminar on the Tees Valley Devolution and the VCSE Response to Devolution. I managed to get a few points across and these where as follows (Key ones). Environment - Local authorities have to build an environment that is, in the long term sustainable and one in which will boost the local economy and job creation/retention. Young People - The young people of Teesside have an important part to play in structuring how local government and the Devolution Deal works for all sections of society. Young people are the future and without there input, it is impossible to create a movement for change within the many levels of politics. The VCSE Sector by working together can reach out and act as a catalyst for young people to have their views heard about their future. Skills & Employment - I pointed out that the apprenticeship scheme has many flaws and that, in some cases is causing more damage to young people than achieving its original goal. We can...

A Framework for the Future of our local Health Services - Darlington, Durham and Tees

Today marks the 4th anniversary of the Picture Teesside Campaign to promote Teesside to the World. It has been a great success and continues to build momentum each week. When I first launched Picture Teesside I was unsure of how it would be received on social media, I didn't have to worry one bit. We have reached over 1.1m with an average weekly reach of 48,000 and we are picking up more likes as the days go by. I wanted to create a page that showcased the very best of what Teesside had to offer and what there was on our doorstep that was unknown to many people, many who live on Teesside. I wanted to tackle the general stigma of what the media was putting across the airwaves. The streets of bordered up terraced housing and the chemical works and areas of decline that proceeded the  Shipyards, the Iron works and the Potteries. We live in a fantastic area and one in which should be shouted loudly from the summit of Roseberry Topping to the passing ships off the amazing Yorkshir...

It has been a busy week and its only just turned Wednesday, so far I have attended 7 meetings and made sure Thornaby is not missed out any opportunities that may becoming our way. Putting in over 70 hours per week is sometimes an uphill struggle as a volunteer but I have the mindset that it will be much better for our great town in the long run. I have met with Organisations this week and will continue to do so in an attempt to bring support services closer to home to try and benefit Thornaby families who are struggling at this time, as well as to get out information to members of the public about support and advice services that are free and easy to access. Later this month I will be holding a pop up information drop in at the Thornaby Central Library to promote the Community Partnership and the work I am doing with the Hartlepool and Stockton CCG as an Health Ambassador, gathering views from Thornaby residents. The Drop In will also be a place to look at information about other...

Great to see Stockton Borough Council Highways Department out on Diamond Road filling in the vast number of potholes as a temporary measure until road surfacing takes place later this year. I'd like to thank Stockton Borough Council and Neil Schneider for there quick work in fixing the issue that has been a plague to many motorists and cyclists.

It has been a while since I last walked through Alison Trainer Park, the last time I was there the bins were rusted and damaged, which led me to go to the Town Council and ask if anything can be done to fix them, gladly the Town Council agreed with me and ordered 4 new bins (2 litter and 2 dog) It may not seem a lot to many people but the area has improved and people have started to use the bins and there is less litter and dog fouling happening on the circular. So a big thank you to Thornaby Town Council for taking action and replacing the damaged originals. The Park itself looked great in the sunshine today and fingers crossed there's many more like it.

It was great to see the Gateway at the Five Lamps in full colour yesterday with the rich colour of the tulips rocketing skywards. Many are sceptical when it comes to public spaces and bedding plants but I think a bit colour raises spirits and showcases the area as a place to live, work and play. If we lived in a world full of bricks and mortar we would be pleading to have open spaces full of colour where we can enjoy the fresh air and even on occasion, escape from the everyday struggle. This Autumn I will be looking into a planting scheme to help boost the appearance of a few areas within the Town, hoping to get my hands on many thousands of bulbs for spring and summer.

Over the past few month I have been on a quest to improve the situation on Diamond Road in Thornaby and try to get the pot holes filled in before the planned resurfacing this summer. Now many people may think why bother if its getting resurfaced, the problem with it is that as a major road through Thornaby it has an higher than average vehicle use and the road gets crossed by many hundreds of pedestrians each day. If someone was to fall and get caught up under a car, who would be footing the bill. That's right us, the taxpayer. But its not just pedestrian safety I am thinking about damage to vehicles and bicycles will cost quite a bit to fix if you where to hit a pot hole. A couple of weeks ago, I managed to get Stockton Borough Councils Highways to come and fill in some of the more dangerous holes and this they did within a short period. However when you look further down Diamond Road, like many in Thornaby it is covered in pot holes, both big and small. Yesterday (30/04/16)...

Hello and welcome to In my Opinion blog. Here you will find my views and opinions on local issues within Thornaby and the surrounding area. Many issues are political and as some are aware I am politically Independent and a former member of the Labour Party. Some are also aware that I have intentions for standing as a councillor in Thornaby in the next general election, a while off yet, but I believe you need to be active all year round, not only at election times. I will try and update this blog as often as I can, however I can not promise a daily update as my role as a Community Volunteer is demanding and time consuming, often resulting in me working a 70+ hour week, all in the name of love ... for Thornaby. I am also on Facebook and Twitter if you need to contact me.