Luke John Frost

Living within close proximity to fast food takeaway outlets has been associated with rates of obesity and weight gain. Calorie-for-calorie, unhealthy food (typically foods high in fat, sugar and/or salt) costs less than healthy products such as fruits and vegetables.  Over half of British adults have experienced an increase in the number of fast food shops on their nearest high street since they started living there. Reducing the concentration and clustering of hot food takeaways within an area, and restricting permission for hot food takeaways within close proximity to schools, will have both direct and indirect health benefits. Reducing access and consumption of the types of foods sold at hot food takeaways (particularly those containing high levels of trans-fat, saturated fat, salt and sugar) will contribute towards achieving a decline in overweight and obesity levels, and reduce the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease. Many local authorities have develope...

Not that long ago I spent almost a full month down by the River Tees getting young people into sporting activities, but whilst down there I discovered that on most days the River was quiet and not many people taking advantage of this great resource we have. So, after finding time to take a break I ventured over to Preston Park Museum and Grounds to hop aboard the River Shack boat that ferries people from the Park to Yarm and back. It was splendid. I got chatting to the people who organise the day to day activities and found out that they had the same ideas as me, although they have the funds to go through with it. The discussion was all about bringing visitors in to the area and to get them spending money in our economy, which is exactly what I have been saying for years.  So after spending a few hours in Yarm, having a bite to eat and a pint or two I hopped back onto the boat to head back to Preston park, this time the boat was full of families and individuals who had...

Living in a disadvantaged area hampers young people's development: area-based deprivation is strongly related to higher crime, poorer educational achievement, health problems and high levels of disability. These factors have a knock on effect on the local environment and community spirit, with residents in poor areas experiencing roughly four times more social and environmental problems than residents in more affluent areas. Sport and outdoor physical activity can have a positive impact on young people's lives, yet youngsters living in disadvantaged areas face many barriers to participation. So why focus on sport? Sport makes a significant difference to young lives: it contributes to young people's health and, therefore, their development; it involves engaging with other young people in a positive way, thereby helping to avoid trouble; and it encourages concentration, motivation and other learning skills that help their education. However, young people living in disadva...

Over the past year or so Teesside has become the highlight of such shows as Benefits Street and Police Interceptors and whilst I admit to being a fan of PI, I am puzzled to why Channel 5 would choose a location such as ours to film in and more importantly why our Police Force would allow our area to become the talk of Social Media.  Quite some time ago I asked the Police and Crime Commissioner about why he thought this would be good for the area and pointed out the fact I love to "talk up teesside" ... So does he apparently.  Mr PCC commented that the "force made the decision to be involved with Police Interceptors to highlight the successful collaboration between Cleveland and Durham through Specialist Operations Unit" which is great, I think the officers of our police forces do an amazing job and are overstretched and undervalued.  Mr PCC also stated that "It should actually instil pride in the area and the work of police and partners" - I am ...

I attended the Battle of Britain Remembrance Service yesterday to pay my respects to those who gave their lives to protect our land.  It was great to see a good turnout as always and the weather played its part too. Father Mark lead the service and the Mayor of Thornaby laid a wreath on behalf of the town. After the service we moved to the Cemetery for a short service, before placing remembrance crosses on the war graves. As I do each year I mark the graves of the unknown with a cross and I ended up walking around the Cemetery to place as many crosses as possible for the fallen. Lest we forget ( You can see more images by going to facebook.com/ThornabyCP )

I have been asked today why do I want to set up a Soup Kitchen and Food Bank when my other events are very successful. Well it simple ... Need and demand is the reason why I want to set up a Soup Kitchen and Food Bank, we are living in times that are seeing local people struggle to provide for their families whilst in and out of work. We are seeing increased levels in fuel and shopping bills are amounting up. We live in a society where those in need are left behind whilst those with it all flourish and thrive. My idea of opening a Soup Kitchen is not a new one. Back in 2008 I wanted to do something that could help, but at that time I was only a bairn and had education and work to contend with. But now I am in a position to help. I believe the Youth Zone will thrive and expand and there is a plan in place to make it the very best that youth provision can offer anywhere around. Big words, but I do like to take a challenge head on. Within our great town we have several defined commu...

An appeal has been lodged to overturn the decision to refuse permission to open two takeaways on Lanehouse Road. The Appeals by Mr A Hussain are obviously not welcoming and it is still my view that these units should not become takeaways. Lanehouse Road already has a handful of takeaways and I am fully against creating a junk food culture in Thornaby. Of course, I am just a resident, but a resident with a passion in what lies in store for the future of the town. The close proximity to two Primary Schools and in an area with high levels obesity in itself should be enough to refuse once again. However, the last time I sat in front of the planning committee, it was made clear that Stockton Borough Council had yet to adopt a local health strategy when it comes to planning. Its my opinion that since the refusal last time the council have had time to get this moving, if they have done this, I am not aware. On the other side of the argument is of course the fact that these two units...

Over the past few month I have been super busy with a lot of planning and a lot of paperwork to get to a stage where I am in a position to help others within Thornaby who are struggling to make ends meet. I have somehow managed to take the partnership from creation to 3 big scale events for young people to a Soup Kitchen in the space of a 20 month and it doesn't seem to be slowing down. Which in my opinion is great news and shows that what I and the Partnership are offering is in demand and that the challenges that were kept for behind closed doors are real and that although Thornaby is a great town with amazing people, when it comes to the harsh reality we would prefer to shut up and put up. We have families living on next to nothing and some who have been sanctioned but still need a way to feed their 4 children, due to a government contract not  being suitable for the modern era. We have young people who have been left behind with no provision or support to get them active. W...

My second horticultural show has come and gone and despite the weather the locals showed true spirit by turning up in their thousands and enjoying not just the array of vegetables and flowers in my tent but what was organised by the Thornaby Town Council, in particular Councillor Sylvia Walmsley who put in many hours organising a brilliant show. I hope to build on the sucesses of this year and take that forward to next September where hopefully I will have the time to organise another show with some great people. But don't take my word for it, here are some images of this years Thornaby Horticultural Show.

So as you can see it has been since August 9th since I last updated this blog. Now I haven't been sat around watching the TV or even travelling the seven seas. What I have been up to is getting young people active and into sport at no cost to them or their parents. The Summer Programme finished just over a week ago and since then I have busy with the Thornaby Horticultural Show (Next update) and also paperwork for the next event of the Partnership which will see 80 young people take to the river for one last time this year. 229 young people down - 80 to go - 309 for our first big year. Not bad for a volunteer with a vision for a change.