By Jennie Finch

THERE will be a day-long exhibition coupled with a public symposium in Saltburn next Friday to examine and discuss the town’s Valley Gardens.

The area covered by the Valley Gardens has seen a significant drop in funding in recent years with the loss of the wildlife rangers, sale of the tearooms and disposal of the wildlife centre.

While a sum of some £90,000 has been allocated to the upkeep of open and green spaces in Redcar and Cleveland, there is no formal maintenance budget for the Valley Gardens and any work done is on an ad hoc basis.

There is concern about the safety of several steps and access paths from the top of the town and one path has been closed off completely, pending repairs. Flooding is also a constant threat.

In addition, several important features, most notably the Albert Memorial, are in need of urgent repair and restoration if they are not to go the way of the Old Bandstand and Halfpenny Bridge.

The picture is not totally bleak, however. Saltburn has a strong tradition of voluntary work and a number of groups have stepped in to ensure the Gardens continue to offer a range of attractions to residents and visitors.

Many residents routinely litter-pick areas while out walking and the Friends of Valley Gardens have stepped in to provide educational and recreational opportunities as well as undertaking some of the much-needed heavier work in the valley.

The symposium will offer all residents a chance to consider and discuss the future of the gardens and to contribute to a sample plan for the future management of this important area. As well as the three free sessions, which will examine the past, present and future of the valley, the exhibition in the community hall offers a chance to see photographs of some of the lost buildings from the past 150 years .

Attendance at the symposium sessions is free but it is recommended people register in advance to make sure of a place. This can be done at the Library or by e-mailing SymposiumSaltburn@gmail.com.