It’s thanks to Ray Brown for this photo of the pier as it used to be at Saltburn, I should be able to remember it like this but I guess the memory is going because I cannot recall it   but doesn’t it look lovely?  Now I have been reading about the pier and at one time it was 1.500 feet long and the seaward end we see here was removed by a storm on October 29th 1974

Lovely old photo of Cowbar can anyone date it for me?

Once again a photo believed to have been taken between 1880 and 1895, but it is not as we know Saltburn today.
(photo courtesy of Pem Holiday and thanks to David Richardson for the update)

Mrs. Roberts and the dog are watching as the goods are delivered to the shop in Spring, 1969.

Thanks to John for the photo.

Mr. and Mrs. Roberts built the business up and eventually had the shop rebuilt with brick.

Thanks to John for the image and information.

Mr. and Mrs. Roberts retired in 1984.  They are pictured here with the new owners, Jim Frost and his wife and one of their children.  They had a special day, ’This is Your Life’ and wine, and were presented with the red folder.  Mary Breckon is in the doorway and the new owner’s name has been painted above – J.S. Frost & Sons.

Thaks to John Roberts for the photo and Marjorie Magor for information.

The shop and house in 1984.  It changed hands again, once or twice, over the years and the shop has now gone.  There’s a garden in its place.

Thanks to John Roberts for the photo.

1878 the date on this poster and the houses for sale are the newly errected 23 and 24 West Road.
(photo courtesy of Pem Holiday)

The only time you would have got this view a few years ago was if you were on the steel works, but it does show the jetty off very well.
(photo courtesy of Pem Holiday)

The top photograph was taken at Staithes, on the Cowbar side with the main village in the background.

At last a photo that I know what’s going on, that’s just because it tells us on the photo. The laying of the pipe organ at the Weslyan Chapel late 1880’s
(photo courtesy of Pem Holiday)

Another Esk Valley postcard  image! “The Nest”  (now demolished) was situated in Ainthorpe, slightly lower down the hill from the Fox and Hounds and on the opposite side of the road. It gets a mention in the first paragraph of an interesting account of life in times past called “An Ainthorpe Childhood” by J.P.Lynas which appears as a pdf.file within the North Yorks Moors National Park website. The quickest and easiest way to get to it is to put the words ”Ainthorpe Childhood” into your search engine!

Thanks to Owen Rooks for the image and information.

Mrs. Sparkes kindly sent us this set of images following her comment on ’Rebuilding Skinningrove.’ 

Workmen are busy on the roofs at Marine Terrace in this photo.  The end of High Street has been knocked down.

Can you tell us more about this time of change in Skinningrove?

(Image courtesy of Pat Sparkes)

Part of High Street and Cliff Street have been demolished and a bulldozer is clearing some of the rubble in this image.

The view of the Steelworks on the cliff top has also changed over the years.

(Image courtesy of Pat Sparkes)

The terrace of cottages at Marine Terrace have been reduced to a pile of rubble.

(Image courtesy of Pat Sparkes)

Looking back into the village from the path to the jetty.

(Image courtesy of Pat Sparkes)

A view of the steel works from High Street, Skinningrove.

(Image courtesy of Pat Sparkes).

Skinningrove High Street from the seaward end, looking towards The Square.  The chapel and co-op buildings can be seen in the background.

(Image courtesy of Pat Sparkes).

A view of Skinningrove taken from the old path round the cliff to the jetty.

(Image courtesy of Pat Sparkes).

Construction of the Raithwaite Culvert and road (Whitby to Sandsend) in 1920s. 

(photo courtesy of Pem Holiday, thanks to David Richardson for the update)

This photo shows all that remains after the Halfpenny Bridge was blown up a lovely landmark gone but not forgotten.
(photo courtesy of Pem Holiday)

Grove Hill is getting a new road about 1982/1983.
(photo courtesy of Pem Holiday)

A lovely photograph of Ruswarp Mill on the River Esk.  It was a corn mill, built in 1752, and rebuilt after the fire in 1911.  It is no longer a working mill.  I think it has been converted into apartments. 

The road and railway cross the river over the two bridges below the weir.

(Image courtesy of Mrs. R. Unthank).

A lovely shot of old Staithes another place that never changes.
(photo courtesy of Pem Holiday)

A photo I have never seen before you can see the legs of the Loftus to Carlin How viaduct in the background of this photo and the culvert looks finished.
(photo courtesy of Pem Holiday)

I remeber the re-building of Skinningrove but can’t remember when it was I am waiting for someone out there to tell me.
(photo courtesy of Pem Holiday)

Somewhere different I don’t think we have another photo of Liverton or of these cottages what I always knew as Petches Cottages am I right?
(photo courtesy of Pem Holiday)

What more can I say about this photo? Once again thanks to Pem Holiday

Not yet completed Mount Pleasant at Carlin How, come on you people what date would this be?
(photo courtesy of Pem Holiday)

Now we have the houses of Mount Pleasant all inhabited.(photo courtsy of Pem Holiday)

A lovely shot of the front at Redcar in the 1930s, showing the pier, I remember going dancing there but there was no pier left then.

A little out of our area but Icouldn’t resist posting this and now you know what I am going to ask, do you know anyone in the picture?

The fire occured on the 25.09.1911, couldn’t tell you who anyone one is though. (David Richardson)

Thanks David

Owen sent us this photo and wrote:   ’The image attached is one that has intrigued me for years! It’s a very old and very small snapshot which I’m fairly certain is of somewhere in the Esk Valley. The interest for me lies in the fact that there quite clearly are industrial workings (mining, quarry?) shown with the railway line running below them across the picture. Whilst the quality of the photograph has much deteriorated, I have done my best with the scan.  I would add that my father’s family lived in Danby in the 19th century.                                                                                                                                The station can now be identified as Castleton.

(Image and information - Owen Rooks, with additional information from Eric Johnson and Derick Pearson. )

Torrential rain fell in the area on the morning of the 2nd July, 2000, half the month’s usual rain in just six hours. The cloudburst caused flash floods and the water swept down the valleys into Kilton Beck, carrying fallen trees and branches along with it.

The photo shows the old bridge, between the trees, just below Kilton Mill. The logs and debris jammed against the bridge and blocked the beck.

(Thanks to Kathleen Hicks for the set of images and information).

The logs jammed against the old bridge created a dam and the garden of Kilton Mill filled with water.

This photograph was taken less than five minutes after the log jam at the bridge gave way.

The surge of water flooded over the road.  Geof Robinson used his digger to make a barrier to try and prevent the water from flooding Overman’s Cottages.

Then he rescued people in the village from their bedroom windows, in the digger’s bucket.

This is the last photograph taken before the water surged, literally in minutes through Skinningrove, leaving devastation in the wake.

The garden opposite Overman’s Cottages was flooded by the beck water and the shed destroyed.

The roof of the shed from Alan Treloar’s garden was jammed against the old bridge.

The water rushed down the beck, and swept straight on at the end of  Zetland Row.

The torrent of water swept down into the village.  More tree branches built up against this bridge and the beck  burst over its banks.

The water flooded through The Square and down the High Street.

Back along the road towards the mill, the surge of water has gone through but the beck is still very high and branches are heaped up.

A final thanks to Kathleen Hicks for submitting this sequence of images. If anybody has any more of the same event please contact us.

This photograph of Loftus Bank was taken by Mike Grange on 3rd June, 1972.

The ridges in the field behind the mill are the site of the Australian Army camp.

(Image courtesy of Carolyn Richards)

Carolyn Richard’s grandfather, William Grange, was manager of Skinningrove Co-op after Hinderwell, and lived in High Row, Loftus.  We don’t know when this photo was taken.  The windows look as though they have been dressed for a special occasion.  Can anyone help us?

The motorbike belonged to Carolyn’s father, Harry Grange, and she believes this was taken in the mid thirties.He traded the bike in for an Austin car just before the war.

We just get a glimpse of Hutton Street and the steel works behind the Co-op.

(Image courtesy of Carolyn Richards)

This is a photograph of the unveiling ceremony of Hinderwell War Memorial on Armistice Day, 11th November 1921.   The Memorial stands at the junction of the A174 and Runswick Lane and this view looks very different now.  

Carolyn Richard’s grandfather, William Grange, was the Co-op Manager at Hinderwell.

(Image courtesy of Carolyn Richards)

Lovely old photo of the mill with no sign of the works on the hill, can anyone date this photo? Please
(photo courtesy of Derick Pearson)

An oldie of Brotton Chemist Corner taken from the bank up to it. Probably around the early 1900s.
(photo and caption courtesy of Derick Pearson)

Brotton Co-op, again very early c.1900. Note the Salvation Army building on the right above High Wall and just above it St Margaret’s Church. Also note the wire frame Gas lamp in front of the No 1 Branch Co-op.
(once again thanks to Derick Pearson for photo and caption)

An update from Julie Riddiough: ”

Hiya its actually the Co-op drapery which was later owned by Ivan Dawson from Loftus and became Brotton Drapery, them became the New Methodist Church in the 1980’s. In the gap to the right of this building was a Large Tent like structure which was the first Picture House in Brotton opened By Joseph E Huntrods the photographer who lived in Errington Street Brotton and operated his photograph studio out of the back of his parents confectionery shop.”

This one clearly shows the Salvation Army Hut on the right and also the RC Church further up on the right, with St Margaret’s just in the picture. The Horse drawn cart on the left clearly states Brewers of Malton. They certainly covered some ground, albeit a littler slower in those days.
( photo and information from Derick Pearson)

Brotton High Street again.This time the photo is taken off the High Wall. Plenty of people about and this is earlier than the last one as there is no Salvation Army Hut, no RC Church, the entrance to the quarry is visible and so is the Blood Tub (Queens Arms) and St Margaret’s church prominent on the hill top. Note the 4 complete Gas Lamps as well. Things don’t change so much men still gather at the High Wall.
(photo and information courtesy of Derick Pearson)

This photo is a bit of a rarity as well. It is of an experimental Bottrail Tractor on Saltburn beach around the 1920s. I couldn’t see this as being very successful due to the length of the treads. Too many parts to go wrong. Perhaps that is why we never see this kind of thing to day. It must have been quite a bumpy ride too.
(thanks to Derick Pearson for the photo and information)

The ’Ovenbeg’ was carrying a cargo of china clay from Fowey in Cornwall to Grangemouth in Scotland when she was driven ashore, just to the west of the pier, by a strong gale.  This photo shows just how close she was to the pier. 

(Image courtesy of Kathleen Hicks, copyright – E. Graham, Redcar)

The upper image shows a view of the ’Ovenbeg’ from the beach.  It was hoped to refloat her as the weather moderated during the day of 7th May.  At nightfall the gales blew up again and repeatedly smashed the ship against the pier.  Eventually she broke through, causing a 70m gap, and finally washing up on the beach at the other side of the pier, a mangled wreck.

(Image courtesy of Kathleen Hicks.  Source of information – ’Piers of Disaster’ by Martin Easdown).

Earl Primrose born 1st May 1957. Here with my Grandfather training him. Photo taken looking from Lumpsey fields toward Broadbent Street at Brotton. Earl Primrose was sold to Gurney’s in Hemel Hempstead, another renowned Cleveland Bay breeder at that time. He was a beautiful natured horse and a pleasure to work with.

Thanks again to Derick Pearson for the photo and information)

Stanley Chapman Junior, Stanley’s son, here at Danby Show August 19th, 1960. This little colt was a real beauty.

 (photo and information courtesy of Derick Pearson)

Fair Lad here taken with my grandfather in Lumpsey Fields again looking toward the top of Kilton Lane Brotton. Just above the horses muzzle is where the new Brotton Hospital now stands. This Horse went to Miss Kitching’s at Dale House, another famous Cleveland Bay owner.

(photo and information courtesy of Derick Pearson)

My grandfather on the old cart in Lumpsey fields. Looking toward North Skelton on extreme left and with Skelton Town Clock dead center on horizon. This was Lady Dolly in the shafts, she was a pleasure to work with. Cleveland bays were multi purpose horses, the could hunt, do point to point and were tremendous workers. Size for size, they took some beating. My grandfather in this photo was about 78 years old and had spent a lifetime with horses. He finally achieved his dream when his champion (Chapman) was purchased by the Queen, who’s buyers came to see them at Brotton. He won a Professorship and Title with the BERRY SCHOOL OF HORSEMAN SHIP in Ohio USA in 1912. The certificate is still in the family. He was one of only 2 people in England to ever win it by correspondence and was booked to go to Ohio on the Titanic from Southampton in 1912. Circumstances prevented him from going. How fortunate, I may never have been here to tell the tale had he gone at that time. Another thing worthy of mention is that the original Cleveland Bay was called a Chapman. It was a Tinkers or Pot, Pan and Knife sharpeners horse. Those travelling people were called Chapman’s in times of old, hence the name which was attached to the breed. Grandad was always proud of this, saying these horses were named especially for him and that is why he named his champion ”Chapman”
(thanks again to Derrick Pearson for the photo and information)

The postcard says it all, some lovely shots of Staithes, a busy scene on the beach, it looks as though the boats are coming in after a busy day fishing.

Carlin How Workingmans club, and shop (long gone) on Brotton Road. This photo is I believe 1911 to 1912. Note Railings and Coping stones still not complete indicating job not quite finished. Hence the guess at the date as the club opened in 1911. Also note center left, Blaylock’s House / Shop and outbuildings on bottom end of Maynard Street. This was taken down in the 1960s to make the bend easier for the larger buses. Wonder who the young Lady was.

(photo and description courtesy of Derick Pearson)

Roger Barwick advises us: ”My Grandad, Harold Bowling, was probably the first steward at Carlin How club. He moved from the old soldiers club in Hemsworth in West Yorkshire when my Mam was 1-2 years old and she was born in 1910, he eventually became the landlord of The Maynard Arms but I am not sure when he took the pub over. Quite a number of people may remember my Uncle Harold or Tim as he was known who joined the police force and was awarded the BEM for work he did when he was stationed at Staithes.”
Thanks to Roger Barwick for the update.

Brotton Chemist Corner or Welford’s corner as it was at the time of the photo. I would suggest early 1900s.

(photo and description courtesy of Derick Pearson)

Micklow Cottages at the triangle junction of Micklow Lane and the the road to Street Houses from Skiningrove. (Thanks to Eric Johnson).

Two ladies as named at Boulby Barns about 1920
once again thanks to Owen Rooks for the photo.

Mr. Bennison, John Dowey and Mr. Russell sitting on the bench outside the Institute at Boulby ’Tin City’.

(Image courtesy of Mr. Ray Conn)

Not a very clear image but we haven’t got many of Margrove Park .
(image courtesy of Mike Holliday)

Well the photo is dated and tells us what is happening so there is no more for me to write.
(photo courtesy of Mike Holliday, but originally from a CD produced by Derick Pearson.)

Okay somewhere else that I do not know where it is but I know that someone out there will tell me, Please.
(photo courtesy of Mike Hlolliday)

Now correct me if I am wrong but this is locally known as the ’top house’ yes?  Nice to see a tinted photo, loaned by Mike Holliday

Who was in this band where were they and what date is it?

(photo courtesy of Mike Holliday)

Makes you shiver looking at this photo, do you remember the winter of 1947?

(cutting courtesy of Mike Holliday)

What more can I say about this photo?   The caption says it all, peace and tranquility.

(photo courtesy of Mike Holliday)

A different view of the square at Carlin how showing, Skinningrove Amicable Industrial Society c1920, or as we knew it PORRITT’S Shop. How clean and presentable they were then even without all the mod cons we have.

(photo courtesy of Derick Pearson)

This photo of a family gathering at Micklow Cottages was taken about 1948.

Along the back, from the left are:  Mary S. Hogan (Cooke), William Hogan ( b. 1870), Ruth Kitchener (Cooke), Lilian Wilkie (Cooke), Edith Baker (Cooke), Robert Cooke, George Kitchener, John (Jack) W. Cooke holding the little boy who is possibly Gordon Cooke, and Issac Newton Smith(b.18-1955) he was the street cleaner and rat catcher for Loftus..

Standing in front of them are: ??, Winifred Cooke (Crow), Hannah M. Cooke (Newton), Frederick Baker and Hannah M. Kitchener.

The two children in the front are: Elizabeth E. Wilkie and Peter Kitchener. 

(Image courtesy of Keith Bowers and information supplied.)

Margaret Bowden(nee Willis) and her son, Ted, are on the left.  Margaret was a midwife.   Mary Stainthorpe Hogan (nee Cooke) is in the doorway with her nephew, Charles Kitchener. 

The photo was taken at Micklow Cottages about 1951.

(Image courtesy of Keith Bowers)

I don’t know the date of this photo but Hurd’s woodyard took over after Duckhole pit was closed. On top of the hill we can see where the ’buckets’ or aerial ropeway turned.

(photo courtesy of Mike Holliday)

Here we are in deep water again, would you say this is about the 50’s ?

(photo courtesy of Mike Holliday)

Eric  Johnson tells us: This image is from the book ”Middlesbrough” by Araf Chohan. Pre-1914 photo of Parker Dining Rooms, located at 34 Bridge Street East. the spire of st peters church, above rooftops destroyed in bombing raid in 1940.”

Thanks to Eric Johnson for the update.

This is a nice photo of Carlin How Square in the early 1950s. Notice all the telephone wires going to the large chimney stack on the centre house rather than to the lamppost as today. Also note the bus stand on the left where everyone used to catch the bus Loftus / Whitby Bound. The Bus on the right is marked Workmen, it is obviously the day shift ending time from Skinningrove works. Note also what was called Cunningham’s house in the centre of the junction at that time.

(photo and caption courtesy Derick Pearson)

I remember when we lived at East Loftus about this time a ’works return’ for dad used to be 3d a day, what’s that in today’s money less than 2p? joanj

This is an image Derick Pearson reproduced on a CD rom for an exhibition in 1983. The little Pony and trap I was told belonged to Peter Dormans family from Stanghow Hall. Peter’s Great Grandfather was Isaac Scarth who built Stanghopw Hall in 1776.

This Blacksmiths shop replaced an earlier one (c1800)which used to be under the Chesnut Tree at the entrance to the old easter field path, or for those who don’t remember the easter Field, Moorsholom wood path next to Stanghow Hall. This later one was there before the turn of the century and My Father was playing there in 1929 and got his thumb trapped in a large Grindstone which can be seen in the shot behind the bicycle on the right. A bungalow is now on the site of this old Blacksmiths shop.
When the photo is zoomed in one can see that the large board to the left of the doorway is advertising a Dwellinghouse for rent.

Bill Danby has supplied us with the following information about this image:
Tom Curnow, a Lingdaler and later a Skeltoner included this photograph in his book, “Skelton and its History”, which is available in local libraries. He describes working the bellows there as a lad.

2. Derick Pearson mentions the Scarths at Stanghow House.
The family were still there in 1917. Their son, also called Isaac, was killed, age 23, at Arras while serving as a Lieutenant with the local 1/4th Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment, on the 23rd April. The circumstances of the day and more details about him are described on my webpage here.

(image initially supplied by Mike Holliday, but particular thanks to Bill Danby and Derick Pearson for the above information.)

The High Street at Lingdale dated 1913.

(photo courtesy of Mike Holliday)

 A phot taken a short time after the one with the horses on also named Coronation Parade 1937

c1937 shows the same scene and if one looks at the shadow of the chimney pots on the shop roofs you can be certain they were taken on the same day and within minutes of one another. When zoomed in you can see even the people looking out of the windows above are the same people. I have the date on these as 1937 as that is what I was told they were many years ago when I obtained them.

A lot to see here, Liverton Mine in the background, the viaduct cutting through the photo and the railway on it’s way to Carlin How and to Loftus Mine (via the ’Z’).

The calcining kilns at Liverton Mines produced so much ”muck” that the whole area was in perpetual smog.  It is said that the clothes of the workers on the kilns used to rot in the acid air.

Viewed from Carlin How, showing the new railway bridge and the departing Loftus bound United bus!

As the road leads us into Skinningrove we can see on the right hand side the Station Master’s house, the two rows of houses are Primrose Hill and on the skyline with the works is St. Helen’s Church.

A view of Skinningrove looking over the gasometers, down the villag, towards the sea.  The terraces on Primrose Hill show up clearly.

A lovely copy of a postcard in the Bruce series, this time what we used to call First Foulsyke, dated 1904.

(photo courtesy of Mrs Pauline Ovington)

The outward appearance of these houses haven’t changed much over the years, we always new it as Second Foulsyke, but most now call it Far Foulsyke, but a rose by any other name.

A copy of a postcard from the Bruce series.

(photo courtesy of Mrs Pauline Ovington)

Taken in 1906 as Derick says a lovely reminder of how things used to be.
(image courtesy of Derick Pearson)

A Picture Postcard of the Men’s Reading Room in Carlin How. Provided by the Methodist Church (please correct me if I’m wrong) to try and prevent the old adage ”the devil finds work for idle hands”, these were a familiar sight in most of the mining villages. Here a man could read and improve his mind in his free time, thus improving his temperance.

Sir Charles was seen as a great benefactor both here (he lived locally at Grinkle Hall, Grinkle Park – now a hotel) and at Jesmond, near Newcastle. His funeral on March the 7th, 1907 filled the little church at Easington, which he had erected as a memorial for his wife.

The image was a half-tone (an image made up of numerous little dots) and the scan has caused patterning, unfortunately. Has anyone got a better image?

A lovely photograph of sunlight and shadows on the landscape, taken from near the top of the cliff path, looking over the cottages of Boulby towards Staithes and Runswick Bay.

(Image courtesy of Mr. R. Conn)

A picture of one of the terraces of Furnace Cottages, taken when the houses were being demolished.

(Image courtesy of Elizabeth Mellor)

This old postcard cannot be dated as yet – any ideas?

An excellent tinted postcard showing possibly an itinerant knife sharpener, dated about 1907?

Do you remember Vaughan Street like this? Obviously named after the mine owner.
(image courtesy of Joan Webster)

Viewing Huntcliffe from above the chalets which still exist, overlooking the Beach Cafe as it used to be before Rosie O’Grady’s or Stella Mar.

A different view of Saltburn from Huntcliffe, interestingly the pier is is shown with a substantial seaward end (compared to the present day truncation).

First of a series of postcard views of Saltburn, showing a view of Old Saltburn cottages, beside the Ship Inn and a view down the lower section of Hazel Grove from presumeably a bandstand now no longer in existence.

This aerial view of Staithes was taken from over the sea  in 1952/3.  The old village looks much the same as we know it today, except for the railway viaduct dominating the valley.  The Cod and Lobster looks odd, being so dark and not white. 

(Image courtesy of Mr. R. Conn – Copyright Jimmy Blumer,Darlington)

An aerial view of Staithes taken from over the land, looking towards the sea, about 1952.  The viaduct and railway line can be clearly seen.                  

It is interesting to see how development has started at the top of the village and to compare it to what we know now.

(Image courtesy of Mr. R. Conn – Copyright Jimmy Blumer, Darlington)

A rather rough sea but the jetty is clearly visible with the big crane ’Jumbo’ waiting to brought into action. Taken from Skinningrove village.

Another hand-tinted picture postcard.

Not so much the castle but the ruins of what must have been a beautiful castle, not as much can be seen today as it is difficult to find in the undergrowth with brambles and nettles covering what remains.

X marks the spot not of treasure, but of the unsafe pillar of the viaduct that caused it to be filled in with spoil from the mines.

(X marks the unsafe pillar of the Loftus to Carlin How Viaduct. The condition of the pillar lead to the creation of the culvert to house the Kilton Beck and the infilling of the viaduct with iron stone mining waste to create the embankment we still see today. – John G)

Kilton Viaduct was infilled from 1907 to 1914 primarily so that ironstone could be worked from beneath it, particularly from the Carlin How mine. The picture was taken in 1911 when one pier cracked and train services were suspended for a fortnight while remedial action was taken.

Thank you once again Simon Chapman

A peaceful! photo of the water as it flows under the viaduct and on to the sea at Skinningrove. We are now aware that the beck at Skinningrove is not affected by any possible outflow from Scaling Dam, as this emerges at Staithes; the oveerflow from Lockwood Beck flows via Kilton Beck. Thanks to Tony and Kathleen Hicks for that information.

We apologise for the image, but we believe it is a copy of a George Skilbeck postcard and is possibly been taken in the 1940s.

Thanks to Derick Pearson for the updates. John

The waterfall doesn’t look like we see it now, the caption says Loftus waterfall but it must have been before it was built of brick.
Derek Pearson says: ”I believed it to be the one we used to call the “Steps” in the “Narrows” before it was constructed with brick/concrete. It looks right and also the photograph is taken from a lower standpoint again than the scene in front. I don’t believe Espiners decended with that many levels.”
Thanks to Derick Pearson for the update.

A beautiful building once owned by the Palmer family, now owned by a brewery and serves as a hotel, the pets graveyard is a place children love to visit to see where the dogs, ducks and other pets were buried.

(This view of Grinkle Park, probably during the times before it became the sporting hotel it is now, shows the glazed sun lounge to good effect. – John G)

A long walk by Hummersea farm to get to this beach, but well worth it, as we can see frequented by local people. I never knew what the ruins were, can anyone out there help?

(The ruins were the remains of the old alum house associated with Hummersea Alum Mine – Rodders)

St. Helen’s church stands high on the hill, with the two rows of Furnace Cottages clearly seen. There was a date stamped on the photo which said Dec 12th. 1904, maybe this is the date of the photograph.

”Tin City” as it was locally known grew up when the ironstone mine was in full production at Boulby, there was also the alum mine on the cliffs.

Two young boys pose to have their photograph taken in front of Boulby cottages or Tin City as it was locally known

A clever sketch by someone of a Zeppelin raid over Skinningrove Ironworks, anyone know the origins of this sketch?

We have been offered the suggestion (by Derick Pearson) that S. Grayson may have been the creator of this particular postcard, does anybody have any update on that. John

Of all the times I have been to Skinningrove beach I have never seen a sight like this, has anyone else?

The Working Men’s Club viewed from Brotton Road, a lovely building one hundred years old this year.

An interesting view of Cattersty Beach and the Jetty beyond, viewed from the cliffs, west of Skinningrove works.

A lovely picture showing how the jetty separates the beaches at Skinningrove, with Huntcliffe in the background. The road leads to Hummersea, North Terrace and Boulby eventually after many twists and turns. At one time this was the only way into Skinningrove from Loftus

A different view of the square, front left what is now the post office and shop with Nixon’s Bank leading up to Carlin how, as we start up the bank Hutton Street stands on the right handside, sadly another piece of Skinningrove no longer standing.

In front of Timm’s Coffee house can be seen the quoits pitch, a popular pastime, after the pigeons, of course.

Looking from Loftus down the bank we can see Whitecliffe cottages, Kilton Mill , Duck Hole pit just visible through the tree and Skinningrove Ironworks standing high on the cliff.

Here you are Norman as promised the photo from Derick and a lovely photo it is.

 Thanks to Derick Pearson for the photo and this is what he says about it.

This photo has the same 3 persons on it as the one already on the website, it was taken the same day about an hour later. These same 3 people are stood on the bridge at the high side of the culvert.

A pleasant aerial view of Foulsyke, possibly in early spring, dating from the 1980s?

Image coutesy of Cody McKay.

Aptly named as these cottages were so near to the works, there were two rows of houses and funnily enough were known as the Front row and the Back row of Furnace Cottages (not very original but very obvious).

You wouldn’t see Easington like this today, no new houses no council estate.

Note the bread van making his deliveries – but to whose shop?

Taken from Kilton Lane, Carlin How, we can see the shale tips of Liverton Mines with the mine just visible in the background.

Four or five cottages made up this row of fine freestone buildings with red clay pantile roofs. They were set in the fields, going through Loftus to Foulsyke. Just past the houses there is a small gate that leads via a public footpath to the cliff road. Over one field and then Arthur Fields came into view. If my memory serves me rightly there was a windmill in the field near these cottages, long since demolished (both the windmill and the cottages).

Seen here, the SS Northgate at Skinningrove jetty with the cranes busy at her side.

Skinningrove Station – ironically at Carlin How!

Who were the two people in the photograph?

Built in 1872 the Primitive Methodist Chapel at Street Houses, the former chapel now forms part of the farm buildings of Street Houses Farm. The stables beside the chapel experienced the Zepplin raid of 1916. Considerable burning took place, which is still evident in the rafters of the stables. The chapel (now in the process of repair by Tony Garbutt) survived to this day, despite being ”modified” for use as a barn by previous farm owners.

What can you say about an image like this other than I would have loved to have seen it looking like this before the viaduct was filled in.

The children had must have been told the photographer was coming and are eagerly waiting for their photo to be taken. Street houses now seems to have changed it’s name to Upton Cottages and what I knew as Upton Cottages, the few houses that stood on a slight angle at the junction of Micklow lane and the cliff road, have been renamed Micklow cottages. Has anyone else noticed this?

Street Houses, Primitive Methodist Chapel AD 1872. this chapel and thePrimitive Methodist Chapel at Arlington Street Loftus AD 1870. are unusual they are both aligned north/south instead of east/west as other christian churches are. is this peculier to Primitive Methodists (or a faulty compass). I was baptised at Arlington Street and I don’t know the answer.

Iain Warnes was born at Upton and christened in this chapel in 1939, his grandfather Walter Warnes, had a small farm at Upton. His Great Uncle Aaron Rolling had a smallholding at Hummersea next to Tommy Hart.

Thanks for all that information Eric

From the days when assistants (almost always men!) wore long white aprons. Early 1900s possibly. The building now lies derelict and awaiting demolition.

A photo that speaks for itself, SS Hummersea berthed at Skinningrove jetty.

This photo shows how Skinningrove was built in the valley with the gas works, gasometers and the mine buildings showing on the right hand side.

A change to have a coloured view of the works, the sea and the surrounding countryside, taken from the east of Skinningrove.

A cold snowy picture of the railway line from Carlin How to Loftus, had you crossed the footbridge and followed the path it would have taken you down onto Glovers Path where Whitcliffe mine was and then onto the bottom of Mill Bank leading you to either Loftus or Carlin How.

Some of the oldest houses in Skinningrove can be seen here on the right of the photo, the works are on the hillside and I wonder what mischief the young boys were plotting.

A plate from a book of views of Loftus.

This image of Skinningrove shows the orderly layout of a modern ”company village”.  Each company had their ideal design for the company accomodation – Warrenby was Sir Hugh Bell’s, Dormanstown is pretty obvious and Skinningrove was Pease’s.

The photo shows the Workmen’s Hospital, Marine Terrace and the allotments on the bankside.

Image from the book of views of Loftus.

St. Michael’s Church, Liverton.  A delightful church in equally delightful surroundings.  From the book of  views of Loftus.

A fine image of the main entrance to Sir Charles Mark Palmer’s residence.

From the book of views of Loftus.

Once the impregnable stronghold of the De Thweng’s, Kilton Castle fell into disuse when Lucy De Thweng married and went to live at Skelton Castle (not the neo-Gothic building that now occupies the site of the old Skelton Castle).  Even less of this castle exists today, despite its Ancient Monument status.

An idyllic rural image, just to show that the Loftus area wasn’t all Ironstone Pits and Smelters – well most of it was!

A very good image of All Saint’s Church at Easington, taken from the graveyard.

From the book of views of Loftus.

Another duet of photographs from the book of views of Loftus.

This shows the new Brotton Church in the top view and cottages at Runswick Bay in the bottom.

A view of Runswick Bay, nestled under it’s cliffs.  A popular place – like Staithes, with artists; a school of artists used to live and work here in Victorian times.

Another by Frank Meadow Sutcliffe.
(image from ”Photographic View Album of Whitby” – photographed and printed by Valentine & Sons Ltd., Dundee)

The beck in the foreground with Marine Terrace behind it, the pigeon cotes stand out rather well, Skinningrove always was a place noted for it’s pigeon racing.  Once more the works stand guard over the village.

The old bridge  in the foreground, no longer safe, so a new bridge was built.  This photo shows the opening of the new bridge.  The inset shows the cutting of the ribbon by Lord Zetland.

(Thanks Eric for confirmation of my thoughts)

A much used building years ago, it was built in 1875 by Pease & Co. sadly it fell into decline and had to be demolished.  When was that do you know?  Please tell

No smoke control at the time this picture was taken the houses seem to be making more pollution than the works.  The coal in use was probably ”won” from the works/mine, as it was traditional for the workmen to take coal as part of their wages.  This coal would be very sulphur-rich!

A beautiful pen and ink, or maybe a pencil, drawing showing one of the  bridges at Skinningrove, with the beck running through one part and the footpath going through the other.

A lovely shot of the beck making it’s way to the sea under the bridge which bore the zig zag railway.  The footpath comes down from Loftus .

I love this photo, two buses on Mill Bank , so it must have been a busy day.  Duck Hole pit is clear as is Kilton Mill.

That is what the caption on the photo says but what is happening there, Eric Johnson, Derick Pearson & David Richardson feels it is possibly work relating to the filling-in of the Viaduct in 1913.  I am waiting for your thoughts on this photo.

Not the most hygenic place to play, but these children seem to be enjoying themselves.  Am I right in suspecting that this is before the sewage was piped out to sea?

Obviously in the late 1960s.  This view of Carlin How shows passing United buses in the square.

How it is changed today!

That is the thought that came to mind as I looked at this photo and saw the man by the side of the bus, or was it like Lythe bank when the bus was full those standing had to walk to the top?  A lovely peaceful scene you wouldn’t see Mill bank so clear of traffic now.

(photograph courtesy of Kathleen Hicks)

Oops – this looks like a right purler!  Is the engine the bright shiny one we saw in an earlier post? At a guess the train got away on him and either the guard got his hand-brake on and the loco didn’t, or a wagon skipped the track and this was the result.  It looks like a train of empties, so I’m surprised that the loco couldn’t hold it on the gradient.  Looking at the collateral damage, I bet someone lost his job over this!

Grandmother Katie Easton holding a very young Ray Conn at 6 Boulby Cottages.

The cottages, known locally as Tin City, were listed in the 1911 census as Iron Cottages.  They were built to house some of the miners working at the Boulby Ironstone Mine.  The first ones were occupied by the end of 1906.  They were semi-detached bungalows built from corrugated iron sheeting on timber frames, standing on concrete foundations. 

The Boulby Mine finally closed in 1934 and over the next few years the tenants moved out and the cottages were demolished.  Ray has told us that tin sheets and timber went to Wards Farm at Roxby and were used to build a large shed.  

(Image courtesy of Mr. Ray Conn)

A solitary figure walking the beach at Skinningrove, once again a lovely photo, thanks to Eric Johnson for letting us scan it.

What a great photo, has the boat just come in from a fishing trip? The cliffs and the bay make a lovely backdrop.

(image courtesy of Eric Johnson)

A lovely photo of the jetty with the sea splashing over it, I remeber those railway tracks running down from the works and the crane ’Jumbo’ do you?

(image courtesy of Eric Johnson)

It was hard work stooking those sheaves and a skill to get them to stop where they were put without them falling down. Low Cragg Hall Farm (farm of Robert Hoggarth then Mick Bulmer),  features in the background. 

(image courtesy of Eric Johnson and thanks to Mick Bulmer for the naming. John)

A different farm this is Low Cragg Hall Farm (Robert Hoggarth’s), notice the combined harvester a little different to what we see today.

(image courtesy of Eric Johnson)

Heavy snow on Micklow Lane, featuring Scott and Guy Breckon with friend (see note below), in the late 1980’s. Pictured opposite the site of old windmill (in Joe Wilkinson’s field)

What’s the boy in the bottom right corner playing at?

(Image and information courtesy of Mrs. Breckon)

A view from the fields above Wood Road, looking over the gas works towards the sea.

(Image courtesy of Mrs. Breckon)

Mr. Conn’s grandmother, Grace Conn, is pictured on the steps of her small shop at 13, Lane End, Staithes.

(Image courtesy of Mr. Ray Conn)

Grace Conn moved from the small shop in the cottage at one side of Staithes Lane to the larger premises over the road, which later became the Co-op.  She is pictured on the doorstep with her assistant, Muriel Clark

(Image courtesy of Mr. Ray Conn)

John Thurlow feeding the chickens in the yard at Boulby Barns.

(Image courtesy of Mrs. J. Wilson)

John Thurlow is sitting on the barrow while one of the younger men is forking the hay off the cart to build the stack.

(Image courtesy of Mrs. J. Wilson)

An aerial view of East Loftus, showing the United bus garage (latterly Arriva, now closed) on the far right, with the playing field behind it.  To the right of the garage is the cricket field with the bowling green just visible at the end of it.  A lovely clear view of the streets and to the far left you can see the cemetery, the road in the  foreground is the A174 to Whitby.

The fact that this is called the Old Cemetery means that Loy Lane must already be well established.

Eric tells us ”cemetery was laid out in 1857, with mortuary chapel built in the “norman style”.”. – thanks for that Eric – rodders

Not the most photographed of places but this photo shows the church (or was it a chapel? ) very well. It is now being changed into a house (a sign of the times no doubt). To the left of the photo is the cemetery lodge once occupied by Mr Sanderson who looked after the cemetery.

My mother Elizabeth daughter of Edgar Sanderson who lived for a time at Cemetery Lodge told me that one night she woke to see a face looking down at her from the bottom of the bed. The face was surrounded by fog. She was very frightened and put her head under the covers and didnt look again till morning. Thankfully it never happened again. Thank you for that rather creepy but very welcome piece of information from Ann Wilkinson

That is what it says on the back of this photo and Tyne house was at East Loftus with the shop of Mr C Jones next to it. No I do not remember it as it is dated 1906 and I am not quite that old.  But after visiting there today I think the shop is number 1 Tyne Street, anyone any different ideas?

(photo courtesy of Mrs Pualine Ovington)

A street trader’s horse and cart outside the shop at the bottom of Tees Street.

Can anyone tell us more about this picture, please?

(Image courtesy of Joyce Dobson)

Frederick William Bowers, Harry’s son, is standing in the doorway of the shop at No 1 Tees Street, East Loftus.  Fred was born in 1916, so the photo was probably taken in the late 30s.

(Image courtesy of Keith Bowers)

I’m pretty certain that this is the shop which was run by the Misses Amy Thurlow and Florence Fletcher for a while in the late 1940’s early 1950’s. Amy Thurlow was raised at Boulby Barns and her family feature in several photographs on your site. As close friends of my mother, Misses Thurlow and Fletcher were both known to me as “Aunty”. I recall that at the time they owned the shop, the accommodation above it was occupied by the Brown family (Mother, daughter whose name I forget and son Colin)

 Thank you Owen for the above information I remember the shop when it was owned by Thurlow and Fletcher.

Mr Trillo selling his home made  ice cream in Tees Street East Loftus, I would guess the date to be about 1948.  If I am right then it’s Mrs Linton buying the ice cream for her son David.
(photo courtesy of Pem Holiday)

Another shop in East Loftus this time on whitby Road, this photo is dated 1907 and although I do not remember these people I do remember Ogden’s having this shop in the 1940’s and then I think Blaylock’s took it over. Do you remember it?

(photo courtesy of Mrs Pauline Ovington)

East Loftus Pad ’n’ Can or lodging house taken down in the early 1940’s I think,  if you know when or any more information about it please let us know.
(photo courtesy of Derick Pearson)

We think this image was taken in the 1950s .  Do you remember this boating lake?

Hiya my grandad remembers it. It was known as just Saltburn boating Lake. Whats left of it now is now the orange beck that runs through the valley gardens into the sea.

Where the cars are is now the car park and public loos, and the little hut behind them is the beach cafe.

I remember going to the kids paddling pool down there when i was little and my grandad telling me, that when he was younger the beck was a lot bigger and wider than it is now and it went under the road bridge too.

be great to find out who it is in the boat.

The street most prominent in the picture is Tees Street, shown from the rear, all streets there are named after rivers, Tees, Tyne, Tweed,  plus the newer builds  of Esk Terrace and Humber Close.

A beautiful hand-tinted image of St. Peter’s Church in Brotton. This was the third church to stand on this site.(image courtesy of Julie Riddiough)

Two contrasting images of the same grave in the same cemetery about 70 years apart. This shows a well kept graveyard and immaculate grass.
(image courtesy of Julie Riddiough)

The same graveyard some 70 years later – I can remember it when you couldn’t have found this grave, the grass was so long! At least the grass gets cut sometimes now! What a contrast.
(image courtesy of Julie Riddiough)

Another of the images that Julie has given us of this striking building. It was smaller than it looks in this image.
(image courtesy of Julie Riddiough)

This is the Wesleyan Chapel at Brotton. A fine Victorian building this stood in the upper part of the High Street.
(image courtesy of Julie Riddiough)

Another view of this fine church.

(image courtesy of Julie Riddiough)

This old postcard cannot be dated as yet – any ideas?

 As the iron railings are still there  I would suggest that it is earlier than 1940 as the railings were taken during the second war

Taken from the east, in the foreground is the roof of the Chapel then along Arlington Street, we see on the right the road to Spring Head and on the left Dam End, the road widens at the Market Place. The road on the right of the photo is the road that leads up to Micklow lane. A lovely clear photo.

The group are outside Staithes village hall and the certificates are from the R.S.P.C.A. for an animal rescue.

We have some of the names of the men in the photo: (from the  left)…….3.Harry Reed 4.Rev. B. Tatham ……7.Norman Conn ….9.George Hugill ….

Can someone add more details, please?

(Image courtesy of Mr. Ray Conn – copyright Tindales)

Members of the Staithes Coastguard Auxiliary Service, Norman Conn, Harry Reed and Harold Beyham with the life-saving gear for rescue from the shore.

(Image courtesy of Mr. Ray Conn)

Harry Reed and Norman Conn with a boy from Middlesbrough who had been rescued by the Staihes Auxiliary Coastguards.

Does anyone know more of the story, please? 

(Image courtesy of Mr. Ray Conn – copyright L.W. & C.D. Richardson, Redcar)

An image of the old St. Peter’s Church in Brotton, demolished about 1958 – all that’s left now is the plinth on which it stood (near to the graves of its priests).

A little more information has come to light in an extract from a booklet “Know your Parish” it states:-

“When St Margaret’s was built St. Peter’s became the mortuary chapel, this chapel was cleaned & restored in 1901 but was demolished later. When the workmen removed some large flagstones near to where the altar had stood they discovered a tunnel which had been bricked up some time in the past. The registers commence in 1641, baptism to 1881: marriages to 1901 and burials to 1956″.  (thanks for that information Ray – rodders)

(Thanks for the date Simon – rodders)

(image courtesy of Raymond Brown)

Now we can safely say that we have an image of Easington School!  This looks like a classic Poor Law School, boys one side and girls the other.
Ray says ”The one attached has come from Joe Fenby, he has lived in the now converted School for many years and has just celebrated his 90th Birthday, he was told that the Girl in the picture was his Mother but he cannot say for certain”.
(image courtesy of Raymond Brown)

A fine image of an old tradition, from the late 1950’s/early 1960’s, this lasted until the late 1970’s, being taken over by the Skinningrove Gala Association. It lasted until the late 1980’s. 

The photgraph includes several members of Colin Hart’s family. The boat featured belonged to his grandfather and was used each year to transport the Gala Queen through the village to the Boatman’s Hut which is situated just before the bridge leading to the beach. In later years the boat was replaced by a flatbed lorry. The Gala Queen featured is Joan England.

(image and information courtesy of Colin Hart and Pat Sparkes, with update on Gala Queen from John Kennedy)

It just goes to show that even the professionals can make a gaffe!  If you’re going to take a picture of a building then don’t take a picture of a socking great tree with the building behind it!

A lovely clear photo we can even see some of the head stones in the cemetery behind it, a beautiful building  such a pity it was bombed does anyone know when it was built?

Thanks to Norman Patton for this information.

The Wesleyan Newton Memorial Chapel was built in 1876, at a cost of £3,564. It is a handsome brick edifice with freestone facings, and will accommodate 900 persons. In 1885 the front was altered and improved at a cost of £405. Quoted verbatim from Bulmer’s Directory.

The text with the image says it all.  A beautiful building destroyed – there is one consolation, it could have hit any of the surrounding dwelling places…with probably more disastrous consequences!

A fairly recent image of Saltburn taken from the steep climb up the Cleveland Way behind The Ship Inn.
Ray would like to know what the building was next to the Old Mortuary – and Mr(?) Atherill tells us that it was Saltburn’s Lifeboat House (seems logical now you look at it! – rodders).

(image courtesy of Raymond Brown)

An early photoraph of East Crescent – Cromwell House - 1 East Crescent is the name of the first house in the left photograph and for a long time was home to the Lindsey family, Joe, Harold and Bernard the builders and their parents. The house got the name because Oliver Cromwell was suppose to have stopped there, the picture on the Arlington sign is that of Cromwell (It is an early 18th Century dwelling which was once used by Roman Catholics as a secret place of worship, when their religion was proscribed, perhaps as Cromwell was the antithesis of Roman Catholics his name was used to describe a safe house?  It once contained stained glass from Handale Priory and still includes stone taken from there (from Loftus Town Trail).

Who lived in the other house?

(image courtesy of Eileen Hicks)

(thanks Joan)

This is a picture taken looking towards Welford’s Corner (later known as Chemist’s Corner), showing the original sign for The Queen’s Arms.
(image courtesy of Julie Riddiough)

Showing the Methodist Chapel and the ”Grand Cinema”.

Eric says ”the grand had “double seats, at the back” for couples, and thats as much as i am prepared to say.” – ’nuff said Eric – rodders

(image courtesy of Julie Riddiough)

I’m still trying to place this – might need some help here (I know where Old Brotton is)!  Thanks to John I now know where this is -” This is the main Saltburn Road, viewed up the hill (probably from under the railway bridge or prior to it’s completion – and so not apparent on the photograph) and shows what is now known as poultry farm corner”.

(image courtesy of Julie Riddiough)

A postcard by Frith, taken from Chemist’s Corner looking towards The Green Tree, with The Blood Tub and War Memorial on the right.
Although entitled The Avenue, most will be aware that the terrace in the foreground, extending from the pub is actually Britannia Terrace.
Norman thinks the photograph was taken in Coronation Year – 1953.  Anybody think different?

Ray informs us ”If the date of early to mid fifties is correct, then the house with the aerial on is that of the Pub Landlord George Harrison, next door to this is the home of Mary Sanderson (my wife’s grandmother) who lived there from about 1915 to 1965 when she died and the last small property would be the home of George Cuthbert & his son Reg, Reg actually lived in this house when all three houses plus the Pub were put up for auction in 1970 – Reg at the time was paying 9/3d rent per week (the Landlord paying the rates)”.
(image courtesy of Raymond Brown)

A photograph taken from outside of The White House, looking towards The Green Tree again – slightly earlier time frame this time I’m thinking (but I’m open to suggestions), the road is white-lined and still the old cast iron road signs. It looks as though the old traffic precedence at Chemist’s Corner was equal from Saltburn or Brotton itself – an interesting state of affairs!  The little wooden hut on the corner next to the War Memorial was ”Kingdom Hall” and was apparently the meeting place for the local Jewish population (so Julie Riddiough’s grandfather advises), but to my understanding the term Kingdom Hall is used for meeting places for Jehovah’s Witnesses.  The same question as before, when was the picture taken?  Norman suggests post 1935, I can’t disagree with that, tarmac and road lining were in place by then and the old British Standard for road signs had been instituted.
(image courtesy of Raymond Brown)

Lovely peaceful photograph with Geo. Skilbeck’s name in the corner, did he take the photo or just sell the postcard?  Wish I had a pound  for every time I had walked across that waterfall,  we never saw any danger.

A different view of Hummersea Farm then we usually see.  In the distance is The Warrens.  I’d appreciate some input here, because there is a possibility that this isn’t Hummersea Farm.

(image courtesy of Louise Withnell)

This, I think, is when the Zetland Hotel was still a hotel and the lovely Victorian facade of the station, including the canopy was intact. Before expediency destroyed the excursion platform with its beautiful Victorian cupolas and when the station building was still a station building instead of a shopping arcade.
(image courtesy of Russ Pigott)

St Helen’s church was built in the plain Early English style, characterized by it’s tall lancet windows, and rounded arches. The inside however, is not so plain, and is a beautiful parish church. The architect was A. Crawford-Hick of Newcastle, who built a far grander church – St Aidan’s – Leeds; that has very similar detail.
The reason for it being built so close to the steel works, was simple, the steel works gave the patch of land for free!!
Thanks to Andrew Downs for the information.
(image courtesy of Raymond Brown)

Once again, beautiful though it is,  I have no idea where this is, answers please.

I think it’s an old print of handale abbey farm, built using part of the priory buildings.  Thanks to Eric Johnson for that information.

A well photographed place Skinningrove, but a nice clear photo, showing the houses and the works.

Wood Street, Carlin How viewed from 1960s Welding Shop and 1990s Goodhall’s Timber Company site. Now the new estate at the rear of Cliffe Avenue.

Information and image kindly supplied by Derick Pearson. John

A different view of Arlington Street taken from Chapel Bank,  on the left hand side it shows the grassy bank  and the beck that was  piped when the estate was built.

Arlington Street in winter sunshine, it shows clearly the two chapels, the Methodist on the left and the Wesleyan on the hill.  The Arlington Hotel is between them and couldn’t open util after 7 p.m. on Sunday evenings.

The houses between the Arlington Chapel and the Hotel were demolished for the chapel hall to be built.  Now the hall has been demolished and the chapel is no longer used.

A rather big gathering on Arlington Street and the people all look to be dressed in their best could it be  a Sunday, have they been or just coming home from church?

The chapel in the background was destroyed by a bomb in the second World War.

On the back of this photo is written ”Remembrance Day, November 11th 1920”, once again Arlington Street with the Wesleyan chapel in the background.

As Raymond says:
”This one is of Skinningrove Valley circa 1963. The old track bed of the line to Loftus/Whitby can be clearly seen with the track lifted from the BR closure (well before it was re-laid for CPL) and in the distance the pair of old Gas holders at Skinningrove. Note the lack of trees that now obscure this view.”

The concensus of opinion is that this is the first junction of the zig-zag, with the ’tail’ of the first section coming off the photo at the bottom (originally to run under the viaduct, but after the viaduct was in-filled, stopping short just before) – thanks Colin and Russ – rodders
(image courtesy of Raymond Brown)

Raymond says:
These dwellings were originally Upper Cleveland Street and have survived at least 2 condemnations to my knowledge – Lower Cleveland Street (except for numbers 1 & 2 – looking very much like semi-detached bungalows still standing) was demolished many many years ago.
(image courtesy of Raymond Brown)

Another well photographed location, maybe we already have this photo but once again there is quite a bit of information given here.

The posers are out in force again,  the photo shows Arlington Street and the entrance to St Hilda’s Place, these must be some of the older houses of Loftus.

All dressed up and posing for  photograph are the lady and gentleman in the photo,  does anyone know who they are?  Underneath the gas light not Lili Marlene but a policeman, the horse patiently waiting for it’s owner, the road in this picture looks as though it is not yet tarmaced.  Lovely and peaceful wish I was there.

A lovely hand tinted photo of the ever popular Arlington Street

The tinting was done with watercolours over the original sepia/black and white print and was very popular before the advent of cheap colour photography

Another street that hasn’t changed much over the years, although I don’t think so many people would congregate now if anyone came with a camera.

A photograph of Staithes Viaduct, taken from the landward side, I think, showing a 5 coach train travelling towards Whitby, headed by a large tank engine (possibly an A8 (4-6-2T) or maybe a BR Standard tank (2-6-4T) – or even a Thompson  L1 tank (2-6-4T)  – thanks to Mark Thompson).

What a remarkably scenic railway this was – nowadays it would be the ideal candidate for preservation – pity Dr. Beeching never thought about that!

A view the viaduct from downstream, looking inland.  The train is heading towards Staithes station.

Another picture of a train on Staithes viaduct – this time Loftus bound.

The engine is a BR Class 4MT 2-6-4T (”Standard” Tank) heading a local commuter train with some very mixed stock, including a non-corridor brake 3rd and a non-corridor composite 2nd/3rd.

I wonder if these photographs were taken at the customer’s request or as an early advertisement? A good image of a two wheel cart – too heavy to be a trap do you think?
(image courtesy of Julie Morrison)

A three-quarter view of the same cart, showing us more of the surroundings this time, is this what they called a tumbril?(image courtesy of Julie Morrison)

Dismantling Staithes viaduct (thanks to Eric Johnson for the information).

According to ”Subterranea Britannica” this occured in 1960. (John G.)

An aerial photograph of the rectory shows just how big it is, a good big family house for the rector of the parish.

An imposing building seen easier before the Arlington Estate was built, a new rectory was built below the old one (in the late 1970’s?),  subsequently the present rectory was purchased as an already built house on Micklow Lane, on the site of the Women’s Institute Hall.

Thanks to Steven Gale for the information.

Complete with the requisite street urchin!

This looks a fairly complex piece of shuttering. We’ve had quite a few images of the construction of the culvert, but none showing it at such an advanced stage!

(image courtesy of Eileen Hicks)

It’s a pretty poor title and time hasn’t been kind to the image either!  Some nice architecture on display here, would that be the gas works in the foreground? (I’m a sucker for leading with my chin!)

I want to know who the little girl is with the big hat!  An image before the iron horse this one, no metalled roads. 
Derick Pearson tells us: ”It is actually taken 2/3rds of the way up Loftus bank from the mill. The Pit and the Works are a givaway. I was informed many years ago that the wall on the photo led to 2 paths that cut through to the gardens to the right of(High Row) and to a place called THE OLD MANS park on the path directly behind the little girl. The old men would have a nice view from here overlooking both Pits and the Mill as the trees in those days did not go all the way down.”
Norman Patton adds: ”I recall not only the two pathways but three! On the high side, it was possible to walk along the bottom of the furthest “allotments” in front of St Hilda’s Terrace/Short Row. The central path led into the park where there were Swings, Roundabouts, a SeeSaw and several seats. This recreation area was revitalised during the 50s but again fell into dis-use. The third path was just below the Park and would have been wide enough for carts and possibly vehicles. This path might have lead to Loftus Pit and possibly Skinningrove before the Pit was opened? NN
Thanks to Derick and Norman for the updates.

Very topical this image – can’t think why I didn’t put it on sooner!  The urchin has been joined by his two friends and a sledge!

Looking towards the viaduct, from Mill Bank side.

The sun streams through the trees but we can still see the bridge at the entrance to the woods with the stream running under it.

Haugh bridge I have been told is the name of this bridge but I am sure many of you like me will know it as Dam End and the entrance to Espiner’s woods, now named Hancock’s woods.  The men on the bridge seem to be deep in conversation probably putting the world to rights.

I bet this was quite a classy photograph when it was new, before age faded the image somewhat.

Hummersea Farm was originally built for the Manager of the Alum quarries and works, the farm house being built to the right in an ’L’  shape layout. Elsie Hart was brought up on this farm. Thanks to Ray Harrison (son of Elsie Hart) for the update. John

Hmmmm….I feel I should know this one – and I wonder where it is (I think it’s a bit unfair to ask you to identify the person in the doorway!) – can you help me out here?

Chris Martin didn’t take long to crack the first part of my little puzzle, spotting the Land Rover outside the garage doors and the Raleigh Chopper under the window, so that probably does date it to the 1970s.

I’m not having the best of nights tonight! I don’t think the photographer was either, tilting the picture!

Another of those unknown images – can anybody enlighten us?

Yes I know we have already got this photo, but it doesn’t have the souvenir with it, each member was given checks to the value of ten shillings.  For those amongst us who don’t remember the ’old money’ that today  is fifty pence and the club could stop open until 11p.m. wow!  But I do remember going to the barbeque (now you are not going to believe this but they had kippers) – think how we used to dance, boys holding the girls with hands around their waist,  greasy hands smelling of kippers. Lovely. Derick Pearson has a copy of this brochure and informs us that the item dates from 1911, so a hundred years will be clocked up next year.

Thanks to Derick for the update.

Now have we already posted a photo like this?  I can’t remember but I am sure someone will tell me if we have.  A lovely clear photo of where the road used to go before being re- routed.  Duck Hole to the far right of the picture with the works on the hill, in the right foreground is the path that led up to the railway station.

This is Kilton Mill, before the ”new” Mill Bank was created.  Kilton Mill at the bottom of Mill Bank, called such because it used Kilton Beck water, which was diverted from Kilton Beck at the Long Dump, just downstream from the Culvert. (thanks Tony and Norman - rodders)

Training  School Workshops were next to Whitecliffe Primary School on Kilton Lane, towards the Bullit pub. Later moving to what was called the Training Centre, near the Ambulance Station at the rear of Brotton Road. Senior School puplils used to go there from school for Woodwork lessons and the girls attended for Cookery and Needlework.

Many thanks to Derick Pearson this excellent information. John

Looking towards the East Cleveland Co-operative Store, early twentieth century at a guess (un-metalled roads and gas lamps) – wish life was this peaceful these days!

The row of houses across the rear of the view (nearest gap) shows what is now the car park of the Maynard Arms, the site of Riggs butchers shop and in the 1950’s Lloyds bank.

Thanks to Derick Pearson for information and the image. John

Everybody turn out for the photographer!  It does help us put a date on the image though – turn of the century about 1899-1900 and about mid-day judging by the shadows!

Derick Pearson feels that the disappearance of the chimney stack at the rear of Wesley terrace may assist in dating the image, can any body help? John

Now, a significant event that took place in 1926 was the birth of Queen Elizabeth II – could this be a celebration of that event?

c1926. Note on this one Pit Chimney has definitely gone and also the shops joined together on the right are now in the name of  THE EAST CLEVELAND CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY. Note the bus also is commensurate with the time period.  Also note the FRONT fence on Front Street is still upright rails. No zig zag.

Thanks again go to Derick Pearson for the dating of this photo.

I remember the power station (but didn’t know what it was then).  That looks like bunting across the street – anybody got any ideas?

As Terry Clark tells us ”the bunting as you say sir it was jubailee flags sorry for the spelling mistakes and the power station is at the top of queen street and in it place now is a modern day commuintey centre as im a carlin how lad born and bread i was born in rawlinson street on the 6th june 1965 d day about 21 years after ww2 ended” and ”and behind the power station was a black wooden building called the club hall as it was the very first youth club in carlin how then the bottom end of carlin how add there very owen youth club behind st helens church then it later moved to the building next to the chapel near corus gate house well it was called british steel corperation b.s.c or as us young folk call it billy smarts curcus” – (you weren’t the only ones to call it Billy Smart’s Circus, Terry, we all did!  – and don’t mind the spelling mistakes, the story is more important, many thanks – rodders)

Do you remember the butchers, or the bank (now believed to have been Lloyds, then followed by Martins) that was at that corner before they extended the Maynard Arms, now a car park occupies their space.

From the left the properties were Riggs (butchers shop), Mrs Collins (lodging house) and the the four panelled window of the Maynard Arms (land lord was Thomas William Wood).

Information kindly supplied by Derick Pearson and Jean Wiggins.

Another angle of Cat Nab,  looks quite different a long the front, what are the buildings?  There is only one that stands there now the old mortuary.  Look at that beautiful long pier.

Same land mark different angle, the pier can be clearly seen in this photo.

One of Saltburn’s well known land marks, no car park there and is that the miniature railway in the background?

Not the Manchester one but the Carlin How Coronation Street with the air raid shelters in place 1943.  The young boy in the photo is named as Alan Dale, wise child has his steel helmet with him.

Another row of cottages falls in Carlin How, they were very near to the works.  Rather a dangerous place to leave a car, don’t you think?

Hands up all those who remember Wood Street at Carlin How and for those who don’t, well it stood where the car park for the Working Men’s Club is now.  This photo shows the demolishon of Mr Womack’s and Mr Goldby’s houses.

Thanks to Derick Pearson for both the photgraph and the information. John

Springhead Terrace viewed from an elevated position, possibly the property for many years occupied by the Gallilee family.
Eric Johnson believes the top house was known as the “belgians house”.

Thanks to Deick Pearson and Eric Johnson for updates.

There’s a lot of windows in these two houses – whose were they and do they still exist? (you can tell I’m not from Loftus can you?)

Richard Watson tells us: ”The houses in the foreground look like my mothers and the Gale’s on Micklow Lane. The side veiw shows a single lower ground bay window — a second floor bay was added before we moved in about 1961. The next block up was owned by Fred Hutchinson when I was young and the Colbecks lived in the one above that.”

The houses are on Micklow Lane, now surrounded by more recently built houses. Thanks to Bill for the information. Also to Richard Watson for the update.

This is a view from Mount Pleasant Road/Wesley Terrace in Carlin How, looking up the valley.

The building to the right is the gable end of the Zion Chapel now disused and standing at the head of the footpath to the Skinningrove Valley.

The first leg of the ’Zig-Zag’ can just be seen running down into the valley next to the protection signal, making it look like a double track.

I would guess the date as about 1925. The kilns at Liverton Mines have been dismantled and a solitary headgear awaits demolition.
Thank you once again Simon for that information.

A busy day on Arlington Street even though the snow is on the ground, there are two horses and carts.  The shop in the corner was owned by Tommy Wren, a dark musty kind of shop that sold everything or so it seemed when I was young.  A lovely gas light on the left hand side and no I don’t remember them.

Don’t think it’s fog or a fire I think it’s a fault in the photograph, but once again everyone stops for the photographer.  We do have a man in uniform, a policeman, don’t think he will be directing traffic as there is only one horse and cart in the scene, the road looks pretty dire with the pools of water, maybe it hasn’t been tarmaced yet.  What do you think?

The end of Loftus High Street looking towards the Market Place, we can see the shops; here there was a small general dealers, Mr Robinson’s bike and I think electrical shop, then came Finlays sweet shop.  Can we date it by the pram?

Eric says ”the first shop has the name S. Jackson on the sign. Kelly’s Directory of the North Riding for 1905, states ’Jackson, Sarah (Mrs), shopkeeper, 43 High Street Loftus”. (so we know that it could be 1905 – rodders)

A view looking towards the Market Place from Dam End, the shop on the left used to be Finlay’s sweet shop, the first shop was a general dealer’s then a bicycle shop that used to be owned by Robinson’s.  The gap in the wall on the right hand side, a horse trough that was fed by a natural spring.

Ah a busy day in Loftus as the two vehicles go towards the Market Place, what date would you put to this photo?

The image was taken from the form of Service produced for the dedication ceremony, held at 2pm on 11th November, 1922.

Light in the camera or a sunbeam rather spoils this photo, but we can still see the war memorial and the lions head pouring out water, with some of the older houses of Loftus in the background.

An interesting view of Skelton Cross Green, without the small park and War Memorial now situated beside the modern day traffic lights.

Interestingly the large double-fronted shop stood until the end of the last century, it is remembered (by Roger Barwick) as ”West End Corn Store”, when demolition created the space we now see next to the Duke William pub!

Must be the most photographed street in Loftus, the gardens on the left and the chapel on the hill made it a lovely picture. In this one in the right foreground is Tim Lines boot and shoe repair shop, what was the shop next to it, was it his shoe shop? Please tell.

Loftus again looking east from the Market place, doesn’t look very busy, we can see that the Wesleyan chapel has gone and the car makes me think of the 50’s.  Am I right? do let me know.

Not as we see it today and I don’t remember it being like this. Possibly dates as follows-

1891 Census list: Brittania Inn, 65 High Street, Loftus. Robert Bainbridge (Head) age 44, also described as Engine Driver; wife Mary age 39, daughter Ada age 18, son Timothy age 16 and Ada Rofern age 14 general servant. 

According to Kelly’s Directory of 1905: Robert Bainbridge is listed as Beer Retailer, High Street, Loftus.  

(photo courtesy of Pem Holiday and Eric Johnson for additional information.)

Not the hydraulic funicular we know and love today, but the original vertical lift – quite a scary contraption, no wonder they changed it out!

How often do you see a beach cleaner on the beach these days?

(image courtesy of Mike Holliday)

No need to wonder how this row  and the one next to it got their name seeing the close proximity of the furnaces. Anyone any memories of living there?

I remember them well i used to walk past these houses every working day from sept1955 till jan64 on my way to work i in the the fitting shop which was situated on the land immediately behind and to left of the two rows of houses. i also delivered sun. papers there for five years . a wonderful group of people who had little in the way of materialistic value but were generous to a fault.i recall the names of only a few the garbutts, the parrishs the summers, i went to school with sons and daughters of them all, doris summers worked in the drawing office as a tracer. her dad charlie was the trainer for the works junior football team. salt of the earth

Thanks to John Winspear the that information

The second lot of photos and on December 1974 and the bridge falls into the beck.  The cost of  £50,000 to demolish the bridge was far greater than the  cost of building it.

As you can see by the comments a photo of the bridge under construction has been asked for, so I appeal to you people out there do you have one we could borrow?  If so please take it into Loftus library where John will copy it while you wait. Thank you, Joanj

Do you remember the Half Penny Bridge?  Beautiful views as you walked across it but sadly it had to go, there are another two photos showing the bridge as it goes into the beck.  The cost of building the bridge (by Gilkes Wilson of Middlesbrough) was around £7,000 and sadly three men lost their lives whilst working on it.

This picture of Grosvenor Terrace in 1911 appears to show completion of the terrace.

Can anybody help in identifying the gentlemen in the photograph?

Oldham Street, Moorcock Row and the Victoria Inn are shown on this photo, of course the shale heap is very visible, all long gone now, although the name Moorcock Row remains – attached to the new houses built on the old site.  What  date was it taken – does anyone know?

How quiet the road. Pedestrians can wander without fear. How it is changed now!

Steve Kaye and Norman at the docks, with Peter and Sheena Smith. Unfortunately to date we do not have the horse’s name.  Was this the occasion when some wanted the docks removing?

The old  adage rings true you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.

Thanks to John Preston for the missing names.

Staithes branch of the Loftus Co-op in 1908. Following comments, I feel certain this is at Staithes. Derick Pearson notes that the blue flint bricks create a different pattern to cobbles. Julie Riddiough points out that Loftus did also have cobbles. But the sign indicating chapel, is a clear indication that this is Staithes. Thanks to all contributors for their assistance.

(photo courtesy of Derick Pearson)

A lovely photo, shows the narrow street to perfection and the ladies in their Staithes (or Steers as locals know it) bonnets, even if you go to Staithes now you never seem to see the bonnets so traditional and popular with the fisherwomen of Staithes.

Tom Hansell is the postman handing mail to Mary Bennison in this photograph, taken in 1922.

(Image courtesy of Mr. Ray Conn)

This image, taken from the Ha’penny Bridge (or Valley Bridge) in 1948, shows the original station of the Saltburn Miniature Railway – it was moved further towards the beach the year after this was taken.  The footpath was in better condition than it is now!  Notice the caravans where the picnic area is now.
(image courtesy of Saltburn Miniature Railway).

So you think that sand yachts are modern!

This beautifully quaint contraption took V.I.Ps, Military servicemen and Lighthouse crew out to the Lighthouse and Gun installations at the end of South Gare.

It looks like it might have been a grudge match!  I guess the Coke Ovens Team beat the Melting Shops, who appeared to produced this poster to mourn the passing of their team.  Of course the Coke Ovens might have had the poster produced as a jibe at the Melting Shop! (Read the comment from Colin Hart below to see the real reason for the production of the poster!  R.I.P.)

This card was produced by Mr Richlou, Carlin Post Office Owner, Photographer and Printer. (Many thanks to Derick Breckon for the information. John

Don’t remember the stray looking like this a lot different to the stray today.

Ah, Saltburn with a long pier, a little before my time ,but I do remember the long pier, the end was washed away with a storm in October 1974.

Thanks to Julie Riddiough for the update.

The photo caption says ’Farm near Boulby Cliff’ – it is confirmed as Hummersea Farm, but is  there anything else significant?

Anne Cammidge tells us: ”The photo shows the old cow bier buildings of Hummersea Farm. The building to the right was where the grain was kept and the flour grinder. The main farmhouse is set in the hill behind the trees. My mother Annie Hart was born and brought up here with sisters, Elsie, Ada, Mary,Hilda and brother Tommy Hart who eventually bought the farm from Lord Zetland. Uncle Tommy retired in the mid 80’s when he moved to Easington.”

Thanks to Anne for the update.

An early photgraph of Brotton Road, the picture obviously hides the then probably almost ”demonic” sight of the works behind this row of railway workers houses which were backed by the Saltburn to Whitby coast line.

At the extreme left of image is the water tank used by the locos to fill up before proceeding to Cragg Hall and the line towards Brotton. The building in the background (far right) was the engine shed built for the locomotives that worked the Skinningrove zig-zag. Until recently the floor, foundation stones, filled-in ash and inspection pits were all visible. (Information supplied by Mr Thompson and Derick Pearson)

Can anybody assist in identifying the lad and two small children included in the photograph.

Horse-drawn transport, dirt roads – early 1900’s perhaps, maybe even late 1890’s.  A good historic image of the bottom end of the Market Place.

Taken from a bed-room window it certainly looks wet and watery – 14th January 1957 - thawing snow left over two feet of water on Brotton Road, Carlin How.

Details courtesy of Jean Wiggins.

Pity that the image is damaged.  A United ’G’-type single decker plods valiantly on (it took more than a drop of rain to cancel a service in those days!).

The other side of Skelton High Street, on a lovely sunny day as the shades outside of the shops prove.  The Halfpenny Bridge at Saltburn can just be seen in the distance.

We don’t have many photographs of Skelton, it’s a pity this one has a mark down it, but lots have turned out to see the man with the camera.

Two lonely figures on the beach.

1903 and the bridge is washed away in the flood.

Lovely clear photo of the ’Grove with Grove Hill clearly shown.  Zetland Row is shown the cross mark on the photo is believed to indicate the Working Men’s Institute building of the time.
As several of our contributors point out, the cross usually was special to whoever originally sent the postcard or photograph. It often indicated home, holiday home or had a special significance.

Thanks to John Kennedy for the update.

How clearly the zig zag railway can be seen in this photo, Grove Hill to the right and Zetland Terrace to the left of it.  In the left hand bottom corner is written Geo. Skilbeck was that the photographer or was it sold by Mr. Skilbeck in his shop in Loftus?  HELP

A hand-tinted photo of the hospital and the second bridge as the caption says, the works can be clearly seen on the hill in the background.

Another lovely old photo of Skinningrove, does anyone know the date?  Far right is the miner’s hospital – is that a clue to the date?

A lovely photo of Skinningrove, not a lot has changed, the hospital has gone, as has Albion Terrace,  but can someone please help  me, was Albion Terrace  once known as Long Row?

In the last photo of the series the garage is up an running again. Although under different management the garage is still there today.

A sad day for Mr Stonehouse and a day I remember well, I wish we could go back to the petrol prices marked on the pumps, the most expensive in todays money would be about 32p a gallon, think I’ll go and fill up.

How things have changed in three years.

Carlin How hasn’t changed much over the years although the garage looks different now.

The second in a series of six photos, now it is looking like a garage.

1930 and the story of Stonehouses Garage at Carlin How starts, the caption under the photo tells all.