Frederick W. Bothroyd – Watchmaker and Jeweller -  5 Zetland Road, Loftus is listed in the 1901 Census, but not in 1891. Jayne tells us: ”The image is of Frederick William Bothroyd standing proudly in his shop. His brother Herbert Bothroyd shared the premises and operated a cycle shop, hence the tires in the front window. F.W. Bothroyd set up his watchmaking/jewellery business at Loftus in c1890 on the High Street. He moved premises to Zetland Road by 1894, first at 27 Zetland Road and then at 5 Zetland Road until 1914.”  This image possibly dates from the mid 1890’s. This is based upon records which indicate he married in 1892 and by 1901 had three children, the eldest being Richard 6 years of age. The site is now occupied by a cafe and amusement arcade. Interesting that the next door way to the right of the image leads to ”refreshment rooms”.

Image courtesy of Loftus Town Council and many thanks to Jayne for the update.

A different collection of images of Loftus on a postcard.
Image courtesy of Ken Johnson.

A lovely view of Loftus Market Place,taken by Rita Unthank in the mid 1980’s. We are advised by Steven Steyert: ”I would say the photo is not as early as the 60′s and is more mid 80′s , The white mk3 escort van parked was only built from 1980 – 1986”.  How peaceful it looks.
Image courtesy of Rita Unthank and thanks to Steven Steyert for the update.

A tinted postcard view of Arlington Street; with the Chapel and bystanders standing in the road. Not t0 be attempted today!
Image courtesy of Maurice Grayson

Foulsyke from the air, obviously a lovely sunny day!

Image supplied by Cody McKay.

Another picture of the Angel – obviously early 1900’s judging by the balcony on the front.

Another early image of the Angel Inn, Loftus, some time late 1890s from the style of dress. Brian Parker believes he may have relatives featured here. The 1891 Census lists: ”31 High Street: Edward Collins 56 years Innkeeper, Annie Collins wife 50 years, George Oliver 39 years Ostler/Groom,Florrie Cuthbert 19 years General Servant/Domestic, Bessie Ammonds 8 years Visitor, Barnie O’Hara 57 years Visitor/Lodger.”
Can anybody help with names and dates?

Image courtesy of Brian Parker and thanks to Eric Johnson for the update..

Well here I am once again asking for help, do you know this terrace of houses and where they are? Could it be East Crescent?
(photo courtesy of Eileen Hicks)

David Richardson tells us:-

These are the houses at the end of East Crescent, the structure on the hillside behind them is a Nursery.

Thank you for that confirmation of where these houses are Hurray I was right for once.

Another one of Eileen Hicks photo’s named Higher Zetland Road. I love the horse and looking closely at the pavement near the horse it looks to be raised quite high, what date would you put on this photo?

The road that leads to South Loftus looks a muddy mess but of course they wouldn’t have been tarmaced when this photo was taken.
(photo courtesy o Eileen Hicks)

Yes Loftus from an unusual place, viewing over the field now occupied by the Cromwell Avenue estate, you can see the Town Hall and the church in the background, a lovely postcard loaned to us by Mrs Waton.

Once again of Loftus Market Place but look at the Angel Inn how lovely it used to be. What date would you put on this postcard, Loaned to us by Mrs Waton?

A lovely photo of the cliffs at Hummersea loaned to us by Joyce Dobson.

Joyce Dobson loaned us this rather good photo of the alum house at Hummersea all the others I have seen the house has been in ruins.

In the background is Carlin How (Duckhole) mine which started production in 1873. In the field below the mine you can see rows of prefabricated dwellings which were built in 1915 to house miners brought to replace those engaged in the war. It is also thought they were used to accommodate Australian servicemen during the same period. Can you add anything to this ? The only buildings still recognisable are the mill and house in the foreground.

Image courtesy of Keith Bowers

Thanks to Mrs. S. Dohring for this photograph of her uncle’s shop window, dressed for the coronation of king George VI in 1937.  The shop was at 32, Zetland Road, Loftus.

What a lovely postcard of Loftus loaned to us by Joyce Dobson

Looking over to Upton Cottages and Street house Farm, took me a while to realise where it was. Thanks again to Eric Johnson for the loan of the photo.

A cutting from a newspaper dated 20th June 1939 with the caption – Good view of Loftus bank showing the improvement to the roadway corner, with Skinningrove works in the background.

Miners who work in a mine beneath the road inspecting one of the huge cracks on Mill Bank, 2nd of March 1937.

A piece of land on Mill Bank was let for a nominal fee by the Marquiss of Zetland and the park was made by 80 volunteers from the Loftus West Road Social Centre, one of the schemes for relieving the monotomy of the unemployed, transforming 3 acres of wooded land into a beauty spot, the park and children’s recreation ground is hoped to have swings, a sand pit and other attractions.

There’s no mistaking this waterfall in Espiner’s (Hancock’s) Wood. 

Thanks to Beryl Morris for the image.

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.

Another lovely aerial view of a different part of Loftus, any places you recognise?
(photo courtesy of Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum)

The title says ”Loftus Wood” but where was this waterfall?

Image courtesy of Beryl Morris.

An early aerial view of Loftus.  The High Street runs diagonally from the bottom left corner, through the Market Place, to the top right.  There is so much detail in the picture, I find it fascinating and have been comparing it to Google Earth’s view of the same area.  Many of the buildings are still standing, but this photograph was taken before the buildings behind the War Memorial were demolished.

(Image courtesy of Carolyn Richards)

A lovely aerial view of part of Loftus, can you see your house here?
(photo courtesy of Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum)

Joe Ward  brought us this set of snaps that were taken in the winter of 1962/3.  He was working for the Council as a painter and decorator but the weather was so bad there was nothing else to do and they were set on snow-clearing.  In this picture Joe and casual labourers are digging out the lane to North Terace. We have a comment from Dorothy Marsay: ”the gentleman at the back right of the photo could be Frank Dale and it could be Doreen Cooke at the front.” 

Thanks to Ray Tough for that update.

This is Charlie Bibby standing on the snow drifts beside Hummersea Lane.

Percy Simpson was driving the tractor, clearing the snow on the lane above Spring House Farm.  I think that it’s Micklow Cottages and Street Houses that can be seen in the background.  When were Micklow Cottages demolished?

Thanks to Joe Ward for this set of photos and information.

Thanks to Beryl Morris for this postcard view of the wood taken from down beside the beck.

”Haugh Bridge, Water Lane” is written on the back of this card, but we don’t think it is.  Could it be the footbridge at the bottom of Slater’s Banks, taken from the field?  The ’Private Wood’ was felled and cleared round about 1970 and has since regrown.

On the back of this card it says ’Photo by T. C. Booth, Loftus, Yorks’.  Rev. T. Colledge Booth was the Pastor of Loftus Congregational Church.  He came to his first pastorate at Loftus in June, 1897, when the church was in the building on North Road.

A lovely photo of the bay c. 1910, kindly loaned by Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum, but look at the smoke from the works no clean air in those days.

A lovely view of the cliffs and the sea, there is Hummersea bay, Skinningrove and Cattersty, the jetty can be clearly seen and the  smoke tells us  where the ironstone works are.  Hummersea Farm can also be seen, as can the shine of ”snilah ponds” in the centre of the image. ”Snilah ponds” are believed to have been the settling ponds for Hummersea Alum works.

Thanks to Eric Johnson for the update.

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

Yes – we’ve had this one before too, but the description is different(!) and it’s a good image.  Where were the coast guard’s cottages?  Does anybody recognise the two people in the doorway?

Eric says: ”of interest in the photo, are the upstairs windows, they are of the ”yorkshire sash type. in which as can be seen in three of them, the lower left hand panes open ”sideways” by sliding to the right. unlike normal sash windows with the upper panes sliding up and down.
i think the coastguard cottages are now known as warren cottages towards the alum quarry.”

That answers that question then – thanks Eric – rodders

Another idyllic setting looking much the same today as it was when this photo was taken, secluded and peaceful. 

(A hand tinted postcard view of Hummersea Farm, today much altered and improved from this scene. – John G)

Thanks to Jean Dean for the image.

A colour-tinted view looking over Hummersea Farm towards Boulby, with Snilah Ponds catching the light above Hummersea Bay.

Image courtesy of Bery Morris.

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.”

Holly Enticknap has the following memories: ”We converted the cow bier into our home, and called it The Barns. I’ll always remember there was a bottle stuck to the wall in the cow bier, about 20feet up! We never did figure out why it was there as there was no way to reach that hight without ladders?”.

Thanks to Anne and Holly for the updates.

A different view of Hummersea Farm we see today, now much changed with a larger range of dwelling houses.  In the distance is The Warrens. 

Holly Enticknap tells us: ”We lived in the barn on the right hand side, we converted it into our house, it took 8 years to complete!”

(image courtesy of Louise Withnell and thanks to Holly for the update)

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

A view from the cliff looking down on the alum house at Hummersea.

Thanks to Tina Dowey for the loan of this card that was posted in 1907.

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)

The caption says it all – the favourite occupation of all sea-side dwelling children – splodging!

This photograph shows the bottom of the steps down from Hummersea Farm to the beach.  The stone-built structure is thought to have been used as a kiln for the burning of cemenstone – which was obtained from the uppermost levels of the alum shale.

Thanks to John Roberts for the photo.  Information re the kiln from ’Steeped in History’ edited by I. Miller.

This photo shows the new steps in place, down the cliff from Hummersea Farm to the beach, in November 2006.  The old kiln looks the same as in the earlier photo.  Are the steps still there, or have they been damaged by the sea?

Thanks to John Roberts for the photo.

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)

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)

Yes it really is a beached whale this photo was taken about a month ago.(photo courtesy of Julie Morrison)

Micklow Cottages at the triangle junction of Micklow Lane and the the road to Street Houses from Skiningrove. Demolished in the 1980s and originally known as Micklehow Cottages they were one of the four collections of cottages originally developed for the alum workers of Hummersea and Boulby.

(Thanks to Eric Johnson for this image).

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

(photo courtesy of Mike Holliday)

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, Peter Kitchener. 

The photo was taken at Micklow Cottages about 1951.

(Image courtesy of Keith Bowers)

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)

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

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)

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.

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.

1920 when this vehicle from Crow’s fair ran away down Mill Bank, penty of people there to give advice. Vehicles running backwards down Mill Bank was a common occurance many years ago.

Peter Turvey has advised: ”This photo shows a very rare Showman’s road locomotive – one of the few traction centre engines built. They could act as the centre of a set of gallopers (a type of roundabout) as well as haul loads on the r0ad.”

Thanks to Peter for that update.

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

Image coutesy of Cody McKay.

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). This collection of cottages sadly no longer with us, were similar to those of Micklow Cottages were developed to house the alum workers of Hummersea and Boulby.

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.

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.

Thanks for all that information Eric

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.

Supplementary information supplied by descendants of Tommy Hart.

A plate from a book of views of 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 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)

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. Allan Hoggarth advises us: ”I am sure this is Eddie Jackson! He used to have a lock-up on Dam Street where he would leave his cart and stock. I seem to remember he had a small attachment to the building for his horse, (couldn’t swear to that though. The building was burnt down one weekend by vandals. Never saw Eddie again after that!”

(Image courtesy of Joyce Dobson, update thanks to Allan Hoggarth)

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 Holliday)

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)

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 wonderful view of Victoria Terrace in quieter times. Note the gentleman in bowler hat and tail coat standing in the road talking! Obviously no buses or speeding traffic; and note the iron railings are still present, obviously pre 1940!  

Image courtesy of Michael Kilvington

Chapel Bank Loftus looks as though some traffic has had a bit of a struggle to get up the bank with the snow.
(photo courtesy of Julie Morrison)

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 on 15th March 1941 @ 4.48am. (Bombing information from Bill Norman’s ”Wartime Teesside Revisited).

”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.”

Thanks to Norman Patton for this information.

A lovely tinted postcard of East Crescent showing the Chapel on the bank and a horse and cart making their way up the crescent. Wonder what he had on the cart?
(photo courtesy of Joyce Dobson)

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!

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)

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.

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 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.

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.

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)

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.

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.

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.

Hasn’t changed much has it? Only the name of the butchers has changed a few times over the years.
(photo courtesy of Derick Pearson)

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?

The gap in the wall on the right hand side, a horse trough that was fed by a natural spring.

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)

Ah a busy day in Loftus as the two vehicles go towards the Market Place, dating from 1986 (according to Martyn Richardson-he can remember the Saab parking in the Market Place at that time!). Thanks to Martyn for that update.

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.

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 Holliday and Eric Johnson for additional information.)

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.

A rather grainy picture showing the market place, strange to see it without any traffic.

This looks a pretty similar photograph to all the others but if you look at the name above the shop in the foreground it is not Dodds as we have usuall y seen, but Mackenzie Bros. Image is pre 1906, Charles Jardine Dodds moved his business to Smithfield House in Zetland Road in 1911, having traded in the Market Place for five  years.

Additional details courtesy of Jean Wiggins.

A tinted postcard of the North side of Loftus Market Place, from the early days of the 1900s, possibly pre 1906.  Zachary Moore’s old hall is between the bank and the Angel Inn.

Here we are in Loftus Market Place yet again, the awnings are out so we guess it must be a nice sunny day.  McKenzies shop is in the foreground with Slater’s chemist next to it, the post office would be next and then the National Westminster Bank.

Another photo courtesy of Joyce Appleton showing the Market Place about 1928, with the working mens club on the left, the chemist and post office come before the bank and Slater’s shop is there by the side of the Angel Inn.

Yes I know we have a photo posted like this but not with all the snow, this was taken in 1908, memories of a few months ago.

(thanks to Pualine Ovington for the loan of the photo)

We have been here many times but this is the first photograph I have seen with some market stalls, wonder what they were selling?

Taken from the west we can clearly see where  C.J. Dodds shop was, the other buildings are not very clear but we can see the Presbytery in the background.

Here we are again, in the Market Place, but what date? The iron railings are still in place so is it pre 1940? HELP

We haven’t got any details about this photograph.  The flags are out and one or two of the men are wearing uniform.  Can anyone tell us more about it? 

(Image courtesy of Joyce Dobson)

Is there any other Market Place so well photographed?  Not a very good photo but it does show the Market Place well with some traffic. the caption says 1950 so I am not going to argue.

A lovely framed photo of Loftus Market Place, the time on the clock can be clearly seen and Loftus is in Cleveland the crest tells us, pity there isn’t a date on it.
(photo courtesy of Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum)

A  different photo of the Market Place, once again we can see the Westminster Bank, next to it is Hintons, and then Pullars, who were a dry cleaners (subsequently bought out by Rapid Cleaners). Looking at the way the men are dressed and the car makes me think that this photo was taken in the 1950’s, do you agree?

Thanks to Joan Webster for the update. John

Here we are at the Market Place again, it looks as though what was  Dodds or Mackenzies shop is now the council offices, moving on from them is the chemist, the post office, the bank and then just in the photo is Hintons.  It hasn’t changed much over the years, the car in the picture makes me think the early 50’s.  Do you agree?

Do you remember Loftus Post Office looking like this? I do although not the ladies in the doorway, it was Mr Middleton ( I think they called him unless you know better) who worked there then. We now have identified the lady on the left as Florrie Woodall, she later married Thomas Jones c.1923 – he became the head gardener @ Skelton Castle – and they were the parents of Deryck Jones.

Thanks to Olive Bennett for that update.

What a lovely photograph – taken in natural light – clearly showing the clerks busy at work.  Notice the assay scales on the front counter, the pens in their inkwells and what looks like the only light source in the building – no wonder banks always closed at 3.00 pm!

No bullet-proof glass in those days!

Yes it’s the Market Place again, but what looks to me a very old picture, in the foreground the fence is wooden and not iron as it was later.  The Golden Lion is there but not the Regal Cinema, through the haze we can see the Town Hall.   Where Barclay’s Bank is now must hve been a shop as if you look very closely( actually I had a magnifying glass)  the words on the window read Fry’s Chocolate, whose shop was it?   Now the strangest thing to me is where Arbroath House was, which is now the dentist, in this picture it is a two storey residence.  But today and for as long as I can remember, it has been a three storey house.  Does anyone know when it was altered or what date this photo would be?

Derick Pearson also advises us: ”This is older than one I have which was dated 1910 also my Gt Grandfather who had farms at Tranmire, Redmire and Low Wynns Farms, used to travel to Loftus for provisions and had an account with a shopkeeper before that time. He told me a tale some 55 years ago that there was once A RACE BETWEEN A CAMEL AND A LION in Loftus market place. He let me ponder as a child for some time before telling me the truth, which was… There was Camel’s shop on the left of this photo and the Golden Lion on the right of the photo with Race’s shop in between. Hence the RACE between the CAMEL and the LION. So one of these may well be those shops.”

Thanks to Derick Pearson for the information.

Now we can see Arbroath Hose as a three storey building on the left of the photo, it looks as though the road has been made up and I love the car in the picture, could this be the 1930’s?

Ttitle sums up the image, the cinema is here, Covell the butchers is pictured complete with  Hillman Husky delivery van and bicycle in front of the shop.

The bus looks like Kelly Watsons Bedford bus, Malcom Covell thinks the listed date is perhaps two years out. He believes it to be 1952 and has memories of the business purchasing a black new model Morris Oxford in 1962.

Thanks for the update. John.

Thanks for that Eric, hmm I remeber Kelly Watson’s buses with the wooden seats, Ohhhh were they uncomfortable?  You didn’t want  to be travelling far on those.

Once an integral part of community life in Loftus (and under different names every rural village in England).  This would have been – as well as the place to sell your wool – one of the hiring fairs which shaped a young man’s life for the next 12 months.

Now, apart from a brief revival, extinct, unfortunately.

Another view of the same fair – this time with the obligatory urchin posing in the shot.

Yet another image of Loftus Wool Fair – can’t tell if it’s the same year as the previous images, but there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be.

The Annual Loftus Wool Fair was the greatest event of the year.  It was held for two days, beginning on the Friday nearest to 25th June.  On that occasion families from all round the area met in Loftus to join in the activities.  The fair was held until the early 1930’s.

A view of the South side of the Market Place, from the book of views of Loftus.

A good shot of the  Golden Lion Hotel and the Regal Cinema and we can also see the Barclay’s bank, quite a few pedestrians about but not much traffic.  Anyone know the date of the photo?

Sorry Eric Johnson who loaned us the photo cannot answer but I am sure many of you will recognise the building – yes it is the old Regal Cinema.

Thanks to Bryan Richardson for the confirmation.

Another photo of the demolishion of the Regal Cinema.

(photo courtesy of Eric Johnson and thanks to Bryan Richardson for confirmation)

Bryan Richardson rightly  told us that the earlier pictures were of the Regal cinema in Loftus as it was being demolished.
(photo courtesy of Eric Johnson)

The new rail bridge starts to take shape on Carlin How bank, now the steelwork is in place.
(image courtesy of A. Franks)

The new rail bridge with the concrete-work in place.
(image courtesy of A. Franks)

Meadow Dairy stood as the photograph interpretation tells us was ajacent to the present day Post Office, lately occupied by a Tattoo Parlour and next to the Bite To Eat (sandwich and snacks shop).

The Manager (in 1924) is identified as Mr Joe Anderson; he is flanked by two assistants, one of whom is known to be Miss Elsie Burton. Unfortunately the other young lady is unknown. Can anybody help in identification?

North Road around 1900. This was taken from and old damaged photo that I renovated some years ago. It is nice. Hodgsons shop visible on the left and quite some detail as the road disappears up toward Seymour Hill.
( thanks again to Derick Pearson for the photo and information)

An update on this scene from Eric Johnson:

Ally Watson’s dairy was in the building with Hodgson’s sign. Further up North Road was access between the parish hall and this building, to Laurie Gibson’s butchers barn and slaughter house. The bottom half of this building was used to store the stalls for the market place, the upper part being occupied as a house by a family called Lindsey. All were demolished along with the council yard, for the car park.

The house built out onto the road with the lancet window is Forge House, with the smithy next towards the parish hall. Ally Watson later used the smithy building for his dairy and milk round. The first shop on the left was Gibsons butchers.  The shop opposite used to belong to Billy Clark, no relation, who played for Loftus Albion in the Northern League. Then Jim Kelly’s off-licence, his wife was a member of the (ice cream) Trillo family.  Clarks shop next to the butchers was Cyril Whitlock’s grocers.

Thanks to Eric Johnson for the update.

The caption says ”Old Congregational Church, Loftus”, the plaque between the windows says ”Ebenezer Chapel”, so they were right.  Now refurbished as a private property and currently up for sale, this fine old building looks as austere now as it did then.

The obligatory group of onlookers makes this picture, don’t you think?

Can anybody explain why it looks like a building of two halves, with each half a mirror image of the other?

Eric took this set of photographs recording the damage caused to houses in Gladstone and East Streets by the collapse of mine workings c.1962. 

This is the view looking up the backs with Gladstone Street on the left and East Street on the right.  The gas and water mains were broken in several places and the road had to be dug up.

Number 2, East Street, was badly affected by the subsidence.  The doors jammed and the occupants couldn’t get out. 

The nightwatchman’s hut is in the yard of number 2 in this photo.  He was on duty because of the coal gas in the mains.  He had to go round at night testing for gas and for water leaks. 

Numbers 2 and 3 had to be demolished because of the damage.

Damage to the walls of numbers 4 and 5 East Street caused by the subsidence.

Houses at the bottom of Gladstone Street were also affected. Cracks appeared in the walls and the bricks on top of this yard wall lifted. When they were repaired three houses were knocked into two.
Thanks to Eric Johnson for this set of photographs and information.

Mr Fishlock? approaching the coalhouse and former outdoor toilets (In the days before flush toilets – ash pans were used).

A lovely shot of Seymour Hill what date would you put on this photo loaned to us by Pem Holliday

Next one is Loftus Seymour Hill. I am baffled a little with this one  as the building in the center right which would be to the right of the Market place seems unfinished on the right hand Gable end. The angle of the shot is a little confusing but it must be looking at the Church area as the Spire is visible. Seymour Hill is well established with Trees growing and well established gardens. Paths from the Gardens to road well worn and old gravel roads. Possibly Robinson Terrace Bay windows just visible on right. Come on you historians, fill in the rest.

Adam Cuthbert suggests the building could be the former Natwest(previously National Provincial) Bank or the Golden Lion.

( photo and information courtesy of Derick Pearson)

This is the scene as you reach North Terrace, the dress would be some what different today but the houses haven’t changed much.(photo courtesy of Derick Pearson)

A fine archival quality sepia of North Terrace, taken from the Loftus end of the road.  Carefully posed (notice the two “observers” in the garden of the first house with the bay window).

Unless I mistake my guess the gate on the left of the picture is still there.

I love this photo it is so clear as though it was taken yesterday, just one question how did she ride that bike in that skirt?
(photo courtesy of Derick Pearson)

The footpath up from Wood Road, behind the Mining Museum, can be seen clearly in this photograph.  It leads up to Deepdale Farm and North Terrace.  Downdinner Hill Farm is sheltered in the clump of trees behind the terrace.

Thanks to Julie Riddiough for the photograph.

Not as we know the post office today, at this time the post office stood quite a way back from the road, where the cafe stands now, opposite the Town Hall.  So by photographs we know that the post office has been in at least three different locations in Loftus.

A slightly different view of St. Leonard’s church Loftus, St Leonard is the patron saint of prisoners.

St Leonards before addition of the north isle, in 1901, town hall was used for services while rebuilding took place, is the town hall still consecrated ?

Is this a coloured photo or has someone coloured it? The iron railings are still around it so we know it was before they took the railings during the second world war, but what date is it?

St leonards after addition of north isle. in 1901. and before gravestones were laid flat, which took place in ????

This view of the interior of St. Leonard’s Church in Loftus is from a postcard published by Geo. Skilbeck, a Loftus stationer.

With thanks to Eileen Found for this image.

An exquisite hand-tinted image of the Parish Church at Loftus.  Very little parallax distortion – I wonder if an architectural camera was used to take this picture?  Anybody care to put a date on the image?  Thanks for the date Eric – 1900’ish could fit the bill, hand tinting was very popular then.

Well it was commonly known as this when I was young and I am not saying how long ago that was. Yes it’s Dam Street and it was named the Monkey Trot even before my time if you don’t know why then ask the older members of the family.
(photo courtesy of Eric Johnson)

Complete with the requisite street urchin!

A different view of the footbridge over the beck at the junction of Water Lane and Dam Street, with a glimpse of Church Row and St Leonard’s church through the trees.

Image courtesy of Beryl Morris.

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!

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.

A  peaceful photograph showing the entrance to what used to be Espiner’s wood and the road leading up to South Loftus.  The ford has now been piped under the road.

These were the scenes after a cloudburst on 7th August 1939. Rails and sleepers at cemetery corner Loftus were undermined by the floods. The photo left shows a section of the road leading to South Loftus.

This lovely tinted card was posted in Loftus on October 31, 1904, with a half penny stamp.  The signboard on the left is that of ’J. Wrightson, General Smith, Horse Shoes’ whose business was at the Forge, set back behind the High Street.

This picture shows the Town Hall to perfection, the lovely entrance and the clock. Did you know there are only three faces to the clock? The face that should have looked South was omitted as there was no one to see it.

Classic photograph  – of a Bedford Duple and that it is the 1950’s.  Alan Chilton advises us that this was part of the Saltburn Motor Services (Kelly Watsons) fleet operating from Loftus to Saltburn via Liverton Mines. That number plate would be worth a fortune! 

Thanks to Alan Chilton for the update. John

I think this must be the oldest image we’ve got of this well shot scene, again sadly depleted by age.  Bromide prints deteriorate in sunlight, they store best in an envelope in a dark drawer – but then why take the picture in the first place!

A lovely photo of the lodge at the entrance to the hall, the gates have long since gone and other houses have been built in the hall grounds.

(An impressive view of the Town Hall, with the Lodge at the entrance to Hall Grounds as the gated road shown is still known today. – John G)

Another postcard of Hall Lodge and the Town Hall taken from the usual vantage point.
Photographer: John Thomas Ross
(Image courtesy of Ruth Wilcock)

One of my favourite photo’s although not as clearas it might be, the lodge house entrance to the hall grounds Loftus. It hasn’t changed much over the years.
(photo courtesy of Pem Holliday)

We’ve wondered about this one for a long time.  I’ve just found a similar image in Jean Wiggin’s book, ’Loftus in old picture postcards’ and checked the hall out in Street View on Google Earth.  It’s hard to recognise now, with Hall Grounds built up all round it, but the hall itself remains very much as it is in this picture.

The beginning of the end for Street Houses.

Not a lot has changed even though many years have passed since this photo was taken, new windows and doors and more chimneys on the rooves, but the street remains the same.

This must be one of our earliest photos of Mill Bank (correct me if I am wrong) but it is the only one I have seen of the bank with horses and carts going up it.  Looking closely the  road doesn’t seem to be made up, is it?  Duck Hole pit  that can be seen on the left and through the haze top right Mount Pleasant?  The huts in the field were used to house the Australian Army in World War I.

Thanks to Kathleen Hicks for the update. John

Looking down the bank from Carlin How, this is before the bank was altered it was a tight corner under that bridge, we can see where the railway went over and the bank going up to Loftus.  When was the bank altered?

First Foulsyke as we always knew it, this must be a very early photo as there is no pavement and no tarmaced road.  All are out to have their photo taken.  The people that lived there in the 40’s were in the first house – Readman’s, the next one was Swalwell’s and the third one, correct me if I am wrong was either a Miss or Mrs Shaw.  Swalwell still have the farm, there was always a spring running in the farm yard, where we that lived at East Loftus used to go and get water from when the taps went off.  Which in the 40’s and early 50’s was very often.

A bus half way up the bank and the entrance to Glover’s Path on the right, a pile of logs in the field (are they pit props?).  On the skyline on the left you can just make out St Hilda’s Terrace.

A beautiful quiet lane (and I wish I had a £ for every time I had walked it) beautiful views all round but as usual the iron and steel works doninate the skyline.

Showing Harry Wrightson blacksmith at Loftus Forge in 1900, with John Ward Hopper (who was apprenticed to Harry Wrightson) on the left.

John Ward Hopper was the Grandfather of Maurice Toulson of the Loftus Town Crier.

The gentleman holding the horse is unknown. Can you help?

Loftus Forge was built by Lord Zetland at the turn of the century, in what was then his timberyard, with his estate office nearby. The forge was rented to Mr John Wrightson for £15 per year.

So says the caption on this image – I think the building, constructed in 1868,  is much too grand for staff.  Come on Loftus people – what was it used for? (ignore the modern television aerials)

(thanks for the date Eric – rodders)

The caption says Loftus Woods so that is where it must be, but where in the woods?  It looks more like an atomic landscape to me, but the reflections in the water are lovely. Alan Gill believes: ”the photo has been taken just down from the waterfall, and facing away from it.”

Thanks to Alan for the update.

Although the building is still there we don’t see it looking like this any more.
(photo courtesy of Cleveland ironstone mining museum)

Loftus Co-operative Store in the days of long white aprons, no checkouts and no pre-packaged produce!  I don’t suppose anybody knows any of these immaculately turned out shop assistants?

Taken from Duncan Place this only shows part of the Co-operative Stores in Loftus, going  to the left was the shoe department followed by the entrance  and stairs to the offices, where  on dividend day the queues extended out into the street.  After these came a  quite large drapery, and at the end of the block the butcher’s shop.   There was also an electrical store and a large  furniture store farther down to the west of Loftus.

Betty Peart (Mrs.Ditchburn), Philip Beadnall, and Betty Tebble (Mrs.Gorman) pictured outside the front of Dodd’s shop on Zetland Road in the 1960s.

(Image courtesy of Mrs. Ditchburn)

Mary Coverdale, Eve Tebble, Philip Beadnall, and Betty Gorman are pictured in the side street between Dodd’s shop and the Co-op in this photo, taken in 195?

Thanks to Mrs. Gorman for the photo and names.

Betty Gorman, Mary Coverdale and Betty Ditchburn were joined by Jane Lindsley in this photo taken beside Dodd’s shop.  The awning is out on Brittain’s shop, over the road.  Is it Mrs. Brittain in the doorway? 

Thanks to Mrs. E. Gorman for the photo and names.

Mrs. Gorman kindly lent us this set of photos that were taken when she was an assistant in C.J.Dodd’s shop on Zetland Road.  In this one, Mary Coverdale is arranging the window display.

I think that Mr. Dodd is sitting at his desk in the kiosk where the cash was handled in this photo, taken in August 1979.

Image courtesy of Mrs. Ditchburn.

John Dodd beside his father, behind the counter in their shop.

Image courtesy of Mrs. Ditchburn.

Mr. C.N. Dodd standing in front of the net curtain display in August, 1979.  There are some colourful materials on the shelves behind.

Image courtesy of Mrs. Ditchburn.

Betty Ditchburn and Mary Coverdale are behind the counter, and Betty Gorman is in front in this photo.  The cash tin can be seen above the shelves.  Do you remember how your payment was put in the canister and it went round the wires to the kiosk?  The money was taken out and your change put in the tin and then it was sent back to the counter.

Thanks to Mrs. Gorman for the photo and names.

A cheerful picture of Mary Coverdale, Betty Gorman and Betty Ditchburn at the counter of Dodd’s shop.  The shelves behind them are packed with stock.

Thanks to Mrs. Gorman for the photo and names.

Dorothy, Betty and Jean pictured behind the counter in Dodd’s shop.  There’s a  1977, Silver Jubille, souvenir tea towel behind them.  Was this the year that this photo was taken?

Thanks to Mrs. Ditchburn for the photo and names.

A fine view of the row of cottages at South Loftus – complete with the obligatory posed urchins!

“I was born in one of these houses in 1948, my parents names were Kenneth and Florence. I have one brother (Keith)and one brother (Clive)who were born there. We then moved to Barnsley where my father worked in Grimethorpe pit. He worked in Skinningrove pit when we lived there, he worked with someone called Mr Gell who was in a fire and was scarred very badly all over and one younger brother also born there.

Thanks to Emily Millthorpe (nee Bunney) for that information.

Now this is how we should remember!  The shop window of Leng’s the Hairdresser bedecked with reminders of The Great War.

At a guess the young man has reason for remembering – he is wearing a group of medals on his left breast, denoting that he joined up before 1916.  It looks like he is also wearing a badge/medal on his right breast – where the ”unnofficial” medals go – could this be a SWB (Silver Wound Badge)?

”At the going down of the sun and in the morning – we will remember them!”

(Last line of ”The Exhortation”)

 

A different view of Loftus this time, what was Dr Dunn’s house and the small parade of shops. Harrison’s next to the Dr’s was the ironmonger’s Bannister’s was the sweet shop, then came the infant school, with Zetland Terrace in the background.

Dr Dunn’s house also served as the surgery for his and Dr Guy’s practice, Dr Wolstonholme also being in the practice. The ”waiting room” was a covered passageway leading from the main road. There was a long highly polished bench in this passage along which waiting patients would slide towards the reception area. In times of heavy surgeries a form was put outside the passage way for the extra patients – in the fresh air, even in inclement weather – even the NHS does not go that far these days. This could have been linked to Dr Guy having served in WWII as a Colonel, fresh air you know?

(photo courtesy of Pem Holliday and personal reminiscences from David Hore, Ray Brown, Norman Patton and Sally King.)

Now once again here come the questions, the building to the left of the image with the wall and railings round it is now identified (thanks to Eric Johnson) as the house which was converted to make Dodd’s shop after they moved from the Market Place. 

We  presume this is quite an old photo loaned to us by Keith Bowers

What would have been a good image of Zetland Road if age and sunlight hadn’t attacked the photographic emulsion.

No tarmacadam on the road and the style of clothing suggests the turn of the 20th Century.

Loftus Co-operative building is on the left side of the road in this view looking along Zetland Terrace.

The first photo I have seen of Duncan Place, it hasn’t changed much although the gates at yon end have gone now and I can’t see if the school was there on the left hand side, there is a wall there as there was when I went to school,so I will presume that the school was there.

We can see that Dodd’s shop has now moved from the Market Place.  Not sure of the date but the scene hasn’t changed much over the years.

(Image courtesy of Eric Norton).

Looks like a carefully posed photograph (except for the young boy on the left hand side who has just managed to get into the photo).  Legg Bros.  If I remember rightly (and if I am wrong I hope someone will tell me) used to be where Harrop’s chemist is now.  One side for ladies wear, the other side men’s  and never the two shall meet.  Mr Legg also used to travel around to the farms in the area to sell his wares.

L to R: Tom Harrop, Kathleen Bradley, Jenny Harrop, Jean Sayers, Renee Treloar.
(image courtesy of Raymond Brown)

This photo shows memorial stone masons on the right hand side, with the shops lining each side of the road.  The Congregational church very prominent in the background.

Another shot of Zetland Road, quite a few people out shopping on what looks to be a lovely sunny day.  Loftus used to be a very busy shopping place for people all around the area.

Lovely view of Zetland Road with the shops and lots of traffic here today, maybe the weekend.  What date do you think it would be, about the 1950’s?

A Skilbeck postcard from about 1948, viewing Zetland Road towards West Road.  The butcher’s shop on the left was Featherstones, next the Misses Griffiths had their ladieswear shop, then Daisy Dairy, the opening to rear of Zetland Road, Maggie Rivets hairdressers, Medds (cakes and confectionery), Lengs ladies and gents hairdressers, Gartons (shoes) and lastly the Cosy Cafe (Violet Husband). Across the road started with Prossers, then Walter Wilson, Goldbys, Skilbecks Stationers (and of postcard fame), Trinders, Swales Fruiterers, entrance to the Commercial Hotel, Eatons (furnishings, etc) and finally Leggs (ladies and gents outfitters).  

(Image courtesy of Eric Norton, and after consultations thanks for updates to Derick Pearson, Jean Wiggins and others)

Another Skilbeck postcard of Zetland Road, this time looking up the road from the crossroads, about 1948.

Legg Bros, on the corner, were Outfitters and Drapers.

(Image courtesy of Eric Norton).

Do you remember when Harrop’s chemist looked like this?  Wish I weighed as much now as I did on those scales.

Thomas Harrop was born in 1914 and educated at Guisborough Grammar School, he served a five year apprentice at Prosser’s 10 Zetland Road, (do you remember that shop, where Breckon and Shaw’s is now?) He qualified in 1939, marrying in 1940 he opened the chemist’s in 1957. Sadly Tom passed away in 1980 the shop then was owned by Mr Ray Silver, who served the people of Loftus for many years..

Thank you Ray for all that information.

A nice black and white image, taken before the traffic lights were installed.(image courtesy of Raymond Brown)

A Frith series postcard of the Town Hall. The card was bought in 1968.
(Image courtesy of Carolyn Richards)

A picture post card of Loftus Congregational Church.  The writer of the card was not very impressed with it!

Yes I know we have this one but I thought it is rather a different view of the church looking at it from the side rather than the front.

Not a very clear picture, the writing cannot be seen clearly on the original, but it does show the outdoor pulpit very well. As the church now falls into disrepair it was advised that the outside pulpit be preserved as there are only a few left in the country, but sadly the vandals are taking no notice of this as stones are being removed.

A row of rather up-market houses – considering that the average miner lived in a two-up-two-down with his entire family if he was lucky.

A good image of these upper class terraced houses (fancy facing bricks) with the usual inquisitive urchins posing for the photographer.

A young gentleman poses for the camera on Westfield Terrace, could it be before 1940 as the iron railings are still there?  As the older ones amongst us know the iron railings were all taken during the war.

A view down the length of Westfield Terrace, from the junction with Coronation Road to the Conregational Church on the corner of West Road.  The two large houses at the top were built later that the rest of the terrace.

These photographs have given us a new perspective on Loftus.  This view looks over the field behind the Leisure Centre and the houses of Rosedale Crescent to Hummersea Hills, formerly Westfield Estate.  Hummersea School can be seen to the front left of the estate.  

It took us a while to get our heads round this view.  The terraced streets of East Loftus can be seen behind the estate, on the right of the picture and Easington is in the background, on the left.

Thanks to Julie Riddiough for the photograph.

This photograph is a continuation of the previous one, looking down on the middle of Loftus from the top of Brotton.  The roof of the Leisure Centre is on the left, beside the rooftops of the Mars estate.  We can see along Coronation Road to the bright roofs of South View and the buildings in the Market Place.   The towers of the Town Hall and St Leonard’s Church can be made out on the right.  The Arlington estate can be seen beyond the Market Place and the terraced streets of East Loftus are on the left of the photo.  The fields in the background go up to the skyline at Roxby. 

Thanks to Julie Riddiough for the photograph.

A photograph of Coronation Road taken from the east these are the private houses, it isn’t  a clear enough  picture to see if the council houses were there when it was taken.

Thanks again to Norman,

The picture would be taken around the early 1950s. The VHF television aerials started to be common place about that time (Coronation and Matthew’s Cup winner’s medal with Blackpool). the “council houses” were built quite a while before this, perhaps even late 30s

A view of the front of the school, now the Community Centre, taken before Coronation Park was opened.

Another one of cards from Ken Johnson showing Coronation Park at Loftus.

Two men putting the world to rights on the right but I love the  light and the horses on the left of the photo. Looks as though there are some people either arriving or leaving the Station Hotel.
(photo courtesy of Maurice Grayson)

Where was Theaker’s Hair Dressers and who was this young lady?

A quiet scene on Station Road, Station Hotel in the background, two young boys talking – maybe about what mischief they can get up to later.  The boy on the left has a large basket, probably a delivery boy, now I am making up a story, can anyone date this photo for us?

This hairdressers if I remember rightly stood next to the Station Hotel, can you remember it?
David Welford tells us: ” I seem to remember in the 1960′s that it became the boy scout hut for a while, to be later abandoned when the new scout hut was built on the street behind Blenkinsop’s butchers shop. Then it was torn down, probably in the mid to late 1970s. We used to sled down the hill alongside this building in the 1960′s when I was a kid.”

(photo courtesy of Derick Pearson and thanks to David Welfor for that update.)

Timber on it’s way to Carnaby Willis Saw Mill which was situated in Loftus station yard, lovely photo although I don’t think they could stand there to rest  today.  I wonder where the timber had come from.

This image, another from the picture postcard series, was probably taken late in the afternoon in Autumn or early Spring (judging by the lack of leaves on the trees), causing strong shadows to be cast from the wall and bridge.
Taken from further back than the Winter picture it is a better-composed image, Liverton Road naturally leading the eye into the scene.
From the posters on the fence it is obviously an election year – any ideas when?

I’ve a feeling we’ve seen this one before, but I’ve left it in anyway.  My wife’s grandparents lived on this road at about this time.

This picture of Liverton Road, Loftus is from a series of picture postcards. It was obviously posed, as everybody is looking at the cameraman. The snow-filled sky and snow-covered ground have caused the cameraman to underexpose the shot, leading to a dark, difficult to read image.

In modern terms this would probably regarded more as photo-journalism than art.

Everyone out posing because the man with the camera came, even the little dog seems to know the importance of the day, a lovely photo showing the old  bridge and the houses.

A postcard of Liverton Road, Loftus, complete with ubiquitous urchin!
Photographer: John Thomas Ross
(Image courtesy of Ruth Wilcock)

A different view of Liverton Road taken about 1929, a lovely photo it is too.
(photo courtesy of Joyce Appleton)

Hartley’s Field must have been where the houses in Gaskell Lane now stand, so called as the Miller at Loftus Mill for many years was Jonathan Hartley. The view over the millpond and mill looks up towards the back of Zetland Road. I have just realised that the scaffolding, top left, would have been on the Congregational Church.  The card was posted in September, 1906.

There was me thinking we didn’t have a picture of Loftus Mill and there was one lurking in the cabinet all along!

A lovely picture of the mill with the pond in the foreground and the reflections in the pond make this place look idyllic.

(This hand tinted postcard gives a view of Loftus Mill across the mill pond, an idyllic image, with an impressive pink (sunset?) glow behind the buildings backing the Mill. – John G)

1906 when this photo was taken and what a lovely photo it is the reflections in the pond are beautiful.

(photo courtesy of Pauline Ovington)

John Sanderson was Miller of Lofthouse Mill in 1871 census. He married Mary Welford.

Image courtesy of Ruth Wilcock.  Photographer – John Thomas Ross.  Once again thanks to Ann Wilkinson for the information.

This coloured view of the mill was posted in 1905.  The picture has been taken from the field above the millpond, and the rear of Odd-Fellows Hall  can be clearly seen in the background.

This is a more unusual view of Loftus, looking over the mill and Liverton Road, with the Station Hotel standing out and Liverton Mines just visible in the background.

Here is another first, we have no other photo’s of the foundry at Loftus, do you have any to loan us please.

Eric Johnson comments: ”An interesting view of the cupola melting furnace at the foundry, apparently being demolished. Three men are on the charging platform, the charging door on the cupola is open where the charge of pig iron/coke/limestone was introduced. To the right is a hoist on a large beam (above the standing men), used to raise the charges to the platform. At the base of the cupola the air chest for the blast around the cupola can be seen, with air pipe disconnected. Standing on 4 legs, the cupola probably had a drop bottom for emptying slag etc after the days run.”

”The foundry originally owned by Robinson Bros., who produced farm implements, ploughs, etc. They also cast drain covers and gulleys, many of which can still be seen on the streets of East Cleveland. I have seen one at Piercebridge, Co. Durham. A speciality (unique?) were the cast iron gravestones, seen in the old cemetery. Regular exhibitors at the wool fairs in the market plac. Old photos show many of their products and warehouse next to the present day Post Office. I believe the foundry was taken over by Tinsley & Co. and is now used by Steve Whitlock.”

Bill Tinsley tells us: ”Zetland foundry was owned by my grandfather until his death in the late 1930s.My father was a mining engineer with Richard Sutcliff in Horbury nr Wakefield who sold a half share to a manager who continued to run the foundry until around 1950.
I spent a lot of time there as a child with my grandfather watching and getting in the way but evan as a 7 or 8 year old I learned quite a lot about casting and maching methods There was a small machine shop at the far end of the buildings.”

(photo courtesy of Keith Bowers and thanks to Eric and Bill Tinsley for the updates.)

Another from a series of photographs taken from the same vantage point.  This image looks across the goods yard towards Loftus.

One of a series of photographs taken from Loftus Station, looking over the Station Yard.  This one taken in Winter from the bankside above the railway station, which can be seen bottom right with the goods yard behind it.

Still in the era of horse-drawn transport and unbraked rolling stock, so probably taken around 1900.

This must be the only image in the series that we don’t have.
Photographer: John Thomas Ross
(Image courtesy of Ruth Wilcock)

A different view of the station that shows the bank going up to Liverton Mines. Thanks go to Joyce Dobson for sharing the photo.

The caption says ”Cleveland Train Service, Loftus and Skinningrove Motor Express”.

I think this is an image of the bus service laid on by the North Eastern Railway when Kilton viaduct was being converted to an embankment.  It shows an open bus outside Loftus Station.

It took from 1907 to 1914 to convert Kilton Viaduct to an embankment and trains continued running, but in January 1911 cracks were noticed in a pier so trains were halted for a fortnight whilst extra tipping took place to safeguard the structure. This charabanc service operated between Loftus and Skinningrove Stations for those two weeks, and trains from Liverton Mines had to get to Cargo Fleet via Whitby and Battersby. Thank you Simon for the information.

A horse and cart and a cyclist in Station Road, it must have been busy day.  A lovely photo showing the Congregational Church and Westfield Terrace in the background.

A view of South Loftus from the west. Road junction at right hand side of photgraph leads northwards to Loftus via Water Lane.

A lovely clear photo loaned to us once again by Keith Bowers, the road hasn’t changed much other than you couldn’t stand today where the two young girls are , too much traffic.

Eric Johnson informs us that it is definitely pre 1906 and the building of the Congegational Chapel by Mr Hebditch.

A quiet sunny day in Loftus, the awnings are down to protect the shop windows from the sun.  Not a lot of people out shopping and not much traffic.

I wouldn’t try standing around in Zetland Road like this today. I wonder  – are the men selling the horse?

Once again a nice crisp image.

The Temperance Movement was an attempt to stop the decline in the morals and christian behaviour of the British worker.  It had a strong following among the employers, who were losing work-days through drunkenness and unruly behaviour.  They built this fine building in Loftus to further their aims.  It was also ”friendly” society, where, for a weekly subscription, the members were insured against illness and hard times.

Eric Johnson says ”the dedication stone for the temperance hall is weathering and becoming illegible, I can make out the following inscription, but some of the letters and numbers may not be correct, or missing.
m – laid by s ?
v (or w) lapsley marske
on behalf of ??
plant of renown lodge
1283 ? I.O.G.T. june 11 1877”

”the letters, I.O.G.T. stand for the INDEPENDENT ORDER of GOOD TEMPLARS. established in America about 1852 to combat the evils of drunkeness and abuse. with a structure similar to the Freemasons, with rituals, regalia, songs, and password to gain admittance. the order was started in England in 1868 in Birmingham, and eventually throughout the world. The order is still very much in existence.”

A very popular place to photograph, West Road again with the Congregational Chapel in the centre of the picture.  Pretty much contemporary with the previous post.

Must be a sunny day as the awnings are out over the shops, we can see the pavements – but is the road a tarmac one yet? I don’t think you could stand and talk at the cross roads today as the men in the photo are doing.

A different and more modern view of West Road, there is now a proper road although not very busy.

Obviously a posed photograph by the number of bystanders.

What a different view of the site we now can view daily? Charlie Stokoe for many years occupied the garage and as well as petrol sales, he was an agent for Saab cars!

This garage was one of two on the main street of Loftus, the other Fletcher’s vanished into the valley in a landslip some years ago.

Derick Pearson advises us: ”I started to served my time here before Charlie Stokoe had the garage with a man called Con Shippey. He was also married into the wealthy Goldsborough family I think they called them. They had the Picture house (cinema)at Saltburn and on some occassions we had to go there to do jobs. He was a funny chap, he used to make jokes and laugh greatly at them. We dare not do any other but laugh even though some times we didn’t get it as they say. He reminded me greatly of the commedian John Clease. Similar in stature and character. Some yaers later when Charlie had it the head Mechanic was a grand lad called Trevor and he was a very knowledgable man with the Saab and any other vehicles. He ran a Saab v4? for years that was immaculate. Although I lost contact I believe he and his wife possibly ran the garage for some time after Charlie left.”
Thanks to Derick Pearson for the update.

Is there any more information and photographs out there? John

Mr. Charlie Stokoe and Trevor at the Central Garage when they dealt with SAAB cars.

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

A lovely tinted photo of West Road, about what date do you think it is?
(photo courtesy of Keith Bowers)

A view of the houses on the south side of West Road, built by Charles Hebditch after building  the Congregational Church in 1906.                                                                                                                               Bryan Richardson tells us: ”The last house on the row was built in 1911. It was lived in by the Dodds family before they moved to the top of West Park Avenue. My Grandfather bought it for £750 in 1942 after leaving Kilton Mill. It remained in our family until April 2011.”                Malcolm Watson tells us: ” The first house ( nearest the camera ) was probably Durban House, which was where Jane Harrison ( nee Durban ) lived in 1911 after the death of her husband Thomas Harrison in 1910. Thomas Harrison was the son of my great-great grandfather. He had a hardware shop in Loftus High St.”                             

Thanks to Bryan and Malcolm for those updates.

I think this photo was taken in West Road, Loftus, c.1958.  Carolyn Richards is the little girl skipping along the pavement, followed by her brother, Mike.

The bus a Saltburn Motor Services (Kelly Watsons). Thanks to Eric Johnson for the update.

(Image courtesy of Carolyn Richards)

Looks as though most of the residents have come to have their photo taken as the man with the camera came to West Road in Loftus, we can just make out the Town Hall in the background.

Taken from the west we see an unmade West Road and to the right there are no houses, when were they built?

A view of West Road, prior to the building by Charles Hebditch of the houses on the south side in 1906.

Another view, looking east, along West Road taken after the houses on the south side were built.

A note on the back of the card says, ’1914 I should say.  The gas lamp post could be one my grandfather made.  He made the first one for Loftus …….. made the gas lamp burners.’  (I don’t know who wrote the note).

Known to most as the Mars Inn this house was owned by Mr Eaton of Loftus Brick Works,  where bricks were made from  about 1830 to 1870. Bryan Richardson tells us: ”The original name of this house was Marsingill House. I researched this around 1980 when I was landlord of the Mars Inn and the sign was changed from Mars the Roman god to Mars the planet and people argued as to which it should be. Neither as it turned out.”

Thanks to Bryan for that update.

Yes this is the way it used to look not at all like the building we see today, but when the silent movies were something new this is where people went to see them. There were live acts too between the movies, I remember my mother telling me of the ’scratching shed’ a place where they waited to get into the Empire, makes the mind boggle as to what the scratching shed was, anybody out there enlighten me? Please

This is the first postcard that I’ve seen of Cliff Crescent.  I remember when it was counter service in the Co-op, but not as far back as this when the door was on the corner.

Do you remember Tommy Fletcher’s garage at Bank Top and his buses?

A view of the landslip 27th September 1927, at Bank Top, Loftus (viewed from Liverton Mines), which unceremoniously dumped this building into ’The Narrows’ and caused the premature demise of others! This occurred long before the more recent and memorable events, which forced road closures and diverted traffic. Any further views of this event would be welcomed.

The underlying strata is boulder-clay, which holds a phenomenal amount of water – before collapsing along shear-planes, like this!

A view of the damaged house at Bank Top, Loftus after the 1927 Landslip.  The house was subsequently declared unsafe and demolished

The 1927 landslip at the top of Loftus bank destroyed Magor’s house and shop. They moved over the road and had a wooden shop built in the gap between Valley Avenue and the two semi-detached houses. Richard Magor who owned the original shop died in 1958 at 1 Queen’s Road Loftus, having previously lived in Carlin How.
Mr. Jack Roberts bought the premises and started in business in 1950. He also traded with a horse and cart, before getting a van. He later traded from another shop in 25 New Company Row in Skinningrove, formerly Hart’s shop. The Skinningrove shop was originally owned by John and Alwynne Jefferson (parents of Barbara McBurney) who sold the shop to Harts.
This picture shows John on Laddie’s back, with his father standing beside the cart, at the top of Loftus Bank.

David Archer tells us: “Richard Magor who owned the shop that was destroyed by the landslide was my Great Grandfather who died while living at No. 1 Queens Road Loftus in 1958 he had previously lived in Carlin How.”

Barbara McBurney tells us: “The shop Jack Roberts owned at 25 New Company Row in Skinningrove, was where I lived when I was born, it was called Jeffersons, we moved to Loftus when my brother was born as there were only two bedrooms in the shop but kept the shop for a number of more years, my mother and father, John and Alwynne Jefferson (nee Smith) commuting to Skinningrove each day to work in the Shop. Malcolm and Sheila Hart from Skinningrove moved in when we sold the shop and I believe Jack Roberts took over after the Hart’s left.”

Thanks to John Roberts for the photo and information, also to David Archer for the updates on Richard Magor and Barbara McBurney for updates on the Skinningrove shop.

In this photo the shop windows are decorated to celebrate the coronation of Elizabeth II in June, 1953.  Mr. Roberts and John are sitting on the steps.  Edward Boyes is the man walking into the picture from the left, Great Uncle of Barbara McBurney. 

Thanks to John Roberts for the photograph and Barbara McBurney for the update.

Mr. and Mrs. Roberts took photographs of the shop over the years.   I think this one was taken in the early sixties.  Jack Roberts  is sitting on the step and John is standing in the doorway.

Thanks to John for the photo.

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.

Some customers and friends at Mr. and Mrs. Roberts ’This is Your Life’ leaving party.

l-r:  Mr. and Mrs. Simpson, Mrs. Connelly and Mariessa Robinson, Mrs. Roberts, Sheila Brown, Ernie Stone, Gordon Welford, Myra Watson (back, in the sunglasses), Mary Breckon, Ethel Welford, Marjorie Hodgson with Rachael Burton. Sam Robinson is in the doorway.

’Wonderful day, wonderful times, wonderful people’

Thanks to Marjorie Magor for the photo and information, also Michelle Robinson for the update.

Mr. and Mrs. Roberts inside the shop with Mrs. Frost, who is behind the loaf of bread, holding the red book.

Thanks to Marjorie Magor for the photo and information.

Mr. and Mrs. Roberts retired in 1984.  They are pictured here with the new owners, Jim Frost and his wife.  The child with them is Samantha Robinson.  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.