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Accident on Mill Bank, Loftus

I’d like to think that this is the remains of the bus we’ve seen hanging backwards over the parapet in previous posts – I certainly hope so for the passengers and driver’s sake! Derick Pearson has tod the Archive: “I have had a copy of this photograph for many years; I was told possibly 45 years ago that the conductress died in this accident as the winding handle of the ticket machine penetrated her skull in the impact. I wonder what they are searching for in the water (the man in the bus and the one at the near side)? Another gentleman at the far side with ropes ready, they certainly were not heavy enough to pull the bus out. This was an Upton Bus services bus of Redcar, not a United bus.

Image courtesy of Loftus Town Crier, thanks to Derick Pearson for the update.

Staithes from the Air – 1

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. Ray Conn – Copyright Jimmy Blumer, Darlington.

Staithes from the Air – 2

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. Ray Conn – Copyright Jimmy Blumer, Darlington.

Fylingdales “Golf Balls”

A good photograph of the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System at Fylingdales, known locally as the Golf Balls.  Demonstrations when they were erected in 1960 and demonstrations when they were removed in 1989 and a pyramid built to replace them. Geoffrey Powell advises: “Great to see the old Golf Balls, I remember these being built. I was in 5131 Bomb Disposal Squadron in the RAF during 1961 – 1963. We were based at Goldsborough and travelled over daily with various vehicles and an ambulance; with mine detectors working from 8 am until 4 pm daily, clearing munitions and making it a phase by phase for safety reasons.” Mandy Chew can recall: “I remember going past the Golf Balls on my way to Whitby from Bradford (holidays with parents and sister) when I was a child in the 1970’s.” Trevor Bell adds: “My father worked at the base in the mid-sixties. He apparently worked within the middle Golf Ball complex. It was a shame they removed them and replaced with the present pyramid. Progress maybe, but nowhere near as exciting to see as a kid!” Julian Atkinson can recall: ” I worked at RAF Fylingdales ,from age 19 to 26..we were base Security. Many of my colleagues have now passed away ,when I was poorly I had a vivid dream – had walked up to the main gate as it was in the 1970’s, Old Bobby on the Gate ‘Bill Smith’, Looked up and said: ”Are YOU here, an’all..”?..(Scary)..is That my Purgatory..!!!?”.

Image courtesy of Geoffrey Powell, thanks to Geoffrey Powell, Mandy Chew, Trevor Ball and Julian Atkinson for the updates.

Bus in Beck

Possibly 1927 I think we have a photograph like this taken from a different angle.
Image courtesy of the David Linton Collection, the Pem Holliday Collection, a CD collection by Derick Pearson and others.

Staithes Hospital

This building which is sited opposite the end of Staithes Lane (is now converted into a house0 but the round tower on the top had to stay. This photograph tells us the hospital was opened on the 20th March 1915. Simon Chapman advised: “As it says on the picture it was the Miners Hospital for any casualties at Grinkle or Boulby Mines. After both of these mines had closed in the 1930s then the hospital was closed as well.” Mike Leyland has assisted with: “I believe the building was owned by the Grinkle Estate and was sold in 1947 along with the rest of the properties and land belonging to the estate.”

Image courtesy of Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum, thanks to Simon Chapman and Mike Leyland for the updates.

Waterfall – Loftus

The waterfall doesn’t look like we see it now; the caption reads ”Loftus waterfall” and is taken from a Cooke’s Fancy Bazaar postcard, being postmarked 1904 and may possibly date from pre the present one built of brick. Derek Pearson suggests: ”We used to call this the “Steps” in the “Narrows” before it was constructed with brick/concrete. The photograph was taken from a lower standpoint again than the scene in front. Espiner’s waterfall descended with a lesser number of levels.”


Image courtesy of Jean Hall, thanks to Derick Pearson for the update.

Carlin How

The Working Men’s Club viewed from Brotton Road, a lovely building one hundred years old in 2011; having opened in 1911. The first Steward was Harold Bowling (grandfather of Roger Barwick), Harold later became landlord of the Maynard Arms.

Mill Bank

Looking from Loftus down the bank we can see Whitecliffe Cottages, Kilton Mill; with Duck Hole pit is just visible through the tree and Skinningrove Ironworks standing high on the cliff. Susan Taylor told the Archive: “My great, great aunt lived at Whitecliffe cottage. I know she was there in 1932 and the same address is on her death certificate in 1951. Can anyone tell me if it is more than one, how many where there and are they still there. She left all her furniture to a lady called Mrs Kate Marley of the same address. I know the Marley family were living at this address in 1911. Any information you may have would be very useful. My aunt was a District Nurse and I wonder if she worked in the area and that’s how she came to settle there; her name was Mary Woolhouse.” Alan Richardson responded with: “I was born there in 1970. I think my parents bought the house in about 1967. We lived at no. 2 Whitecliffe Cottage until my parents sold it in 1981. We lived next door to the Marshalls until about 1977, and then the Speddings who are still there at No 1.” Derick Pearson adds: “2 Whitecliffe Cottages is owned by Dave Preston who has been there for many years. In the war years a gentleman was stood in the doorway when a bomb dropped and was killed. Some of the local lads from the works and the ironstone mine were involved in the restoration work.”

Image courtesy of Joyce Dobson & Keith Bowers; also thanks to Susan Taylor, Al Richardson and Derick Pearson for the updates.

Saltburn – Postcard Views

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 Hazelgrove from the bandstand now no longer in existence. Callum Duff tells us: ”The pillars that used to support the roof of the Hazelgrove bandstand were salvaged and now hold hanging baskets along one side of the Italian Gardens.” Tom Metcalfe remembers: “I lived in Saltburn up to 1962, when I joined the Royal Engineers. During my early years I had lived with my grand parents in the gardener cottage in the Valley Gardens and then 26 Montrose Street.” Peter Appleton asks: “The photograph of the cottages to the east of the Ship Inn triggered a question in my mind. When were they built? Which led on to: when was the Ship Inn built? Does anyone have any ideas on either answer? If the accepted stories about John Andrew, the smuggler, are true, he arrived in Saltburn in the early 1780s. The Ship Inn, at least, must have been standing then. But what about those other cottages?Can anybody assist with this query?

Many thanks to Callum Duff for the update and Tom Metcalfe for the memories, also thanks to Peter Appleton for the query.