A view of the beach chalets at Hazelgrove, Saltburn. We believed the image dated from just before World War II, Callum Duff advises us: ”This postcard dates from after World War II. The pier has been refurbished, the landward buildings have been weatherboarded and the windowed screens have been added. I have film of Saltburn from 1963 and the Hazelgrove Chalets have the same colour scheme so I would date this image as being sometime between 1952 (date of pier re-opening) and 1963.”
Image courtesy of Maurice Grayson and thanks to Callum Duff for the update.
Saltburn Miniature Railway started in 1947; it’s original track running from the Beach Road alongside Skelton Beck through a tunnel under the Halfpenny Bridge to the Italian Gardens. The 15 inch gauge engine based on an A4 type locomotive was named Prince Charles. The line was moved to the other side of the beck after a landslip.
Saltburn beach looking towards Marske, a large number of portable bathing tents are much in evidence. The beach from Saltburn to Marske was very popular in this 1920s for motor racing competitions along this stretch of sands. They continued to attract large crowds into the 1930s.
On the sands at Saltburn in the years before the Great War. A large audience are watching a performance by Pierrots. At this time the usual performers were Grapho and Jacksons ”Mascots” or the ”Jovial Jollies” Steve Fawkes comments: “I have a postcard/photograph of the Grapho and Jackson Mascots – undated but around this time.”
Postcard courtesy Maurice Grayson, thanks to Steve Fawkes for the update.
Saltburn showing an alternative way to the beach instead of using the cliff lift, some of the paths from the top promenade are now alas no longer usable. On the beach several bathing huts can be seen, one is being hauled by horse back to the slipway near the Ship Inn, date is pre World War I.
Callum Duff advised the Archive: ”This photograph was taken sometime between 1902 and 1924. The Assembly Rooms have been improved externally (this taking place in 1902) and the pier still has its original iron legs stretching to the the pierhead. On the 7th May 1924, the SS Ovenbeg breached the pier, leaving the pierhead adrift. The breached section was later repaired in steel which altered the appearance of the pier legs. This can be seen in later photographs from the same spot.”
Image courtesy of Ken Johnson and many thanks to Callum Duff for the dating and update.
Yet another postcard of Cat Nab hand tinted from a black and white original. The caravan at the foot of Cat Nab dates the postcard to the motor era. Eddie McManus tells us: “Lovely old photos bringing back many memories. I was born in Brotton, in Woodside, in the mid 1940`s and now live in Shepperton, Middlesex. Still visit Brotton and Saltburn quite often to see friends and relatives.” Postcard courtesy Ken Johnson and Iris Place; also thanks to Eddie for the update.
Bank Cafe Saltburn, with plenty of people on the beach, probably a Bank Holiday scene in the early 1960s. Cat Nab is already showing signs of severe erosion.
A tinted postcard of Cat Nab Saltburn, the farm and buildings prominent in the foreground, and in the distance, The Spa, and ”Teddy’s Nook,” Where King Edward the seventh was supposed to have stayed. The Pier appears to be at its full length on this card posted in1909. We are advised by Callum Duff: ”Regarding Teddy’s Nook (aka ‘The Cottage)’, Saltburn. I’m afraid that the stories relating to this building are mainly untrue. The name ‘Teddy’s Nook’ actually refers to a previous resident who collected teddy bears. When she wrote to her friends she would sign off as ‘Teddy’s Nook’ meaning the place populated by toy bears. Similarly the story about Teddy’s Nook which relates to two sisters owning a pet lion and exercising it on the beach is also steeped in legend. Most likely the ‘lion’ was a breed of dog previously unseen in this country. There are no photographs (press or otherwise) of wayward lions or royalty and in a town which grew simultaneously with the development of photography, there would be. These are just two of Saltburn’s ‘Tall Tales’ that have been embellished over the years despite there being no concrete proof of either. Unfortunately my attempts as a local historian to redress the balance will always be outweighed by the majority who prefer to believe the myth. I can’t see either story disappearing anytime soon!” He also advises: ”Just an amendment to your information, the pier seen here is the shortened version of 1250 feet. The original pier was 1500 feet long but had a short lifespan lasting from its opening in 1869 to the demise of the pierhead and landing stage in a storm in 1875.” Katharine Broome adds: “There is another story about Teddy’s Nook told by my mother – a German spy lived there during World War I. He was said to send morse code messages to German ships off-shore. My mother lived in one of the early houses in Exeter Street. At that time, there were fields behind the house. By co-incidence, we stayed in the same house, for a short time in World War II after our own in Victoria Road was destroyed by a bomb in 1942.”
Image courtesy of Ken Johnson and thanks to Callum Duff and Katharine Broome for the updates.
The original Victorian Baths beside the Square in Saltburn. Opened officially by Arthur Pease Esq. on Monday 11th May 1891. The building faced (across Dundas Street West) the railway station with a central swimming pool which was filled with seawater from an inlet offshore close to the pier. The extensive facilities included massage facilities; private brine, douche, and electric baths. Now sadly gone; demolition of the baths took place in July 1976 by Blair and Co. of Stockton and the town is now served by the Leisure Centre on Marske Mill Lane. Callum Duff tells us: ”In relation to swimming pool facilities in the town, Saltburn Leisure Centre was never seen as a replacement for the demolished Brine Baths. The baths had been damaged by a bomb in WW2 (which also destroyed a row of adjacent shops) and had been closed for some time before they were bought by Keith Watson in 1956. The building remained empty and was heavily vandalised until the site was bought by Tarmac Ltd in 1976 and the baths building demolished. Saltburn Leisure Centre actually opened in 1974 with the building being finally completed in 1975. As a young boy I remember visiting the soon to be opened building with my parents. Once during the day with my Mum where we stood in the cafe and watched the 25 metre pool being filled (perhaps for the first time) and another time with my Dad, Grandad and Brother where we had a look at the indoor bowling green and squash courts. I remember being in the 25 metre pool and looking out through the window to see workmen cladding the rest of the roof.”
Image courtesy of Jean Hall and additional information courtesy of ’Saltburn-By-The-Sea Revisited’; thanks also to Callum Duff for the update.
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