East Cleveland Image Archive

We have received a request for assistance from Peter Appleton; he tells us: “This image of a group of local businessmen was taken with permission, from Bill Danby’s website ‘History of Skelton-in-Cleveland’; it came to him from Shirley Wunifold (nee Skipper). As a result of my researches into the Skelton Association for the Prosecution of Felons, I believe the image depicts the attendees at one of its meetings during the 1950s. With the caption on Bill’s website, the following identifications have been established (left to right): Bob Garrett (Confectioner), James Ruddock (Butcher of Brotton, but formerly the Butcher at North Skelton), ??, Clarence Ruddock (Butcher), Cyril Ridsdale (Builder), Roland Whitaker (Newsagent), Bob Young (Butcher), Tommy Evans (Jeweller), Tommy Kingston (Chemist), Arthur Ellingham (Plumber), ??. Can anybody add further confirmation or, more importantly, correction of these identifications, or fill in any of the gaps?”

Peter has published a book about the activities of the Association from its founding in 1787 to its eventual demise in 1973. Peter would like to have the fullest set of identifications to go with the image when he uses it as an illustration. His book will be titled: My Granddad was a ”Felon”. Tommy Evans was his grandfather. Please respond via our comments tab as usual and all responses will be forwarded to Peter. Thank you.

Malcolm Covell has advised: “The Gent in the centre front row is definitely Bob Young” and Robert Ruddock has assisted with : ”The gentleman in the Dickie bow standing second left is James Ruddock my grandfather. Clarence, my father, was a butcher at the ‘top-end’ of Brotton as indeed was James.”

Image courtesy of Bill Danby ”History of Skelton-in-Cleveland” forwarded to the E.C.I.A. via Peter Appleton, who is requesting this assistance. Please be of assistance and many thanks to Robert Ruddock and John Pinkney for the updates.

Grandma Rooks (grandmother of Owen Rooks) who died in in 1930; is pictured with a cousin called Marjorie Gott at the Rook’s allotment in John Street, New Skelton.
Image and information courtesy of Owen Rooks.

Mrs Rooks and Mrs Richardson enjoying another lovely sunny day at the John Street allotments. The 1950s seemed to have been blessed with some lovely summers. Sandra Harnett tells the Archive: “I have seen this photograph before but didn’t know who the lady on the left was, my grandmother Mrs Richardson is on the right. I did know Mrs Rook but the memory is fading!! I only saw my grandma in the holidays as we lived in London.”

Image and information courtesy of Owen Rooks, thanks to Sandra Harnett for the update.

This second picture of Tony in the allotment of Mr Rooks also shows the houses of Charlotte Street in the background. The photograph was probably taken about 1939, possibly shortly before the outbreak of war. Maria Wilcox asked: “Is this Tony Carter who sadly died in a mine accident?“

Image and information courtesy of Owen Rooks, thanks to Maria Wilcox for the update.

This image of Tony shows him in the mid to late 1930’s when he had befriended Owen Rooks’ cousin from London who stayed with Owen and his parents just before and during World War II. Tony (right), Owen’s cousin (left); the taller lad at the back may be another evacuee, possibly from Gateshead.
Image and narrative courtesy of Owen Rooks.