East Cleveland Image Archive

Now known to be part of the workforce of the Boulby and Grinkle mines, Trappy Lads were present in all mines. This was the job you got when you left school in the pit villages of the North-East – these lads look about 14 – their job was to open and close the ventilation doors as the horses and tubs came through.  They’re possibly wearing ”miner’s heels” which were an attachment to the workers boots of the time – you knew you’d been kicked if you got a ding from these! – the lads are carrying Tinplate ”midges” by the look of them, they used candles in the earlier days, later carbide powered midges were used.  Part of a larger group image, which can be viewed later in the Archive.

This photograph was taken at Beck Meetings, Dale House on the 20th December 1884 (according to its caption). Simon Chapman advises : ”It shows a train from Mr. Palmer’s Grinkle Park mine carrying workmen towards Port Mulgrave. The locomotives were ‘cab less’ to allow them to travel through the low tunnel under Ridge Lane.” The gentleman with the horse and trap has now been identified as Dawson Robinson the Loftus Ironmonger; perhaps on his regular round delivering to farms and villages in the area.

Many thanks to Simon Chapman for the update.