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 This T. C. Booth postcard, although on the image side is a calendar (for 1913), the reverse bears the message “Wishing you a very happy new year – from Dorothy”, Unfortunately there is no indication of recipient or Dorothy’s surname. Image courtesy of Olive Bennett.  Captioned ”Kilton Bank, Loftus” this image (from a proof copy of a proposed postcard) is more familiarly known as Mill Bank or Loftus Bank. Sadly both wall, gate and onlookers now long gone. In the background the trestle way which carried the ironstone from the mine across the valley bottom can be seen, can anybody assist with a possible date? Image courtesy of Olive Bennett.  This T. C. Booth postcard we are unable to date, having been used, but with stamp (and postmark removed) we estimated it being from the first decade of the twentieth century. It has not however suffered in time, in excellent condition and but still with lovely views. Image courtesy of John G. Hannah  This aerial view of the Library was produced by Skyviews & General Ltd, Leeds; for the North Riding Council. Supplied 14th October 1964, very shortly after the Library was opened. Olive Bennett was the first caretaker for the Library and Clinic (which was the upper floor) of this dual-purpose building, with the pram shelter at the left of the car park. The building was demolished in 2023! Image courtesy of Olive Bennett.  The Co-operative Stores at Loftus; with separate departments for Butchers, Clothes, Shoes, Food, Furniture, etc. Later with branches at Staithes, Carlin How, Brotton and Castleton; it later became the East Cleveland Co-operative. with a bank upstairs. The wheelbarrow outside the butchers department containing sheepskins, suggests the Co-op had its own slaughter-house. Maurice Dower tells us: “The butchers did indeed have a slaughter-house. I had a part-time weekend job delivering orders on a Saturday on a conventional butchers bike with the big basket in the front. During a school holiday in 1958 I also helped out in the slaughter-house, not with the slaughter but the clearing up and processing. I wish I could remember all the characters from that time. Harry (?) was the manager, Danny Plews worked there along with a couple more, one of who was an outgoing man from Staithes, Names escape me must be an age thing. The toilets at the back were well inscribed with lewd graffiti of which Tom Cole was a recipient. Tom worked in the drapery dept. Some happy memories of the camaraderie there.” Keith Cook has updated with: ” I think the manager was Harry Waite. I worked in the grocery warehouse from July 1958 to January 1959 and he was manager then.” John Wilson believes: “the manager of the butchers was Harry Bainbridge.” Norman Patton assisted with dating the image with: “I believe that the Odd Fellows Hall, in this picture, was completed in 1874, which was the same year that the 3rd storey was added above the Co-op food department. (There is a date stone at the peak of the gable). So I assume that the photograph was taken sometime in 1874 or just earlier!” Image courtesy of Olive Bennett and many thanks to Maurice Dower, Keith Cook, John Wilson and Norman Patton for the updates.  The south side of Zetland road Loftus, about 1905, complete with assembled participants in this postcard view. A William Richardson & Sons, Loftus, Penny Real Photo Series image. Image courtesy of Olive Bennett.  Dating of this image can be very definite. George Hebditch (building contractor) moved to Loftus in 1906. He first built the Congregational church at the bottom of Westfield Terrace. The church is clearly visible in the image with the scaffolding still in place and the outdoor pulpit not yet constructed. Researches have produced the following detail: ”In October 1904, a start was made to raise funds for a new building on a prominent site in the centre of the town. Foundation stones were laid in April, 1906 and opened for public worship on December 6th 1906. The total cost of the premises was £2,100, of all but £600 had been raised by June 1907”. Image courtesy of Mike & Carol; additional dating information courtesy of postcard ”Congregational Church and Minister, Loftus in Cleveland”.  Cleveland street, Loftus. The well worn steps suggest the sandstone houses have been around for a considerable time, when were they built? The gas lamp is a fine piece of street furniture. Andrew Pearson advises: “The houses in Cleveland Street, Loftus were built in 1825. Number 9 was my first house.” Martin Wray asks: “I can’t find any information on the building number 6 Cleveland Street, all information is very much welcome.” Raymond Thomas Harrison tells the Archive: “We moved from 2 Chapel Row to 12 Cleveland Street in about 1945. No 12 had a bay window. Then we moved to No 6 in about 1958.” Image courtesy of Olive Bennett, thanks to Andrew Pearson, Raymond Harrison and Martin Wray for the updates.  Wilkinson’s store, on the corner of North Road and Cleveland Street Loftus. Prominent on the photograph is Isaac Robinson of Loftus Foundry; who lived opposite the shop at Robinson terrace. His trademark white topper is seen on many early 20th century images of Loftus. This from a postcard view produced by T C Booth. George Trow advised: “My mum later had a hairdressing shop there; she was Dorothy Jackson then Dorothy Trow.” Image courtesy of Olive Bennett, thanks to George Trow for the update.
Loftus war Memorial, construction almost complete ready for dedication, some shuttering remains on the left behind which can be seen the entrance through the building to the Catholic church. Image courtesy of Olive Bennett. |
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