If you look carefully into the distance the magnificent Half-penny Bridge can be seen, sadly no longer there any more, badly maintained in more modern times it was deemed expedient to demolish it rather than repair it.
This magnificent display was still replenished every year, until recently – although the floral masterpiece has changed design over the years. The gardeners no longer raise the plants themselves on site however – they and their greenhouses and potting sheds are long gone. The gardening staff are provided by Redcar and Cleveland Parks and Gardens and are just as skilled at providing the wonderful displays.
I called this ’The Italian Gardens’; but I had a feeling that this part of the gardens had another name. Callum Duff has come to our aid: ”This postcard does definitely show The Italian Gardens! the rest of the valley has been called a number of different names including The Pleasure Grounds, Saltburn Glen and The Valley Gardens.” Rob Carter adds: “I’ve bought a small album of Saltburn-by-the-sea photographs (Victorian) and there’s a photograph entitled ‘in the gardens’ showing the bandstand and also another entitled ‘the Italian Flower Gardens’. Other photographs include the gardens from the (Halfpenny) Bridge, Oak Walk in the gardens, the old Convalescent Home, the Cliff Tramway, On the Sands (with Bathing Machines)!”
Many thanks to Callum Duff and Rob Carter for the updates.
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