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Sunny at Saltburn

A postcard view of Saltburn pre 1974 it is believed. A lovely sunny day and the dark presence of Huntcliffe in the background cannot diminish the beauty of the beach. Callum Duff tells us: ”The Pier was finally reopened in 1952 after being breached as a precaution during WW2. The refurbishment between the end of the war and this date also saw the removal of the bandstand and the addition of glass screens on the two walkways, either side of the shore buildings. The pierhead was lost in 1974 so there’s a timeline of 22 years. I would guess that perhaps this image dates from around 1960 when the shore end buildings were weatherboarded and painted white before Saltburn’s Centenary Celebrations in 1961.”

Image courtesy of a supporter of the Archive and many thanks to Callum Duff for the update.

Bolckow Vaughan Ladies Football Team 1918

Described as the Runners Up in the Ladies Munitionette Cup held on 18th May 1918, these ladies would have also made a valuable contribution to the World War I industry. The team is also named.
Back row: Emily Milner, Amelia Farrell, Greta Kirk, Violet Sharples.
Front row: Elizabeth Powell, Mary Mohan, Mercy Page, Winnie McKenna, Gladys Reece, Florence Short, Anne Wharton.

Joyce Henry tells us: ”This picture shows my Grandma Elizabeth Powell; she later became Freeman.” Whilst Paul Boden tells us: ”I have the same photograph and the information I have is that the lady that is seated second from the right is Florence O Hanlon (nee Short) Florence was the younger sister of William Henry Short VC. Florence and William were first cousins of my mother Caroline Boden (nee Short).” Sylvia Fairbrass advises: “When Florence O’Hanlon (nee Short) writing in the Steel News in December 1971, put names to the team she played for and in no particular order: Winnie McKenna (Captain) who played for England, Florence Short aged 24, Mrs Cheney Forewoman at Cleveland Works, Maggie Briggs, Nurse Hall
Mrs Murphy, Mrs Leach and her daughter Miss Leach, Lizzie Powell, Miss Harrison, don’t know. She said the Team Trainer was Ralph Dixon. I am researching Florence and her brother William for a film we are making on William Short VC. It would be nice to have full names and positions played. I also require a more recent photo of Florence. Can anyone help?” Jacquelyn Barnett (nee Farrell) comments: “Amelia Farrell was my nana.” Arthur Hammond advises: ” My mother Mercy Page, married my father Joseph Hammond a former Marine throughout World War I. Unfortunately other than the photograph, which I have had for many years, I have no other information. At 82 (in 2018), I am the youngest of five, we resided in Teesville, my elder brother John (Jack) and sister Rita (Murphy) passed away some years ago. our Sister Mercy Dawn (nee Hammond) resides in Calgary in Canada. My older brother Joseph Peter Hammond, former Chairman of Guisborough Sea Cadets for many years might be able to give you more detailed information. The photograph has always been a link to the origins of myself and my eldest son’s deep interest of playing and coaching Football. Many years ago on the rare occasion that my eldest brother Jack (O.B.E) spoke about our mother playingfFootball, he inferred that she had played for the England Team of that time. True or false I do not know. Some years ago I passed this photograph on to the then, Ladies National Coach, and recently sent a copy to the FA at St Georges Park to encourage celebrating a 100 years of Women’s Football, the photograph is now with Professor Williams (Ladies Sports Researcher) at Wolverhampton University. You may possibly hear from her as she inquires into the founders and original teams of Ladies Football; very few people realize just how dominant Ladies Football was. My mothers brother, Nelson Page, was in his working life the Skipper of Smiths Dock Launch on the River Tees, along with her Sister Phyllis (Hinds) we all lived in Teesville, her brother Bill Page lived in South Bank. Kind Regards, Arthur (Arty) Hammond. Former FA Tutor.” Professor Jean Williams contacted the Archive with: “Hello researchers, Prof Jean Williams here. Do we have any more updates since 2018 on when/ how the team began and then were dismantled? I’d be very happy to hear more of your research into individuals and the business model.”

Image courtesy of the Pem Holliday Collection, identification via ”Grangetown in Times Past”; thanks to Joyce Henry, Paul Boden, Sylvia Fairbrass, Jacquelyn Barnett, Martin Peagam, and Arthur (Arty) Hammond for the updates. Can anybody assist with Professor Jean Williams enquiry.

The Fountain at Saltburn

An early postcard view of the fountain which once graced the water feature in the Valley Gardens (or Italian Gardens as my grandmother used to remind us!). This sadly disappeared many years ago. Callum Duff advises: ”This fountain was one of the early features of The Valley Gardens and stood on the flat land below what is now the lawn adjoining the tearoom. It was built sometime between 1862 and 1874 and was surrounded by decorative urns. The base of the fountain can be seen to the north of what was the Chalybeate spring. The fountain itself was moved after World War II to the site of the bandstand bombed in 1940 and remains of it still exist today. Some of the bases of the decorative urns still exist either in the vicinity of the fountain’s original location or in the beck nearby.”

Image courtesy of a supporter of the Archive and many thanks to Callum Duff for the supporting information.

North York Moors Guide Post

Standing above Hutton le Hole this is one of the many ancient stones on the North York Moors. This stone bears four way inscriptions, each side has a “Road to …” and then a hand symbol. Their dating continues to be a mystery.

Image courtesy of a supporter of the Archive.

Runswick from the Beach

Another postcard view of Runswick showing the old slipway from the beach, no tractors for pulling in those days. Man power (or in emergencies women power) was the most common and cheapest power source.
Image courtesy of a supporter of the Archive.

Redcar Golf Course

An early postcard view of Redcar Golf Course, the gentlemen players complete with dark suits and flat caps appear to be looking, perhaps for a lost ball?

Image courtesy of a supporter of the Archive.

The Openings Robin Hood’s Bay

A view of one of the quaint corners of Robin Hoods Bay, the old cottages built with no particular plan in mind. The cobbled path made with beach stone, and the porch of the doorway on the right with the carved portals probably made with timbers salvaged from one of the many wrecks on this coast.

Image courtesy of a supporter of the Archive.

Runswick Bay Before The Slip

This postcard view of Runswick, clearly shows the original road as it curled down the hillside and down to the original drying greens. How blue the sea looks, almost Mediterranean.

Image courtesy of a supporter of the Archive.

Spludging at Runswick

How brave they must have felt, on holiday and daring to wade out into the water. But being careful not to wet the ‘first time on’ skirts or shorts.

Image courtesy of a supporter of the Archive.

New Road Bank at Bay

The steps at the side of the road in this postcard view of Robin Hood’s Bay bank are still in situ today and are a useful refuge from that traffic that attempts to negotiate this very steep hill. And this despite the numerous signs at bank top and available car parks!

Image courtesy of a supporter of the Archive.