The caption on this photograph was “Mine horses out to graze during holidays near Claphow, North Skelton mine in the background.” Derick Pearson has advised: “This is at the high side of Clap How (Clapper) bridges; travelling from New Skelton to Lingdale involves passing under Clap How bridges. Turn left off the road immediately after the bridges and up a dirt track to where these fields are/were. On the left of the photograph you can see the farm house which is below the railway and the bridges. To the right is North Skelton mine as said in the original title; the underpass which goes under the railway lines is also visible. Martin Fox adds: “Looks like building in background could be what was called the Gas House. The Payne’s lived there; Ethel and George (my gran and grandad); Margaret (my mam), Doreen, Anne, Brian and Arthur (my aunts and uncles). There used to be a gas holder near to the house.”
Image courtesy of several sources, thanks to Derick Pearson and Martin Fox for the updates.
A lovely clear shot of the mine, looks as though it’s in full production. Anne Peacock asks: “My uncle Lawrence Henry Peacock was killed in North Skelton Mine on the 5 February 1957 aged 38. I cannot find any information on this accident.” Can anybody assist with this query?
Image courtesy of George Pearson and others, thanks to Anne Peacock for her enquiry.
One in a series of photographs of North Skelton mine, the caption says taken from the north about 1900. This is entirely possible, as the centre figure of the group in the cabin doorway appears to be Thomas Ranson; Manager of the mine in the early 1900s.
A photograph of North Skelton Mine, taken in the 1960’s before the closure of the mine.Danny Plews advises: “I worked for a while down this mine, firstly being a Sprog Boy and then within the mine driving a loco pulling the filled wagons from in-bye and bring empty ones back. I was on a wage, but the miners were paid by the wagon load, I got 4d after the 24th tub. You really earned it! Health and safety went out of the window, because we had to earn a living! Wild horses would NOT drag me down there again!” Mike Elliott asks: “There seems to be lots of info available about North Skelton mine up to the point of closure and then nothing. I’ve been trying find out when the headgear was removed, the railway lifted, when the shafts were capped (or filled?) when were spoil heaps removed and where to?”
Image courtesy of George Pearson, thanks to Danny Plews for the update and can anybody assist with Mike Elliott’s questions?
An excellent hand tinted postcard of the railway station in possibly 1907, one of the ”Phoenix” Series produced by Brittain & Wright of Stockton. It looks so different now.
Skelton station as we have never seen it, once again a lovely drawing, the station was South-East along the railway from Hollybush Bridge. David Richardson tells us: “It opened on 1st July 1902 and was closed to passengers on 10th September 1951; closing completely on 21st January 1964. The building to the left of the picture was the Station Masters house which still stands. Derick Pearson assisted with: “North Skelton Station was at Hollybush where Wilkinson Brothers Car Breakers yard is sited.” Locals can remember some platforms still being there and we believe this is the one depicted in the etching. Stonehouse Brothers had the yard for coaches before Wilkinson Brothers; a little further along the line was Long Acres Pit which is also shown on site.
Image courtesy of Joan Webster and thanks to David Richardson and Derick Pearson for updates.
Yes I know we have a photograph of this bridge, but not like this. Look at all those bricks; how long to draw all those? Image courtesy of Joan Webster.
This line drawing of the Calcining Kilns and materials hoist at Lingdale mine gives a true impression of their size. Eric Johnson informs the Archive: ”This drawing of the calcining kilns and materials hoist, shows the three kilns which were originally on the island of RAASAY in the Inner Hebrides; dismantled in about 1943, each part carefully numbered and loaded into ships. One local man John MacLeod was killed in the hold when the sling broke. The kilns were taken to Lingdale and re-erected shortly afterwards.” Image courtesy of Joan Webster and thanks to Eric Johnson for the update.
A different view of North Skelton mine, how clearly the pit wheel shows up. When the mine was in operation it dominated the whole village, this would be most obvious to residents as most of them were in employment owing to the mine. Image courtesy of Joan Webster.
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