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Arlington Street

A rather big gathering on Arlington Street and the people all look to be dressed in their best could it be  a Sunday, have they been or just coming home from church? The Newton Memorial Chapel in the background was destroyed by a bomb in World War II.

Arlington Street, Loftus.

Another well photographed location, this view from a postcard included the information that the gentleman in the foreground was ‘Kind George’; so named as he was the Relieving Officer. Part of his duties included doling our parish relief. A road sweeper is busy in the gutter, hauling his barrow behind him; the billboard on the end of Springhead Terrace has long gone. The telephone pole jutting out onto the road (now where there is pavement) at the end of St Hilda’s Place, was the cause of many road accidents.

Image courtesy of Loftus Town Crier and Jean Wiggins (information confirming from Jean Wiggins “Loftus in Old Picture Postcards”).

St Hilda’s Place, Loftus.

The posers are out in force again,  the photograph (from a Bruce postcard view) shows Arlington Street and the entrance to St Hilda’s Place, these must be some of the older houses of Loftus.

St Hilda’s Place

All dressed up and posing for  photograph are the lady and gentleman in the photograph,  does anyone know who they are?  Underneath the gas light (not Lili Marlene!) but a policeman; the horse patiently waiting for it’s owner. The road in this picture looks as though it is not yet tarmacked, lovely and peaceful wish I was there.

St Hilda’s Place, Loftus

This postcard view shows another street that hasn’t changed much over the years, although I don’t think so many people would congregate now if anyone came with a camera. Paul Jones-King told the Archive: “I live in the second cottage in, which hasn’t changed much since this photograph was taken!

Image courtesy of Maurice Grayson and thanks to Paul Jones-King for the update.

Jackson’s Yard, Loftus

I wonder if these photographs were taken at the customer’s request or as an early advertisement? A good image of a two wheel cart – too heavy to be a trap do you think?
Image courtesy of Julie Morrison.

The Rectory, Loftus

An aerial photograph of the original Loftus Rectory shows just how big a house it is; a good big family house for the Rector of the parish. It features in postcard views else where on the Archive.


Image courtesy of Mrs Sakelaropoulos.

Loftus Rectory

An imposing building, Loftus Rectory was easier to see before the Arlington Estate was built; a new rectory was built below the old one (in the late 1970’s). The present day rectory was purchased as an already built house on Micklow Lane, on the site of the Women’s Institute Hall.

Image from a T. C. Booth glass negative and thanks to Steven Gale for the update information.

Old Mans Park on Mill Bank, Loftus

I want to know who the little girl is with the big hat!  An image before the iron horse this one, no metalled roads. 
Derick Pearson tells us: ”It is actually taken two thirds of the way up Loftus bank from Kilton Mill. The pit and the works are a giveaway. I was informed many years ago that the wall on the photograph led to two paths that cut through to the gardens to the right of (High Row) and to a place called The Old Man’s park on the path directly behind the little girl. The old men would have a nice view from here overlooking both pits and the Mill as the trees in those days did not go all the way down.”
Norman Patton adds: ”I recall not only the two pathways but three! On the high side, it was possible to walk along the bottom of the furthest “allotments” in front of St Hilda’s Terrace/Short Row. The central path led into the park where there were Swings, Roundabouts, a SeeSaw and several seats. This recreation area was revitalised during the 1950s but again fell into dis-use. The third path was just below the Park and would have been wide enough for carts and possibly vehicles. This path might have lead to Loftus Pit and possibly Skinningrove before the Pit was opened?”

Image courtesy of the Pem Holliday Collection and thanks to Derick Pearson and Norman Patton for the updates.

Springhead Terrace, Loftus

Springhead Terrace viewed from an elevated position; possibly from the property for many years occupied by the Gallilee family. Derick Pearson added: “Although the elevated viewpoint would indicate it was taken from the rear upstairs room of a house on Arlington Street. There was a photographers studio on Arlington Street for many years from the early 1900s until the 1980s”. Eric Johnson told us: “The top house on Springhead Terrace was known as the “Belgian’s house.” George Cuthbert told the Archive: ”The reason for the title ’Belgian’s house’ came from the occupation of the house during World War I by a group of Belgian refugees. At the end of World War I all but a 16-year-old girl returned to Belgium. The young lady later married the post master at Runswick Bay.”

Thanks to Eric Johnson, Derick Pearson and George Cuthbert for the updates.