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Loftus Forge

Believed to be Harry Wrightson blacksmith at Loftus Forge in 1900, with John Ward Hopper (who was apprenticed to Harry Wrightson) on the left. John Ward Hopper was the Grandfather of Maurice Toulson of the Loftus Town Crier. Loftus Forge was built by Lord Zetland at the turn of the century, in what was then his timber yard, with his estate office nearby. The forge was rented to Mr John Wrightson for £15 per year. John Smith advised us: “I’d question this as Harry wasn’t born until 1901 in Guisborough (unless there is another Harry). It might be his Father, John or the date may be incorrect? Harry was my Grandmother’s cousin and I remember going to stay at the forge in the 1960’s.”

The gentleman holding the horse is unknown. Can you help?

Image courtesy of Olive Bennett and thanks to John Smith for that update.

Skinningrove Hospital Fathers

 

This photograph was loaned to us by Geoff Hore and the title was written on the back has anyone any information on why it was called or who were the Skinningrove Hospital Fathers? But as Tony Nicholson has pointed out to us:”Two of the men seem to be patients (the man on the front right with crutches, and the man on the back left with an injured arm). It’s possible that the three individuals sat on the bench were patients too? The lad looks young, but could easily have been working in the mine.”  As Tony says the young man is not old enough to be a ”father”. The mystery deepens. Tony also tells us: ”I think the nurse on the left is the Matron of the Hospital, Emily Elgey. She came to the hospital in 1902 and died in 1924. The nurse on the right looks like her probationer nurse, Liebe Mary Bowen, who was there around 1910/11. I have photos of Liebe from much later in life (c. 1930s and 1940s) which seem to show a similar face, although all of us change as we age.” Rebecca Saywell tells us: ”The man sat at the front on the left, is my great great grandfather, James Abbott. He was born in 1855 and died in 1914. Geoff (who supplied the photo) is the son of my nan’s cousin.”

Please note this revised image, the original had been distorted in scanning – many thanks to Tony Nicholson – whom following his request to contact Geoff whilst following researches into the Miner’s Hospital at Skinningrove obtained an improved image.

 Image courtesy of Geoff Hore and thanks to Tony Nicholson for the advice; also Rebecca Saywell for the update.

Zetland Estate Cottages, Loftus

The cottages constructed in 1868, were part of the re-development of Loftus by Lord Dundas (Zetland); they remain today facing onto the main street, although the rambling rose (?) is no longer present. The cottages were only a small part of the development of Loftus as a town undertaken by Lord Zetland, many of which are still very obvious  today.

Image courtesy of a Loftus Town Crier calendar, dating information courtesy of Eric Johnson.

Skinningrove Bridge, after the Flood

1903 and the bridge is washed away in the flood, to replaced by a new bridge which was opened by Lord Zetland.

Image courtesy of Olive Bennett.

Boy Scout Jamboree – or just a big Pow Wow?

Loftus Scouts – and yes it is Loftus Cricket Club! – known to have been taken in the late 1930’s, but what was the occasion? We have been given two names by Eric Johnson, but can anybody name any more or assist with any information?

Image courtesy of Eric Johnson.

Peace Celebrations

One of several images that have come to the Archive of the Peace Celebrations in 1918 at the end of World War I, the series all taken by George Skilbeck appear to culminate in the people gathering as portrayed in the post “Gathering” on the Archive.
Image courtesy of the Pem Holliday Collection, Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum and others.

A Fine Looking Group

All dressed up and nowhere to go, moustaches well-groomed and caps on at jaunty angles; I wonder what this group of men were waiting for? Are they going off somewhere or just waiting for the girls to pass by?

Loftus Woods

 

The caption says Loftus Woods so that is where it must be, but where in the woods? It looks more like an atomic landscape to me, but the reflections in the water are lovely. Alan Gill believes: ”The photograph has been taken just down from the waterfall, and facing away from it.”

Thanks to Alan Gill for the update.

The New Bridge

The old bridge  in the foreground following the floods of 1903 was no longer safe; so a new bridge was built.  This photograph (originally from an article in the Northern Echo) shows the opening of the new bridge.  The inset shows the cutting of the ribbon by Lord Zetland.

Thanks to Eric Johnson for supporting evidence.

Loftus Peace Celebrations

Part of a series of postcards celebrating the 1918 Peace Celebrations, taken by George Skilbeck (possibly from the upper front room of his premises on Zetland Road). The celebrations are in full swing, making their way along Zetland Road, Loftus. This view is showing the body of the parade after the band heading the procession had passed.