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Shop at Staithes

Grace Conn moved from the small shop in the cottage at one side of Staithes Lane to the larger premises over the road, which later became the Co-op.  She is pictured on the doorstep with her assistant, Muriel Clark. Ann Beckett asks: “Has anyone any information about the owners of the shop – the Shippey family – our cottage in the lower village of Staithes, records members of the Shippey family being resident in the 1911 Census?”

Image courtesy of Mr. Ray Conn; can any one assist Anne Beckett with her searches?

Kilton Viaduct Ironstone Train Wreck (May 1909)

This is another shot of the accident in an earlier post.  This clearly shows how the N.E.R. overcame the problems that accidents caused to its passenger timetable. Drawn up close to the head of the accident (on the Loftus side) is a commuter train.  The passengers from a Whitby-bound train can be seen walking along the trackbed, some with small children, to board the commuter train, which will then take them on the rest of their journey. The accident occurred in 1909 and the wagons involved were fairly new. Unusually for mineral wagons they had continuous (air) brakes and were being used on trains between Liverton Mines and Cargo Fleet Works.

Many thanks to Simon Chapman for information.

Lingdale Silver Band Parade

The Archive wondered about this band where were they and what date is it? Derick Pearson advised: ”This photograph was taken in the 1930s and was taken from the upstairs window of what is now the post office on the high Street coming toward the Lingdale Tavern. The field on the right with the buildings in it belonged to my grandmother in those days and the buildings remained for many years.” Joy Jacklin contacted with: “I was born in Lingdale at 10 High Street in December 1933. The end house shown was No 2. I don’t remember the buildings in the position shown but remember buildings somewhere in the location where the two bungalows now stand; these are at the lower end of the field. The buildings shown must have been demolished around mid 1930′s . Meadowdale Court was built years later in the rest of the field. There was a brick air raid shelter just inside the field and to the right of the gate. Mr George Barker owned the butchers shop opposite the field gate and next door was the taxi service owned by Mr George Wedgewood.”

Whilst Derek Dobson adds: “Takes me back band walking up the High Street, followed by Billy ? pretending to clash cymbals. When I was a kid, band was brought up and nourished by Fred Ramage a very competent bandmaster, a well respected gentleman. It brought a heavy sense of loss on the village when he died; his son was always known to us lads as ‘Fred’.”

Image courtesy of Mike Holliday, many thanks to Derick Pearson, Ray Jacklin and Derek Dobson for the updates.

Brotton Temperance Silver Band 1908

Temperance Societies sprang up in every industrial town, village and city during the Industrial Revolution as philanthropists and the Church tried to turn the working man away from the demon drink. The Band was one way of rewarding them for abstention. Do you recognise anybody? Sheelagh Dobson tells us: ”The man at the far left is my grandad Paul Marshall who was born in Brotton.”

Researches have revealed that the 1908 British Brass Band Association contest was held at Loftus; placings being given as: 1st Brotton Temperance Band, 2nd North Skelton Band, 3rd Brotton Old Band. At  that stage Brotton Temperance Band had gained five winning places, four 2nd places and six 3rd places.

Image courtesy of Julie Riddiough, thanks to Sheelagh Dobson for the update. Additional information from Brass Band Results website.

Accident on Kilton Viaduct (May 1909)

Derailments were not uncommon on this viaduct, the curve and excess speed brought a few trains to grief! This image gives us a chance to see a good view of a heavy steam crane in action and also the damage caused  – bet this took some rectifying!

Loftus Cub Scouts c. 1975

Loftus Cub Scouts pictured in the old scout hut. Dean Gibson tells us: ”The old Scout hut contained so many happy memories with a great history. If my memory serves me correctly, it was brought from RAF Fylingdales once the building of the BMEWS (Ballistic Missile Early Warning Station) was completed.” John Preston advises: “Tony and Elsie Biddlestone and their children Andrew, Jane and Ann emigrated to South Africa around 1977.”

Standing: Tony Biddlestone, Alan Douthwaite, Ray Silver.

Back row: John Templeman, Steve Jackson, Mark Lightfoot, Dave Toulson, ??, ?? , Graham Morrison, ?? , Geoffrey Grayson, Mark Unthank, Michael Tyreman, Stephen Whitlock, Andrew Conn.

Front row: Simon Wedgewood, ?? , Andrew Biddlestone, ?? , ?? , Christopher Smith, Trevor Himsworth, Sean Gray, Adrian Hardy, Andrew Tabner, ?? , ?? .

Image courtesy of Pam Morrison and names, also thanks to John Preston, Dean Gibson and Steve Jackson for updates.

Loftus Scout Group c. 1975

The Cubs have been joined by the rest of the troop for this photograph.

Back row: Norman Pass, Tony Biddlestone, Alan Douthwait, Nick Whitlock, Mark Hutchinson, Andrew Butcher, ? Wedgewood, Ron Bickerdike, Martin Harding, ? Lumas, Dave Graham, Mark Fowler.

Third row: Graham Duck, ?? , ?? , Guy Gibson, Ray Barnes, ?? , ?? , ?? , ?? , ?? , Ray Silver, Steve Bradley, John Preston.

Second row: John Templeman, Steve Jackson, Mark Lightfoot, Dave Toulson, ??, ?? , Graham Morrison, ?? , Geoffrey Grayson, Mark Unthank, Michael Tyreman, Stephen Whitlock, Andrew Conn.

Front row: Simon Wedgewood, ?? , ?? , ?? , ?? , Christopher Smith, Trevor Himsworth, Sean Gray, Adrian Hardy, Andrew Tabner, ?? , ?? .

Image courtesy of Pam Morrison and names to date; additional names from John Preston and Steve Jackson, also thanks to Dean Gibson for update.

Loftus Scouts (1960)

This photograph of a group of Loftus Scouts was taken at the same time as the image of Loftus Scout Committee (1960) in the old Scout Hut.  (If you don’t believe me just look at the stuff on the table).

Norman Pass (far right) Scout Master, Mink Simpson (centre rear) Assistant Scout Master and Joe Ward (to left of Norman Pass) Assistant Scout Master are in this picture and the one below.

Do you recognise any of the Scouts?  Were you one of them?  What was the party for?

Image and names (and titles) to date courtesy of John Hicks.

More Loftus Scouts (1960)

The same party, and now known to be a joint Xmas party for Loftus and Liverton Mines Scouts in 1962; but more boys in the picture.

Back row: George Hebron?, Mike Swales, Roger Hall, ??, ??, Derek Swales, Albert Goldby, ??, Norman Pass, Joe Ward, Mink Simpson.

Middle row: Graham Nellist, ??, ??, ??, ??, ??, ??, ??, ??, David Bateman, Michael Bateman.

Front row: ??, Colin Foster, David Hebron, ??, ??, ??, standing: ??, ??, ??.

Can you help with names of the Scouts?

Image and some names courtesy of John Hicks, thanks to Eric Johnson and Alan Walker for the updated names; also thanks to Joe Ward for additional information.

Loftus Scouts Committee (1960)

Taken in the old Scout hut this is the committee of Loftus Scouts.

Back Row: Mink Simpson (Assistant Scout Master), Elizabeth Moor, Albert Goldby, Norman Pass (Scout Master), Joe Ward (Assistant Scout Master), John Bennett (Senior), John Bennett (Junior).

Front Row: Muriel Covell, Hannah Nellist, Elsie Pass, Agnes Swales, Olive Bennett.

Image courtesy of John Hicks and Joe Ward.