A view of Loftus in 1929. The High Street runs diagonally from the bottom left corner, through the Market Place, to the top right. The amount of detail in the picture is noteworthy; it is fascinating to compare it to Google Earth’s view of the same area. Many of the buildings still stand today. But dating this photograph which was taken after the erection of the War Memorial, but prior to the demolition of the houses on High Side behind the memorial were demolished. David Richardson tells us: ”This is one of several aerial views of Loftus produced as postcards from a flyover in 1929.”
Image courtesy of Carolyn Richards and many thanks to David Richardson for the dating update.
One of several images of the Coronation Parade to celebrate the Coronation of King George V in 1911. In this view the parade is viewed as it moves up Zetland Road to the Market Place. This view point must have been popular with photographers as we have many scenes of Loftus events from a similar perspective. Possibly taken from the upper floor of the Odd Fellow’s Hall.
Glenhow private school for boys, opened about 1884 and was previously two houses; it was briefly again used as a private residence between 1893 and 1901. The exact date it became Glenhow School is uncertain, it was visited by HRH Princess Anne 21st February 1986 and finally closing in 1992. By the time of closure in 1992 girls were also pupils at the school. Today it still stands and has been converted back to private housing. Mike Wilson writes: ”I attended Glenhow as a border in 1949-1950. The headmaster then was a Mr Percy Sykes. The school continued in operation into the 1970s under the jurisdiction of Mr John Amos (I think)and his wife Barbara. Sadly Mr Amos passed away just before my son, Miles Wilson, started there as an infant in 1978 under the headmastership of Mr Anthony Petgrave-Johnston. We migrated to Australia in 1982 and so lost touch with the school. We now understand that Glen Howe has closed down. If there are any ex-pupils that remember me or my son Miles I would be glad to hear from them.” Whilst Richard Gowing tells us: ”I attended Glenhow from 1944, when it was evacuated to the house in Helmsley which was the Bishop of Whitby’s country residence and now the HQ of the national park. We were rather crowded there but it was great fun, in a lovely location. After the war we returned to Saltburn where I remained until 1948 when I moved on to Oundle. Percy Sykes was a great headmaster and formative influence; among other things he gave me a love of music which I enjoy to this day. My other great teacher was Miss Margaret Grinyer; a schoolmate whom I particularly remember was Bruce Tulloh who later achieved fame as a barefoot runner. Happy memories! It was sad to learn from the web that the school later closed, but good to see that the building survives, as I saw when I visited Saltburn recently.” Andrew Scott reports: “Bruce’s passing was reported in the Telegraph Obituaries”. Chris Holmes also tells us: ”I went to Glenhow school as a boarder, in 1972 the headmaster was Mr Amos; I owe that man everything as he was fantastic. What a school, great days!” Sarah Sumner (Williams) tells: “I went to Glenhow school in the 1980s. I have so many happy memories, and meet friends for life. I have moved back near Saltburn-by-the-Sea and plan on going back to visit”.Ruth Smith advises: ”Just read that Robert Shaw the actor was a teacher at this school. (See Wikipedia)”.Stephen JB James advises: “I was at Glenhow 1954-58, and my brother David James was there 1957-62. Percy Sykes was head when I arrived, but in 1955 or 56 John Rayson took over as head. After early homesickness I settled down and I have many happy memories of my time there. I went on to Rossall School in Lancashire, followed by Oxford University and then a career in marine insurance in London. I am married to a South African, and we divide our time between Wimbledon and Cape Town. If anyone out there remembers me I would be delighted to hear from them!” Peter Gee assists with: I remember you: If I’m right you came with me to my parents place in Norton on one of the visiting days when your people couldn’t come. I was there 1954-57; remember Mr. Sykes and Mr Rayson, and Ms Grunyere (I think that’s right spelling) who taught Maths and French, also the Rutherford’s who were head boys, and a returned head boy who came back as a teacher. A few other names are floating around in the back of my head, if I pin them down I’ll repost.” Neil Anderson adds: “I went to Glenhow School when it came back to Saltburn in 1946/47 until I then went to Worksop College. My grandson also went to Glenhow he was there when it closed and at the time Princess Ann visited he went on to Yarm school who’s Headmaster was Neville Tate also educated at Glenhow the same time as me. A lot of the boys went on to St Peters in York. I still live in the area and come across a few old boys of my time . I remember the Rutherford’s, Mrs Musgrave was the cook for many years and her husband Frank was handyman. As you say very many Happy Memories. I am now 88.” Chris Bean adds: “I was an inmate from 1960 to 1966. From thence to Oundle. As a young lad Saltburn was an adventure playground with the beach, cliffs, and garlic woods being a favourite haunt. More memories than I can shake a stick at, and it is easy to remember the good stuff. However I have to be honest and say I did not want to be there, but we did as we were told right? My parents lived and worked abroad (father a Geologist) which is why my brother and I went to Glenhow Preparatory School. The only teachers I can remember the name of were Rayson (Head) and Dunbar.” Victoria Sladen also remembers: “My grandfather was Percy Sykes. He sadly died when I was very small so I don’t remember him at all. However, his Wife, Gladys, my grandmother figured very prominently in my life and I am lucky to have lots of photos of her and of Glenhow School. Their son, Robin, was my father. He died in 2019 and some music, composed by my grandfather, was played at his funeral at Bristol Cathedral. John Rayson was, I believe, Godfather to my sister. Miss Margaret Grinyer used to send us Christmas presents for many years. I remember her spidery writing very clearly and she lived in Hawthorn Gardens, Worthing. Time marches on for all of us and I doubt if there are many former Glenhow pupils who will remember the Sykes family now but please leave a comment, if you do!” Clair Hodgson updates with: “Hi Victoria, I don’t remember your grand father, however when I attended Glenhow the children were split in to two teams called houses. One was Sykes and one was Amos. I was in Sykes. Very find memories of my time there.”
Many thanks to Mike Wilson, Richard Gowing, Andrew Scott, Sarah Sumner (Williams), Chris Holmes, Ruth Smith, Stephen James, Peter Gee, Neil Anderson, Chris Bean, Victoria Sladen and Clair Hodgson for the updates.
Erected in 1911/12, at a cost of £1,800, The greater part of which was given by Joseph W. Pease & Partners Ltd; who were operating Lingdale mine. It contained Reading, Billiard, Games Rooms (no gambling!; Pease were Quakers), baths and a large Concert Hall for shows. The Pease company connection with Lingdale mine, which started in 1873 only ceased in 1951 with the nationalisation of the coal mines and the formation of the Iron and Steel Corporation of Great Britain (later to be known as the British Steel Corporation).
Image courtesy of Maurice Grayson and Jean Carass.
7th March 1983 – were you there and do you remember the workmen? Now identified as : Arthur Bates, Ken Sayers, Dave Curnow, Ernie Tinsdale, Sid Robson. Derick Pearson identified: “Dave Curnow of Lingdale”, Steve Moore added: “It is Dave Curnow of Lingdale, erecting the crash barriers on Primrose hill. Arthur Bates’s is on the left. It is the only known evidence of Dave Curnow actually doing any work.” Whilst Eric Trembath assisted with: “The man driving the JCB is Ken Sayers from Hinderwell; he drove for Knaggs Bros. of Saltburn who we worked for circa 1967.” and Arthur Bates also helped with: “Ernie Tinsdale and Sid Robson are the other two, Ken Sayers worked for his son at the time.” Later adding: “David has now passed sadly, don’t know about Sid (wagon driver) as I believe he moved from Brotton,I was the chargehand at the time now retired the year 1983.”
Image courtesy of the Pem Holliday Collection, with thanks to Derick Pearson, Steve Moore, Eric Trembath and Arthur Bates for the updates on names.
7th March 1983 – were you there and did you know who the workmen were? Now known to be: left to right: Dave Curnow, Sid Robson. Bob Marshall suggests: ”100% sure it is Dave Curnow, I’m about 90% his work mate is Sid Robson from Brotton; I worked with them both about that time on the Council”.
Image courtesy of the Pem Holliday Collection and thanks to Arthur Bates, Derick Pearson, Steve Moore and Bob Marshall for the update on names.
7th March 1983 – were you there and can you tell who the workmen are? Arthur Bates assists with: “Arthur Bates, Ken Sayers, Ernie Tinsdale, Sid Robson.”
Image courtesy of the Pem Holliday Collection, thanks to Arthur Bates for the update on names.
A John Thomas Ross postcard view of a window glass found in Whitby in 1770. Ross was a prolific postcard producer in Whitby, one of many who plied their trade in the town; catering to the demands of Victorian and later visitors to the town.
Image courtesy of Olive Bennett, information regarding John Thomas Ross courtesy of “Ruth Wilcock – Whitby Photographers”.
The end of Loftus High Street looking towards the Market Place, about 1920. The shops were: a small general dealers, Mr Robinson’s bike and electrical shop, then came Finlay’s sweet shop. Can we date it by the pram? The gap in the wall on the right hand side was for a horse trough that was fed by a natural spring. Eric Johnson says ”The first shop has the name S. Jackson on the sign. Kelly’s Directory of the North Riding for 1905, lists: ’Jackson, Sarah (Mrs), shopkeeper, 43 High Street Loftus”. Jean Wiggins tells us od this image: “Granny Jackson is standing outside Jackson’s grocer’s on the corner of Dam Street. The middle shop is ‘Sappy’ Watson’s barbers and the next is Finlay’s provisions.”
This view of the High Street, from the end of Arlington Street, shows two ladies viewing the shop window; whilst possibly preparing to push the pram up to the Market Place. With the weight of prams in those days, a good push!
Image courtesy of Mary Bielby and Olive Bennett, many thanks to Jean Wiggins for the update.
A colour tinted post card of the Priory from the early 1900’s. These ruins of an Augustine priory founded by the de Brus family (of Skelton) also went on to be Kings of Scotland.
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