Loftus County Modern School Speech Day presentations by Alderman J. T. Fletcher; chairman of North Riding Education Committee. Mr Norminton commented that: ”as it was easier for children to find jobs, parents were willing to leave them at school for an extra year.” This in a period when jobs outnumbered school leavers. How times have changed! Back row: Hazel Johnson, Mary Hall, David Hampton, Steven Partlett. Front: Mr Harold Norminton (Headmaster), Annette Steyert, Alderman Fletcher, Colin Grout, Keith Fowle, Talbert Jackson.
Chris Colbeck commented: “Regarding the comment of the Headmaster. 1964 to 1965 was the first year when pupils could remain at school a further year and had an opportunity to sit exams for the Certificate of Secondary Education [CSE] which was a set little below the academic level of the GCE. Steve Partlett added: “Despite being in the photograph, I cannot remember why we were chosen! However, I suspect that the photograph was taken in the foyer at the bottom of the stairs to the 1st and 2nd floors. Almost opposite were some stairs to the basement; in the basement was the Prefect’s room, I suspect that this was emptied for the photograph! All those in the photograph were Prefects, with the exception of Hazel, who was Head Girl. At a guess the date is after Summer 1964 because in Summer 1965 some of those in the photograph left to attend Redcar Technical College for their fifth year.”
Image courtesy of Jean Carass; also many thanks to Chris Colbeck, Steven Partlett, Eileen Found and Ann Jackson for the updates.
Our image shows a BR Standard locomotive, number 77012, standing at Kettleness Station, pre 1959. Another station which has found a new lease of life – as a Scout Activity Centre – the coast line being closed in 1958 some 5 years before Dr Beeching. Usage was only heavy in the summer, whilst the tunnels and bridges were expensive to maintain. Duncan Sellers comments: “That station brings back memories for me of when I was in the Cubs and Scouts. Used to go down there quite often for camps initially and then for maintenance more latterly.”
Image courtesy of the Pem Holliday Collection and Maurice Grayson, particular thanks to Simon Chapman for pertinent information; thanks to Duncan Sellers for the memories.
This image which came to the Archive (having been found under another framed photograph) and was believed to be a muster for World War I; but it is now known to be the Carlin How detachment of the Skelton ”G” Company of the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment. The Archive has now had confirmation of these details following receipt of a titled postcard image of the same event: ‘Detachment of the Skelton “G” Company, 1st Volunteer Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment”. Their uniform then was Red Jacket, Blue Trousers and White Collar, Cuffs and Webbing. Bill Danby advises: ”In 1908 Richard Burden Haldane, the Secretary of State for War, re-organised the Volunteers nation-wide into the Territorial Force and they became attached to their local regular Army Regiments with the same uniform etc. The Volunteers in this area became the 4th Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment. The young man on the left with the bicycle is a mystery (see Bill’s note later), likely to be the son from some local well-to-do family, superior education and in a profession, while the lads would be down ”Duck” and Loftus Mines and on the Works etc. The rifles are the Magazine Lee Enfield Mk I, which were slowly replaced during the War with a shorter version with a faster loading method, but still with a bolt that the soldier had to manipulate to load the next round. The Volunteers had no obligation to serve abroad and I doubt whether these lads went further than their Annual two-week Camps which were usually held in the Summer at a seaside place. The 4th Battalion lads used to receive £1 for going and used up their holiday from work. When the War came they all re-enlisted to a man to serve abroad. It is likely that some of those on the photograph were still serving and went off to the Front. What a pity we do not know their names. It could have been some time after 1908 when new uniforms were issued, so early 1900s is about as close a date as I can suggest.” The Archive is now trying to find as Bill Danby suggests: ”When Mr T W Wood left off pulling pints.” Further information on this image would be most welcome. Bill further advises the Archive: ”You would think in a small village location that they were all local men, so it seems there is much that is not known about how local volunteers were organised into different roles. The bright uniforms had long been seen as a liability in warfare and when the khaki service dress and webbing of the First War was issued to local volunteers is not known, interestingly the two cyclists wear the wrap round putees that came into general use and the other lads have what looks like leather gaiters.” Researches have now discovered that Thomas W Wood was at the Maynard Arms from 1886, recorded in the 1891, 1901 and 1911 Census at the Maynard Arms; his death is recorded as being in 1912. Mrs Alwyn Wood tells us: “My husband’s grandfather was William Wood and owned the Maynard Arms. His father Harry Wood grew up there”.
Can anybody assist? Image courtesy of Dan Holme, information courtesy of Bill Danby and thanks to Mrs Alwyn Wood for the update.
This final postcard, also produced by J. W. Tate is dated 1925 and posted to a lady in Barnsley. The bridge presumably featured in the families walks. Noel Barrett advises: ”I suspect that this is the original footbridge at the bottom of Lowdale Lane which crosses over the Iburndale/Littlebeck to the Cricket Field. There is now a concrete 1950’s footbridge in roughly the same position.”
Image courtesy of John G. Hannah and many thanks to Noel Barrett for the update.
This Frith’s postcard view, apart from the title could be anywhere! A view of a river between trees is replicated in all parts of the country. Was this an example of how to extract money from tourist? Perhaps in memory of a happy visit to Sleights, who knows?
This postcard view (produced by J. W. Tate, Grocer, Sleights) has been written, but un-posted; dating based upon the final ’used’ card in this series, giving a date of 1925. Noel Barrett tells us: ”This is almost certainly a photograph of the boat landing at the River Gardens Tea Rooms and Garden Centre at Briggswath, near Sleights. The photograph looks downstream towards Ruswarp.”
Image courtesy of John G. Hannah and many thanks to Noel Barrett for the update.
An unused (and unidentified) postcard view of Sleights from above Lowdale. The hand written annotations appear to correspond to the following two images of the Sleights area. Noel Barrett tells us: ”This photograph is taken from Battle Banks which lies just above Lowdale Hall, Sleights; in the middle ground is what is now Sleights Sports Field which became a sports field in the 1930’s. In the foreground to the right is Lowdale Farm and barn.” Malcolm Jones asks: “I would like to know the history behind the name Battle Banks at Sleights.” Whilst Chris Warman says: “Was battle bank some sort of settlement. Can’t find out much about it!”
Image courtesy of John G. Hannah and many thanks to Noel Barrett for identifying the viewpoint, also to Malcolm Jones and Chris Warman for the comments.
William Richardson (of Loftus) Cleveland Series postcard, shows views of Battersby, including the Incline; the now infamous walking path up to the top of the moors. Unused we believe it dates from the same period as the Bilsdale views. Image courtesy of John G. Hannah.
A William Richardson (of Loftus) Cleveland Series postcard, showing views of Bilsdale including the post office (bottom left corner); it is believed that the group includes Agnes Leckonby, who is till a resident of Bilsdale. Although unused it bears a note ’Visited here July 31st 1915’, which implies a personal memoir collection and possibly collected at a later date? Image courtesy of John G. Hannah.
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