Congregational Church, Loftus

Posted on May 15, 2013 by chris.twigg

The Congregational Church in Loftus dates from 1906, the builder was a Mr Charles Hebditch, who also married there.

In later years it was the Loftus United Reformed Church which closed in the 1990s. Sadly it’s now in a sad state of disrepair stuck in a stalled redevelopment as flats by a London owner. Its rare open-air pulpit has already been lost. It was apparently up for sale again for £30,000 in 2012.

One entrance carries the inscription “Bolton Memorial School” although I have not yet traces its exact origin. A large number of initialled stones appear around the base of the church, presumably placed to record those who contributed to its construction.

The corner stone carries the name Alderman C H Baines and a April 1906 date, so perhaps he opened it or layed the foundation ?

Locomotion No.1 and the Bulmer Stone

Posted on May 14, 2013 by chris.twigg

Richard Freeman kindly sent me this photo of a plaque he recently purchased

It depicts Locomotion No.1 and the Bulmer Stone. The Head of Steam museum has the mould for these which was made by Stephen Bell in 1909 with the plaque being registered as a medal design in 1911.

They appear to have been sold by the Pawnbroker, Arthur E Berry of 58 – 61 Northgate

1877 Temperance Hall, Loftus

Posted on May 13, 2013 by chris.twigg

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The Temperance movement was strong in the late 1800′s, often helped by Quaker mine owners such as Pease who preferred their employees to be here instead of drinking themselves silly in the local pubs.

The dedication stone is very worn, but I interpret it as :-

Laid by W Lapsley Marske
On behalf of Plant of Renown Lodge
I.O.G.T. June 11 1877

William Lapsley is listed on 1881 census in Zetland Terrace in Marske as a ‘Temperance Missionary’ and he has links to the Pease family.

I.O.G.T stands for International Organisation of Good Templars who would have been active in the Temperance movement at this time.

“Plant of Renown” is the name given to this Loftus Lodge, which comes from Ezekiel 34:29 - ‘And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more.’

Other local lodges were “Charltons Excelsior” at Margrove Park, “Hope of Lingdale”, “Star of Brotton” “Dawn of Peace” and “Star of Hope”

Anglo-Saxon Dragon, St Oswalds, Newton under Roseberry

Posted on May 10, 2013 by chris.twigg

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Parts of the church are thought to date from the 12th century although the main tower is from 1901 by Temple Moore.
During repairs in 1827 this stone depicting a dragon attacking a horse/cow/panther (opinions vary) was discovered under the floor, it is thought to be Anglo-Saxon.

A stone coffin was also found under the floor at the same time.

Wesleyan Chapel Demolition, West Terrace, Redcar

Posted on May 9, 2013 by chris.twigg

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I posted earlier this year about the Wesleyan Chapel

Sadly in April 2013 demolition started

In early May 2013 this was revealed

It would appear to be a passage from Psalm 100
‘Enter into his gates with praise, and into his courts with rejoicing’

Red Lion Ghostsign, Guisborough

Posted on May 8, 2013 by chris.twigg

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This sign relates to the opening times of the pub during the livestock mart, as far as I can tell a pub called the Red Lion existed here until around 1970.

As far as I can make out it says :-

These premises are permitted to be open 11am to 10pm on Tuesdays for the convenience of those attending the mart.

Guisborough Mechanics Institute

Posted on May 7, 2013 by chris.twigg

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The land for the Mechanics Institute was donated by Admiral Chalenor in 1861, the mechanics in question would be the ones associated with the booming local ironstone trade at that time. An 1866 report lists 54 pupils.

Surprisingly this is not a listed building.

Whorlton Suspension Bridge

Posted on May 3, 2013 by chris.twigg

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The first bridge at Whorlton was started on 9th June 1829, on 13th October 1829 the incomplete bridge was swept away in a huge flood.

The foundation of the north pier of the replacement chain bridge was laid on 19th August 1830 with the main chains being slung on 1st April 1831, the complete bridge opened on 7th July 1831.

The architect was Mr Green of Newcastle and the builder Welsh of Gateshead. The toll booth at the north end carries a reproduction of the fees to cross.

Backhouse’s Bank, Preston Hall

Posted on May 2, 2013 by chris.twigg

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Backhouse’s Bank was founded in 1774 in Darlington by Quaker, James Backhouse. This ’branch’ is at Preston Hall Museum. Jonathan Backhouse was heavily involved in the £125,000 financing of the Stockton & Darlington Railway.

In 1896 Backhouse merged with other Quaker banks, Gurney of Norwich and Barclays of London to form what is still known today as Barclays Bank.

I’m not sure which branch this plaque originated from, possibly Stockton given the date and current location ?

Return of the Redcar Penguins

Posted on May 1, 2013 by chris.twigg

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Despite being wrapped in black plastic yesterday, for the 1st of May the penguins have been enveiled.

They have moved numerous times since they appeared in 1994 with the placement of the bandstand and more recently with the placement of Sinterlation.
In the background you can see that the picture postcard are back, but they now stretch the pull length of the seafront (theres a puzzle to solve if you look closely for hidden letters)