The Lady of Bilsdale

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The Lady of Bilsdale is mentioned in Tom Scott Burns 1993 book “Cleveland Hills” where it is described as the ‘enigmatic face of a lady carved on a rock wall who gazes eternally down into Bilsdale’.

I have been unable to find any other references to the carvings existence, so the phrase ‘enigmatic’ is certainly true. For those unable to access the remote sandstone quarry above Hasty Bank I have made a 3D scan of the carving.

Lady of Bilsdale by Chris Twigg on Sketchfab

Fairy Cupboards, Cotherstone

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A valiant attempt to recreated a historic photo by M. Heavisides. These natural rock formations were a major tourist attraction in Victorian times but are now largely forgotten.

Fairy Cupboards - Cotherstone

Upsall Blacksmith’s Forge 1859

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The horseshoe shaped archway carries the words Upsall Town and is dated 1859.

Upsall Blacksmith

It is very similar in design to Turton Cottages in Roxby which are dated a year earlier in 1858, another estate owned by the Turton family.

Upsall Blacksmith

Upsall Blacksmith

John Turton was a physician to ‘mad’ George III, who died without children, the estate passed to the youngest son of Rev William Peters (chaplain to the Prince Regent) who assumed the Turton name and coat of arms.

Upsall Blacksmith

Over Silton School 1844

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This tiny village school in Over Silton carries an inscription that dates it 1844

Over Silton School 1844

The school house was built in 1844 by Sir George Wombwell, 3rd Baronet. After his death in 1855, his son Sir George Orby Wombwell, 4th Baronet (a survivor of the Charge of the Light Brigade) sold the Over Silton Estate.

Thompsons of Osmotherley Established 1786

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Thompson’s in Osmotherley, began trading in 1786 and passed through six generation of the family.

Thompson Osmotherley 1786

Grace Thompson ran the shop alone and was still delivering newspapers aged 75 , she retired in 2004 and passed away in 2014.

A strict condition of the sale means any new owner has to run the building with all its original fittings as a shop, but unfortunately it still appears to be stood empty in 2022.

Osmotherley Pinfold

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Pinfolds were designed to hold stray animals until their owners paid a fine for their release.

Osmotherley Pinfold

They would have been a feature of all medieval villages, although this one dates from the 18th century.

Osmotherley Pinfold

Restoration work was done in 2011

Turton Cottages Blacksmith – Roxby

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The wonderful doorway arch shaped like horseshoe can only be a Blacksmiths, built in 1858 as the inscription tells us and still used for that purpose into the 1960’s

Turton Cottages - Roxby

John Turton was a physician to ‘mad’ George III, he bought the manor of Roxby but died in without children, the estate passed to the youngest son of Rev William Peters (chaplain to the Prince Regent) who assumed the Turton name and coat of arms.

Victorian Postbox in Wilton

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This wall-box in Wilton village has been in use for at least 120 years as it carries a “VR” Royal Cypher

Wilton Post Box

VR – Queen Victoria (1853-1901)

ER VII – Edward VII (1901-1910)

GR – George V (1910-1936)

ER VIII – Edward VIII (20 January 1936 – 11 December 1936)

GR VI – George VI (1936-1952)

ER II – Elizabeth II 1952-present)

It was made by W.T. Allen & Co, who stated production in 1886, so it can only date from 1886-1901

Wilton Post Box

Sheepdog Graves, Thornhill Farm, near Commondale

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By the roadside at Thornhill Farm, between Commondale and Castleton are a number of roadside gravestones.

Sheepdog Graves, Thornhill Farm

The farmer has been erecting memorials to his old dogs with the older stones now being eroded away.

Sheepdog Graves, Thornhill Farm

Some of the more modern names are still visible such as Cindy, Raz Pup and Ely

Kent Gate – Stokesley

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The Kent Gate dates from between 1730 and 1760, it is named for being in the style of William Kent, a landscape architect and furniture designer of the early 18th century.
Kent Gate - Stokesley
It was moved to its current location in 1893 and restored by the Stokesley Society in 2001
Kent Gate - Stokesley