Show on map The wishing chair is an unusual sight embedded in the pavement next to a supermarket.
English Heritage say its actually a medieval cross base for a mile cross on the approach to Whitby Abbey. One side has broken away giving it the shape of a chair.
Show on map All Saints Church in Great Ayton contains the graves of James Cook’s mother and five of his brothers and sisters.
My interpretation of the inscription :-
“To the Memory of Mary & Mary, Jane & William.
Daughters and Son of James and Grace Cook.
Mary died June the 30th 1737 in the 5th year of her age.
Mary died June the 17th 1741 aged 10 Months & 6 days.
Jane died May the 12th 1742 in the 5th year of her age.
William died July(?) the 29th 1747/8 aged 2 yrs 12 months 16 days 7 hours.
and also John their son died Sept the 20th 1750 aged 23 years”
“In memory of Grace Cook who died Feb 18th 1765 aged 63 Years and of James Cook who was buried at Marske April 1st 1779. The above James and Grace Cook were the parents of the celebrated circumnavigator Captain James Cook who was born at Marton Oct 27th 1728 educated in this village and killed at Owhyhee Dec. 14th 1779”
This inscription is actually incorrect as Cook was killed on Feb 14th 1779
Cooks father is buried at St Germains in Marske
Show on map St Peter ad Vincula (“St. Peter in chains”) is believed to date from the 12th century
I had always considered Thornaby to be a new town built after the war until I found this by accident.
Show on map Next door to Erdely Villa stood Grove Lea which was the home of Herman Harkewitz a German iron and steel merchant.
In 1885 it became the home of the first Bishop of Middlesbrough Richard Lacy
The gates still remain near the current Aldi supermarket
Also next to the gate is small gatehouse which now looks very out of place with its surroundings.
This photo of Bishop Lacy is his study was most likely taken at Grove Lea, the same contact of mine has also unearthed a picture of Grove Lea so many thanks for those.
Below is a map of the location
Show on map Erdely Villa is located at 404 Marton Road.
It was the childhood home of of E. W. Hornung the creator of Raffles – The Gentleman Thief. His father was Hungarian born iron and coal merchant John Peter Hornung. (Erdely is the Hungarian name for Transylvania)
I’ve been told he was actually born at Cleveland Villas which was next door, but even his descendants didn’t seen sure of that when they visited the town last year.
Quote from Bernard Hornung
BH: It is my first time and I have never been to Middlesbrough before. I travelled up from London yesterday. But there is a dual purpose for my visit and that is we cannot be certain where E W Hornung was born because it was at the time when the family was moving out of Cleveland Villas to Erdley. We don’t know whether he was born in Cleveland Villas or whether he was actually born at Erdley. But one thing is for certain and that is that on 23rdFebruary 1886 my great grandmother gave birth to my grandfather, Bernard Hornung, after whom I am named. So I am certain that at least one Hornung was born at Erdley and that was my grandfather and I am very proud of that as well.
Between 1924 to 1979 the building was the Convent of the Holy Rood, I believe its now offers temporary accommodation for ex-offenders.
Outside the villa is a cross in memory of Edith Mary Cordeux of Brierley who donated Hodroyd Hall to the Convent of the Holy Rood of Middlesbrough
Show on map
Show on map St Helens Church in Eston was a Grade II listed building, it originated in the 12th Century and was in use until 1962, before becoming a cemetary chapel until 1985. The church was heavily vandalised and by 1987 was ‘in a critical state of disrepair’. A fire followed in December 1992 and during this time the church was being illegally demolished and stonework stolen. Thankfully in 1998 the remains of the church were removed to Beamish who have an excellent set of photos
The church is currently being rebuilt at Beamish as of May 2011.
Nothing remains on the site except a plaque and outline of the church
 
The East Lodge of cemetary seems to have suffered a similar fate and it currently completely burned out.
 
It is however the subject of a relatively recent planning application, so it may be on the verge of being restored.
Show on map At the top of Heygate Bank overlooking Rosedale is one of the latest additions to the crosses of the North Yorkshire Moors, erected in 2000
 
Show on map The sundial commemorates several event, the Castleton Cheese Fair which dates from the late 19th and early 20 century (something well worth a revival in my opinion). Also the visit of Methodism founder John Welsey on 16th June 1772.
 
Presumably this was also the location of the village stocks.
Show on map This covered well is now within the grounds of a large caravan site, its also known by an alternative name of “Old Monks’ Well” and is a grade II listed building.
