Loftus History
Albert Allen
Albert Allen was more or less a self taught musician having only 6 months of piano lessons with Mr H Ferrer, as well as his music he was always interested in drama and for many years was an active member of Loftus Arts Club, appearing in many of their productions.
He had his own dance band and played for Loftus Olde Tyme Dance Club for over 25 years, where in recognition for the pleasure he gave them, the club presented him with a plaque.
In 1971 he joined the '53 society of Saltburn where he was musical director, as well as an actor till he was too ill to carry on. Albert has also broadcast for the BBC Radio and had his own concert party, Debbie Hodgson, Margaret Chandler and Suzanne Clark being 3 of his soloists. He was also one of the 2 organists of Loftus United Reform Church until his death in 1994.
Photograph & information kindly contributed by Peggy Allen.
Robert Dyson Nutt
1. Robert Dyson Nutt, auctioneer, and surveyor and clerk to Burial Board, 11 Duncan place, Loftus.
He was also the rate collector at Loftus.
Dyson Nutt was born in September quarter of 1844 in Canterbury to John and Many Ann Nutt.
By 1868 he had moved to Loftus and married Dinah Dixon in the September quarter.
2. Mr Dyson Nutt the auctioneer in Loftus Market Place c.1918. There are flags and balloons hanging from the windows of the White Horse and many people in the road, but the small dog in the foreground steals the picture. Mr Nutt lived in the house with pillars next to the Catholic Presbytery.
Photograph copyright to Derick Pearson
Fred Rivet
Fred Rivet's shop at his garage opposite the cricket field, East Loftus 1973. Fred is with Mrs Jean Duck, whose husband Alan bought the garage at this time, and Florrie Duck who was a United Bus conductress. This little shop which had been many things in its lifetime, including a sweet shop and ice-cream shop with tables outside, wss demolished by Mr Duck when he took over the garage.
Photograph copyright to Derick Pearson.
1954 Beauty Queens
Queens for four Sunday Schools in East Cleveland took part in a 'Festival of Queens' at Redcar's Pier Ballroom in August 1954 to help raise funds for the National Childrens Homes.
They are (from left): Stella Mead (Loftus), Judith Smelt (Skinningrove), Pamela Husband (Redcar) and Susan Hind (Saltburn), shown with the Mayor and Mayoress of Redcar, Councillor and Mrs R Kistler, the Rev. Norman Birtwell and Councillor W Atkinson.
Photograph copyright to Derick Pearson.
Reginald Harland
Reg in the back garden at Ridgewood, Sandsend.
Reg was born in Loftus on 15th April 1901.
He had two sisters Annie Wilson and Olive Waite.
He moved to Sandsend and was the owner of the 'Hart Inn' for several years, later moving to Ridgewood, East Row, Sandsend where he lived until his death on 4th March 1980.
He is buried in Lythe Church on 7th March 1980 along with his wife Evelyn (nee Welham).
Photograph kindly contributed by Alison Small (nee Thomas).
Olive & Jack Waite
Both of Loftus, Olive's maiden name was Harland.
Photograph kindly contributed by Margaret Thomas (nee Snowdon).
Jack Skeldon, Barbara Harrison and Dolly Grey
Jack Skeldon, Barbara Harrison on left-side and Dolly Grey right-side, taken about 1921 give or take 3yrs.
Kindly contributed by Freda & Gordon Harrison.
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Sayer Family
Mr John Sayer & Mrs Eliza Sayer with their children
Harry b. 1876
Joseph b. 1880
Horace b. 1881
William J b. 1884
Ernest b. 1887
Jessie b. 1891
Flora b. 1892
(Information taken from Loftus Census)
Photograph kindly contributed by Liz-Anne.
Harris Children
Billy Harris eldest son, then the oldest daughter is Florrie Harris (married name Beckham), then Nell Harris (married name Gale), and youngest is Irene Harris (married name Riddiough), they were the children of James Harris & Kate 'Kitty' Trinder.
James was originally from Norfolk and came up here to help fill in the viaduct after the derailment, and Kitty and her family came from Berkshire.
They Lived at 1 Railway Terrace Loftus
kindly contributed by Julie Riddiough
Richley Family
Nivard Ovington found these glass negatives on 'ebay' and kindly informed us of them, I have managed to get 3 which I have scanned and produced for this Web site. They may be of the Richley family of Loftus.
Thomas Bentley Wood
Thomas came to Loftus after his discharge from the Army (4th Yorks Regiment) in 1918. He had lost the lower part of his right arm to a sniper's bullet at the battle of Ypres and was just newly married. However he soon settled into work as a clerk at Skinningrove Iron and Steel works, and into various activities in Loftus.
He was interested, and became very involved in the British Legion, being a founder member of the Loftus Branch where he was the secretary for many years, as well as serving on the Area and County Committees.
During the 2nd World War (1939 - 1945) he was a controller of the A.R.P (Air Raid Precaution) Service in Loftus. He organised and supported many charities and was very well liked, loved and respected by both family and towns people.
Kindly contributed by Irene Fowle and Margaret Roberts (nee Wood)
The Hon. Sir Robert L. Dundas's
Church Sunday School
The third anniversary of this excellent Sunday School, took place on Saturday the 27th ult at Loftus the seat of the Lieut. Gen. the Hon. Sir Robert L. Dundas, when one hundred and twenty nine children partook of an excellent tea with plum cake. It is but justice to state, that the charitable patron of this thriving school, with his usual benevolence, had clothed sixty four girls and forty three boys, who were all exceedingly neat, and whose thankful smiles showed forth the feelings of the grateful dispositions.
It was truly a pleasing sight to the numerous and highly respectable personages who were present on the occasion. The juvenile company left the mansion of the illustrious benefactor at 8 o'clock pm after a happy evenings entertainment, with their usual good order and decorum, which elicited smiles of all who were present.
Taken from the 'Cleveland Repestory & Stokesley Advertiser' published Aug 1st 1844.
Sir Robert Lawrence Dundas
Deaths 1st Secember 1844
On Saturday afternoon, the 23rd ult in the 65th year of his age, after a lingering illness, which he bore with Christian fortitude, the Honorable Sir Robert Lawrence Dundas, Colonel of the 59th Regiment, and Lieutenant General in the British Army. He was a member of the order of Freemasons, and was uncle to the present Grand master, the right honorable Earl of Zetland, and fourth son of the late Lord Thomas Dundas.
The deceased was M.P. for Richmond during the last administration, and was created a K.C.B. for his military exploits, which were highly distinguished, while the many years of his military career were worthy of imitation and quite exemplary. As a landlord he was most indulgent and was considered quite a father to his tenantry. The boundless acts of his charity were unparalled, and the widow, the orphan and the stranger will long and deeply feel his death a loss quite irreparable. He was a strenuous advocate for the education of the poor, and was the chief support of Loftus parocial School. He was the sole patron of a Church Sunday School, consisting of upwards of one hundred children, whom he annually clothed; and also a singing school, from which the Loftus church choir was selected. Truly his death will be long and sorrowfully felt, not only by his numerous friends and relations but by the men of every denomination in the neighbourhood.
Taken from Stokesley Advertiser which was published December 1843 to December 1845.
Duties of a Country Policeman in 1950's
PC L Snowdon
Liverton was part of the sub division of Loftus under the Whitby Division. The Riding is divided into nine divisions with a superintendant in charge of each. Then come the Inspectors in charge of Sub Divisions, Sergents at sections and one or more Constables working country beats.
Previously stationed at Loftus, in those days a Police Officer had to serve three years before he was allowed to get married and his wife had to produce references to say that she was a suitable person to marry a Police Officer.
PC13 was invited to talk to a senior class at Loftus County Modern School about his work.
This is what he said "When the Saxons settled in England, they introduced their tribal system under Head man (Tithung man) and members of each settlement were answerable to keeping peace in their locality. In the reign of Alfred the Great 870-901 there was an effective system for preserving order, the Earls in the provinces were responsible for preserving Kings Peace. The country was divided into shires and the Sheriff was responsible for each County. The present police system was introduced by Sir Robert Peel in 1829 and as a result the Metropolitan Police Force was formed, it was so successful that a series of acts were passed and in 1835 borough forces were established and in 1839 county forced. The North Riding Police Force is a County force, being one of the three counties of Yorkshire. It was formed in 1856 and the first Chief Constable was Captain Thomas Hill. The force started with 104 men. There are now some 650 and the present Chief Constable is Mr J.R.Archer-Burton. In a county area the constable lives in one village and is responible for several other villages, which he covers using a pedal cycle (he is allowed two shillings and sixpence a month for this), his duties vary from that of a town Constable. His hours of duty have to be split to cover both day and also the night. Liverton beat covers over 20 square miles and extends from Lockwood Beck to White Cross, along the Whitby to Guisborough Moor Road to Scaling Bridge so far down Ridge Lane and across to Grinkle and then to South Loftus, and a line to Liverton Lodge along Kilton Beck, including Moorsholm and back to Lockwood Beck. In Summer there is alot of traffic along the Moor Road and therefore a certain number of accidents, many lambs and sheep wander on to the road and are injured and killed. The owners of the animals have to be notified and the carcases buried (offences - dogs act). Owners are traced by ear marks and markings on the horns etc., other accidents occur between motor vehicles and if this is due to carelessness on the part of one or more of the drivers, they are reported. The scene has to be visited, measurements taken, witnesses interviewed etc. of course injury must be attended to first and an ambulance or Doctor called to the scene. Disease of animals is also delt with, the Police in the North Riding are appointed inspectors under this act. The Officer has to know about the different diseases and how to act when an outbreak occurs. All farmers and cattle owners must keep a 'Movement of Animals' record book in which all cattle bought or sold must be entered within 36 hours. These books have to be inspected every three months by the Police Officer. Foot and Mouth is the most serious and difficult to control, the Ministry have to be informed and if confirmed a standstill order has to be made over an area of 5 miles, the Ministry may extend the area, as few persons as possible may enter the area and disinfectant provided for hands and feet. Anthrax is another serious disease, animals must be burnt in a pit as near as possible to the dead animal, the pit has to be 7 foot 4 inches wide and 3 foot deep, a chimney made and a trench dug 9 feet by 9 feet around that. Materials required are: half ton of coal, half ton of wood, 56 pounds of straw and two gallons of parrafin.
Other duties:
Poaching and prevention of Poaching,
Wildbird protection, protects majority of wildbirds and their nests and eggs, it is an offence to use traps, gins, snares or poison bait.
Other Bye Laws:
Sheep dipping, an officer has to be present.
Dogs have to be controlled between 1st February and 1st June, between sunset and sunrise.
Bulls to be controlled at all times.
It is the duty of a Police Officer to preserve life and protect property and also to prevent crime and to enforce the law.
He has to act on his own initiative and be responsible.
He must be observant particularly where a crime has been committed of footprints, fingerprints, hairs, material, bloodstains etc.
Be observant for stolen vehicles, persons wanted and enquires made at likely places for information.
Public houses to be visited and hotel and registers to be inspected. No person under 18 years of age to be served intoxicating liquor.
Unoccupied property to be inspected, when people notify that they are on holiday.
Shop doors checked to see that they are locked.
Observation has to be kept for motoring offences, road fund licences expired, rear lights working, that the user has a licence and a certificate of motor insurance.
These are just a sample of the duties of a Country Police Officer.
Taken outside the front door of Loftus Police station in 1953.
left: Harry Pearson of Carlin How a War reserve Poilce officer, then Laurie Snowdon, PC 13, and right, Norman Dodd, also a war reserve Police Officer.
War reserve men were appointed for the duration of the War.
Norman Dodd was the owner of an emporiam in the High Street Loftus, a lady and gents outfitters and drapery shop there, when you paid for goods the money was put in a ball and transported along wires to the cash desk.
Amongst the questions asked by pupils along with the answers given by PC13:
Q1. How do you become a Police man?
Answer: Training, recruits undergo a 13 weeks course at the police training college at Newby Wiske, Northallerton, where they get sworn in. They undergo instructions on dealing with the public, first aid, traffic control, physical education, self defence, etc.
Q2. What makes a good Policeman?
Answer: Qualifications, they must be under 30 years, 5ft 10" in height, have a 36 in chest, and they must be intelligent, need tact, have a good temper and also have a good memory.
Q3. What is the duty of a Police Force?
Answer: Numerous, prevention and detection of crime, preservation of life and property, traffic duty, we also attend race meetings, shows etc. keeping a watchful eye, and seeing that no crimes are committed.
Q4. Can you describe your equipment and uniform.
Answer: Uniform: Tunic, trousers, cap, cape, mackintosh, overcoat, short coat (called a British warm), gloves, blue shirts, black plain toed boots, truncheon, handcuffs, pocket book, rule, first aid kit, lamp and a belt.
Q5. What are a Constables wages?
Answer: £10 a week rising to £12.5s, less deductions of approximately 30 shillings, for superanuation and national insurance. We also get an allowance for boots of 2/6 and for a lamp 2/6.
Q6. Who pays for the Police Force?
Answer: One half of the expenditure is paid by the Home office and the remainder by the local authority (N.R.C.C.) from the general fund.
Q7. Who says how many Police men there are in any one town or city?
Answer: The Secretary of State, there are 650 police officers in the North Riding Constabulary.
Q8. Who is in charge of the North Riding Constabluary?
Answer: The Chief Constable and the Standing Joint Committee.
Q9. What are the ranks in the police force?
Answer: Chief Constable, Assistant Chief, Superindtendants, Inspectors, Sergants, Contables and Cadets.
Q10. What hours do you work?
Answer: 8 hours a day, straight shift in towns, unless there are emergancies, when we work extra. I am a country Policeman and work split shifts, sometimes starting as early as 5am and finishing as late as 2am.
Q11. How many holidays do you get?
Answer: 19 days for Constables, 23 for Sergents and 30 for Inspectors.
Q12. What happens when someone is arrested?
Answer: The person is taken to the Police Station, where he is interviewed by the Inspector or Sergent, who decide whether a charge is to be made. Fingerprints are taken if the charge is serious. There are forms to be filled in, entries made in charge books. The information room at Northallerton, headquarters are informed to see if the prisoner has had any previous convictions, if the person is charged he may be released on bail, or placed in a cell until he can be brought before the Justice of the Peace.