Skelton Church built 1884.
|
7th January -
HOUSE SHORTAGE - OVERCROWDING - NOTICES TO QUIT.
At the Skelton and Brotton Council meeting the serious problem concerning the shortage of housing was discussed. Private builders did not see their way clear to build more and the Council had been loathe to invest.
At the same time the Medical Officer had found many cases of over-crowding in North Skelton and the Council had issued Notices to leave, without it seems considering the consequences.
The Chairman assured the deputations from the people that no further steps would be taken for a month at least.
It was decided to hold a special meeting in a fortnight and in the meantime obtain copies of the relevant Government Act for the perusal of the Members.
HIGH DEATH RATE.
Dr Stainthorpe reported that the number of deaths was the highest ever recorded.
One case of erysipelas and 5 of Scarlet Fever had been notified. Influenza was very prevalent. The Measles epidemic was dying out, but 12 of the deaths had been caused by it and he had been forced to close some local Schools.
|
North Skelton Infants School in 1905.
|
24th January -
LABOUR MEN WANTED.
The Miners of Skelton and District are taking steps with a view to running two Labour Candidates at the next Urban Council Election in April.
28th January -
LITERARY INSTITUTE A MISNOMER.
Local Gazette - Cleveland boasts many Workmens' Institutes, none more successful than that at Skelton. The Committee have purchased some 1,500 volumes for the well equipped Library.
There were 551 members, but only one in 5 ever applied for books.
The Billiard room, as a rule, exercises the greatest fascination and the valuable means of self culture is neglected or entirely ignored.
31st January -
THE BAND OF HOPE.
gave a concert in Skelton Institute. The entertainment was provided this year by the children attending Miss White's School on the Green.
13th February -
SKELTON VOLUNTEERS.
About 80 members of the Skelton G Company held their Annual Dinner at the Wharton Arms. Colonel Wharton presided and Major E Hamilton, who recently gained command was present.
Colonel Wharton said the he had been connected with the Volunteers since 1877 and his father from their commencement. Harmonious contributions were given by members to Bugler Walker's
accompaniment.
|
 |
7th March -
BOOZE AT THE FARM SALE.
An occasional license was granted to Ernest Andrew of the Green Inn, Skelton authorizing him to sell by retail all intoxicating liquor in a barn at Ground Hill Farm Skelton on the 16th day of March 1905
between 1p.m. and 6 p.m. on the occasion of a sale of farming stock.
4th April -
A SHILLING FOR YOUR DAD.
At the Guisborough Police Court a North Skelton Miner, named Thomas Batterbee was ordered to pay 1 shilling per week towards the maintenance of his father, who was presumably in the Workhouse.
COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
Skelton North - Elected - R Cross, butcher, 281. Thomas Varty, Mine Manager Park and Shaft, 271.
Not elected - Wm Walker, Checkweighman, 218. J Evans, Checkweighman, 152. J Wood, Tailor, 39. W Carter, Gentleman, 65.
Skelton South - Elected - N Teasdale, Boiler Minder, 225.
Not Elected - J Snowden, Innkeeper, 195.
25th April -
PUPIL TEACHERS.
It was recommended that the County Higher Education Committee be authorised to make arrangements for the instruction of such pupil teachers as are able to attend the York Pupil Teachers Centre, the North Riding to pay a
pro rata share of the expenses incurred in connection with the centre, plus the railway fares of North Riding Pupil Teachers.
To make arrangements for the instruction of such pupil teachers as are able to attend the Darlington Pupil Teachers Centre at a fee not exceeding £3, plus railway fares.
That Mr T Gill be re-appointed Instructor of the Pupil Teachers Class at Skelton Green.
3rd May -
HOUSES £67 EACH - NO TAKERS.
Last night at the Green Inn, Skelton Green, Mr R D Nutt of Loftus offered for sale 2 freehold cottages of 4 rooms in Cleveland Street, Skelton Green. Sold for £180.
Five similar cottages in Robinson's Yard, High St, Skelton were not sold, the highest bid being £67 per house.
5th May -
BRASS BAND CONTEST.
The first contest of the newly formed Cleveland Brass Band League took place at Brotton on Saturday.
The result of the First Division was:-
1st Guisborough Priory. 2nd Charltons. 3rd Brotton Temperance. 4th Brotton Old.
The test piece was "La Cenerentola".
In the record division, Skinningrove was first. North Skelton second. Warrenby third and Loftus fourth. The test piece was "Stradella"
19th May -
FARM SERVANT WANTS HIS PAY.
In this action Fred Beeforth, a farm labourer of New Skelton sued William Robinson of the Howe Farm, Danby for £4 8s wages earned.
Mr H Hoggett appeared in support of the claim and said the amount represented the earnings of plaintiff from the 23rd November 1904 to the 17th March 1905.
On the latter date some disturbance took place and the plaintiff left the defendant's service.
After a brief hearing the Judge gave a verdict for the plaintiff and the amount claimed.
24th May.
EMPIRE DAY - DAY OFF SCHOOL.
The late Queen Victoria's birthday, under its new name "Empire Day", was observed by a holiday to all our
Schools.
|
Whit Sunday -
VOLUNTEERS PARADE.
About 70 members of the G Company [Skelton] 1st Volunteer Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment paraded at the
Drill Hall and headed by their Band marched to Church to attend Divine Service.
2nd June.
SKELTON BUILDERS SPLIT.
London Gazette.
Notice is hereby given, that the Partnership heretofore subsisting between us the undersigned, John Ridsdale and Robert Armstrong Ridsdale, carrying on business as Builders, at Skelton-in-Cleveland, in the county of York, under
the style or firm of J. and R. Ridsdale has been dissolved by mutual consent as and from the 31st day of March, 1905.
All debts due to and owing by the said late firm will be received and paid by the said John Ridsdale.
|
|
June -
TAKE A BATH AT THE INSTITUTE.
A desire has been expressed amongst some members of our Institute that Baths should be provided for the use
of members. Ballot papers were provided to ascertain the wishes of members and how many would use them.
Three baths have been provided some months ago at North Skelton Institute and there is some talk amongst the youngsters of a swimming bath being added.
7th July -
GAMEKEEPER'S LONG SERVICE.
At North Skelton on Wednesday night Mr W Agar of Westgate, Guisborough, late head gamekeeper to Mr W H A Wharton of Skelton Castle was presented with a purse of gold, with name inscribed, from the tenants and friends, after 34 years service as a token of their esteem and respect. Mr R Stevenson made the presentation.
July -
DROUGHT.
Parish Magazine - The rain that has fallen lately has not yet raised the level of water in the Freeborough reservoir and we fear that before this magazine reaches its readers the supply will be cut off from trade and
other purposes and the domestic supply reduced. Fortunately the mines have made other arrangements.
|
North Skelton Sword Dancers outside the Village Hall.
They were described as:-
"Two men dressed up like clowns each with money boxes and 3 or 4 more to keep the company alive.
The dancers wear white linen bloused with a 3 inch band of turkey-red linen round neck and a similar one round the shoulders - like a cape; red cuffs.....a band of red down the middle with large pearl buttons.
A soldier's round pork-pie hat of dark colour with a band of red and yellow, a small looking glass rather larger than a crown, fixed in front, and a strap under the chin.
Ordinary dark trousers with a red stripe. Bells down the outside of the legs and on arms."
|
7th August -
SKELTON CONVALESCENT HOME.
Question in the House of Commons.
Mr Hunt -
"I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the convalescent home for soldiers at Skelton, near Saltburn-on-Sea, provided and kept up entirely by Mr. W. H. H. Wharton, is likely to be given up because the War Office authorities are unwilling to pay the railway fares of soldiers going to and from the home; and whether he proposes to take any, and, if any, what steps in the matter."
Mr Arnold-Foster -
"The Hon. Member appears to have been misinformed.
War Office authority was granted on the 29th June to the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, York, to issue railway warrants at the public expense to soldiers who are convalescent and require change, on proceeding to Colonel Wharton's home at Saltburn, provided that the total expenditure of �25 previously sanctioned for sending convalescent soldiers to Tynemouth and Scarborough is not exceeded.
Nothing is known as regards the suggestion that the home is to be given up."
7th August -
NORTH SKELTON SPORTS.
Splendid weather favoured the Annual Sports at North Skelton on Saturday and a record attendance was present to witness many events.
e.g. -Mile Handicap - 1. J Lightburn, Skelton. 2. Johnson, Brotton. 3. Cruddas, Brotton.
2nd September -
COUNCIL - NORTH SKELTON LIT UP - PROPER WATER SUPPLY IN THE HIGH STREET.
The offer of the Cleveland Gas Company to light the streets of North Skelton with 8 lamps at a cost of £2 8s 3d per lamp per annum was accepted.
It was decided that 3 lamps be fixed on the footpath heading from Skelton Cemetery to Skelton Green.
Notice to be served on certain owners of property in Skelton High Street to provide a proper water supply to the houses.
3rd October -
NORTH SKELTON BANDS HELP A FELLOW WORKMAN.
The North Skelton Clown Band in comic costume, assisted by the North Skelton Brass Band paraded the streets of the Skelton villages, Boosbeck and Lingdale, each band in turn playing suitable selections.
A collection amounting to £8 2s 6d was taken en route and the whole handed over to Mr T Kime, a fellow workman, who has been off work a considerable time through illness.
17th October -
CRACK SHOTS PENALISED.
Three Skelton youths were seen by PC Hardaker and PC Pickering throwing stones at the insulators on the telephone poles, several of which they broke.
Mr Broomhead, an official of the National Telephone Co laid the damage at 25 shillings and the subscribers were very much inconvenienced as a result.
The lads claimed that they had hit only one each.
Sidney Dowey was fined 17s 6d and John Robinson and Herbert Pigg, 15 shillings each.
Herbert was prepared to become an improved character, serving in the First War and becoming Skelton Scout Master.
See the webpage about him here.
30th October -
HERBERT SAMUEL MP AT NORTH SKELTON.
A cordial reception and a large crowd greeted Mr Samuel's visit on Saturday night. The proceeds being devoted to the local football club.
He lectured on his travels in Uganda.
6th November -
DEATH OF MR A BRIGHTON.
He passed peacefully away at Baynton House, Saltburn, aged 62.
For many years he had been checkweighman at North Skelton and Secretary of number 18 Lodge.
He was elected as member of the Executive and Joint Committees in view of his zeal for the Miners's interests.
November -
CLOTHES FOR THE POOR.
Parish Magazine - Needlework Guild - For the benefit of those who may be willing to join the Guild, we would say that
each member contributes one or two articles of underclothing, such as petticoats, skirts or childrens garments, knitted things, as stockings or comforters are very acceptable. These are distributed amongst the poor,
mostly among widows and children at the beginning of winter. Now that motor cars are adding to the perils of our highways, there is more than ever need for pathways reserved for the use of foot passengers.
|
Skelton Football Team Early 1900's - No one identified.
[Photo kindly contributed by John Dobson.]
|
MOTOR CAR PERILS.
Parish Magazine - Footpaths - We have to thank the Urban Council for the great improvement they have made in flagging the footpath in front of the Cemetery.
We dread to think of two motor cars racing past each other, within even the legal limits of speed, along the narrow road between Skelton and the Cemetery, at the time when the children are passing to and from School.
If a flagged footpath is too much to ask for, could we not have a gravelled footpath along the top of the wall on the south west side of the road,
from the Dairy Farm to the end of High St, with a protecting rail, like the footpath along Green Road.
20th Nov -
DRUNK AND WILL NOT QUIT.
Jabez Gott, miner of Skelton, was remanded at Saltburn Police Station on charges of being drunk and refusing
to quit the Alexandra Hotel and of assaulting PC Falkingham.
21st Nov -
DRUNK HIT BOBBY.
J C Hewitt was taken to Skelton police station for being drunk and assaulting Sgt Harrison and PC Mercer. Fined
10s for being drunk and sent to Northallerton Gaol for one month for the assault.
|
RUSHPOOL HALL RESTORED.
The Hall was restored and occupied by Sir Joseph Walton, Liberal MP for Barnsley. [born 19 March 1849, died 8 February 1923].
He was the second son of a Colliery owner and a lifelong Wesleyan Methodist.
He began his own enterprise in Middlesbrough in 1870 and realised early the importance that coal would have in the growth of the Railway, Iron and
Steel industries and built up a large concern of Colliery ownership and related businesses.
His resulting wealth afforded him time to enter politics and pay what must have been an enormous bill for a restored Rushpool.
No details of the actual cost are presently known.
|
Sir Joseph Walton in 1911.
|
Rushpool Hall restored after the Fire of 1904.
|
Skelton Park Pit.
|
16 Dec -
MINE DEATH.
Skelton Park Pit.
Alfred Robinson, a filler aged 53, was killed.
"He had finished his own shift and had gone into another place to help his son to fill his last two tubs; the roof weighted suddenly and some dogger fell on him, crushing him internally and fracturing his legs.
He was taken out of the mine, but died soon after."
DOLE FOR THE POOR.
Charities amounting to £3 2s 8d were distributed by the vicar to 14 widows and 2 men, who were cripples, in sums varying from 3s to 5s each.
4th December -
CONSERVATIVE PM, A J BALFOUR - RESIGNS.
The Conservative Prime Minister A J Balfour resigned.
The Conservatives had been in power since the Liberal split in 1886 over Irish Home Rule. Balfour had succeeded his Uncle, Lord Salisbury on the 12th July 1902, but suffered resignations from his Cabinet over the abandonment of
Free Trade.
|
Henry Campbell-Bannerman.
|
5th December -
NEW LIBERAL GOVERNMENT.
Henry Campbell-Bannerman formed a new Liberal Government and went on to a land-slide vitory in the polls early in 1906.
DRUNK AND POACHER FINED.
Benjamin Newton born in Whitby and now living at 5 Ground Hills, North Skelton was fined 15s for being drunk and disorderly.
John William Richardson, miner of Skelton, was fined 20s and costs under the Poaching Prevention Act.
5th December -
CHICKEN AND TURNIP FOR A START.
Joseph Brooks and David Start, miners from Lingdale, were charged with stealing two fowls from Wet Furrows farm, North Skelton on the 28 October.
The birds were found on Brooks at 2 a.m. by PC Mercer, who discovered them in his possession - after observing his bulky pockets.
A turnip was found on Start.
Both men were sent to prison for two months with hard labour.
|
9th December -
LOCAL ART CLASSES - POSTCARD SENT TO 13 WILLIAM STREET, NEW SKELTON.
|
TRAIN TIMES AT NORTH SKELTON RAILWAY STATION - 1905.
Two and a half hours from Scarborough, about 40 miles.
|
Train ticket 3rd class, cost 1 shilling [5 new pence]
Date of issue not known.
Station opened for passengers 1st July 1902
and closed 10th September 1951.
|
18th December -
CHRISTMAS PRESENTS.
In distributing their Christmas gift Fund the committee at North Skelton will make grants to 41 widows of 13s 6d each, 10 aged workmen of 15s 6d each and 22s 6d to each of 5 aged couples.
Between £40 to 60 will be distributed this week, the bulk of the money having been raised in North Skelton.
CURE "RECEIPT" FOR LAMENESS OR "RHUMATICK" FOR MAN - OR HORSE.
John Wood's notebook, Joiner and Undertaker, 3 East Tce, Skelton - Wood's Yard.
1 Fresh Egg, well beaten, half pint of vinegar, 1 oz Turpentine, quarter oz of Wine, quarter oz spirit of Camphor.
Shake well together in a bottle and rub outside. Like Ellimans."
|
|
