SKELTON - IN - CLEVELAND
IN HISTORY

1907.


Skelton High St about this time.

1st January -
LONGACRES/NORTH SKELTON IRONSTONE MINES ROYALTIES.
The Trustees of Foughfield/Hollybush Farm sub-let the Mining rights [i.e the Right to claim a percentage payment for every ton of Ironstone that was mined directly beneath the land] to W H A Wharton of Skelton Castle.
These were two small islands within the large sea of the Wharton Royalty
Wharton signed a lease with Bolckow and Vaughan, the Mine owners, to last for 33 years at 5 pence per ton.
Map of Royalty ownership for Skelton area cane be seen here.

4th January -
CANNOT WALK THE LINE.
Francis Ward, a Skelton Miner, was fined 5 shilling and 8s 6d costs for trespassing on the railway line between Brotton and Kilton.

10th January -
CO-OP GLEE.
At Boobeck last night a Concert was given in the Church Rooms by the Skelton Co-operative Glee Party and others.
Addresses on co-operation were also given.
22nd January -
TRAMPING ON THE TREADMILL FOR A MONTH.
At Guisborough Anthony Bell and George Morris, two tramping labourers were committed to Northallerton Prison for a month each for begging at Skelton this morning.
PCs Hutchins and Pickering proved the case and Supt Rose explained that they had both been cautioned the previous night.

24th January -
CLOWNS AT THE BULL.
The North Skelton Clown's Band, which every summer raises a considerable sum for charity held their Annual dinner at the Bull Hotel last night.

25th January -
PLEA FOR MINER MAGISTRATES.
Local Court cases were decided for the most part by the landed Gentry. At Monday's meeting of the Cleveland Miners' Association, presided over by Mr J Toyn J.P. it was resolved, after considering the votes and recommendations of the various Lodges, to appeal to Sir Hugh Bell, Lord Lieutenant of the North Riding of Yorkshire and ask for the appointment as working men magistrates of County Councillor J B Stubbs of New Marske, Mr W Stephens of Brotton, Mr G Moore of Guisborough, Mr J Braithwaite of Boosbeck and Mr W Walker of North Skelton.
At the same meeting it was agreed to grant relief to the local workmen who were thrown idle through the recent snowstorm in Weardale - which presumably halted the coal supply to the iron works.

29th January -
REFORMATORY RUNAWAYS CAUGHT.
The three youths who escaped from Castle Howard Reformatory School a few days ago were captured last evening by the Police at Loftus and Skelton, the second time within the last six months that local police have caught lads from this school.

30th January -
DEATH RATE OF BABIES TOO HIGH.
Dr W W Stainthorpe, the medical officer for the combined districts of Guisborough - Loftus, Redcar, Saltburn, Skelton and Brotton - in a voluminous Annual report showed that out of every 1,000 births, 141.5 died before they were 1 year old.
He believed that the cure was in teaching individuals better hygiene and that health care lay in the hands of the individual rather than more and more Acts and legislation.

2nd February -
HOUSE SHORTAGE.
Dr Stainthorpe reported to the Skelton Council that there were serious cases of over-crowding in some parts of the Cleveland Mining area. He instanced a case at 30 Coral St, Lingdale [it was the second terrace row beside the gigantic shale heap] where three families resided, two bedrooms being occupied by 13 persons - 6 adults and 7 children.
The Council decided to serve notice.
LOCK YOUR DOORS.
Mrs Bennison of Charlotte St, New Skelton was out the back of her house, when someone walked in the front and carried off a silver watch and chain and a purse containg 5 shillings - leaving not a trace.

5th February -
SOCIAL FOR AN ILL MAN.
It was held in the Skelton Institute last night in aid of Mr William Legg, who for 10 months has been unable to follow his employment through ill-health.
The Skelton String Band supplied the music and G Watson, G Charlton and W Slater were the M.C.s.

NORTH SKELTON NEW BAND ROOM.
The Members of the North Skelton Hope to Prosper Band have elected Mr T Ransome as Chairman, Mr William Walker as Secretary and Mr H Ashburn as Treasurer.
The new Band room will be completed within a fortnight. It is being erected by Squire Wharton and the Band will afterwards purchase it by instalments.
It was used right up to 2005, when the band re-located, and soon after it was boarded up and vandalised.

13th February -
RUNAWAY STEAM ROLLER SKATEBOARDS DOWN GREEN BANK.
The front rollers of a steam road roller belonging to Skelton and Brotton Council were broken yesterday by a collision with a wall.
The roller was going down the steep bank from Skelton Green to Skelton when it commenced to skid, owing to the snow on the road.
The Engineman, Longstaff, could not control the wheels, though he stuck to his post with commendable courage.

15th February -
LOCAL MINERS CONNED BY WATCH SALESMEN.
At Guisborough, His Honour, Judge Templer once more gave his disapproval of the methods adopted by travellers calling at the houses of Miners and leaving expensive watches.
J Green, of Skelton Green was being sued for the sum of £5 3s 6d by Simon Halpern, Jewellers of Manchester.
He made an order for 4 shillings per month, but added that he did not like it.

19th February -
CAN MINERS SAVE A PENNY PER DAY, PLEASE.
Mr W H A Wharton has been approached by Mr J Toyn of the Cleveland Miners Association and a Saltburn deputation and asked to allow Miners residing in Saltburn and working in Mines where Wharton has a royalty to travel over the Halfpenny Bridge for free when going to and from work.
Mr Wharton replied in March saying that he could not see his way to permit it, as it would open 'too wide a gate'.

22nd February -
LONGACRE ROOF FALL - MINER'S ARM AMPUTATED.
John Gott, a New Skelton Miner, was yesterday injured by a fall of roof in Bolckow and Vaughan's Longacre Mine.
He was conveyed to Brotton Cottage Hospital, where it was found necessary to amputate one of his arms at the shoulder. His ribs were also injured.

Elliot St, Skelton Green in the early 1900's
[Photo kindly contributed by John Dobson.]

22nd February -
SKELTON KEEPER GOES ROYAL.
Mr James Cooper, who for some time was gamekeeper to Mr W H S Pyman. J.P. C.C. and during the past 2 years has been in the employment of Squire Wharton at Skelton Castle has secured an appointment as gamekeeper upon the estate of H.M. the King at Windsor.

23rd February -
BEGGING TRAMPS JAILED.
Robert Meed, a tramping labourer, was convicted as a rogue and vagabond under the Vagrancy Act on a charge of begging at Skelton Green yesterday afternoon. He was committed to Northallerton Prison for six weeks with hard labour.
On the 27th Robert William Kendal was given 14 days with hard labour for a similar offence.

1st March -
WHARTON LETTER ON 'MY HOSPITAL'.
Editor North Eastern Daily Gazette,
Dear Sir,
I understand that there is a report in circulation that I have refused to take in accidents from Long Acres Mines at my hospital on Skelton Green. This is not the case.
I had occasion to write to the owners about sending cases in when they had been notified the hospital was full. I wish this to be fully understood and enclose copy of the correspondence.
W H A Wharton.
6th March -
NORTH RIDING COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
The old landed-gentry Members were returned. Mr W H A Wharton gained a decisive victory over Mr G Harker Mohun, a Mines Platelayer, who was put forward by the local branch of the Independent Labour Party.
Wharton - 561, Harker-Mohun - 307, a majority of 254.
At Guisborough Colonel Chaloner, who had the aid of half a dozen motor cars was returned.

18th March -
MINERS ARMS - MINER JAILED.
James Newby, a Miner of Guisborough was charged with refusing to quit the Miners' Arms, Skelton Green and with using obscene language on the public street.
Daniel Clissold, the landlord, appealed to the Magistrates to show by their penalty that when publicans tried to conduct their houses properly they would have the protection of the Court.
The Bench ordered prison for 14 days and £3 fine for refusing to quit.

Miners Arms, Booksbeck Rd, Skelton Green.

18th March -
DEATH OF THE SKELTON BASKET MAKER.
William Walton Blackett, who worked in a cottage in Skelton Ellars.
See 1884 when his son stole his horse and later in the year he saved Squire Wharton from being assaulted.
2nd April -
TROUSERS KEEP UP APPEARANCES.
John Fletcher, a tramping labourer, was caught by PC Pickering begging at the Engineer's House at Park Pit and charged at Guisborough Court.
"I was not gathering alms, but only asking for a pair of trousers." he pleaded. "People are in the habit of looking at trousers more than anything else when men like me apply for employment."
The Bench convicted him with one day's imprisonment, which meant he was discharged.

4th April -
SKELTON CHARITY ASSOCIATION.
Last night under the auspices of the Skelton Charity Association a benefit Concert for the aged and poor of the district took place in the Literary Institute. There was a splendid audience over which Councillor Thomas Varty presided.

6th April -
'OW IN THE 'ECK CAN A FELLER WASH 'IS NECK.
Strong complaints were made at the Council meeting regarding the insufficient Water supply.
Mr R W Stevenson said that when the reservoir used to be practically empty they could get it and now when it was full they could not.
Mr Varty said Park St was not the only place affected. There were complaints from Milbank St and Prospect Place.
Mr J Wood, to laughter, said that water was so scarce at one of the Inns that it cost the landlord a few shillings having to supply soda water and lemonade with the whisky to suit the tastes of the customers.
Some people had to wash in the same water.
Mr Teasdale said the Council should buy out the Water Company, but the Chairman advised against. It was decided to address a strong letter of complaint.
9th April -
NORTH SKELTON GAMBLERS WRONG CALL.
John Andrew, Thomas Dawson, Frank Wilson, Richard Hayes, Richard Wilson, Thomas Ranson, Thomas Robinson and Alfred Hanson, all Miners of North Skelton were convicted of playing Pitch and Toss and fines ranging from 2s 6d to 20 shillings were imposed at the Guisborough Court today.

10th April -
CAKE AND APRON SALE.
The Skelton Habitation of the Young Helper' League in connection with Dr Barnado's Homes promoted a sale on behalf of the crippled, blind, deaf and dumb and incurable children who are waifs or destitute orphans.
The Rector spoke of the object they had in view and told how Dr Barnardo had been led by a dream to adopt the idea of enlisting young people to help him in his work of saving the children, which resulted in his forming the Young Helpers' League, with its Habitations all the world over.

15th April -
PIGEON RACERS.
The Skelton Milbank and Park St Homers' Society held their fortnightly flying match over a distance of 2 miles. R Lambert's bird won, covering the distance in 2m 45secs.
Tom Curnow's History of Skelton recalled that some folk in Park St kept pigeons in the bedroom.

22nd April -
FOOTBALLERS OFF SIDE DOWN APPLE ORCHARD BANK.
As a wagonette conveying the Boosbeck Swifts football team and a number of supporters was descending Apple Orchard Bank, near Old Skelton, it ran into the gutter side at the bottom of the hill.
All the occupants were thrown heavily to the ground. One young man, R Dowey, sustained injuries to his ribs and had to be conveyed to the Skelton Green Hospital, while all the rest were shaken, but able to proceed home.

22nd April -
COST OF THE POOR.
It was roughly estimated that the population of the Guisborough Guardian area was some 50,000 and the number of people receiving out-relief [payment in cash or kind without going in the Workhouse] was 847 or less than 2 in every 100.
The cost to the ratepayer was £2,025, of which amount Skelton was the most costly with £544 paid out, with Guisborough £375 and Loftus £358.


Excavating the lake at Skelton Castle.
In former times the valleys that run either side of the Castle were made to fill with water, thus creating a moat, the level of which was controlled by a sluice gate behind the building. Surplus water ran down to the pond which fed the millrace that powered the Corn Mill.
Now a damn was built further back from the Castle in order to create a lake. The damn can be seen in the background of this photograph.

A later photograph of the lake. The level control can be seen in both photographs.

5th May -
LOCAL IRONMONGER'S WILL.
Probate of the Will of Mr William Carter of 165 High St, Skelton in Cleveland, who died on the 16th, aged 73. For 25 years he was an Ironmonger in Skelton and also served on the local Council and Board of Guardians. The value of the estate is £360 6s 3d gross and £344 0s 1d net.

June -
NEARLY SWITCHED ON.
Parish Magazine.:-
"The electricians and their assistant workmen have laid their cable through our villages and we suppose the roadway for the transmission of electricity is about complete.
The Company who have laid the cable are prepared to supply the power in large quantity and at high pressure, at wholesale prices, but they leave it to the local authorities of the places they pass through to make arrangements to supply ordinary customers with small quantities and at lower pressure at retail prices.
Guisborough is, we understand, taking steps to do this and we have heard something of a transformer station at Slapewath."


REVOLUTION IN PHYSICS.
The discovery that the speed of Light is a constant leads Albert Einstein, 'on Isaac Newton's shoulders', to develop the theory that changed the accepted view of the physical World.
17th June -
SOUTH AFRICAN BOYS CHOIR.
The Services in the Skelton Wesleyan Chapel yesterday were conducted by Mr Balmer and his South African Boys Choir. There was a large audience at all the Services.

24th June -
SKELTON ELLERS CAR ACCIDENT.
Four gentlemen motoring from Saltburn to Guisborough last evening had a rough experience at the bottom of the bank at Skelton Ellers.
Several cyclists were noticed coming towards them and in turning to the side of the road to avoid a collision the car, a Humber, dashed into the hedge.
The occupants were thrown out and over the fence. Luckily they escaped without serious injury, but the car had one wheel smashed and left at the roadside.

5th July -
NEGLECTING TO SEND CHILD TO SCHOOL.
For this offence Robert W Baxter of Shaft Cottages, Skelton was fined 10 shilling and 5s costs.
4 miners, Henry Shepherd, Robert Smith, John Roper of North Skelton and John Pelmear of Skelton were let off on payment of 5 shillings costs.

7th July -
NEW TEACHERS.
The following are among the names who passed the preliminary examination for the Elementary School Teachers' Certificate, 1907.
They are qualified as Uncertified Teachers, or for admission to a Training College. If they gained a distinction in any subject it is given after their name.
Alice Saunders, pupil teacher for Skelton and Brotton at Lingdale Council School. English and French. Going to Southlands, Battersea, Wesleyan Training College.
Edith Tate, pupil teacher for Skelton and Brotton at North Skelton Infants Council School. Going to Ripon Church of England College.
Alice H Tibble, pupil teacher for Skelton and Brotton at North Skelton Infants.
Estelle Wallace, pupil teacher for Skelton and Brotton at Skelton Green Council School.
Walter Lowe, pupil teacher for Skelton and Brotton at Lingdale Church School. Geography.

12th July -
NORTH SKELTON BAND CONTEST.
North Skelton "Hope to Prosper" Band organised a contest on Saturday, but owing to the heavy rain there was only a small attendance.
In the quickstep competition Eston Steelworks came first. Charltons Cottages second and Eston also secured first honours in the selection test with Skinningrove coming second. Third prize was divided between Charltons and Old Skelton.

12th July -
DRUNK HORSE-DRIVER.
At Guisborough Police Court William Wild of Lingdale, a driver in the Mines, was fined 2s 6d and 8s 6d costs for being drunk and disorderly in the township of Skelton on 29th June.

19th July -
SKELTON DRUNKS.
Mary Knaggs of Margrove Park was fined 10s 6d and 9s 6d costs for being drunk and disorderly at Skelton on the 8th July and Matthew Clarke of New Skelton was fined 5s and 7s 6d costs for the same offence on the 5th.

19th July -
HORSE CRUELTY.
John Burniston, the younger, and his Father were charged with working a mare whilst in an unfit condition at Skelton on the 5th July.
Mr T D H Stubbs prosecuting on behalf of the N S P C C stated that on the day in question Acting Sgt Harrison notice the junior defendant driving the mare. It was pulling a flat cart containing a quantity of scrap iron and rags.
The mare was very lame, old and broken down with several sores on its body.
The animal was seen by Insp R H Jones, the Cruelty Inspector and Mr Awde a veterinary surgeon.
The father denied the charge saying the horse belonged to his son. The case against him was dismissed and Burniston junior was fined £2 including costs.
26th July -
DRUNK AND POLICE ASSAULT.
George Dobson of Skelton was charged with being drunk and disorderly at that place on the 13th. Dismissed with 7 shillings costs.
Albert Letting of New Marske was charged with the same offence at Skelton on the 20th and also for assaulting P C Hutchings at the same time. Fined 4s 6d and 10s 6d costs for being drunk and £1 and 6s 6d costs for the assault.

26th July -
LIGHT DEFICIENCY PROBLEM.
Robert William of New Skelton was charged with stealing a bicycle lamp, the property of John Thomas Milburn of Guisborough on the 20th July.
Milburn said that he left his bike in the coal house of the Chaloner Hotel at about 8 p.m. and it had the lamp attached.
When he went for his bike at 11 p.m. it was missing. The lamp was worth 3s 6d and he told the Police next day.
Sgt Marwood said he went to the prisoner's house, 27 John St, New Skelton the next morning and found the missing lamp.
Prisoner stated that he went to Guisborough about 6 p.m and put up his bike at the Chaloner Hotel. It had an acetylene lamp attached and on going for his bike at 9.30 his lamp was missing.
There was one on another bike and he took it. Case dismissed.

2nd August -
ANOTHER DRUNK.
Arthur H Swainston, of North Skelton, was fined £1 and 7s 6d costs for being drunk and disorderly at Skelton on the 22nd. [His brother Walter was killed in the First World War on the 18th May 1917.]


The sender of this card, in 1907, expresses disappointment that the Castle had, at that time, been closed to visitors for 2 years and says he had dinner at the Duke William Hotel.

9th August -
JAIL FOR A TRAMP.
John Clarke, a tramp, was sentenced to a month's hard labour for begging at North Skelton on the 3rd. P C Hutchings proved the case.

16th August -
TURNIP DAMAGES.
Ernest Carver, Mary Ann Pratt and Joseph Wilkinson, all of North Skelton, were ordered to pay 2s 6d each for damaging turnips in a field at Skelton, the property of Messrs Bolckow, Vaughan and Co.

16th August -
RECHABITE PARADE AND PARTY.
Independent Order of Rechabites [anti-booze society]. The Annual Treat in connection with the Prosperity Juvenile Tent of this Order was held on Saturday when the youngsters had a thoroughly enjoyable time.
They assembled outside the North Skelton Institute and headed by the local band, a procession was formed and paraded the streets of both North Skelton and New Skelton.
Large numbers of residents witnessed the procession, after which tea was served in the Institute and over 300 children had a good meal, thanks to Mesdames Wilks, Froude, Harrison, Webster, Nunn and Hollingsworth.
An adjournment was then made to a field lent for the occasion by the butcher, Mr Cross, butcher, where games and other amusements were indulged in.
About 9 o'clock as darkness came on the young Rechabites were regaled with cakes etc and departed to their homes.
30th August -
RUING RUINING A ROWAN.
James Mackenzie and Thomas Brough of Boosbeck were ordered to pay costs of 5s 6d each for damaging a rowan tree at Skelton on the 4th, the property of Mr W H A Wharton.

30th August -
SKELTON STOCKING NICKER.
Mary Ann Smith, a native of Skelton in Cleveland was charged with stealing at Egton a pair of stockings, value 2 shillings.
Mrs Mary Fletcher said that she was the wife of Francis Arthur Fletcher of Hay Stones Farm, Egton and said the stockings produced in court belonged to her. She hung them on a clothes line to dry, where anyone could see them from the road-side.
PC Cooper said that he traced the defendant to Glaisdale, the moors, Grosmont and to Sleights, where he apprehended her at 2 p.m on Sunday.
Defendant said - "Yes, I took one pair of stockings, but do not know what made me do it."
He asked her where they were and she said that she was wearing them. When charged the defendant said she was very sorry and it would never occur again - "The truth goes farthest, I did take them."
In 1900 at Guisborough Petty Sessions, whe was committed for a month for larceny. In 1901, she was sentenced to 14 days for sleeping out at Guisborough and in the same year at Middlesbrough she was sent to prison for 6 weeks for larceny.
She had two young children going about with her and they would have to be sent to the Workhouse if she was committed.
She did nothing but tramp the country.
The Chairman said that he was sorry it was the 4th time that she had been convicted and the Bench would be obliged to send her to Durham prison for one month.

31st August -
"PACT" WITH RUSSIA.
Britain agreed an entente on spheres of influence in Asia, freeing Britain from worries about a Russian invasion of India.
But following on from the 'entente cordiale' with France of 1904, it probably appeared as a European Pact and alarmed the 'Central Powers' of Germany, Italy and Austria.

3rd September -
DEATH OF PETCH WIDOW.
The remains of Mrs Petch, relict of Mr R Pinkney Petch, of Priestcroft, Skelton were interred in Skelton Cemetery in the presence of a large number of mourners and residents of the district.
Her husband had been a foremost public man in Cleveland and noted agriculturalist.

4th September -
FA AMATEUR CUP.
North Skelton were among 224 teams that entered for the national Football Amateur Cup.

6th September -
NORTH SKELTON - BATTLE OF THE 'TATIES.
John Thomas Winter was charged with assaulting his sister, Martha Ann Walker at Skelton.
The defendant, who is a miner, pleaded not guilty.
Mr H Hoggett of Loftus, for the prosecution, stated that on the 10th August, defendant came to his sister's house and a discussion took place about the ownership of some potatoes, which Mrs Walker had purchased from Winter.
He accused her son of being in his garden, and said that he had put on a pair of 'blue coats' and if they were caught the Law would take its course and they would have to do 'a month among the sawdust'.
Martha's daughter said the family had not been brought up to be thieves.
He then commenced to assault the family, first striking complainant's daughter in the mouth while she was sitting sewing.
He then used bad language and on being ordered out of the house he struck his sister and knocked her down. He also struck her with a poker, assaulting her brother at the same time.
Later he assaulted everyone in the house including her 3 daughters and 2 little boys. He even had a kick at the sewing machine.
Several witnesses corroborated and said Winter was under the influence of drink.
Defendant said the evidence was nothing but base lies. The whole family started upon him and he had to defend himself.
It was Mrs Walker, who used the poker and he never touched the daughter.
A witness said that she saw Winter being assaulted in the yard by Martha and her family.
Owing to Martha's medical attendant, Dr Thorney, being unable to attend the case was adjourned for a fortnight.
At he next hearing Dr Thorney said that Martha was suffering from extensive bruises on the legs, arms and body and the right side of her face. These he attributed to violence.
She was in delicate health and the ill usage was likely to have serious consequences.
Winter again denied the assault, saying that his sister was nothing but a "brawl" and had been so all her life. She was constantly quarrelling with her neigbours. They had all told nothing but lies against him.
Mr Wharton, the Chairman, informed Winter that the Bench were unanimously in favour of conviction and that he would go to prison for 2 months hard labour.

6th September -
MORE DRUNKS.
J Cuthbert of Lingdale was fined 10 shillings and 7s 6d costs for being drunk and disorderly in the township of Skelton on the 10th August.
William Harris, a native of Skelton, but of no fixed abode, was fined £3 or a month's jail for being drunk and disorderly and refusing to quit the Maynard Arms, Carlin How.

13th September -
FIVE YEARS REFORMATORY FOR ELSIE.
Elsie Robinson, a Skelton girl aged 14, was committed to a Reformatory School for 5 years for stealing a medical instrument from the surgery of Dr Wigfield, at Skelton Green on the 3rd September. She had previously been before the Bench.


27th Sept -
MINE INJURY - John MacKenzie was injured at South Skelton Mines.

1st October -
DRUNK.
John Pennock of Lingdale, a miner, was fined 6s 6d with 8s 6d costs for being drunk and disorderly at Skelton on the 21st September.

4th October -
SOLD A PUP AT NORTH SKELTON.
William Dennis, a builder's labourer, of no fixed abode was charged with stealing a Yorkshire toy terrier, value £1, the property of Thomas Clarke, innkeeper of Guisborough.
The dog was taken from Guisborough on Saturday and sold at North Skelton the same night for 4 shillings.
Defendant claimed to remember nothing of the matter and was fined one guinea [21 shillings].

10th October -
FARM LAD ABSCONDED.
Robert William Stevenson, farmer of Trout Hall Lane proceeded against Stanley Chapman of Boosbeck for breach of contract.
[This could be the Stanley Chapman, who later famously bred Cleveland Bay horses at Brotton.]
The boy had been hired at Egton for a year on Nov 5th to end on Nov 25th. He had done very well, but on September 15th, when harvest was commencing he left without any excuse and flatly refused to return.
Stevenson admitted there was no contract in writing as farm servants were reluctant to give one.
Mr Hoggett for Chapman said they seemed to be very wise and proceeded to show that such a contract should exist if the term of employment was over a year, in order to bring an action.
The claim for £3 damages was dismissed and Mr Stevenson handed over the balance of Chapman's wages due to him.

11th October -
DRUNK, PRONE AND NOISY.
Mary Knaggs of Margrove Park, a married woman, appeared on a charge of being drunk and disorderly at Skelton on the 28th September. PC Bielby stated that he heard a disturbance on the road between Boosbeck and Margrove Park and found the defendant lying by the roadside, drunk and using very bad language.
She could be heard half a mile away. Fined 17s 6d and 7s 6d costs.
23rd October.
DEATH OF PRIMITIVE PIONEER.
Death of Dinah Woodward, the oldest member of Skelton Primitive Methodist Church and widow of Charles, one of the pioneers of Primitive Methodism in the village.

25th October -
VIOLENT TRAMP.
Frank Smith, a tramp, was charged with begging and being violent when refused alms at Skelton on the 22nd. He was committed to prison for a month's hard labour.
25th October -
NORTH SKELTON HOTBED OF RISING SOCIALISM.
Mr William Frankland had recently written to the local Gazette -
....the Liberal Party betrays the interest of the workers by failing to fulfil their own pledges. Witness the present Government's inaction in regard to unemployment and old age pensions and their ignominious position on the Trades Disputes Bill and the recent pandering to the middle-class Budget. A new spirit is abroad among trades unionists that demands for the working classes better opportunities than they have ever had before. The only way to get this is to use the political machinery as our employers have done to protect their interests.
Mr Herbert Samuel, the local Liberal MP appeared at the North Skelton Institute and was subjected to considerable heckling, but at the end only half a dozen hands opposed a vote of confidence.
He sympathised with the aspirations of Labour, but spoke against the Nationalisation of Industries.

28th October.
TEARFUL ONIONS - SACRE BLEU.
Thomas Robinson, aged 27, of Wharton St, North Skelton was fined 12s 6d or 10 days imprisonment at Middlesbrough for stealing a string of onions, worth 1s, from a French onion seller.

1st November -
22nd SEASON AS MASTER OF HOUNDS.
The prospects of the Cleveland Hounds were never brighter during the last decade of Squire Wharton's long term of 22 years as Master of this famous pack.
Mange is almost extinct and foxes are to be found everywhere. The sport this season should be excellent.
The opening Meet is always at the Master's residence, Skelton Castle, a fixture that is attended by squire and yeoman, on every condition of mount, from the length and breadth of the Vale of Cleveland.

Skelton Castle Hunt from a Card postmarked 1907.

1st November -
NO SCHOOL - SHIPPED OFF.
John Gray, a miner, was summoned by Mr J Dixon, the school warden, Skelton, for not sending his son to school.
The lad was ordered to be sent on board a training ship till he was 16 years of age.

5th November -
BONES OF ROBERT DE BRUS II ?
The remains believed to be of Robert de Brus II, founder of Guisborough Priory, were discovered in a vault in the Priory ruins and reinterred in a lead coffin by the Chaloners of Guisborough Hall.

THE BRUCE CENOTAPH was re-assembled at Guisborough Parish Church.
This tomb of fine grain marble is thought to have been carved during the time of Prior James Cockerell [1519 to 1534].
One side shows five statuettes of the Brus's of Skelton, separated by the four doctors of the Latin Church and on the other side, the Brus's of the Annandale branch, separated by the four evangelists.
One end of the cenotaph shows the prior and kneeling canons, but the other end is missing.
It is thought to have been dismantled in the 1700s and the ends at one time were taken to Hardwick Hall.
Click here for details of the De Brus Tomb

8th November -
DEAR TURNIPS.
William Simpson of North Skelton was fined 2s 6d and 5s 6d costs or 7 days imprisonment for stealing 3 turnips from a field belonging to Mr J Maughan, farmer of Skelton.

8th November -
TEN BOB FINE ON THE LINE.
Richard Thorpe, miner of Skelton, was fined 10s for trespassing on the Kilton Thorpe branch of the North Eastern Railway.
He was apprehended by PC Riches, while walking down the line from Kilton Mine to the footpath [Back Street], which crosses Lumpsey Pit to North Skelton.
15th November -
TRIALS OF JOB.
Job Taylor Miles was charged with being drunk and incapable at North Skelton on the 11th November. Fined 10 shillings including costs.

15th November -
CO-OP WORKERS CHEER.
The Committee of the Skelton Co-operative Society have granted their employees a 48 hour working week.

16th November -
SKELTON CHORAL SOCIETY.
The formation of such a group was met with a totally unexpected enthusiastic support by members of the various choirs in Skelton and the surrounding villages.
At the practice this week over one hundred vocalists put in an appearance.

22nd November -
GRAMOPHONE CHARITY CONCERT.
In aid of the Widows and Old People Christmas Treat Fund a successful gramophone concert was given in the North Skelton Institute by Mr W Payne of Saltburn.
A crowded audience heard records by Patti, Melba, Black, Caruso, Harrison, Lauder, the Sullivan Operatic Party and others.
A Flower and Vegetable Show is to be held tomorrow for the same cause.

22nd November -
PAY FOR YOUR DAD IN THE WORKHOUSE.
William Henry Wright of North Skelton, a miner, was ordered to contribute 1s 6d per week towards the maintenance of his father, who is chargeable to the Poor Law Union and to pay 13s 2d costs.
22nd November -
ANOTHER BOOZE FINE.
Ernest W Blackburn, a miner of Skelton, was fined £1 with 6s costs for being drunk and disorderly at Skelton on the 16th November.

22nd November -
COLONEL AND NOT SHERIFF.
Mr W H A Wharton M.F.H. of Skelton Castle has succeeded in his application to be relieved of the honourable, but costly position of High Sheriff for the County next year, on the plea of his rank as Field Officer, he being Colonel of the 1st Volunteer Battalion, Princess of Wales' Own, Yorkshire Regiment.

29th November -
ILLEGAL DOG.
David Allen Burton, a miner of Skelton, was fined 6s 6d and 8s 6d costs for keeping a dog without a license at Skelton.

3rd December -
TRAMP OFFERS TO TRAMP OFF.
Alexander McDonald, a tramp, was sentenced to a month's imprisonment for begging at Skelton. He was the worse for drink and asking for money.
He appealed to the Bench to let him leave the County and said that he would be over the border and into Durham within 3 hours.
Dr Stainthorpe replied that they would not be doing their duty if they allowed him to give trouble to other authorities and he was sent to Northallerton jail.

24th December -
NORTH SKELTON MINE - GAS EXPLOSION.
North Skelton Mine. John Drew, Charles Morgan, Thomas Padget and Robert Wallace, mines deputies, suffered severe burns to the face and chest as the result of a gas explosion.
They were working overtime in drawing what is known as a 'judd'.
They had taken the timber out of the place which created a roof fall, followed by an inrush of gas. Candles were burning in the place and the force of the explosion knocked the men down, blew the lights out and set their clothing on fire.
A platelayer, named Frank Thompson, at once went to the place and found the Deputies with their clothes burning.
Assistance was quickly forthcoming and after first aid had been applied they were conveyed to Brotton Cottage Hospital, where they were attended to by Dr M Caldwell, the house Surgeon.
Previous to the fall there had not been any trace of gas and the ventilation was good. The men are 'badly burnt but no serious consequences are anticipated,'

31st December -
HAPPY NEW YEAR - OBLIGING SERGEANT.
Matthew Clarke, a Miner of New Skelton, was ordered to pay 12 shillings for being drunk and disorderly in Skelton.
Sergeant Marwood stated that he found Clarke drunk in the High Street and requested him to go away.
Clarke refused to do so and said he would be locked up.
"I obliged him", added the officer amid the laughter of the Court.

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