The Miners' Arms, Skelton Green.
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5th January -
TAKING UP ARMS AT THE MINERS ARMS.
A Skelton Green Miner, named Tom Brunskill, was charged with being drunk and disorderly at Skelton on the 28th December and refusing to quit the Miners' Arms Beerhouse on the same date.
Benjamin Seaman, the landlord, said that Brunskill came to his house on the day in question and as he was drunk he was refused more beer.
This incensed Brunskill, who began to use very foul language to Seaman's wife and servant. He declined to leave the premises and the landlord was compelled to put him out.
This was done 4 times, causing the landlord to stand guard at the door. Brunskill behaved "like a madman", it was claimed.
Brunskill said that the landlord struck him causing his head to bleed, but this was denied.
The Bench fined him ten "bob" [10 shillings] for each offence.
5th January -
BENCH GO TENDER ON BEEF SNATCHER.
Richard William Addis, a Brotton miner, was charged with stealing a piece of beef, value half a crown, 2s 6d, from the shop of Mr R Cross, butcher, of North Skelton.
Mr Cross said that on the 23rd December he saw Addis loitering about the front of the shop and became suspicious.
He asked his boy to keep watch. Richard Pashley, an intelligent looking lad, said that he saw Addis take a piece of beef from the front board of the shop and did not enter the shop itself.
The lad told Mr Cross, who followed Addis and recovered his meat.
Addis said - "I am had. It did not come off this time," adding later, "You not have been afraid, old man, the beef would have come back alright."
When PC Hutchings arrested him, Addis said that he thought he was drunk at the time and did not know what he was doing.
In Court Addis pleaded guilty and made a strong plea for leniency. He said that he had tried to go straight since he came out of prison, but he got drunk at Christmas time and did not know what he was doing. When Mr Cross spoke to him he offered to pay for the beef and followed him back to the shop and made a small purchase.
He asked them to be lenient and not send him to prison for the sake of his wife and children and he would try and run straight.
Sir Alfred Pease said they would give him another chance, but if he came there again he would be severely dealt with.
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He was bound over for £10 and would be placed under the supervision of Mr Merryweather, the Probation Officer.
Addis said that he was afraid that no one would be bound for him, but Mr Batterbee, one of the Justices said that his good conduct would be his bond.
Addis said - "Thank you, gentlemen, I do not think you will ever have cause to regret your decision."
15th February -
MARRIAGE OF SIR JOSEPH WALTON'S DAUGHTER OF RUSHPOOL HALL.
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Skelton Parish Magazines of the time could be collected and a year's issues bound in this book cover.
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A pretty wedding took place at Saltburn Parish Church yesterday, when Mr George Frederick Lucal, youngest son of Mr and Mrs Herbert Lucas of Bosworth House, Huntingdon was married to Miss Josephine
Walton, elder daughter of Sir Joseph Walton, the MP for Barnsley, and Lady Walton of Rushpool Hall, Skelton.
28th February -
NATIONAL COAL MINERS STRIKE CAUSES DISTRESS IN CLEVELAND.
For 37 days from now until the 6th April there was a National coal miners strike, demanding a minimum wage.
This eventually forced Asquith's Liberal Government to pass a Minimum Wage Act.
In the meantime it led to stoppages in other industries that relied on coal - railways and of course in this area the manufacture of iron and steel.
February -
PARSON UNDERGROUND - SKELTON TWICE AS BIG AS IT APPEARS.
Parish Magazine.
Newly arrived Rev H Mackworth-Drake -
My visit to some of you 380 feet below the ground, which I enjoyed and hope to repeat, showed me that Skelton was just about twice as large as it appears on the surface. I am glad to see so many of my parishioners
from below at Church on Sunday evenings."
March -
NORTH SKELTON MISSION.
A choir was formed and - the interior appearance of our Mission has been greatly improved by the addition of the oak reredos from the old Church.
We have also been provided with new prayer books and hymn books - thanks to the generosity of some friends in the
South of England.
7th March -
DISTRESS, RELIEF COMMITTEE.
To try and deal with the distress resulting from unemployment, Mr W H A Wharton of Skelton Castle formed a Central Relief Committee for Skelton Parish comprising the following members:-
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The Rev H M Drake, E Hamilton, Tommy Varty [Manager of Park Pit], R W Stevenson, T Brown, W Frankland, W Walker, G Watson [Under manager at Park Pit], W Brown, T Tutin,
Dr Thorney, Dr Wigfield, R Cross, J L Taylor and C E Watson.
The Parish was divided into 6 Districts, each with a sub-committee to go into the cases and to report to the Central Committee:-
1. Boosbeck Rd, Cleveland St and Harker St - J M Garner, C Bringloe, J W Richardson, J Codd, J Judson and E Smith.
2. Green Rd, Back Lane, Milbank St, Prospect Place and Park St - W Hudson, R Forster, T Snaith, G Clayton, J Oliver and N Clapton.
3. Bridge House to the Post Office - J Marshall and C Clarke.
4. Post Office to Yeoman St - W Hudson, W Pashley, R Gott and S Castle.
5. New Skelton - W Wilson, D Grainger junr and H Winter.
6. North Skelton and Ground Hills - R Morgan, W Page, G Trathan, J Mott, E Bowes, J Smith, W Bowers, G Todd, J Featherstone
and S Walker.
The Central Committe met every week up to May the 4th to receive the reports of the Local Committees and decide on the
amount of relief to be given out.
This was done entirely by ticket for groceries at the shops in the first instance and a total of 1194 were issued.
Soup was issued at Skelton and North Skelton from April 19th to May 18th as well a bread and flour.
The amount of money that was given out in tickets was 264 pounds 16 shillings and 6 pence - besides many things which
were given in kind.
265 Pounds in 1912 is equivalent to about 17,500 pounds at 2005 values.
The money was obtained by grants from the Cleveland Central Relief Committee, to which our local subscriptions were handed over.
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Card posted in Skelton in 1912.
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8th March -
ILLEGAL DOG.
James Davidson Smith, a miner of Skelton, was fined 8s 6d for keeping a dog without a license.
15 March -
LOUD PREACHER REQUIRED.
Local Newspaper Advert.
"Sunday Duty. Wanted, graduate! extempore preacher, strong voice; abstainer. Rev W. Learoyd, Skelton-in-Cleveland."
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April -
UNEMPLOYMENT DISTRESS.
Parish Magazine. Rector H Mackworth Drake :-
As I write we are in the midst of a very great crisis in our Nation's History, a crisis which must mean practically starvation to many.
Please God, by the time you get this, the strike will be a thing of the past, though I fear it is quite impossible that our Ironstone Mines should be at work again by then.
14th April -
TITANIC. Sinking of the Titanic in the Atlantic Ocean.
April -
CHURCH LADS BRIGADE AT WAR.
One of the most interesting Field Days in the History of our Company was held at Marske on Easter Monday.
The idea was the Skelton Company was to defend Marske and prevent Coatham from entering.
The Cycle Corps will commence its runs in May 1st.
30th April -
NORTH SKELTON INSTITUTE NEWSPAPERS.
The following document was found in North Skelton Institute when the Red Cross took over part of it for training.
It has been kindly contributed by Howard Wilson of the Skelton History Society.
It it entitled 'Papers Sold' and shows the great number of newspapers and magazines then available.
Whether the Institute acted as a Newsagent and sold them from new or bought them locally and sold them on is not presently known.
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Stanghow Lane Girls' School. Standard III, Group II.
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12th May -
PINCHED FROM KILTON CASTLE.
George Chesterman, of no fixed abode, was charged with stealing 22lbs of zinc sheeting, value 3 shillings, the property of Mr W H A Wharton of Skelton Castle.
PC Brighton said that he met Chesterman on the road between Kilton and Brotton, carrying a bulky bag on his back.
When asked what it contained the accused said - "Nothing much", but when interrogated further said that he got the sheeting from Kilton ruins.
Committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions.
17th May -
COMPENSATION FOR SON'S MINE DEATH.
Mr G B Hobbs, the general secretary of the Cleveland Miner's Association, applied to his Honour Judge Templer for permission to make compensation payments to Mr Dunning of Dixon Street, Skelton in respect of her son, who was
fatally injured in the Skelton Park Pit some months ago.
His Honour had made an award of £35 in quarterly payments to the lad's father, but since that time he had also died.
His Honour consented.
17th May -
CRUELTY TO HORSES AT AIRY HILL FARM.
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George Sayer, of Airy Hill Farm, Skelton, was charged with having caused 5 animals to be worked in a unfit state.
Henry Kent, Peter Milburn and Harry Hubbard, farm labourers in the employ of Sayer, were charged with having cruelly worked the horses.
The South Durham and North Yorkshire branch of the RSPCA were taking up the matter.
Sgt Walker and PC Pickering visited the farm and saw a bay horse and a bay mare yoked to a manure cart, with Hubbard in charge.
Noticing that the horsed flinched a great deal, the police examined them and found a wound about the size of a crown piece near the shoulder and on the shoulder another about the size of a shilling.
Blood and matter were oozing from the wounds and the harness was marked.
Similar wounds were found on a brown mare, attached to an empty cart, driven by Milburn and on a brown mare and brown horse that were ploughing.
Hubbard said - "They are not fit to work, but I have to do what my master says."
Milburn said - "Its a great shame that they have to be worked, but when I told Geordie about it, he said it was nothing to do with me."
Sayer was seen and admitted - "They are very bad, but we are so busy, what am I to do. ?"
He was told not to work the animals, but on the following Tuesday, when the Inspector called they were found working again.
Sayer's defence said that he would plead guilty to 2 cases against him on the understanding the other charges were withdrawn on payment of costs. His farm was hilly and difficult to work. He had been leading lime from Boosbeck
and it was all uphill and collar work. The harness was not in order, but it had been repaired.
Sir Alfred Pease said that Sayer had aggravated his offence by working the horses after being cautioned and would be fined £3 for each case to which he had pleaded guilty and the costs for all 5 cases brought against him.
The charges against the farm lads were dismissed.
17th May -
GAME UP FOR POACHERS.
Joseph Thompson and Oswald Hallam, both miners of North Skelton, were summoned for trespassing in pursuit of game in 'Holmes Plantation', belonging to Mr W H A Wharton of Skelton Castle on the 6th May.
Neither defendant appeared in Court and each was fined 2s 6d [12 and one half new pence] and costs.
17th May -
PINCHED COAL FROM MINE.
William Jefferson, a labourer of Dixon Street, Lingdale was charged with stealing 5 stones of coal, value 7d, the property of Bolckow and Vaughan at North Skelton Mine.
Sgt Timms arrested Jefferson on Sunday morning with the coal in his possession. He pleaded guilty and was bound over in the sum of £5 for six months.
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North Skelton Ironstone Mine - possibility at this time of industrial strife and shut-downs.
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24th May -
BETTER MINER WORSE OFF.
Harry Wilson, a miner of North Skelton, was charged with an offence under the Street Betting Act.
PC Hutchinson said that he secreted himself near Vaughan Street, North Skelton and saw Wilson frequenting a point between the Bull's Head Hotel and the Institute.
He went into a small out-building several times, where he was followed by men.
He was taken to Skelton Police Station and there was found to have a small betting book, 4 slips and £1 in his possession
Wilson pleaded guilty and was fined 35 shillings.
31st May -
DEATH OF SKELTON "G" COMPANY VOLUNTEER NCO.
Mr T W Wood died at the Maynard Arms Hotel, Carlin How after a short illness.
He was for 3 years the representative of the Skinningrove Ward on the Loftus Urban Skelton and for some considerable time a non-commissioned officer in the Skelton Company of Volunteers.
He leaves a widow and 7 children to mourn his loss.
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The Maynard Arms, Carlin How, N Yorks.
Mr T W Wood's name can be seen on the board above the door and as the only NCO on parade, the Sergeant in front is very likely him with the rest of the Carlin How detachment.
The 2 men with bicycles to the Left belonged to a different Unit.
The Uniform at the time of the photograph was Red Jacket, Blue Trousers, White Collar, Cuffs and Webbing.
The Rifles are the Long Lee Enfield Mk I.
The photograph was taken before the year 1912, as by this time our local Volunteers had become the 4th Yorks Battalion of the Territorial Force and had been issued with the Khaki Service dress and webbing that they wore in the First World War.
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June -
NORTH SKELTON CRICKET.
The Rector, Mr H Mackworth Drake records in the Parish Magazine that Mr Hubbard scored his first century for North Skelton Cricket Club.
BIKE RIDES.
The Skelton Church Lads' Brigade Cycle Corps made runs to Castleton, Middlesbrough and Runswick Bay.
28th June -
MISS MARGARET WHARTON UP AT COURT.
Miss Winsome Margaret Wharton, the daughter of Squire Wharton of Skelton Castle, was amongst those presented at the Court held by their Majesties the King and Queen at Buckingham Palace on Monday.
2nd July -
MINE DEATH - ROOF FALL.
Skelton Park Pit.
William Garbutt, a miner aged 28 was killed.
"He and his mate were driving a lift out of a split wall which had holed;
They had only got some 6 feet in, but the crossing timber being set, and the place well timbered, Garbutt fired his two bottom shots, one after the other.
He had gone back to examine after the second shot when the whole place collapsed and he was buried.
Then another heavy fall took place and he was heard no more;
His body was recovered after another two hours' hard work;
Probably the second shot being a heavy one had removed the support from the crossing balk."
14th July -
NORTH SKELTON MISSION.
The Mission Room was packed on the occasion of the dedication of the Organ from the Old Church to the service of God in its new home.
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The only names known are Middle Row - Robert Fawcett, 4th from left.
Bottom Row - Henry Bennison, centre and Fred Appleton, extreme right.
[Two versions of this photograph have been donated, one by Peter Appleton, Grandson of Fred; and
the other by Michael Bennison, Grandson of Henry.]
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SHAFT MINER - 6 CWT STONE FELL ON LEG - AMPUTATED - DIED
Skelton Shaft Pit.
Leonard Brock, a miner aged 41, residing in Mill St, Guisborough, died as a result of an accident which occurred on Thursday, the 18 July in Skelton Old Shaft Mine.
He and another miner, Alfred W Page, were turning away a working 11 feet wide out of a split which had just holed into the goaf;
They had fired three shots during their shift, the last one being fired only five minutes prior to the accident;
It probably loosened some timber, as when the deceased was pinching down some "dogger" forming the roof it suddenly came away, together with a large block of ironstone, weighing about 6 hundredweights.
The latter rolled off some stones and pinned Brock's leg against a prop before he could get clear;
His mate had suggested the use of some planks placed on a tub in the form of a scaffold, on which he could stand, but he thought he could manage without;
His mate's suggestion would no doubt have been safer;
He was conveyed to the Admiral Chaloner Hospital, Guisborough where he was found to have a compound fracture of the leg and severe bleeding.
Some of the arteries were torn and Dr Shand performed a successful amputation of the leg.
He appeared to go on very nicely until Friday night, when difficulty of breathing appeared and symptoms of chloroform poisoning.
He died on the Saturday morning and cause was given as shock and loss of blood.
The funeral took place on Tuesday and many of his workmates attended.
23rd July -
BOOKIE WITH BOOKS BOOKED.
James Drinkwater, described as a bookmaker of Loftus, was charged with street betting in the High Street, Skelton.
Sgt Walker said that he saw him enter the village and near the Institute stopped to talk to a group of men.
One of these gave him something, which he put in his pocket, made a note in a book and then handed something back.
He was taken into custody and in his possession were a sporting publication, some betting slips with names of horses running at Sandown, a ready-reckoner and a note book with the names of horses.
DrinkwateR said - "It is a rum one, however."
In Court he denied the offence and said he had a private income and as he could not mope about the streets of Loftus all day, he went for a walk to Skelton [8 miles] for a little bit of exercise.
It was 5 years since he had made a bet in Skelton.
A penalty of £5 inclusive was imposed.
2nd August -
CHURCH LADS BRIGADE CAMP.
Church Lads' Brigade.The Company met in the Church Rooms fully equipped for a week's camp at Whitley Bay.
We started off at 6pm for North Skelton Station and arrived at Whitley Bay at 1.30am.
The weather was terrible and we camped in mud.
During the week we marched to Newcastle and were addressed by Lord Armstrong.
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12th August -
MINES COLLAPSE ROSEBERRY TOPPING'S PEAK.
News swiftly went round East Cleveland that the peak of Roseberry Topping, the area's famous landmark, had collapsed. Large rocks had fallen from the top down the Great Ayton side
changing its features considerably.
The cause was put down to subsidence as a result of the local ironstone mining.
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Roseberry Topping Collapse. August 1912.
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27th September -
SKELTON CASTLE CRICKET WIN CLEVELAND CUP AND CELEBRATE.
The Skelton Castle Cricket Club [winners of the Cleveland and Tees-side Amateur Challenge Cup] held a smoking concert at Mr W G Gibson's Wharton Arms Hotel on Monday evening.
Mr M J Videan presided and congratulated the Club upon their great achievement of having the distinction of holding the handsome trophy for the first time in the Club's history.
There was a fair attendance and there was no lack of singers. The cup was afterwards taken to Mr A Bunn's Royal George Hotel, where the remainder of the evening was spent in pleasant manner.
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Skelton Castle Cricket XI in 1912.
Winners of the Cleveland Challenge Cup. To the left in the middle row are W H A Wharton and his second wife Elizabeth and to the Right, their daughter, Margaret.
Back row, second left is John R Hewling, the scorer, and the tradesman whose advertisement is shown above.
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27th September -
PINCHED MONEY OFF ORPHANS.
Thomas Hall, of North Skelton, was charged with stealing a donation box, containing about 1s 3d, belonging to Dr Barnardo's Homes, from the Station Hotel, Egton Bridge, N Yorks.
He admitted the charge and had been previously convicted of a felony. Committed to the next Quarter Sessions to stand trial.
30th September -
CHEAP ELECTRICITY.
At North Skelton, in Cleveland, arrangements have been made to have Electric Light installed at very cheap rate in a large number of cottages.
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25th October -
A MINER, A BOOKIE OR BOTH.
Frank Thompson, a miner of North Skelton was charged under the Street Betting Act at North Skelton on the 16th October.
He stoutly denied the offence. PC Hutchinson said that at 12.15 on the day in question, he kept observation from a hiding place in the open space between the Bull's Head Inn and the Institute, where men usually congregated.
About 12.45 Thompson and several other men came along. Thompson went towards his home.
He returned immediately and a man went up to him and offered what appeared to be money.
The Constable emerged and charged him with loitering for the purpose of receiving bets.
Thompson replied - "You'll have to prove it."
On being search he was found to have 34s 3d in silver and 9d in coppers. A notebook was also found upon him and in it were references to the "Cesarewich" race. Such names as "Cherry King", "Eccles", "Beethoven" etc were there.
Some of these did not run and not one of them won. No betting slips were found.
Thompson was a miner, but he did not go to work when there was a big race on.
He denied in Court that he had done any betting and protested against his being challenged when it was known that he was a working miner. He considered it very hard lines.
The Bench decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and dismissed the case.
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4th November -
CLEVELAND SURVEYOR FOUND DEAD ON DOG.
An inquest was held at the Wharton Arms, Skelton in Cleveland upon the body William Page Robinson, age 43, Surveyor to Skelton and Brotton Urban Council.
He was found on Friday shot in the right temple and lying on the dead body his favourite spaniel.
12th November -
CAPTAIN SCOTT - BODIES FOUND.
The bodies of Captain Scott and his Antarctic exploration party are found.
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22nd November -
SKELTON AND BROTTON ELECTRIC LIGHTING.
London Gazette:-
(The Production, Storage and Supply of Electricity by the Urban District Council of Skelton and Brotton within their District: the Breaking Up and Interference with Streets and Railways; the Laying Down and Erection of Electric Lines,
Wires, Posts and Apparatus; the Taking and Recovering of Rates and Charges; Incorporation of Acts; and other Provisions.)
Notice is hereby given, that the Urban District Council of the urban district of Skelton and Brotton, in the North Riding of the county of York (hereinafter called "the Council"), and whose address is at the office of the surveyor
of the Council, High-street, Skelton, intend to apply to
the Board of Trade, on or before the 21st day of December next, for a Provisional Order (hereinafter Lighting Acts, 1882 to 1909, for all or some of the following amongst other purposes (that is to say) :
1. To authorize the Council to generate and supply electricity for all public and private purposes as deemed by the Electric Lighting Acts within the whole of the urban district of Skelton and Brotton, in the North Riding of
the county of York aforesaid (hereinafter referred to as "the Area of Supply "), and to enable the Council to enter into or carry into
effect any contract, agreement or arrangement with the Cleveland and Durham Electric Power Company for tha supply by such Company to the Council of electricity in bulk.
To authorize the Council within the urban district of Guisborough, in the North Riding of the county of York, for the purpose of enabling electricity to be brought into the area of supply from a generating station situate
outside the area of supply, and for the purpose of supplying from any such generating station and distributing electricity within the area
of supply, and otherwise for effecting the purposes of the Order, to open, break up and interfere with all streets, roads, ways, footpaths or public passages or places, and to alter or interfere with mains., pipes, sewers,
subways, tunnels, wires, tubes, apparatus, matters and things therein or thereunder, and to break up or otherwise interfere with railways and tramways and to lay down, set up, maintain, use, repair, remove, renew and alter
all such cables, wires, posts, pipes, tubes, casings, troughs, inspection boxes and apparatus as may be necessary or convenient for carrying out the objects aforesaid or any of them.
To authorize the Council to break up the following streets, not repairable by the local authority and bridges and railways, viz.:
Old Skelton Road leading to the Old Church and Skelton Castle, Wood's-yard, Robinson's Yard,
Robinson-street, Dixon-street, Yeoman street, Road to Skelton Castle, Road from Faughfield-lane to North Skelton Station and Elliott-street, Skelton Green.
In Old Skelton The bridge over the Saltburn and Whitby Branch of the North-Eastern Railway at the end of Faughfield-lane.
The two bridges carrying the Guisborough and Saltburn Branch of the North-Eastern Railway over the road known as Stanghow-lane leading from New Skelton to Lingdale.
In North Skelton - The two bridges carrying the Guisborough and Saltburn and the Saltburn-and Whitby Branches of the North-Eastern Railway over the road leading from North Skelton to Brotton.
The names of the streets in which it is proposed that electric lines shall be laid down within a period to be specified by the Order are as follows:
The main road from Cross Green, Skelton,through New Skelton, North Skelton, and Brotton, to the boundary of the urban district at Carlin How....
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Skelton Park Mine Football Team in 1912 - in typical old fashioned formation -
Goalkeeper, Right and Left Back - Right Half, Centre Half and Left Half - Right Wing, Inside Right, Centre Forward, Inside Left and Left Wing.
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6th December -
SKELTON WORKMEN'S CLUB REVELLER IN CELLS, WITH GLASS IN POCKET.
Frederick Tose of 'Magra Park', a miner, was charged with being drunk and disorderly at Skelton on Saturday and further charged with stealing a half pint tumbler, the property of Skelton and District Workmen's Club and Institute
Limited.
PC Pickering said that Tose was drunk and creating a disturbance outside the Club on Saturday night. He requested him to go away and be quiet. As he refused to do so, he was locked up.
In custody a tumbler was found in his inside pocket. Tose said that someone must have put it there.
The Steward of the Club, George Graydon, said that at the time Tose was a member of the Club, he was not served with drink that night and had since been expelled.
Tose pleaded that he had no recollection of taking the glass. It was not no use to him and would him no good.
The Bench bound him over in the sum of £2 to be of good behaviour for 6 months.
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Skelton Workingmen's Club Committee in 1912.
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29th December -
THE SKELTON TERRITORIALS THRIVING.
On Monday night there took place at the Drill Hall, Skelton, the Annual distribution of prizes to the members of the Skelton "G" Company.
Captain H R French, Office in charge of the Skelton Company paid particular thanks to the local employers who had readily allowed the men to put in the full 15 days training in Camp.
The foundations of a new Drill Hall at Skelton had been laid and the Skelton Company had been allowed to recruit above the recognised numbers, their present strength being 165.
Mr Wharton of Skelton Castle presented the prizes and Mr W H A Wharton, the Commander of the 4th Yorks Battalion and Chairman of the North Riding Territorial Association gave an address.
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Skelton High Street about this time.
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