Author: Fhithich
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Cleveland Hills
A peaceful rural scene. How different it would look today if the giant oil companies had found “black gold” in the 1930s. A forest of oil derricks and nodding donkeys? In 1938, the Gulf Exploration Company began drilling for oil in the Cleveland Hills. 30 men were employed, seeking the oil that the jet miners…
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Kirkcarrion
I’ve never done the Pennine Way. All the way that is, in one go. I’ve done bits. Crossed it many times, but I’ve only ever been in the dales north of the A66, Baldersdale and Lunesdale, once before as I recall. So I was quite looking forward for a run along the Pennine Way from…
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Low Force
Another day, another waterfall. Less dramatic than its big brother, High Force, Low Force is another of the waterfalls in this dramatic landscape of upper Teesdale. It’s a popular tourist destination. The predominant geology of Teesdale is Carboniferous sedimentary rock but it has been intruded by a number of distinct igneous rocks. It is the…
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Cauldron Snout, Teesdale
In the Times, 20 April 1960: VICAR APOLOGIZES TO PARENTS, CURATE’S INCENTIVE TEST, FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT, SUNDERLAND, APRIL 19, The Vicar of St Thomas’s, Pennywell, Sunderland, the Rev. M. P. Kent, tonight apologized to the parents of 37 children who had been taken by his curate the Rev. Michael Fox, aged 29, to Teesdale, 50…
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View to Guisborough over Old Park Farm
I nearly copped it today. Mowed down by some mountain biker careering down a Public Footpath, the Cleveland Way no less, between Percy Rigg and Highcliff. I failed to get a photo but did take some of other cyclists on the same Public Footpath but riding more considerately. In the end, I’ve opted to post…
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“At our feet lay the little village of Newton …”
In 1887, an account of one person’s ascent of Roseberry Topping appeared in the Leeds Mercury. Unfortunately the identity of the correspondent is unreadable: “… After a brief survey of the ruins [Guisborough Priory] we proceeded to Pinchinthorpe, whence we had a pleasant walk to the village of Newton, and leaving the village green and…
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Cockayne
On the 15th April 1802, Dorothy Wordsworth wrote in her diary: Thursday 15th. It was a threatening, misty morning— but mild We set off after dinner from Eusmere— Mrs Clarkson went a short way with us, but turned back. The wind was furious & we thought we must have returned. We first rested in the…
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Guisborough Moor
Actually taken from Codhill Heights looking north towards Potters Ridge but all part of the great expanse that is Guisborough Moor. On 31 Mar. 1941, the Times reported that the Air Ministry and Ministry of Home Security had issued a communiqué: Though there has been some activity off the east and west coasts during the…
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A 3 wheeled tractor … now I recognise that
I used to have one as a Dinky Toy. The back lifted and it had cast alloy wheels. Had a clear out a few years ago and sold my old Dinky Toys on eBay. Someone, somewhere is lovingly caring for it. I bumped into this one, which does need a bit of T.L.C. above Lealholm.…
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Hock-Monday
Today, the Monday after Easter is Hocktide, (or more specifically the Monday and Tuesday after Easter), and was a traditional medieval festival where games and sports took place, or there would be ‘hocking‘. This was a custom where the women would capture men and only release them on payment of a ransom, which went to…