Saltburn-by-the-Sea

Coordinates: 54°34′58″N 0°58′24″W / 54.5828°N 0.9732°W / 54.5828; -0.9732

Saltburn-by-the-Sea
Saltburn-by-the-Sea  Saltburn-by-the-Sea shown within North Yorkshire
Population	5,912 (2001 Census)
OS grid reference	NZ663213
- London	263.1m
Parish	Saltburn, Marske and New Marske
Unitary authority	Redcar and Cleveland
Ceremonial county	North Yorkshire
Region	North East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	SALTBURN-BY-THE-SEA
Postcode district	TS12
Dialling code	01287
Police	Cleveland
Fire	Cleveland
Ambulance	North East
EU Parliament	North East England
UK Parliament	Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland
List of places: UK • England • Yorkshire

Saltburn-by-the-Sea is a seaside resort in the unitary authority of Redcar and Cleveland and the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire, England. The town is around 12 miles (19 km) east of Middlesbrough, and had a population of 5,912 at the 2001 Census.

History

Old Saltburn

Old Saltburn is the original settlement, located in the seaside area of Saltburn Gill. Records are scarce on its origins, but it was centre of local sea smugglers, with Landlord John Andrew referred to as the "King of smugglers."

In the mid 18th century, the authors Laurence Sterne and John Hall-Stevenson enjoyed racing chariots on the sands at Saltburn.^[1] In 1856, the hamlet consisted of the Ship Inn and a row of houses, containing mainly farmers and fisherman.^[2]

Iron stone

The development of both Middlesbrough and Saltburn was driven by the discovery of iron stone in the Cleveland Hills, the monies of the Pease family of Darlington, and the development of two railways to extract the minerals.^[2]

The Pease family had developed Middlesbrough as an industrial centre, and after discovery of iron stone, the Stockton & Darlington Railway and the West Hartlepool Harbour and Railway Company both developed routes into East Cleveland.^[2] By 1861, the S&DR reached Saltburn with the intention of continuing onto Brotton, Skinningrove and Loftus.^[2] But the WHH&RCo had already developed tracks into the area, leaving little point in the extending the S&DR tracks further.^[2]

Development

The Zetland, now an apartment building, formerly the historic Zetland Hotel.

In 1858, while walking along the coast path towards Old Saltburn to visit his brother Joseph in Marske, Henry Pease saw "a prophetic vision of a town arising on the cliff and the quiet, unfrequented and sheltered glen turned into a lovely garden". The Pease family owned Middlesbrough estate and had control of the S&DR, so agreed to develop Henry's vision by forming the Saltburn Improvement Company (SIC).^[2]

Land was purchased from the Earl of Zetland, and the company commissioned surveyor George Dickinson to layout what became an interpretation of a gridiron street layout, detracted from by the fact that the railway ran through the middle of the site.^[2] With as many houses as possible having sea views, the layout was added to by the so-called "jewel streets" along the seafront (Coral, Garnet, Ruby, Emerald, Pearl, Diamond and Amber Streets), said to be a legacy of Henry's vision.

After securing the best positions for development by the SIC, monies were brought in for these constructions by selling other plots to private developers and investors. Most buildings are constructed using the "Pease brick," transported by the S&DR, with the name "Pease" set into the brick. The jewel in Henry Pease's crown is said to have been The Zetland Hotel, one of the world's earliest purpose-built railway hotels, with its own private platform.^[2]

The parcel of land known as Clifton Villas was sold by S.I.C. (Saltburn Improvement Company) in 1865 to a William Morley from London who built the modern day property, but one of the stipulations (deed of covenant) placed on the land was that "any trees planted along Britannia Terrace (now Marine parade) were not to exceed 1'6" above the footpath". This was to preserve the view, that gave Henry Pease the vision to form Saltburn, for future generations. However, it was noted Henry owned a property on Britannia Terrace.^[3]

Post 1881

After Henry died in 1881, SIC was sold to the owner of the Middlesbrough estate in 1883, and the development of Saltburn became the responsibility of the local council.^[2]

The Pease family had built a residence at the junction of Marine Parade and Milton Street, and lived there until Sir Joseph W Pease died in 1903. The house was later sold to the Working Men's Club and Institute Union ("the CIU"), which converted it into a convalescent home for club members, one of several around the country. Its "residents" usually came, from all the major working-class areas of the UK, for subsidised two-week breaks. They were easy to recognise from the yellow button badges they were issued by the "Superintendent" on arrival. The Milton Street Club, located right next door to their home-from-home, was understandably very popular among the Clubmen.

Tourism, leisure and amenities

Saltburn-by-the-Sea pier and cliff lift.

Surf's up Saltburn has become a popular surfing spot in recent years

The Saltburn seafront.

Saltburn's attractions include a Grade II* renovated pier, plenty of Victorian buildings, the Valley Gardens, accessible via a forest walk and on the shore, a smugglers' museum. Saltburn is also on the Cleveland Way. The coastline is popular with surfers and national surfing events are held during the autumn and winter months, attracting competitors from all corners of England, Scotland and Wales.

Annual events include Saltburn Victorian Celebrations (once known as Victorian Week), the Saltburn Swashbuckle (a beach event for children based on a piratical theme), the Saltburn Custom Classic Car Show (a lower prom display of mostly American cars) and the annual Folk festival.^[4] Saltburn has been host to a number of beach parties organised by local dance music lovers. There is also a thriving local theatre, The 53 Society, and a public library.

Funicular railway

Main article: Saltburn Cliff Lift

The Saltburn Cliff Lift is one of the world's oldest water-powered cliff lifts (the oldest being the Bom Jesus funicular in Braga, Portugal). After the opening of Saltburn Pier in 1869, it was concluded that the steep cliff walk was deterring people from walking from the town to the pier. After the company was taken over by Middlesbrough Estates in 1883, they discovered that the wooden Cliff Hoist had a number of rotten supports.^[5] The Saltburn tramway, as it is also known, was developed by Sir Richard Tangye's company, whose chief engineer was George Croydon Marks. The cliff tramway opened a year later and provided transport between the pier and the town. The railway is water-balanced and since 1924 the water pump has been electrically operated. The first major maintenance was carried out in 1998, when the main winding wheel was replaced and a new braking system installed.^[6]

Public houses

As a town founded and dominated by Quakers, Saltburn originally had no public houses. Alcohol was served in the local hotels and the bars attached to them. The public houses on the lower promenade were part of Old Saltburn. In addition to The Ship Inn there was The Pelican and others. Vista Mar was first opened as tea rooms and later a fish and chip cafe.

Today the following public houses exist in Saltburn: Alexandra Vaults ("Back Alex"),The Victoria, Marine, Ship Inn, The Spa, Vista Mar (formerly Bankside, previously Rosie O'Grady's) and Windsors (formerly Queens). There are also several members' clubs: Conservative Club, Lune Street CIU, Royal British Legion, Masonic Lodge, Saltburn Golf Club, Saltburn Cricket Tennis and Bowls Club, and Swingdoors.

Education

Saltburn's only secondary school is Huntcliff School which was rebuilt during 2007-8, re-opening on 8 September 2008. The redundant 50 year old school buildings were then demolished to allow the town's Junior and Infant schools to relocate to the same site in 2009.

Landmarks

The coastline at Saltburn lies practically east-west, and along much of it runs Marine Parade. To the north east of the town is the imposing Hunt Cliff, topped by Warsett Hill at 166 metres (545 ft). Skelton Beck runs through the wooded Valley Gardens in Saltburn, then alongside Saltburn Miniature Railway before being joined by Saltburn Gill and entering the North Sea.

Teddy's Nook (The Cottage)

"Teddy's Nook" is a house built in 1862 by Henry Pease (MP) a director of the Stockton and Darlington Railway,^[7] for his own occupation. Pease was responsible for the foundation of the seaside resort and the sturdy sandstone house was first named "The Cottage."^[2] The following stories, whether fact or fiction is debatable, all relate to this house.

• When Saltburn Bank was only a track, two eccentric ladies who lived in the house allegedly kept a lion for a pet. They are said to have exercised it on the beach daily and it is said to be buried somewhere in the garden.^[8]
• Mrs Lillie Langtry (the Jersey Lily) stayed at the house at sometime between 1877 and 1880. She was often visited by Edward Prince of Wales (late Edward VII of the United Kingdom) who had a suite of rooms at the Zetland Hotel. The cottage, consequently, became known as Teddy's Nook.^[9][10][11]
• In wartime German spies are thought to have contacted ships out at sea by means of flashing lights from Teddy's Nook.^{[citation needed]}
• The Kelly family,^[12] who leased the house in later years, were cousins of Jimmy Savile who visited regularly.^[13]

"The Cottage" was the only one built of what were intended to be one of four similar houses to be called "Clifton Villas". It was the family home of Audrey Collins MBE, who served as Mayor of Saltburn and chair of the South Tees Health Authority. Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital has named a teaching unit in her honour.^[14]

Transport

The railway station is at the end of the line from Middlesbrough and Darlington. The Redcar to Saltburn Railway, opened in 1861, was an extension of the Middlesbrough to Redcar Railway of 1846.^[15] A freight line continues to the potash mine at nearby Boulby. This line used to continue to Whitby as part of the Whitby Redcar and Middlesbrough Union Railway.

Sport

Sports played in Saltburn include cricket, bowls and tennis played at the Club in Marske Mill Lane. The Club has been in existence for over 100 years and is nearly as old as the town itself. New facilities were provided in 2002 with financial help from the Lottery.

The North Riding Duck Race is held each year on 1 August to celebrate Yorkshire Day.^[16] The winner receives the Colin Holt Cup, named in honour of the late Colin Holt, for many years the Chairman of the Yorkshire Ridings Society. A prize is given also for the duck with the most original name.

Notable people

Malcolm Campbell set his first record (138.08 mph-unofficial) while driving Blue Bird on Saltburn Sands on 17 June 1922.^[17]

David Coverdale, lead vocalist for Deep Purple and Whitesnake, was born here and grew up in the Red Lodge on Marine Parade, now known as Red Gables.^{[citation needed]}

George Hardwick the footballer^[18] and Tony Mowbray the Middlesbrough manager (ex-Middlesbrough, Celtic and Ipswich footballer, ex Celtic, West Bromwich Albion and Hibernian manager) were born in Saltburn^[19] as was the astronaut Nicholas Patrick^[20]

For a full list, see People from Saltburn-by-the-Sea

See also

• Cleveland Way
• Saltburn Gill
• Saltburn, Marske and New Marske
• Saltburn Miniature Railway
• Saltburn Pier
• Saltburn railway station

References

• Tony Lynn - 'Saltburn-by-the-Sea Revisited' (2006) ISBN 0-7524-3773-9
• Alan Whitworth - 'Saltburn-by-the-Sea: A Brief History from Its Earliest Times to 1900' (2006) ISBN 1-871150-47-7

Notes

1. ^ Sidney Lee, Stevenson, John Hall- in Dictionary of National Biography (1885-1900), vol. 54
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j} "Saltburn draft conservation area appraisal". Redcar & Cleveland. http://www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/main.nsf/17a13e0da96e4d6a8025734f003dfba6/$file/saltburn%20draft%20conservation%20area%20appraisal%20and%20suggested%20bou.pdf. Retrieved 2009-09-14. 
3. ^ The History of Saltburn by Chris Scott Wilson
4. ^ "Saltburn Festival of Folk Music, Dance and Song". http://www.saltburnfolkfestival.ukforum.com. 
5. ^ Paul Delplanque (2010-01-04). "Saltburn Cliff Lift...Then and Now". Tees Gazette. http://rememberwhen.gazettelive.co.uk/2010/01/saltburn-cliff-liftthen-and-no.html. Retrieved 2010-06-05. 
6. ^ "Saltburn Cliff Lift". BBC Tees. http://www.bbc.co.uk/tees/content/articles/2007/08/02/saltburn_cliff_lift_feature.shtml. Retrieved 2010-06-05. 
7. ^ Robinson's Railway Directors 1841
8. ^ "Of Royal nookie in the Nook". www.highbeam.com. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-10336101.html. Retrieved 2009-09-14. 
9. ^ "nebusiness.co.uk - News - Business Interviews - Businessman with a talent for giving something back". www.nebusiness.co.uk. http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/interviews-with-business-people/2008/04/28/businessman-with-a-talent-for-giving-something-back-51140-20828235/. Retrieved 2009-09-14. 
10. ^ "The Darlington and Stockton Times :: News, Sport, Business, North Yorkshire moors, County Durham - Teddy's Nook and a royal dalliance". archive.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk. http://archive.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/2000/7/28/195359.html. Retrieved 2009-09-17. 
11. ^ "Shopping - Francis Frith". www.francisfrith.com. http://www.francisfrith.com/pageloader.asp?page=/shop/books/bookcontent.asp&isbn=1-84546-349-8&start=41. Retrieved 2009-09-14. 
12. ^ "The Northern Echo : News, Sport, Business, Leisure from the North East and North Yorkshire - Talent of a kindly caricaturist drawn to record an entire generation". archive.thenorthernecho.co.uk. http://archive.thenorthernecho.co.uk/2001/6/8/168824.html. Retrieved 2009-09-14. 
13. ^ "Sir Jimmy Saville". http://www.inandaboutscarborough.co.uk/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=28. Retrieved 2009-09-14. 
14. ^ "Zebrahosts News". www.zebrahosts.net. http://www.zebrahosts.net/index.php/news/view/ErBDTsQ5lROYDOMJ. Retrieved 2009-09-17. 
15. ^ Ellison, MH. "North Eastern Railway Association". Newcastle University. http://www.staff.ncl.ac.uk/m.h.ellison/nera/october_tour_2000.htm. 
16. ^ "Celebrating Yorkshire Day". Redcar and Cleveland Council. http://www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/pressrel.nsf/published/july_2009_celebrating_yorkshire_day. 
17. ^ "Bluebird Supporters Club - Malcolm Campbell". www.bluebirdteamracing.net. http://www.bluebirdteamracing.net/bluebirdsupportersclub/peo/mc.html. Retrieved 2009-06-05. 
18. ^ "The yo-yo years of Middlesbrough FC: Time Trail". Evening Gazette, Millennium Memories: p16–17. 1999-11-16. 
19. ^ Glasper, Harry. The 'Boro Bible. ISBN 0952793253. 
20. ^ "Biographical Data - Nicholas J. M. Patrick". NASA. January 2010. http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/patrick.html. Retrieved 2010-02-05. 

External links

• Saltburn at the Open Directory Project
• Saltburn Cliff Lift Company
• Saltburn Cricket Bowls & Tennis Club