Memorial Plaque to William Henry Thomas

Posted on November 25, 2009 by chris.twigg

William Henry Thomas (1858 – 1923) was the founder of the Middlesbrough and District Betterment and Open Spaces Association, a smallÂ rest gardenÂ on Acklam Road houses the memorial.

Considering the subject matter, its rather sad that part of the park has recently been lost to roundabout for new housing estateÂ and the general state of disrepair of the steps leading up to the monument.

However I found some council meeting minutes which say the developer is to spend Â£500,000 on upgrading the public open space, hopefully those will include the park and memorial.

Sheave Wheel from Boulby Potash Mine

Posted on November 17, 2009 by chris.twigg

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Despite being very close to Lumpsey pit, this item has no relation to the ironstone site.

The wheel was donated to the “Blooming Lights” group in September 2003 and originated at the Boulby Potash mine.

At 18ft I have read elsewhere it is the largest Sheave wheel in Europe.

Skinningrove Mosaic and Sylvania Anchor

Posted on November 13, 2009 by chris.twigg

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This mosaic by Derek Mosey, Helen Gaunt and the village community depicts various aspects of Skinningrove such as the mine and the “merman” legened, it was erected during 2009

The small park also contains the Sylvania Anchor, which was used to help refloat a ship stranded at Skinningrove for six months, it was retrieved from the sea in 2001 after spending 100 years buried.

Evolution of Life In the Sea Mosaic, Doorstep Green, Skinningrove

Posted on November 13, 2009 by chris.twigg

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This mosaic was originally constructed in 1963 for Rosecroft School in Loftus, when that was demolished in 2009 it was moved here. Its 18ft by 9ft and weighs 4.5 tonnes.

The original artist Philippa Threlfall who was 23 at the time and is now 70 visited to see its new location, one of the councillors involved in the move was actually one of the school children who collected the stones and fossil from Skinningrove beach 46 years earlier.