Show on mapThe Saltergill Inn was said to contains a peat fire that had never gone out since the 1730s. The folklore tale is that smugglers hid the body of a murdered Customs and Excise Man under the hearth and he would never be found as long as the fire was kept burning.
The inn dates to 1648 but sadly has been closed since 2007 and is now in a poor state (not sure if anyones checked for the body under the hearth yet either)
There is a similar postcard of another long-maintained fire at “Huckaback” near Castleton, which had been burning for 66 years in 1906. See link to postcard for sale on eBay (though this link will expire: maybe someone can post the picture for posterity?). Where exactly ‘Huckaback’ is/was is unclear: perhaps readers can enlighten us?.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Turf-Fire-At-Huckaback-Not-Gone-Out-For-66-Years-CASTLETON-Yorkshire-/322369548650?hash=item4b0eb8f16a:g:ShEAAOSw37tWCC-T
Huckaback is a strong linen weave used for polishing and cleaning. Remember that in the eighteenth and nineteenth century Castleton and the other villages in that area stretching over to Yarm were big linen growing and processing centres – primarily for sailcloth, but also bedding and clothing.
A definition of the name can be fund here
http://www.trc-leiden.nl/trc-needles/index.php/component/k2/item/9403-huckaback-cloth
Its looks like its a mis-spelling of “Haggaback” farm which is still there between Castleton and Commondale.
There are various version of the postcard with the years changing from 66 to 73 to 83 to 100, but not the photo itseld!!
The words may be a conflation – literal spelling wasn’t a exact science in the 1830’s. Linen growing, processing weaving was important in the upper Esk Valley and across what we could call “West” Cleveland
Drove over from Pickering to Whitby for the first time in years. I was horrified at what’s happened to the Saltersgate, what a state!
Apparently sold at auction in May 2016.
“Charles and Toby Wood, who already own the Fox and Rabbit at Lockton and the Horseshoe at Levisham are the new owners of the Saltersgate Inn, on the North York Moors between Pickering and Whitby. ”
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/14663382.New_owners_for_derelict_pub/
Hopeful that they understand the local market and will be able to do something with this Inn.
I have 3 unused postcards of the this fireplace. Two, which I believe pre-date your postcard, refer to this as ” the fireplace Wagon & Horses Inn Saltresgate”
Is this a John Ross card he was my great grandfather
Similar card exists for the Chequers near Osmotherley.
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