Saltburn Alum Works

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Very little information exists on the Saltburn Alum works which operated 1670-1695 and 1765-1775.
Saltburn Alum Works
The semi-circular sandstone structure with a water-tight clay lining that is currently eroding out of the cliff strongly resembles a cistern for alum liquor such as those seen at well known alum working sites such as Boulby and Loftus.
Boulby Alum Works CisternLoftus Alum Quarry

Much timber and brickwork is also present, suggesting there was a building adjacent and perhaps even steeping pits.
Saltburn Alum Works
Saltburn Alum Works

The site is gradually being destroyed by erosion as a central wooden post was originally visible in the cistern.

Update 2013 : Sadly the remains of the stone cistern were completely destroyed by the storm surge on 5th December 2013 (photo by Simon Chapman)

19.12.2013.

Saltburn World Speed Records Plaque

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Between 1906 and 1937 the sands between Saltburn and Marske were used for speed record attempts.
Saltburn, Land Speed Records
Sir Malcolm Campbell recorded 138.08mph on 17th June 1922 in Sunbeam (although this was not recognised offically as electronic timers were not used)

The plaque say he reached 144.32mph in 1924,  (at this time the record seems to have been beaten on a weekly basis)

On two wheels Ron Storey recorded 122.91mph in 1928 on a Brough Superior SS100

The plaque was unveiled in October 2011 by Desmond Heckle, one times holder of motorcycle speed record.

Saltburn Mosaic Number 4

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The 4th in the series of 150th anniversary mosaics was recently unveiled by Anne Bedell.
Saltburn Mosaic 4

Subjects this time are still existant buildings such as the  Primitive Methodist church,  Queen Hotel and Railway Station as well as on the left the now demolished public Brine Baths

It also features a representation of current Saltburn town crier Sharon Wilson , the artists are Helen Gaunt and Derek Mosey with assistance from the people of Saltburn.

Below is a shot of the mosaic actually being worked on, shortly before it was unveiled.
Saltburn Mosaic Creation

Guerrilla Knitter, Saltburn

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This teddy bears picnic mysteriously appeared in mid October 2011, the tags suggests they are part of Saltburn’s 150th anniversary.
Guerrilla Knitting, Saltburn
Guerrilla Knitting, Saltburn
The identity of the creator ‘Yarn Junkie’ remains a mystery !

UPDATE March 2012 : Sadly the teddies and the scarf on the pier were vandalised over the weekend and the teddies were gone when I drove past today. Hopefully the creator is not too discouraged and will continue depite the action of some knuckle-dragger.

Saltburn Mosaic Number 3

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Saltburn Mosaic 3

The third mosaic in the series depicts the arrival of the first train in Saltburn on 17th August 1861

It has some similarities to this photograph, however this is not the event itself as no photographs of that are known to exist.Alpha Place and Train, Saltburn

The mosaic was unveiled on 17th August 2011 by Captain Nigel Pease, the great, great, grandson of Henry Pease. (I would assume thats him on the right in the tall hat)

The building shown in the background is Alpha Place

Halfpenny Bridge, Saltburn

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The Halfpenny Bridge was constructed in 1869 for Mr John Thomas Wharton of Skelton by Messers Hopkins, Gilkes and Company Limited for a cost of £7000.  Its purpose was to open up the opposite side of the valley for development (which never actually happened)

The iron bridge was somewhere between 120ft – 160ft high (depending on your sources) and 660 feet long. Faced with rising maintenance costs the bridge was sadly demolished on 17 December 1974

A small bridge made from salvaged parts of the original still crosses the river.
Halfpenny Bridge Remains, Saltburn

In the woodland on the Saltburn side, remains of the bridge abutment can still be found.
Halfpenny Bridge Butress, Saltburn

Next to the modern bandstand is a plaque which marks the Saltburn end of the bridgeHalfpenny Bridge Saltburn

The railings behind the bandstand are also the same design from the bridge
Bandstand, Halfpenny Bridge Saltburn

The toll-keepers house also still stands on the Skelton side.
Tollhouse, Halfpenny Bridge Saltburn