This sculpture by Brian Russell stands outside Natures World, it’s dated April 2006.
The Tenacity of Nature, Brian Russell
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Show on map Show on map Marsh Street / Forty Foot / Fox Heads Bridge, Middlesbrough
Show on map The exact name of this bridge seems to be a little vague, modern OS maps call it ‘Marsh Street Bridge’ although i’ve also heard others call it ‘Forty Foot Bridge’ or ‘Fox Heads Bridge’
The housing to the south of the bridge was known as ‘Fox Heads’ or ‘Foxheads’ as it was built for the workers of the Newport Rolling Mills operated by Messrs Fox, Head and Company.
The bridge is shown as existing on the 1894 town plan although the housing in the immediate area is still incomplete.
The plan shows that there was actually a sizable ramp which ran from Frederick Street parallel to Marsh Street so another bridge actually crossed the end of Newport Street before crossing the railway. These two pages of memories by a resident say that the last 25 yards of Marsh St was used by the firm PA Mudd for storage, which would tie in with this series of arches that can still be seem today.
The north end of the bridge was actually a junction, with a right turn putting you onto Forty Foot Road and towards the Newport Rolling Mills, the retaining wall of this junction is still visible.
A left turn was a smaller road which on the 1894 map leads into the Newport Iron Works. A contact at Network Rail informs me they have the structure listed as ‘Marsh Street; and the current metal deck dates from 1912.
Sharp-eyed reader Sean has also spotted that the childhood memories on the Communigate website also mention a “Stinky Pole” which could well be a stench pipe that’s possibly still there next to the bridge.
Danby House & Blacksmiths, Acklam Road, Middlesbrough
Show on map Danby House was the home to the blacksmith, the last blacksmith was Mr Sparks in the 1930s. The small adjacent building was the blacksmiths forge and appears much older.
The outbuildings dated 1878 were cow byres, stables and a cart shed.
Skinningrove Flood Mosaic
Show on map This impressive mosaic tells the story of the year 2000 floods in Skinningrove
As with the Merman it was created by Whitecliffe Primary School children and Glynis Johnson
The first flood was in July 2000
The second flood was in November 2000
Another Redcar Ghostsign, Rear of West Dyke Road
Show on map If you spin around while looking at the sign I posted about yesterday, you will in fact notice another sign on the wall visible from trains travelling in the other direction.
This one appears to the relate to a Dispensing Chemist, I would guess it may be Davies ?
Redcar Ghostsigns, Rear of West Dyke Road
Show on map The position of this old advertisement is initially confusing as it’s down a back alley and not easily visible from the road.
It makes much more sense if you think of it as being visible from the railway rather than from the road or footpath.
The first letters appear to be CLA on a red band, sadly I cannot figure out what it’s an advert for.
Redcar Pirate Cat Returns
Show on map The pirate cat in the crow’s nest was previously on the site of the new Redcar Beacon (vertical pier) from where it was removed in March 2011
They have now moved to the top of the High Street next to the ‘Redcar Figures’
Looks like a lick of paint wouldnt have hurt before it was re-erected. I beleive its been adopted by Redcar In Bloom and the children of Zetland Primary School.
Eston Mystery Millstone (solved)
Show on map Once again I turn to my readers having drawn a blank on this.
The millstone is on Eston Recreation Ground, but I cannot find any link between the area and a mill and my internet searches have drawn a blank on when and why it was placed.
Any ideas ?
The only thing of note on old maps appear to be a Fever Hospital on the opposite side of the road.
UPDATE : The mystery has been solved by Cllr Sheelagh Clarke.
The millstone was purchased from the stone merchant attached to the kennels in Guisborough as part of the landscaping of the Church Lane Pocket Park. It was placed there purely as a decorative item to enhance the landscaped areas rather than representing something specific.
Upsall Pit
Show on map The remains of Upsall Pit are now heavily covered in undergrowth, although the outline of the reservoir and spoil heap can still be identified
The pit was 564ft deep and sunk in the 1850s – 1860s, it is the lowest point of the Eston Mines so was used in pumping water from the mine and ventilation as well as providing access for men and tubs.
The row of houses know as Barnaby Moor or Pit Top (now demolished) were still in existence but deserted in the late 1940s.
This concrete cover marks the location of the village well.
This extract from ‘A Century is Stone’ by Craig Hornby gives much more detail.
Middlesbrough Library
Show on map Middlesbrough library opened on the 8th May 1912 by Amos Hinton, so its just celebrated its centenary.
Inside there are two large brass plates from its opening (now hidden behind plastic)
The first records that the building was a gift (of £15,000) from Andrew Carnegie a leading American steel maker who spent much of his fortune establishing over 3000 libraries. The land was donated by Sir Hugh Bell and Amos Hinton
Monetary donations came from the major industrialists such as Samuelson and Co, Bolckow and Vaughan, Dorman Long and Gjers Mills.
The second records the foundation stones being laid by Walter G Roberts and Mayor Thomas Gibson Poole on 2nd May 1910 and the opening two years later.