Jo’s Monday walk : Surprised at Skinningrove

Dedicated to Skinningrove Homing Society

Dedicated to Skinningrove Homing Society

Skinningrove used to be a bit of an ugly duckling.  Situated on the north east coast of England, midway between picturesque Staithes and Saltburn-by-the Sea, it has fierce competition in the beauty stakes.  You have to turn off the coast road to go looking for it, and many would not trouble.  The village is trying to attract it’s share of revenue from tourism and, with the help of a leaflet entitled ‘Skinningrove Valley Trail’, that’s where we’ll be walking today.

Our start point is by the jetty, built in the 1880s to serve the ironworks which is the reason for the village’s existence.  My leaflet describes it as looking forlorn, but funding has been acquired to renovate the jetty.  The process was just beginning at the time of my walk.

The beach by the jetty
Crossing Skinningrove Beck

A straggle of houses and fishing boats decorate the shoreline.  A fisherman nods ‘good morning’ and carries on painting his tired looking boat, soon to have a new lease of life.  Crossing Skinningrove Beck into the village we come swiftly upon the tribute to the Homing Pigeon Society, which reminds us that using pigeons to carry messages dates back to Ancient Greece and Rome. Locally the birds are known for their heroic activities in World War II.

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Moving into the village, we head along Stone Row
With its pretty cottage gardens

Across the beck from Stone Row you can see man-made caves, which were carved out to shelter hospital patients when bombing raids took place during the war.  And then the first of my ‘surprises’.  On the bridge, a mosaic which illustrates the story of the village.

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A few 'tangoing' poppies, a bench and the tip of an anchor

A few ‘tango-ing’ poppies, a bench and the tip of a rusting anchor

And looking back, the man-made caves

And looking back, the man-made caves

The Square is a designated Conservation Area.  Former Timm’s Coffee House stands importantly on the corner, now converted to a guest house, ‘Moonfleet’, rather sadly.  Part of the building is Grade II listed, having started life in 1704 as Skinningrove Hall. In the 19th century it was developed as a hotel by the Maynard family, who named it Timm’s Coffee House after the coffee houses that were then popular in London.

With an 'unusual' bench, for Jude?

An ‘unusual’ enough bench, for Jude?

Another of my ‘surprises’ coming up next.  I spent many a happy minute exclaiming over the mosaics on the side of Riverside Building. It began life as a school in 1884 and remained so till the late 1990s.  Since then it has become a base for community projects and activities, and is run by a group of volunteers.  I pop back for a cuppa and a gossip with the locals at the end of my walk, but for now let’s just enjoy the mosaics.

This one looks at the floods of 2000

This one illustrates the major floods of 2000

Click on any photo to open the gallery

You may recognise the homing pigeon
The floods were extensive
Aren’t the details great?
Like the Adverse Weather team!
And the digger
The cars floating in the streets
And the rescue helicopter

The building is no work of art, but the efforts of Glynis Johnson and the school children who were involved are delightful.  There are two themes- the floods and the Story of the Merman. Allegedly a ‘sea-man’ was once caught by the local fisherfolk.  He lived on raw fish for a number of days but then managed to escape.  Sometimes, when the sea is calm, a hideous groaning can be heard and the fishermen are afraid to go to sea!

The Story of the Merman

The Story of the Merman

The floods of 2000
The village
And a watchful dog

Skinningrove was a mining village, though the evidence is harder to find these days.  The rust red water in the beck vividly testifies to the presence of iron, and the remains of an entrance to the mine can still be seen.  I had intended to visit the Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum but was not convinced that I wanted to go underground.  During the war the mine was regularly used for shelter, and a school log book entry for 9th September, 1915 reads “Owing to Zeppelin raid and the children having been in the mines a good part of last night, we have been obliged to close school today”.

I later discovered that the guided tour takes an hour and a half.  At Christmas, Santa delivers his sack of toys along the miner’s track, without any necessity to go below ground.  Maybe I’ll come back then!

Present day entrance to the mining museum
Former mine entrance

One more ‘surprise’ in store.  A mural on Doorstep Green portrays ‘Evolution of Life in the Sea’. It was created by Philippa Threlfall, using materials from Skinningrove beach, and with the help of children from the former Rosecroft School.

Again, click on a photo to see it in detail

The Valley Trail climbs out of the village and across the A174 (a busy road), following the beck into Whitecliff Wood.  Curiosity impelled me to take a look, but you could simply retrace your steps.  Over the road I pass by an animal sanctuary, where the animals appear quite content.  The adjoining house has lupins by the fence and I pause, remembering my mother, who always had roses and lupins in her garden.  The trail soon peters out as the beck flows through a culvert under the railway embankment.

Following the beck
Looking back at the site of the former Kilton Mill
Into the woods
The lupins
The disappearing beck

Back in Skinningrove, I find the friendly ‘staff’ in Riverside Building in a lull between customers.  I consume the cheapest toasted teacake and mug of coffee I’ve ever had, while they tell me about life in the village.  Everything is done on a voluntary basis and they pool their expertise. Apparently a little gift shop is set to open up soon.  If you pass that way, drop in and say ‘hi’, and you can pick up a leaflet on this trail.  Here they are, on Facebook.

Heading for home now, but not before I take a look at ‘Repus’- the fishing coble which serves as a memorial to those lost at sea.

Spanking new fencing adorns the seafront
And another ‘unusual bench’
Leads the way to the ‘Repus’ memorial
The coble, facing out to sea
Steering for shore

The last bench reminds me that this is the midway point along the Cleveland Way, a 110 mile walk between Helmsley and Filey.  Now there’s a challenge!  If you prefer something a little easier, why not drop in on Jude for her Bench challenge?

I’m a little further down the coast today, walking on the cliff tops at Whitby, so I may be late in answering your comments.  I suspect you’ll have plenty to keep you busy in the meantime. Thanks for reading!

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Once again I’d like to say a huge thank you to those who have contributed to making my Jo’s Monday walk a success.  If you’d like to join in, click on the logo for details.  Time to put the kettle on and settle back for a read.  I think I need some toast, too.

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A busy spot, the Gare de L’Est!  Please take your time and watch the video.  Thanks, Drake!

East- entrance to Paris

Hope you had good Canada and Independence Days, all those who celebrate it!

Cee’s Which Way Challenge

Inspirational shots from Amy!  She’s on holiday this week.  Treats in store!

The Antelope Canyon

A lighthouse, and some stunning thrift?  Cornwall, of course!  Many thanks, Jude :

Pendeen Watch

Wild thyme and Lady’s Bedstraw, from Tish, but not very much sleep, unfortunately!

Return to Windmill Hill: Of Grasshopper stalking, Lady’s Bedstraw and other random discoveries 

Meanwhile Pauline is up at the crack of dawn to capture the sunlight on the water :

Early morning walk along the beach…

And Ruth has gone to the other extreme.  Both extremely beautiful!

A walk in the moonlight

Thank you for finding time to read these wonderful contributions.  I hope I haven’t ‘wittered on’ too long.  Maybe something shorter next week? (though this trail is only a mile and a half long) Grab some sun, if you can, and I’ll see you then.

 

140 comments

    1. Sounds intriguing, Pauline! 🙂 I’ll be along as soon as I can. Lots of comments this week and I got home late from Whitby.
      It was quite a poor pit village, which is why it’s so ‘under the radar’, but it’s got fighting spirit. 🙂

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    1. Poor birds, Anabel! 🙂 🙂 Having said that, there were a lot of seagulls at Whitby today that I could cheerfully have chucked a stone at. Glad you liked the post and many thanks for yours. I’ll be over soon as I can.

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  5. Pingback: 3 Day Quote #1: Nature – Anabel's Travel Blog

  6. What a fun walk, Jo. I’m glad I came along because I learned something about the pigeons during WWII! I love all the mosaics about the history of the town. I don’t think I would have liked to go underground into the mine either. I remember once we went to Scranton, Pennsylvania where Mike’s grandfather used to work in the mines, and Mike and the boys (they were little then) went down in a kind of open-air train. I stayed above ground, breathing the fresh air. I don’t like feeling damp and claustrophobic. I like that crazy bench, too. 🙂

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    1. Hiya Cathy! I was going to say how was your Independence Day weekend? Silly me! You’ll be packing for home soon. Dread to think how many boxes/cases 🙂 🙂
      There were some good surprises in that little village and I was happy to have you strolling along with me. Did I miss cocktail hour again!!! Only one to go! 🙂

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      1. Well my “independence day” weekend wasn’t much to speak of, Jo. I’m finishing up my marking in the next two days and then it’s just waiting for my flight next Wednesday morning. Can’t wait! I’m so ready to go home. 😊

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      2. Girl, you have more independence than anybody I ever met! But even intrepid travellers get to go home sometimes 🙂 Love you, Cathy!

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  7. It was such a beautiful, picturesque walk, Jo. I liked how painted artwork was incorporated into the pretty gardens, tiles, stone masonry and scenery. Interesting how you mentioned this location of Skinningrove has blossomed from an”ugly duckling.”

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    1. It was a colliery village, Robin. Hard work and low wages 😦 But a little money is being spent by the local council to smarten it up. There’s a good community spirit and that’s important. Thanks for your company 🙂

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  8. ahhhhhhhh. it’s always great to take a cyber walk with you! the surprises were great and i appreciated seeing the mosaic details and later the beach pebble mosaics… and everyone appreciates colorful flowers. thanks so much; the doctora continues to say, ‘lisa, no walking’ so i’ve cheated a bit by walking thru your shoes! thanks! z

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    1. You are excused, lovely lady. You are allowed to cheat 🙂 And I thought the colourful mosaics would appeal to you. Recover well, Lisa! Thanks for joining me. 🙂

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  10. What wonderful discoveries in just a mile and a half! I especially love the mosaics and the poppy shots at the beginning. Your post re-anchored me after a slightly disorienting day. Thank you.

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      3. My son would envy you! He absolutely wants to keep it wild, for an escape and heart-place. It’s very beautiful, 500 acres with a long river frontage. No return on it though in financial terms. Thank you for hugs.

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      4. And he can afford it? If so, no contest. I’m watching that silly ping-pong game you have no patience for and reveling in the gladiatorial aspect. Life can be so simple! Well, so long as you’re a simpleton. 😦

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  11. I remember walking to Skinningrove when we stayed in staithes.Looks like it has improved since when i went eight years ago
    NIce surprise indeed.x

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  15. I love the mosaics,, the story they tell,, fabulous post again Jo…. ps: I am making note of these places in case we get to that end of the country..

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  16. Jo, a lovely walk. Love the school childrens drawings on the buildings. Our small town has done the exact same thing with both primary and secondary schools painting scences on certain landmarks around town. Its such a great idea.

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  17. What an interesting little place and so colorful! I love the mosaic and murals and I can even smell those flowers Jo. Stunning shots and a very interesting walk hon. Thanks! 😀 ♥

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    1. Hello, Sonel! Lovely to have you here 🙂 I was surprised that there was so much to see in Skinningrove (awful name, but I shouldn’t judge a book by its cover 🙂 ) Many thanks for your company. Cooler weather now, and suiting you better?

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    1. It’s a former pit village, Ann, and they do tend to be very close communities. Not always friendly to outsiders, but the ladies at Riverside were great. Many thanks for all your ‘likes’. The mosaics are brilliant, aren’t they? 🙂

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      2. The bridge with the mosaics on is quite near the cave entrance, Ann, but the prospect of scuttling along there in the dark with the air raid sirens going is no fun.

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