The following report comes from the Daily Gazette for Middlesbrough – Thursday 28 June 1883. South Skelton mine is actually in Boosbeck and was often known as “Van’s Pit”
At this time a half-yearly prize was awarded for the best kept horse, with a top prize of £2 (getting on for £250 today)
13 horses are mentioned, Charley, Gilbert, Tinker, Champion, Jack, Bob, Royal, Punch, Captain, Smuggler, Jumper, Dick and Turpin.
“Gilbert” has been working there 7 years, with “Bob” having put in 10 years.
The winner on this occasion appears to have been “Punch” driven by F. Pringle. Checking the 1881 census there’s a 17 year old called Frances Pringle from 25 Vaughan Terrace in Lingdale listed as a “Driver At Ironstone Mines”
Yes. “South Skelton” is certainly South of that village, and a few more yards would leave it as “South Boosbeck”. To add to the confusion, North Skelton is nowhere North of Skelton proper and indeed it should be described as “South East Skelton”. But it gets better. There has been boundary changes for local elections and the town is now split into two wards – “East” and “West”. East is basically New and North Skelton, whilst West also covers Boosbeck, thus bringing the “South Skelton” buildings into West Skelton…..
Perhaps we need to create a special compass for the Skelton area ?