Stonemasons Yard

Loftus Community Forum has added a figure to the old Stonemasons Yard Tony Leonard LCF, George Dunning RCBC, Geoff Robinson (figure maker) Dave Fitzpatrick LCF, Olwyn Peters Mayor of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, John Stockwell LCF

Street House Dig

Steve Sherlock and his archaeological crew are back again for another dig at Street Houses, remarkably, there are four different tribes in one field spanning nearly 4000 years. The Romans are also there but were left alone this year - the only tribe missing are the Vikings.

Steve measures out an Anglo-Saxon Grave.(shorter than usual)

Steve looks at an Iron Age salt maker.

A Bronze Age structure.

A Neolithic Burial Site.

Neolithic stone art.

Harry Dack

Harry Dack was not yet in his teens when he first 'went down the pit' as a boy worker in the hey-day of the Cleveland ironstone mines towards the end of the nineteenth century. By the age of twenty, he was an active figure in the union movement, became a checkweighman just five years later and went on to become miners' agent for 21 years before embarking on a distinguished career in public service which saw him rise to be vice-chairman of the North Riding of Yorkshire County Council and chairman of the council's education committee. In 1934, he was made an officer of the order of the British Empire and received his O.B.E medal at the hands of the King himself at Buckingham Palace; and in 1954, was further honoured when the Loftus Junior School was named after him.

The medal, along with its accompanying citation signed by the King, was handed for safekeeping to one of his daughter's children who was christened Harry, after his famous grandfather. He in turn, travelled around the world with his precious charge during a career which took him thought North and South America, Asia and finally to retirement in France where he has almost reached the age when his Grandfather died.

At 75 he has contacted his fellow cousins to meet at the school named after their grandfather so they can collectively present the much-travelled medal to the head teacher for permanent safe keeping in a custom-built glass case and allow the children to know more about the history of the school. the presentation ceremony is set to take place at the Loftus Junior School on Tuesday April 5 at 1:30 p.m. In the presence of the pupils, staff, and an impressive group of dignitaries including the Mayor and Mayoress of the Redcar and Cleveland Council along with seven of the eight grandchildren who hope to attend. The pupils have prepared a special day of celebration and exhibits to mark the event. they intend to make it a fun occasion! Harry Atterton


Each class at the school put on a display - Harry Atterton and his cousins hand over Harry Dack’s medal - The guests look around the school - Harry and his wife Jacqueline take a well deserved break.
J.L.

Two stories from Loftus Market Place

John Lawson

Odd Journeys

Odd Journeys, In and Out of London - John Hollingshead - 1860 Chapter XVI - Musical Prize Fight - First published by Charles Dickens - All The Year Round - 19th November 1859.
(Lofthouse became Loftus when the railway arrived in 1874)

J.L.

Where in the world is Loftus?

J.L.

Loftus:The Provider

J.L.

World War 2

Our current project is World War 2 and how it affected the lives of people in Loftus.

Loftus War Memorial