Most concern family and village events, but there are also items relating to local families and others of general interest. A number of cuttings reflect Winifred Blair's love of the stage, both amateur and professional.
The following notes give an indication of the contents. Not to be missed: accounts of the opening of the Village Hall, and the description on 12 Nov 1927 of Armistice Day commemorated by veterans in darkness, with snow falling.
(The photograph of Mr Mease is from the Hutton Rudby History Society's collection. The letter from the Comrades of the Great War, added 23 June 2020, can be seen on the Society's Facebook page)
Family Events
26 July 1899: The North Star:
Fashionable Wedding in Cleveland – Miss Amy Blair and Mr S C Thompson26 Feb 1918:
Amy, youngest daughter of George Young Blair, and “Smollett Clerk Thomson, son of the late Mr Thomas Thomson, Edinburgh. Mr Thomson is sub-agent at Leith for the British Linen Company’s Bank.”
“Flags floated on the Hall, and at intervals along the road to the old-fashioned church of All Saints’ lines of gaily-coloured streamers were suspended between the trees”
Bride wore white satin trimmed with Honiton lace and a veil of Honiton lace. She had 7 bridesmaids: Miss Blair, Miss Thomson, Miss Meta Thomson, Miss Lina Pack, and nieces Miss Winifred and Miss Margaret Blair and Miss Lucy Thomson, niece of the groom. Master George Young Blair wore a kilt and carried the train.
Bride and groom to live near Edinburgh. “This afternoon the villagers to the number of 350 are to be entertained and tomorrow all the village children will be regaled and sports will also be held for their amusement”
Katharine Mary Blair of Linden to Lieut Felix Temperley Roche, RN, HM Submarines, youngest son of the late Wilson M Roche, Sunderland, and Mrs Roche, Riding Mill
1919:
Major H Sadler has been promoted Lieut-Col in the 6th Dragoon Guards
25 Apr 1922:
Death of Mr A E Sadler, of Ulverston – death occurred at a nursing home at Stokesley of Mr Alfred Edwin Sadler, head of Messrs Sadler’s chemical works at Sandhall, Ulverston – 65 years old, and came with his father and brothers from Middlesbrough to Ulverston in 1876 and established the chemical works at South Ulverston
1922 Darlington & Stockton Times:
“Hurworth Hunt History: by J Fairfax-Blakeborough, MC – The late Miss Florence Blair was one of the most regular followers of the Hurworth. A nice quiet horsewoman, she saw a great deal of sport without ever making any fuss or attempting any “gallery” performances. Miss Blair loved hounds and loved hunting. She was a sportswoman in the best sense of the word, in that she loved all that was best in sport and never allowed her gentleness to degenerate or the slightest suggestion of masculinity to enter into her sweet and loveable nature. Popular with everyone, Miss Blair had a kind word for everyone and never stopped to consider whether it was “quite the thing” to be seen chatting with this person or that. Her death was a sad loss to the Hurworth field.”21 Jun 1926: The Times:
engagement announced between Alastair Blair Smollett Thomson, nephew of Mrs Percy Blair, Linden, and Beatrice Margaret, second daughter of the late John T Walton and of Mrs Walton, The Mount, Yarm
12 May 19? - Darlington & Stockton Times:
wedding of Miss Marion Elspeth Sadler Blair, youngest daughter of Mrs Percy Blair of Linden, and Mr Maurice Howard Jones MD, younger son of Dr and Mrs Arthur Jones of Stokesley
2 Jun 1927: D & S Times:
Miss Walton’s Wedding: at Yarm Parish church – Beatrice Margaret, second daughter of Mrs Walton and the late John T Walton of The Mount, Yarm, and Alastair Blair Smollett Thomson, nephew of Mrs Percy Blair
7 July 1930: The Newcastle Journal
“Pretty Wedding at Jesmond – Bride a Granddaughter of Lady Sadler” – Miss Margaret Sadler, elder daughter of Mr and Mrs Basil Sadler of Lanchester to Mr Llewelyn Wynn-Williams, B Sc , eldest son of Mr and Mrs Wynn-Williams of Darlington
Village events
19 Jan 1918:
Hutton Rudby Branch National Egg Collection return shows that in the past year 21, 512 eggs were received from Carlton, Crathorne, Faceby, Hutton Rudby, Picton, Seamer, Worsall and Yarm. Winifred Blair was the controller.
1919:
Parent’s silver wedding on day of daughter’s nuptials – Nora Helena, elder daughter of E B Richardson JP DL and Mrs Richardson of Potto Hall to Lieut John Grant Edwards RCH only son of the late John Edwards Esq of Craigton, Rosshire … at Whorlton-in-Cleveland. Officiating clergy: Rev Charles Hutton Coates MA (uncle of the bride) and Rev Algernon Barker, vicar of Whorlton. Winifred Blair was a bridesmaid.
1921:
Hutton Rudby Council School – Fancy Dress Dance in aid of Lord Haig’s Fund – 200 tickets sold
Letter: from Comrades of the Great War , Hutton Rudby and District Branch (Capt: B Dorman Esq, Treasurer: J Barthram, Vice-Capt: E Williams Esq, Sec: E Barr) South Side
9 Feb 1920:
“The Club room will be opened on Wed Feb 11th … The boys desire the presence of Mrs & Miss Blair on this occasion, Yrs Truly, Ewart Barr”
Dec 1921:
review of Hutton Rudby Choral Society’s “The King of Sherwood”
7 Aug 1922:
“Successful Show at Hutton Rudby – the third [altered in pen from second] annual exhibition of live stock, garden and dairy produce, fancy work, etc promoted by the Hutton Rudby and district Comrades’ Branch of the British Legion was held on Monday [7 Aug]…”Review of Hutton Rudby Choral Society’s production of “Highwayman Love” 27 to 30 Dec 1922
9 Jan 1923:
“Hutton Rudby Ploughing – A Check for Tom Dixon … Miss Blair of Toft Hill Farm had given the committee an excellent piece of land, which was a pleasure to plough on, and in addition she dispensed typical North-country hospitality at the farmstead …”31 Dec 1923: North Eastern Daily Gazette:
“Merrie England” – Hutton Rudby Amateurs Make A Big Hit
29 Dec 1924: North Eastern Gazette:
review of “Pirates of Penzance” – Success of Amateurs at Hutton Rudby
3 Jan 1925: Darlington & Stockton Times:
review of “The Pirates of Penzance”:
“Truth to tell, this highly successful musical society would not have gone nearly so far ahead but for the extreme keenness of its president and leading member, Mr W L Johnson, of Crathorne Grange, who as usual sustained one of the leading roles. It is also extremely fortunate in having Mr Leonard Sidgwick as its hon secretary and business manager. In addition to taking an important part – that of the Pirate King – Mr Sidgwick left nothing undone that would lead to the success of the Society’s efforts”2 Jan 1926: Darlington & Stockton Times:
“Iolanthe” – Fine Performances at Hutton Rudby
1 Jan 1927: Darlington & Stockton Times:
Hutton Rudby Operatic Society – Successful Production of “The Gondoliers”
19 Mar 1927: Darlington & Stockton Times:
obituary of Rev A Eddowes
12 Nov 1927:
“By Lantern Light – Moving Night Scene at Village Shrine – Snow was falling heavily when Hutton Rudby’s ex-Servicemen, proceeding in three sections through the village, converged on the war memorial at 8 o’clock last night.They formed in a crescent in front of the memorial and behind them took their stands a number of inhabitants who had been attracted by the storm lanterns carried by the ex-Servicemen as they came through the village.
The ceremony which followed was brief and simple. Major Williams, the senior officer on parade, called the names. Those present and then those of the 29 men whose names are inscribed on the war memorial.
Silence followed. This was broken by the Vicar (the Rev. Arthur L Leeper), who, facing the memorial, recited the following lines from the Toc H ceremony.
With proud thanksgiving let us remember our comrades.
They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn;
At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.
To this the men on parade responded “We will remember them.”15 Oct 1927:
A brief prayer by the Vicar that Light perpetual might shine upon the fallen ones, and then the ex-Servicemen faded silently away.
It was an impressive ceremony and some of those standing round the memorial were visibly affected.”
“Centenarian as Stone Layer – Hutton Rudby G.O.M. likes Bright Villages – New £3,500 Hall – Hutton Rudby’s grand old man, Mr J M Mease, who recently celebrated his hundredth birthday, on Saturday laid one of the foundation stones of the new village hall.
In view of his great age, however, it was not felt fit that he should be subjected to the excitement of a public ceremony, and he performed his part in the function with his usual cheerfulness a couple of hours before the larger gathering, with a silver mallet with which he was presented by the architects.
He said that he had always been in favour of brightening village life and was thankful that he had been spared to see the start of a village hall …”
 |
| Joseph Mellanby Mease (1827-1928) |
17 Oct 1927: Northern Echo:
photographs of laying foundation stones of Village Hall – Lady Ropner, Mr & Mrs W L Johnson, Lady and Sir John Ropner and Mrs Blair
9 Apr 1928:
Pride of the Village – Hutton Rudby’s New Institute – Social Centre – Brightening Rural Life –Mar 1928:
“One of the finest village institutes in the country”, was the opinion of a much-travelled visitor on the new village hall at Hutton Rudby, which was opened this afternoon by Sir Hugh Bell.…
The hall is of red brick. It has been built on land given by Mrs Percy Blair, and the whole design reflects great credit on the architects, Messrs Ward and Lechenby, of York. A local firm of builders, Messrs J T Tarran and Son of Hutton Rudby, have carried out the work very thoroughly.
One of the most attractive features of the institute is the assembly hall, which seats about 360 persons. It is sensible in shape and beautifully decorated. There is a permanent stage which is ideal for amateur theatricals, and provision is also made for cinematograph entertainment. The billiards room is large and well planned. It contains two excellent tables. One has been presented by Mrs Percy Blair, the other was the property of the Literary Institute, which has now been merged in the Village Institute. In the billiards room hangs a portrait of Mr J M Mease, the Hutton Rudby centenarian, who died a short time ago. He was president of the Literary Institute, and he laid one of the foundation-stones of the village hall.
“250,000 miles in 50 years – Cleveland Cabman leaves the road – not enough travellers to keep him going –Mar 1928:
After plying for hire to and from Potto Station, in Cleveland, for close on 50 years, during which at a modest estimate he has driven well over a quarter of a million miles, Mr Thomas Metcalfe, of Hutton Rudby, has ceased his activities.
He says that he should have been only too pleased to go on if there had been passengers to carry, but for some time travellers by train have been becoming fewer and fewer, till at last, instead of his horse keeping him, he has had to keep the horse.
It was in 1883, after having been crippled for life at a sawmill, that Mr Metcalfe began business, and it is to be regretted that through no fault of his own he should now find his occupation gone.
Speaking yesterday on the changes he has seen during the long years he has been on the road, Mr Metcalfe spoke of former days when trains pulling up at Potto Station were nearly always full.
He stated that during the past winter he had seen trains come through with no passengers aboard.
For a time he tried to carry on by carrying parcels to and from the station, but latterly much of the merchandise consigned to Hutton Rudby traders has come by road.
In the days when people travelled by train, he says that he had thousands of fares in a year. When he had the chance he took passengers farther afield and there had been many occasions when he has been on the road till midnight.
Once he was snowed up above Scarth Nek, and on another occasion he got into deep drifts near Hilton. Mr Metcalfe spoke of the days when people went gleaning on the farms and recalled how the corn they gleaned used to be threshed in a building in Doctor’s Lane.
He can remember the Hutton Rudby bleach mill [sic] (now used as a rallying centre for the young folks) being built. He has recollections also of the days when linen was woven by the cottagers of the parish.
“Century old shirt still good – relic of Hutton Rudby weavers – old folks’ yarns-“14 May 1928: North Eastern Daily Gazette:
…The last man to do any weaving is reputed to be old George Drydell, who within the recollection of many villagers who have passed middle-age, some 45 years ago made blue linen for butchers’ aprons … There are some Hutton Rudby woven shirts in one house in the village that are marked 1815, and they still look good enough for many years’ wear.
Looms and other reminders of the weavers’ activities are still to be heard of, though they are not often seen … Another resident of the village told our representative that two years ago a weaving shed at the back of his house was pulled down, and the large stone used for beating yarn on was broken up. He added that there are still a number of weaving sheds in existence, but they are not now used for that purpose…”
“Blessing the crops – Picturesque Cleveland Village Scene. – The centuries-old custom of blessing the crops was revived at Hutton Rudby last night, when, following service in the church, the Vicar (the Rev A L Leeper), accompanied by the choir and many parishioners, made a perambulation, with halts at three selected spots for special prayers and hymns.June 1928:
The first halt was made near the church, where the hymn, “We plough the fields and scatter” was sung, and a blessing was asked on the crops in Skutterskelfe, Rudby, and Middleton.
From here the procession went to Sexhow Bank, and the Vicar asked those present to offer a prayer for the farmers and the farm-workers in that part of the parish. At the village green, the gathering was reinforced by worshippers from the chapels on their way home from their services. The hymn “O God our help in ages past” was followed by prayers that the crops in the parish should not suffer from blight or disease.
The vicar also asked for a blessing on all who are living and working in the parish, and he appealed to his hearers to remember in their prayers former residents in the parish – those who had farmed in the district in the past and those who had built the houses abutting on the village green.
He prayed for the success of all who were making their living in the village by merchandise and handicrafts, and for all who were afflicted and distressed."
“A Stokesley “Miracle” – Something in the nature of a miracle was reported at Stokesley yesterday.1928: North Eastern Gazette:
Hutton Rudby ladies had agreed to provide teas at the sale of work held in aid of necessitous church day schools. Though the number requiring refreshment was two or three times greater than the ladies expected they would have to cater for they found they had provided enough and to spare. They were assisted in their work by their Vicar (the Rev A L Leeper) who made several journeys to the parish pump to fetch water for the tea urns.”
“A Grand Old Man” – Vicar’s Tribute to Hutton Rudby Centenarian [in pen, “died 9th June 1928”] – at the funeral at Hutton Rudby yesterday afternoon of Mr Joseph Mellanby Mease, the village centenarian
27-29 Dec 1928:
review of “HMS Pinafore” by Hutton Rudby Amateur Operatic Society.
“It was a disappointment to many that Mr Leonard Sidgwick had not a part this year. He was originally cast for “Captain Corcoran”, but relinquished it in order to wield the conductor’s baton. The part was taken by Mr William McPhie, who did so well that he is not likely to be omitted from future casts.”22 Apr 1929: The Yorkshire Post:
“Producing Original Plays – Valuable Work by Women’s Institutes – Yorkshire Festival”
27-30 Dec 1929: Darlington & Stockton Times:
Review of “Les Cloches de Corneville” by Hutton Rudby Choral and Amateur Operatic Society
30 Dec 1930: Yorkshire Post:
review of “Dogs of Devon” at Hutton Rudby
18 May 1931: Yorkshire Post:
“Fifty Plays in Five Days – Close of Women’s Institutes’ Contests – Advice to Amateur Actors at York” – Marton-in-Cleveland awarded first class certificate in Shakespeare section
16 May 1931: Darlington & Stockton Times:
“Cleveland Women Excel at Miming – Silent Plays a Feature of Middlesbrough Competitions” – both Hutton Rudby and Nunthorpe performed “The Black Horseman”
Local News
1918:
Lieut T H S Crosby of Durham Light Infantry attached to RFC, accidentally killed whilst flying in France, only surviving son of Mr and Mrs H Stowell Crosby of Gt Ayton. His elder brother was killed in 1917
18 Jan 1918:
“Middlesbrough did another good day’s business at the Tank yesterday” “Today’s investments include … Mrs M Y Blair £1,000 … Miss Winifred R Blair £500”20 Apr 1922:
“A Yorkshire family’s proud record – five out of seven sons die in the King’s service” – the family of the late Sir Thomas Richardson former Unionist MP for the Hartlepools, and the late Lady Richardson of Kirklevington Grange, Yarm
Marriage of Miss Violet Winifred Richardson, youngest daughter of Mr E B Richardson, and Lieut Frank Allman Hall, RN, younger son of Dr and Mrs Hall, West Mersea, Colchester
18 Apr 1923: North Eastern Daily Gazette:
“Miss Olga Gjers becomes bride of Commander Gloag” – Olga Gjers Gjers married Cmdr Ernest Richardson Gloag, son of the late Mr R Gloag and Mrs Gloag of Lothian Rd, Middlesbrough … at Carlton … a reception was held at Busby Hall
1 May 1923: North Eastern Daily Gazette:
The Law Divine – An Interview with Mr Lewis Broughton – Tees-side Anticipations – Miss Myra Swan has assembled a clever cast for her matinée “The Law Divine”, which is being played at the Empire Theatre, Middlesbrough, tomorrow, in aid of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals”6 July 1926: Yorkshire Post:
obituary of Miss Gertrude Bell
Sep 1924: Yorkshire Post:
Article on Miss Gertrude Bell
5 Feb 1927: North Eastern Daily Gazette:
obituary of Dr John Hedley, mayor of Middlesbrough in 1902
19 Jan 1929:
Champion Dogs – Stokesley Canine Society’s First Sanction Show
3 July 1930:
“Tees-side greets the Prince of Wales – Opening of Constantine Technical College – Cheering Children"
General
25 Feb 1920, The Morning Post: Lady Astor’s Maiden Speech
Many cuttings re Shakespeare and Stratford Festival , and re the Lake District
29 May 1920: obituary of Canon Rawnsley
12 Nov 1920: The Yorkshire Post: “The Great Silence”
24 Apr 1924: The Stage: Obituary of Eleonora Duse
25 Apr 1924: Stratford-upon-Avon Herald: obituary of Marie Corelli
22 Apr 1926: The Stage: obituary of Sir Squire Bancroft
9 Aug 1928: The Stage: obituary of Dame Ellen Terry
14 June 1930: Yorkshire Post: report of death of Sir Henry Segrave
23 June 2020: Some of the contents of the scrapbook has been scanned and can be seen on the Hutton Rudby & District Local History Society's Facebook page here. An example can be seen above, in the letter from the Comrades of the Great War
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