Marske by the Sea is slowly losing it's identity
of Marske and becoming an urban District of Redcar. If it was not
for the railway, which was constructed in 1865, to transport the
iron ore from Marske and New Marske to the new town of Middlesbrough,
we would be part of Redcar and not as Marske by the Sea.
Marske By The Sea consisted of one street of thatched white wash
cottages and the population in 1801 was only 503 persons. The oldest
remaining building in Marske to day is Winkie's Castle, Winkie being
the adorable Puss that lived there. No longer thatched but it is
one of the oldest cruck houses in the country. It is now a folk
museum. Many of the early manuscripts tell use that sea coal was
collected on the beach for heating. So that's probably why Hilda.
with her entourage, settled in Marske , plus the water from Spoutbeck,
they had their living requirements.
But once again Marske By The Sea survived. Marske is described in
the Domsday book as "Terrae Vastae" meaning waste lands.
That is probably how Marske by the Sea has survived all these years!
In 657 AD Hilda, a Nun, passed through Marske, or "Mersc",meaning
marshland as it was called, settled where Spoutbeck joined the sea
at Spoutbeck Chine which is now the Valley Gardens. Then in 857
the Vikings came and the Angles lost their freedom in Marske. After
two centuries of bloodshed and feuding William the Conqueror came
north and squashed the uprising, lead by Edgar the Atheling, on
these marshes. The Marquess of Zetland is said to be a decede
Marske Hall was built by Sir William
Pennyman in the reign of Charles the First. Sir Pennyman defeated
Cromwell on these very beaches at Marske By The Sea with volunteers
from Marske. He was duly fined £1700. Marske Hall was then
sold to the Lawther Family who sold the Hall to Thomas Dundas
of Scotland further ancestor of the Marquess of Zetland who's
family remained until it was given to Chesher Homes in 1961. Charles
Dickens visited the Hall to have a look at the most unusual turrets
on his way to see Captain Cooks parent's grave at St Germains
Church Marske which was one of the first Churches in Marske. The
site is said to be 1400 years of prayer.
The tower we see to day was constructed in 1160. It fell into
disrepute and except for the tower it had to be blown up with
gunpowder and re built in1821, there was probably to much contraband
in the tower from the smugglers which saved it. But sadly it had
to be demolished in 1950 but once again with exception of the
Tower. The to this Church is the same side of the Valley Gardens opposite
the Tythe Barn, but it ceased to be used 110 years ago. One can
still see the footpath worn stones let into the ground. This Tythe
Barn was used as one of the very first DIY shops in the depression
with sowing machines one end for the Ladies of Marske and Cobblers
tools the other end for the men. This had the pleasure of being
visited by Prince George of Kent in 1933
.
The Ship inn as we know it to day is the third generation, yes
you can ask where was the first Ship inn in Marske well oppersate
the Tythe Barn. The present Ship Inn was built Tudor style in
1932 using oak beams taken from the wooden walled battleships
"Collingwood" and "Southampton"
St Marks church Marske was built in 1869 at a cost of £
7000 and the Tower was damaged by fire in 1902. It was Bobby Sargent
William Stones who spotted the fire and saved the Day. His Police
station still exists at 163 The High Street Marske By The Sea
and the cell window can still be seen with the iron grills
Another
old Manor in Marske is Cliff House built
by the Peace family who owned Upleatham iron ore mines. But was
sold off in the early 30's to the Holiday Fellowship who intern
sold it to the Church.
We must remember that the Peace and Zetland Families did a lot of
good work for Marske. Mr. Peace provided a Hospital and homes for
his workers and Lady Zetland did a lot of charitable work in the
village.
In the First world war Marske By The Sea population greatly increased
due to the army camps and Marske Airodrome which was built as a
training camp for the Royal Flying Corps. The main Hangers have
just been demolished to make way for a new housing estate.On which we now live. Many
of the aces of this war were trained here including my own Father,
which I have only just found out 30 years after His departure to
a better place .
This airfield was also where the Biggles Books where written by
Captain W.E Johns.
In the second world war Marske was once again invaded by the Royal
Artillery and many more who were camped in the area. The
camps were named after the Colonel in Chief's dogs Biggy and Poo.
One last thing did you Know Marske By The Sea boasts of a Castle
of Fauconberg, but no one to this date has found it.
The reason Marske By The Sea Heritage has not survived is because
all the sand stone
for the buildings was quarried in the hills and it is of poor equalityand
does not weather.
Enjoy reading this short history of Marske By The Sea, Cleveland,
UK
