I knew I shouldn't have used this title now I can't get that Fiddler's Dram song out of my head.
Redcar in North Yorkshire is one of the nearest beaches to us. We went there one Sunday last month. I was not expecting to see the place like this -
Redcar in North Yorkshire is one of the nearest beaches to us. We went there one Sunday last month. I was not expecting to see the place like this -
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| Two windmills and not a car in sight |
In the 1920s there were a lot of people about.
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| Beside the sea at Redcar |
You can see Redcar's pier stretching out to sea.
The pier did not have a very happy life. In the 1880s and 1890s a series of ships broke through it. It was deliberately breached in 1940 to prevent its use by enemy invasion forces. As a result of damage by a mine explosion and subsequent deterioration it was never reconnected. The pier was demolished in 1981.
However Redcar now has a brand new pier.
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| Redcar Beacon - the town's vertical pier |
When I first saw it i thought it was a 'helter skelter' ride like the ones there used to be at Redcar early in the 20th century.
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| Redcap Promenade 1902 |
The pier is still there and the beach is a hive of activity, a bit different from the day of our visit.
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| Redcar beach - 2014 |
I fairness I should say that it was mid-April when we went, the car park was half empty despite it being free (until the beginning of May at least). We couldn't have really expected the sands to look like this.
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| Redcar sands |
We really must go back in the summer to see whether it's as busy then.
The old photos I've shown were taken inside the Redcar Beacon.
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| Redcar Beacon - 2014 |
There is one on the wall on each of its six floors.
And just so they can annoy you too, here is Fiddler's Dram
Now you can get some more sand in your shoes by visiting Sepia-Saturday-228.
17 comments:
I thought that building was a strange ride too. Looks like you picked a good day to go to the beach.
Redcar looked like a lot more fun in the good old days! I noticed the energy windmills out there in the breakwater in the last picture. Every time I drive over Altamont Pass through the Diablo Range on my way to the S.F. Bay Area I cringe a bit at those odd things (windmills) stretching over the hilltops. I don't know why, but they make me think of Rod Serling's "Twilight Zone".
It's good that they have put those old photographs on display to show people what the beach looked like in bygone days, and you definitely must go again in summer, and report back.
ps. Meant to say, I love the Bangor song, but didn't remember who originally sang it until now, so thanks for the clip.
Looks very bracing, Bob and you are right that playing that song keeps it going through your head for a while!
I believe Redcar is also home to some of those Jubilee laques for Queen Victoria that I wrote about. I hadn't realised this was so close to you.
When I look at old pictures from pre-1930, I many of us today have no idea what 'crowded' was really like!
And how funny that you mention 'helter skelter'. I came across a postcard last weekend of a 'helter skelter lighthouse' and have spent ages trying to find information it. I now understand and have it posted for PFF.
The beacon looks very similar to Violet's "helter skelter" lighthouse. That style must be typically English.
A fun day at the beach even in a chilly breeze! The idea that the Germans might have invaded Britain by landing onto the seaside piers is very comical. Perhaps a Hall of Mirror Maze would have stopped them.
Bless you for including the song at the end of your great pictures, after setting me going with your title! LOL
I always enjoy seeing "then and now" photographs and Redcar looked a great place for a day of seaside fun.
A good comparison across the years - a good idea, very effective in showing changes
A great series of photos with an interesting history and finished off with a cheerful song to make me tap my feet and smile. Thanks.
interesting progression of the place over the years, was not familiar with that area at all before. The song fits perfectly
Loved this history, with the before and afters! Sepia Saturday is such a good way to see sights and learn things that would otherwise probably never hit my radar. Very interesting "vertical pier": I've never seen anything like it -- and had never heard that song until now. But, thank-you, it's stuck in my head now, too...
The first helterskelter I ever saw was on the Scarborough promenade in 1995. Before that, I had no idea what the Beatles' song was about!
I really enjoy your photos. Hopefully one day I will be there. Maybe you can show me around :)
Love the contrast of old and new photos. I think the building looks like it's covered with ribbons.
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