SALTBURN MORTUARY AND THE HALFPENNY BRIDGE

Saltburn Mortuary:
Saltburn Mortuary was built in 1881 to cope with the number of sailors who drowned and whose bodies the sea pitched up from the depths on to the beach. Before Saltburn Mortuary was built, bodies were taken to the Ship Inn next door.
Originally one of three buildings, the other two - the Rocket Brigade building (a team who would have used a mortar to fire ropes to ships in distress) and the Lifeboat building - have since been demolished, but Saltburn Mortuary now sits alone, remembering the past.
The Halfpenny Bridge
The 'Halfpenny' bridge was a typical example of Victorian enterprise and was completed in 1869 at a cost of £7000 and the lives of three workmen. It's span, on top of seven cast iron supports, offered spectacular views of the coast and surrounding countryside. The bridge, when it opened, became known as the Halfpenny Bridge derived from the fact that pedestrians paid a halfpenny toll to cross. The toll was taken at a toll-booth at one end of the bridge. The toll-house, which was built for the use of the toll-collector at the other end of the bridge, still survives today as a private dwelling.
On December 17th 1974 at exactly 9.30am the crowds that had gathered on Saltburn's promenade witnessed the demolition of one of the towns best known landmarks. This slender and spectacular cast iron structure, which had spanned the Valley Gardens since 1869, was reduced to a tangled heap of twisted metal in just four seconds and the vista through the valley towards Saltburn woods, would never be the same again.

[@alanventress]

I grew up in Saltburn in the 1950s, my grandparents had a farm, 'Brough House' on Huntcliff and I can remember walking over the Halfpenny Bridge as a child and visiting the Italian Gardens below. I visited Saltburn in 2009, but as I have lived in Australia since 1971 it is highly unlikely I will ever return. So thanks for the memories.

[@stephanblack4558]

I used to walk from Boosbeck to Saltburn and go over the 1/2 penny bridge back in the 1960's & 70's when I was a boy, the bridge was scary to me as it was so high. I now live in Canada. Thank you.

[@craigmichaelgrice213]

I used to cycle across it in the early 70s. I lived in Skelton and visited Saltburn very regularly. I was 12 years old, and saw the demolishen when I was 14.So many fond memories of it. Thank you for your video. Regards. Craig.

[@BigFly028]

Great video. I spent 3 weeks in Saltburn in 1975 when I was about 19 years old after finishing high school. I had a few pints in the Ship Inn, good too see it again. If my memory serves me right, then they served Watney's Red Barrel. However, I can't recollect the Mortuary. I do remember having to walk back up a cruel hill to Windsor Road. Many thanks for sharing.👍😁

[@karenburton582]

Brilliant video. Cross that bridge many times. Beautiful bridge should have been saved.

[@MrWhitby]

Great video

[@Bonifazius743]

Lovely views, brought back fond memories of Saltburn. My grandparents lived in Skelton, granddad was a locomotive driver out of Saltburn shed, he used to walk to work down the line early in the mornings. In the 1960s as a kid I spent some summer holidays with them, gran would make a picnic and we would walk down Skelton Beck under the viaduct and the Ha'penny Bridge through the Valley Gardens with the miniature railway down to spend the day on the beach. Sad to see the bridge is no more. My mother used to tell me of the time during the war, she was nursing in Teesdale, and came home for the weekend, the train was delayed by an air raid on Middlesbrough so she arrived in Saltburn after midnight and walked in the blackout up from Saltburn over the Ha'penny bridge and up Saltburn Lane to Skelton where she nearly had a heart attack when a policeman suddenly stepped out of the dark and asked her what she was up to at this time of night. Fortunately he knew her and walked with her the few hundred yards to my grandparents' house.

[@bigantplowright5711]

This appeared randomly, glad it did it was excellent.

[@duncandisorderly822]

I remember the H’penny Bridge well. I was living in Saltburn and just 10 years old when it was blown up. Earlier that year, I remember the town side entrance to the bridge was cordoned off but there was no real security. I was still able to get onto the bridge and walk halfway before coming back. Everybody I knew was sad to see it go.

[@stomperthemixer1]

Well Put Together Buddy and It Captures All, amazing Music Choice To Paul. Thanks For Allowing Me To Be Part Of This.

[@bringinghistorybacktolife1824]

It wouldn't be the same without you buddy. We do work well together. So thank you too

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

Very poignant and great insight, Thanks for sharing 🙏🏻 In Yorkshire mortuary’s were known as Rose Cottage.

[@Naomi_Price]

I live just near the halfpenny bridge on the saltburn lane side. I found loads of old coins there as a child.

[@oscargrainger2962]

I always wondered why there was a slip way next to the ship in, now I know there was a lifeboat station next to the Mortuary.

[@MadHatterDJ-]

Great video.

[@mytube2959]

I've walked on halfpenny Bridge when I was a kid. Cool vid

[@mikewalker68]

Nice presentation. Subscribed 😊

[@bringinghistorybacktolife1824]

Thank you Mike, very much appreciated.

[@stephenbailes4831]

Great stuff!

[@georgebaxter5454]

Although it is said that motor cars were not allowed across, My Grandfather drove across the bridge with my grandmother and I in his Ford Prefect circa 1953. In later years circa 1959 Me and some friends cycled across. "Mind the holes" the guy who collected our pennies exclaimed.

[@bringinghistorybacktolife1824]

Wow that is so interesting George. I would of loved to get you on film with your tales of this bridge. Thank you

[@ericgeorge5483]

Still pisses me off that The Halfpenny Bridge has gone. What an amazing attraction it would be today.

[@dcallan812]

yes, it was a disgrace. It was only people complaining and portioning that the section of the pier was rebuilt. Then we get that stupid vertical pier at Redcar. 🤣😂 vertical eyesore.

[@ericgeorge5483]

@@dcallan812 Yes, which is a joke. Looks ok at night though. There was a cryout from locals to build a proper pier so the council did what they do best and ignored them.

[@dcallan812]

@@ericgeorge5483yes this lighting scheme has lasted longer than 2 weeks, unlike the last lot we spent hundreds in 🤦‍♂ Redcar and Eston appear to be t the front of the hand out que for cash to fix things too.

[@ericgeorge5483]

@@dcallan812 Very true, the rest of the local authority get very little by comparrison.

[@dcallan812]

@@ericgeorge5483 when did Loftus or Brotton get a substantial fund for any improvements.

[@berniewighton5198]

Excellent 👍

[@bringinghistorybacktolife1824]

Thank you very much

[@mikesakhalin]

Excellent!

[@bringinghistorybacktolife1824]

Thank you Mike. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@mikesakhalin]

@@bringinghistorybacktolife1824 Very much so. I remember the bridge falling. We were standing on the somewhat lower bridge by the sea. A sad day. And now we can watch the morgue slowly crumble away.

[@bringinghistorybacktolife1824]

@@mikesakhalin yes it is a shame to see the mortuary slowly decay. More should be done to preserve our local history. Thanks Mike

[@observer4916]

fantastic work 👍subbed

[@MineExplorerUK]

excellent video!

[@bringinghistorybacktolife1824]

Thanks Peter