Stan Binks was a local artist, historian and all round collector. Born in 1924 Stan grew up in Loftus. During World War Two he served as a 'Bevin Boy', substituting for miners who were in the armed forces. After the war Stan completed two years of National Service with the Green Howards; he was attached to REME and based in Germany. Following his marriage in 1951, Stan moved to Skinningrove, and worked at Skinningrove Iron and Steel Works which had dominated the local landscape throughout his working life.
Stan even held the role of Chair for the local Skinningrove History Group. He spent his life researching the history of Skinningrove and East Cleveland compiling in depth memories and stories. Many of his paintings gifted to the museum date from the 1970s and 1980s and represent a changing time within Skinningrove.
Stan manages to capture daily life, people and places throughout the village. Here are just a few of the paintings donated to the museum.
As a newcomer to the area and to ironstone mining, I had many questions in my mind about the communities that supported this industry.
The Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct was awarded to eleven men after a roof fall in Kilton Mine, January 13th 1956
The following articles have been extracted from local and national newspapers for the period 1871 to 1881
A miner's tribute to his father