Making a Difference
Many ironstone miners lost their jobs during the terrible economic depression in the 1930s. Artists, poets and politicians came together in East Cleveland to give the unemployed miners new hope and new skills.
Learning to grow
Major Jim and Ruth Pennyman of nearby Ormesby Hall set up the East Cleveland Work Camps. Unemployed miners worked with student volunteers to grow crops and keep animals, as part of a sustainable farming programme. It became known as Heartbreak Hill, due to the hard work involved.
‘We can make anything’
The Pennymans invited Wilfred Franks, an artist trained at the Bauhaus Arts School in Germany, and young composer Michael Tippett to help.
They created a new furniture-making business called Boosbeck Industries, and ran arts work camps for the miners. Music, dancing, singing, folk opera, knitting groups and sword dancing flourished here as a result.
What is in this case?
Ironstone Carvings by John J. Kirton (1878 – 1948) John was a train driver, hauling ironstone from the Eston hills to the ironworks at Middlesbrough. His hobby was ironstone carving and, as you can see, he chose a wide range of subjects.
- A pair of painted wheatsheavesA bridge
- Busts of King George V and Queen Mary
- An elaborate clock surround
- A bridge
- Busts of a man and woman
- Ironstone bibles These were all carved from ironstone by local miners. They were often painted in gold and included a message to a loved one. Spot one with a floral design and another with a lyre (an instrument like a small harp).
- Miners’ sculptures These sculptures of miners show different aspects of their work or interests. They were found in Loftus Co-op charity shop!
- Ironstone penknife This small carving is designed to look like a penknife. This was a tool used by many miners.
- Stan Binks’ paint box Stan was a local artist, historian and collector. He could often be seen in Skinningrove, painting the daily lives of people during the 1970s and 1980s.