Thursday Flashback

On 10 July 1932, during the second operating season of the miniature railway in Scarborough, a head-on collision took place at Beach station, in which the engine driver, Herbert Carr, aged 25, was killed and 31 passengers were injured. A second head-on collision took and himself went to the outside of the canteen where Wilson was sleeping on the night of October 4th and asked for cigarettes. He gave them packets of Woodbines, Gold Flake cigarettes, matches, and six and a half bars of chocolates, and a pork pie. They then asked for a box of chocolates and he replied, “I can’t, they are marked.” Witness said, “Never mind you won’t miss one.” He then handed out a box valued at 12s. On the 5th they both went in civilian clothes at midnight, and Mr Mann asked for a box of Woodbines.

The clerk: How did you begin to ask?

Witness: In a stage whisper, “Bob. Bob, hello! Anything doing?” - “I am in bed” - and then started a conversation: “Give us some fags, give us chocolates.”

Proceeding, he said they then asked for another, and prisoner asked, “Are you satisfied?” and Mann replied, “We place on Monday 23 August 1948; nine people were injured but there were no fatalities. Photo reproduced courtesy of the Max Payne collection. Reprints can be ordered with proceeds going to local charities. Call 0330 1230203 and quote YRN-170809-120921050. shall have to be.” He then said: “Come again tomorrow night.” On the previous visit (October 4th) By Mr Whitfield: Witness denied that any threat was used. The only motive he could suggest was that he thought defendant was afraid of the soldiers. It was fear all along. Witness denied that they had threatened to “do in” prisoner and that he had said he could not give them anything.

Corroborative evidence was given by Frank Mann.

Sergeant Daykin spoke as to apprehending prisoner, when he said: “I was afraid if I did not pass them what they asked for they would do as they said and soon be in and do it on me.” I have been a fool. I ought to have reported it to the boss and left the job when I got nervous.”

By Mr Whitfield: There was no promise of money or anything else whatever, nor was it a case of handling stuff to friends of his. He had got very nervous.

Evidence as to prisoner’s excellent character was given by Mr JD Hunter, builder who said if ever he required a bondsman he would stand for him.

No doubt prisoner stole the goods, but taking many things, including his good character, into consideration, the bench would deal leniently with him. A fine of £4 would be imposed. “Lost a screw?” we enquired of our cabinet-maker pal Martin, as he carefully swept amongst oak wood shavings. No, apparently he saw a grub in a tiny hole, and poked it out. Upon examination, it proved to be the larvae of a deathwatch beetle! Woodworm does great damage tunnelling through household timbers. This species is larger that the furniture beetle, usually breeding in oak timbers, especially if damp. Its exit holes are three to four mm across. It’s well known for the tapping sound make by the adults before they emerge.

Then Michael called, waving a shovel! A large caterpillar had crawled towards him from a patch of willowherb. It was crossing the car park, just as one did last year about this time. It was another elephhant hawk moth caterpillar, as mentioned in my earlier Country Diary.

Dragonflies have been particularly obvious this week, darting across our gardens. Aeshna is the most common and widespread of our large hawker dragonflies, and is often seen away from water between July and September. Dragonflies are fast flying and very agile insects. They have to be to catch midges and other tiny flies in mid-air for food. Having large eyes help them to spot their prey, which they scoop up with their spiny legs. They have no sting and are harmless to human beings. They glisten in the sunlight like sparkling gems!

I need no reminder of yet another birthday apporaching, as September usually dawns with craneflies. Stepping outdoors, my first ‘visitor’ was a cranefly on the windowsill. A spiker left its paralysed prey, returning later to eat its victim.

The cranefly, or daddy long legs is very common. They emerge from larvae called leather-jackets, which are abundant in grassland and lawns. They can be serious pests, feeding on roots and lower leaves of plants. Rooks relish them, and help keep them under control. So do herring gulls. Watch huge flocks following the plough when autumn draws near. Eagerly seeking worms and other tasty morsels, gulls almost create a snow scene!

Michael’s just ‘waded’ through a flock of 30 swallows, swooping lover over the ground seeking insects. Soon they’ll have departed, alas.

Whilst attending a gathering at Ravenscar’s village hall, regarding Sustran’s plans for the Scarborough to Whitby cinder track, we watched a pair of goldfinches enjoying their harvest of thistle seeds. The pointed bill is used to extact seed from thistles and teasels.

Later, we enjoyed a ‘circular’ walk from Ravenscar towards Staintondale along the cinder track, recording not only dozens of wild flowers still in bloom, but an optional diversion left, across a field to view Ravenscar’s World War Two radar station. Beyond the stile was an information board detailing stories behind the buildings ahead. We continued, to return from Beast Cliff along the Cleveland Way revealing dramatic views from Common Cliff.

Turn to page 54 to read about Maureen’s Scarborough heritage walk.