Marske comprises the wards of Longbeck (shared with New Marske) and StGermains.[1]
History
Marske is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. StGermain's Church was consecrated by bishop Ægelric between 1042 and 1056.[2] Marske was amerced 20 marks for its part in the pillaging of a Norwegian vessel in 1180.[2]
Marske Brass Band was established in 1875. It has a junior and adult learners band and a traditional brass band for all ages. The band provides instruments and teaching for free; the only proviso is that you attend regularly.
In 1917 the Royal Flying Corps adopted the existing civilian aerodrome just to the west of Marske, expanding it into a military training establishment. In April 1918 it came under the control of the newly formed Royal Air Force, with one of the first RAF students being 'Captain' W. E. Johns, the author of the Biggles books. Shortly after the end of World War One, the airfield was closed.[3][4]
After the Second World War the site of the aerodrome became an ICI depot and later a housing estate, known as The Landings, with roads named on an aeronautical theme: Avro Close, Blackburn Grove, De Havilland Drive – leading onto Vickers Lane–, Beardmore Avenue, Folland Drive, Wellington Close, Brabazon Drive, Halifax Close, Spitfire Close and Lysander Court.
Politics
Parish and district
Marske is part of the Saltburn, Marske and New Marske parish. The parish was in Guisborough Rural District from 1894 to 1932 and Saltburn and Marske-by-the-Sea Urban District from 1932 to 1974.[5] on 1 April 1974 the parish was abolished and merged with Saltburn by the Sea to form "Saltburn and Marske by the Sea".[6] In 1961 the parish had a population of 6791.[7]
Themajority of the residents of Marske do not work within the village, but work in nearby industry or in Middlesbrough or Redcar. Marske has a range of local shops and a mixture of light industries on the Industrial Estate notably label and barcode specialists Weyfringe.[9] There is also small scale sea fishing using cobles and tractors from the beach.
Landmarks
Marske has two imposing mansion houses.
Marske Hall* was built around 1625 and was formerly the home of the Zetland family.[10] It was gifted to Leonard Cheshire to be run as a home for the disabled in 1964 and continued as such for the following 55 years, until it was sold as a going concern to a private company in 2019.[11]
Cliff House,* which stands on the cliff tops overlooking the beach, was built in the 19th century as a holiday residence for the Pease family, who were prominent in the north-east business community, at the time, and principal shareholders in the Stockton and Darlington Railway. The railway was extended to Redcar in the 1840s and to Marske and Saltburn in the 1860s.
Marske has its own post office, medical centre, leisure centre and a library.[12] The village has Methodist, Baptist, Church of England and Roman Catholic churches and five public houses: The Frigate, The Ship Inn,* The Zetland, The Mermaid and The Clarendon.[13] The tower of St Germain's church was allowed to remain close to the cliff edge as a prominent landmark for fishermen in the North Sea.[14]
Most of Marske's listed buildings are to be found on High Street,[15] and Redcar Road,[16] but there are a few more on Church Street,[17] Cliff Terrace,[18] East Street,[19] and The Garth.[20]
Winkies Castle
Winkies Castle
The village has a museum named Winkies Castle, dating back to the 17th century, which is run by volunteers and open to visitors from Easter Saturday each year until the end of September. This is not really a castle but an old half cruck cottage formerly owned by the late master shoemaker, Jack Anderson.[21] There is a story that the house's name comes from Jack's cat named Winkie. The museum puts on rotating exhibitions and has over 6,000 items, including a two-headed lamb called "Bill and Ben".
The building was saved from demolition in 1968 by Jack Anderson when he turned it into a community museum and bequeathed it to the Community of Marske (trustees Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council).It is now run and managed by volunteers and is open three days a week from Easter Saturday until the end of September each year.[22]
Marske-by-the-Sea has a Martial Art ITF Tae Kwon Do School.[24] Furthermore, the village has two Football teams; Northern League Division1 football club Champions, Marske United F.C. and Langbaurgh League Division 2 Champions, Marske F.C.,[25] as well as a cricket club, and badminton club.
Notable people
England and Yorkshire cricketer Paul Jarvis grew up in Marske. His Yorkshire cc jumper can be found on display in Marske cricket club.
Charles Dickens visited Marske in around 1844 to see the grave of Captain Cook's father.[26] An early 20th century memorial, 20–30 yards west of St Germain's tower, marks the approximate location.[27]
'Captain' W. E. Johns, the author of the Biggles books, was based at RFC Marske towards the end of the First World War.[4]
Charlotte Hughes, the longest-lived person ever documented in the United Kingdom, lived in Marske.[28]
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Cliff House*
The Ship Inn*
Grade I listed Marske Hall *
