View from the Balcony - Reg Phillips Take on the Opposition of the Day 2018/19 5 of 9

5. Guisborough - 27th October 2018


May we wish a warm welcome to all visiting Sandhill Lane for the first time today, travelling from the far edge of North Yorkshire to the near edge of North Yorkshire, we hope that they do not become too confused by leaving the proximity of Redcar & Cleveland for a full, proper County.
. Gighesbore is recorded in the Domesday Book as having a population of 37, with 36 goats, 14 hens, 12 swine & a duck. It does not state who was unfortunate enough to miss out on a goat
The ruined Gisborough Priory dates to the 12th century, & the monks became famous for their invention of goat curry, which fell out of fashion in the 13th century, but was later re-discovered by the local rugby club at the Shurovi restaurant.

Some theories date the town to the Roman occupation of Britain, when it may have been a military fortification employing the locals in making goatskin rugs & drums for ceremonial purposes & going to the pub, much favoured by locals & Romans alike.

Discovery of a few Roman artefacts support this, such as the elaborate Guisborough Helmet, elaborate Guisborough Dartboard & elaborate Guisborough Domino set. Although years of forensic research has failed to confirm this.

The Black Swan Brasserie, attached to Westgate pub The Swinging Goat, closed its doors earlier this year following an Ofsted inspection when its kitchen was found to contain recipes in Latin, which left them on the horns of a dilemma.

Eight months on, the place has had a revamp and a name tweak to The Platonic Goat - with comfortable goatskin chairs in a relaxing speed dating area, a bigger bar and a “fabulous” menu. They also serve food. General manager Frankie Mccoy said: “It was time for something new.

Extensive residential development occurred in the area during the 1960s and 1970s with the expansion of the chemical industry at Wilton and the steel industry at Redcar, which bought in newcomers from as far afield as Newby, Stokesley & Great Ayton

Guisborough market, held every Thursday and Saturday with a few stalls on Tuesday, has long been a focal point for the surrounding area. Originally selling goats, hens, pigs, ducks and various other livestock, the market developed into a general market for fruit and vegetables, hookey cigarettes, dodgy clothing and flower stalls. It is open from early morning to receive goods from the evening’s expeditions to late afternoon on the recently retrieved cobbles that line Westgate, the principal shopping street.

Guisborough Museum, behind Westgate's Sunnyfield House, exhibits photos of Guisborough's inhabitants & goats. There is a working watermill at Tocketts Mill
We hope everyone enjoys their day