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Staithes

Behind the scenes

7 November 2012. Posted by Tim Jones

Staithes is a village on the North Yorkshire coast, a few miles north of Whitby and surprisingly close to the industrial sprawl of Teesside.

It was a sort of St Ives of the North, with a thriving artists' community whose stars were Harold and Laura Knight. Sydney Lough Thompson visited in 1911 and created this painting:

Sydney Lough ThompsonStreet scene, Staithes, Yorkshire. Oil on canvas board. Collection of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, purchased with assistance from the Olive Stirrat Bequest 1991. Reproduced courtesy of Caldwell and Thompson families

Sydney Lough ThompsonStreet scene, Staithes, Yorkshire. Oil on canvas board. Collection of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, purchased with assistance from the Olive Stirrat Bequest 1991. Reproduced courtesy of Caldwell and Thompson families

I visited at the weekend and thought I'd have a go at finding this flight of stairs. Fortunately I turned into the street quaintly named 'Gun Gutter' and there it was:

Photo: Tim Jones

Photo: Tim Jones

I began taking photos, to the curiosity of the lady within, who came out to ask my business. When I told her, she was intrigued, invited me in and offered tea. Now Sydney Lough Thompson has another convert.

Related

Collection
Goon Gutter, Staithes [Gun Gutter]

Sydney Lough Thompson Goon Gutter, Staithes [Gun Gutter]