Loftus, North Yorkshire

infobox UK place

country = England
official_name= Loftus
latitude= 54.5569
longitude= -0.8919
population = 7,050
unitary_england= Redcar and Cleveland
lieutenancy_england= North Yorkshire
region= North East England

constituency_westminster= Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland
post_town= SALTBURN-BY-THE-SEA
postcode_district = TS13
postcode_area= TS
dial_code= 01287
os_grid_reference= NZ716185
london_distance= 263.3 mi

Loftus is a town in the borough of Redcar and Cleveland and the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire, England. It lies in a picturesque region sandwiched between the breathtaking cliffs of Hummersea and the spectacular North York Moors. It was formally known as Lofthouse [ [http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll=54.553848,-0.882854&spn=0.054654,0.195007&t=h&z=13&om=1 Google Maps: Loftus] ] .

The Loftus area has been inhabited since at least the 7th century, the approximate date of 109 graves in an Anglo-Saxon cemetery under excavation since 2005 [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/tees/7104498.stm BBC News 'Dramatic' ancient cemetery found, Tuesday, 20 November 2007] ] . The site is the only known royal Anglo-Saxon royal burial site in the north of England.

The town's history also includes the character Sigurd the Dane, who features in Macbeth as Siward. The Earl had a residence nearby or so it is rumoured. The famous Methodist preacher John Wesley is known to have preached in Loftus. More recent history is dominated by the ironstone mining industry and many inhabitants that live in Loftus can trace lineage back to these men.

The two main churches in the town are St Leonard's Church of England and St Joseph and St Cuthbert Catholic Churches. There are three Primary Schools (St Joseph's Catholic, Handale Primary, and Hummersea). The Catholic children tend to go to Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Science College in nearby Redcar.

The members of Loftus and District Flower Club won Gold Medals at the 2005 Chelsea Flower Show.

Though a part of the Borough of Redcar and Cleveland most inhabitants tend to consider themselves as residents of North Yorkshire.

Loftus has many facilities: Loftus Swimming Baths (where the swimming group Loftus Dolphins train), Loftus Youth Club, [http://www.clevelandacf.co.uk] Loftus Army Cadets, Scouts, Cubs etc. It also has a Firestation and part time Police Station.

References

External links

* [http://www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/photos.nsf/HistoricalPhotos?readform&area=loftus Historical Photo Archive of Loftus from Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council]
* [http://194.203.108.7/Loftus Loftus Town Council] , accessed November 23, 2007
* [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=64678 History of Loftus]