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Remarkable WW2 Documents Donated To Scarborough Museums Trust
An extraordinary collection of letters painting a vivid picture of life in the army during World War II from the viewpoint of a local man, and including his thoughts on the end of the war in Europe on 8 May 1945, has been donated to Scarborough Museums Trust.
Around 1,500 letters, cards and telegrams written by David Dawson to his wife Blanche between 1939 and 1945 are now in the public ownership of the town of Scarborough, in the care of the Trust.
They include a letter written from an unknown location on 9 May 1945, the day after VE Day, when victory was declared in Europe, in which he says:
"My dearest Blanche,
"At last – the day we have been waiting for for so long [h]as arrived – it seems hard to realise. The main topic now is when will they be starting demobilization and let us get back to civvy street.
"There was very little in the way of celebration here yesterday – in fact as far as we were concerned there was nothing at all. To-day we went to the cemetery and the burgomaster layed a wreath on each of the graves of some RAF men who had been brought down somewhere near here. The graves had been beautifully kept and I know that if the relatives could see them they would be very pleased... There has been some weird and wonderful processons throughout the day reminding me somewhat of my extreme youth.
"According to the wireless there was much merrymaking in Britain yesterday – I suppose the people were glad of the opportunity of letting themselves go."
David, who was a lieutenant in the Royal Army Pay Corps, was stationed in London, Scotland, the Netherlands, France and Germany – but a prevailing theme of the letters is his love for Scarborough and his longing to come home.
On 7 May 1940, whilst in Hastings, he wrote:
"I am writing this letter in the open-air as it is a pleasant evening, and I want a bit of fresh air after being closed indoors for the best part of the day, so I am sat on a seat on the front in a small shelter – something like the North Side at Scarborough, but not as good."
The letters have been donated to the Trust by local woman Ruth Walker, whose family has been taking care of them for some years now – David and Blanche were good friends with her grandparents, and her mother was the executor of the Dawsons' wills.
"The letters have been sitting in the attic for years – finally sorting through them was my lockdown project," says Ruth. "It's very apparent from them that David was very much a Scarborough man. He loved the town, and a running theme of the letters was his wish to come home – so where better to give them to than Scarborough Museums Trust?"
The Trust's Collections Manager Jim Middleton says: " We're delighted to have been donated this amazing collection of wartime letters: they offer a rare personal insight into the everyday plight of ordinary people during extraordinary times. So often collections like these are lost over the years as people pass away, so for such a complete record to be saved for the town is fantastic both for local historians and future generations. The museum has been collecting Scarborough history for nearly 200 years, and it's donations like these that make up the core of our collections. As an accredited museum, donors can be safe in the knowledge that anything given to the museum will be very well looked after, saved for future generations and available to all for research."
Andrew Clay, Chief Executive of Scarborough Museums Trust, says: "We are privileged to look after the collections held in trust on behalf of the people of Scarborough. It is vast and comprises over 250,000 objects, including some of exceptional rarity but also some – like these letters – which are wonderful artefacts relating to the normal, everyday life of this remarkable town.
"One of our key strategic aims is to democratise the collection – to make it more accessible. We'll do this by organising more exhibitions and displays, but also by introducing new digital formats so people can access the collection online. It is growing all the time and we are enormously grateful for the innumerable gifts and bequests we receive from local people and beyond."
Scarborough Museums Trust is a member of the Museums Association (the only organisation for all museums in the four nations of the UK, which campaigns for socially engaged museums) and adheres to its code of ethics: https://www.museumsassociation.org/campaigns/ethics/
One of the great Scarborough traditions returns this weekend as Santa arrives by boat into Scarborough Harbour! Father Christmas will arrive by boat into the harbour at 1:30pm before climbing aboard his sleigh and heading up Eastborough, St. Thomas Street and Castle Road in the famous Parade, before heading down Queen Street and into Boyes where he will take up residence in the Boyes Grotto . The Scarborough 6th Form College Elf Band will also be performing Christmas songs live on the West Pier, next to where Santa arrives and the cast of this year's YMCA Theatre Panto will be attending. Paddy from This Is The Coast radio station will be hosting the event and will be joined by Coast Crew Nicky and Rover Reporter the mascot dog. Entertainment starts at 12:30pm close to the slipway opposite Harbour Bar.
The second edition of Scarborough Lights will take place between 15 November and 22 December 2024! Enjoy a variety of free and affordable light shows, installations and community activities throughout Scarborough, including both indoor and outdoor works and projections. New to Scarborough Lights 2024, South Cliff Fire Garden is a must-see! See Scarborough’s Victorian Rose Garden transform into an enchanting display of fire and light. The garden will be aglow with 255 candles and will also feature live fire performances, Moroccan lanterns, kaleidoscope lights and a star walk – a magical evening for all. Food and drink will also be available, the perfect accompaniment to a crisp evening walk. Brought to you by the creators of the fire gardens at Blenheim Palace, Kew Gardens, Hampton Court and events across the world. From 1 – 24 December windows across streets and neighbourhoods in Scarborough will be illuminated with festive creations. In true advent style fashion, a different street will be “opened” each evening at 4pm (some streets may vary). Throughout Scarborough Lights, St Mary’s historic church exterior will be illuminated. The church is situated at the top of Castle Road and has an amazing view of Scarborough South Bay. Between 5 – 14 December, The Aquarium of Light transforms the bandstand at the beautiful Sun Court at the Scarborough Spa into a community light installation with themes from the sea. The Scarborough Fair is a year-round programme of distinctive arts, heritage and sporting events at venues across the town. Made possible with investment from the UK government’s Town Deals funding, The Scarborough Fair is a project of North Yorkshire Council, working in partnership with the public and private sectors and initiated following extensive consultation with local residents, businesses and community organisations.
Saturday 5th July 2025 - The Script with Tom Walker Global pop-rock sensation The Script are ready to rock the Yorkshire coast next summer as part of their Satellites UK Tour. The Irish chart toppers will head to TK Maxx presents Scarborough Open Air Theatre on Saturday July 5. They will be joined on the night by very special guest Tom Walker. The show at Scarborough OAT – Britain’s biggest open-air concert arena – marks a welcome return to the Yorkshire coast for the band, who headlined the venue in 2018 and 2022. The Script – made up of Danny O'Donoghue (vocals), Glen Power (drums), Ben Sargeant (bass) and Ben Weaver (guitar) - first rose to fame in 2008 with the release of their self-titled debut album, which featured hit singles The Man Who Can't Be Moved and Breakeven. Since then, the band have enjoyed a hit-filled career including six Number One albums. With their infectious energy, The Script present a memorable night of new music and fan-favourites, which is sure to be a hit as they make their return to the Yorkshire coast. BRIT Award winner Tom Walker is a British singer-songwriter who burst onto the scene with his hit single Leave a Light On. His debut album What a Time to Be Alive, topped the UK Albums Chart and showcased his distinctive sound. Tom’s performance is set to add an extra layer of excitement to what promises to be an unforgettable night in Scarborough. BUY TICKETS HERE NOW Saturday 26th July 2025 - Texas Following on from their critically acclaimed sold-out UK arena tour, Texas will be bringing their popular, crowd loving live show to Scarborough next summer. Fronted by Sharleen Spiteri, Texas will showcase five decades of music from the worldwide classic I Don’t Want A Lover to the modern-day hits of Mr Haze and Keep on Talking when they headline TK Maxx presents Scarborough Open Air Theatre on Saturday July 26. With more than 40 million albums sold, their songs continue to resonate with fans across the world including the ever popular Say What You Want, Summer Son and Inner Smile. PRE SALE TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE NOW
Thousands of motorcycle fans are expected to converge on Scarborough next weekend for the annual Goldwing Light Parade. Fans of the legendary Honda motorcycle will parade their machines, decked out in neon lights, along Marine Drive in the seaside resort on Saturday 14 September. With our help, organisers have put together a full day’s worth of free entertainment, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display at 9.30pm. Before the evening's parade there will be a static display of motorcycles, running from noon to 4pm, on West Pier. During this time, the Charter Mayor of Scarborough, Cllr Janet Jefferson, will judge the best bike and donations will be collected in aid of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance charity. Cllr Jefferson, who represents Castle Division in the town, said: “We really look forward to welcoming the bikers to Scarborough for this annual event. It will not be easy judging the best bike as the owners take such pride in their machinery. I would encourage everyone to come down during the day and at night when the bikes will provide a spectacular sight travelling along the seafront.” Riders will begin to gather for the evening parade from 6.30pm, with the cavalcade starting at 8pm. Riders will head south along the foreshore to the roundabout. From there the procession turns back along Foreshore Road and around Marine Drive, looping at Peasholm Park and returning to West Pier, South Bay. Organiser, Danielle Reed, said: “This year’s event will be a great day out for all the family. During the day visitors can inspect the bikes, take photos and meet the riders before darkness falls and the lights go on. "The parade is magical with the bikes lit up, music and fancy dress before we finish off with a stunning firework display all raising money for a fabulous cause.”
Scarborough Group International (SGI), a leading specialist in property regeneration and placemaking, has announced that it has secured Europe’s largest cinema chain, ODEON, as the anchor cinema operator for its leisure-focused redevelopment of the Brunswick Centre at the heart of the town of Scarborough. With a state-of-the-art, multi-screen ODEON Luxe cinema now confirmed, SGI will launch the next phase of its letting strategy at Completely Retail Marketplace, the UK’s premier retail, leisure and hospitality event, which is taking place in London on 24 September 2024. ODEON is no stranger to Scarborough, having operated in the town from 1936 to 1988. Originally located just 300 metres from the Brunswick Centre, where the Stephen Joseph Theatre now stands, ODEON was a cultural cornerstone of the town for over fifty years. It eventually closed its doors after plans to modernise the building were rejected due to its listed status. Once complete, the new development will offer 20 units ranging from 250 sq ft to 20,000 sq ft across three floors to provide spaces for national and regional restaurant brands and leisure operators, along with a selection of kiosks and shared spaces for independent food and beverage operators from the local area. The announcement comes on the heels of North Yorkshire Council’s recent decision to approve a budget to start work to review its potential support for the project. Mark Jackson, spokesperson for SGI, added: "Bringing ODEON back to Scarborough after an absence of more than three decades is a key milestone in our vision to transform the Brunswick Centre into a premier leisure-led destination. With ODEON Luxe, residents and visitors will no longer have to travel over an hour to York for a premium cinema experience, bringing greater convenience and entertainment options right to their doorstep. Once complete, the transformed Brunswick Centre will fill some obvious gaps in the leisure and entertainment offer in the town but, critically, will also be a catalyst for the further economic regeneration of the town centre.” North Yorkshire Council has welcomed the news of ODEON’s planned return to Scarborough, viewing the transformation of the Brunswick as key to its plans to revitalise the town centre. North Yorkshire Council’s corporate director for community development, Nic Harne, said: “A new cinema will be great news for Scarborough. We look forward to seeing the Scarborough Group and other partners bringing this complex regeneration project to fruition.” David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, added: “I am delighted to see that the relaunch of the Brunswick Shopping Centre is well underway, and ODEON Luxe has today been revealed as the focal point for this revamped, leisure-led experience for Scarborough to enjoy. Our high streets have been through a challenging time, and we need to support them to change and adapt. Developments like these fit in with our ambitions to build vibrant and sustainable places fit for the future. This development will benefit both residents and tourists and we believe this will be a catalyst for further regeneration, which we are already seeing with the expansion of many nationally significant businesses that are headquartered in Scarborough.” SGI bought the Brunswick Shopping Centre in September 2021 and, the following year, unveiled plans to transform it into a vibrant, leisure-led destination featuring a multi-screen cinema and a complementary mix of bars, eateries and shops. These proposals were unanimously approved by the former Scarborough Borough Council’s planning committee in March 2023.
It's the last chance to reserve your place on our guided walking tour around South Bay in Scarborough this Saturday morning. Start the bank holiday weekend in Scarborough with this fun and fascinating walk with us! Leaving from outside the main entrance to The Grand Hotel on St. Nicholas Cliff at 10:30am, discover Scarborough's incredible story including Spa Bridge, Rotunda, 'Gala Land', South Cliff Gardens, The Spa, the birthplace of the seaside resort, the oldest cliff funicular in the country, dinosaur footprints, the fascinating history of The Grand Hotel, shipwrecks, the indoor market, old town, St. Mary's Church, Scarborough Castle and Scarborough's secret medieval street and more! Hosted by Paddy from Visit Scarborough and lasting 2 hours 15 minutes, you'll never see Scarborough in quite the same way again! We've also slashed the price to just £9pp or 2 for £15! Book your places now here
Friday 23rd August Brassed Off At The Stephen Joseph Theatre Friday 23rd 7:30pm - Saturday 24th 2:30pm and 7:30pm - Sunday 25th 7:30pm and Monday 26th 7:30pm “Three disasters. Two world wars, one bloody big depression. And every time, the band play on.” This production will feature live music from local brass bands to deliver a soul stirring theatrical experience. Summer Explorer Quest At Scarborough Castle Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Take your family on a fun adventure with a historical twist. Follow the quest through the grounds or gardens of our historical sites to become the ultimate adventurer. Self Made At Scarborough Art Gallery Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday 10:00am - 5:00pm Come face-to-face with some of the most famous people from the worlds of art, fashion, music and stage. Self Made is an exhibition of portraits of cultural icons from different generations and backgrounds, by Scarborough-born photographer Derrick Santini. Saturday 24th August Guided Walking Tour around South Bay with Paddy from Visit Scarborough Grand Hotel Entrance, 10:30am - 12:45pm Discover the fascinating story of Scarborough on this fun guided walk with Paddy from Visit Scarborough. Just £9pp or 2 for £15. Book your place here: www.visitscarborough.com/store GB SuperMoto Championship at Oliver's Mount Road Racing Circuit Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th August Come see the best SuperMoto riders in the country battle it out in Round 6 of their British Championship. SuperMoto always provides close, thrilling racing in a track adapted for them including exciting off-road sections too. Backstage Tour At The Stephen Joseph Theatre 12:30pm A tour of the SJT taking you behind the scenes and into the hidden nooks and crannies of the historic building. £10 Brassed Off At The Stephen Joseph Theatre Friday 23rd 7:30pm - Saturday 24th 2:30pm and 7:30pm - Sunday 25th 7:30pm and Monday 26th 7:30pm “Three disasters. Two world wars, one bloody big depression. And every time, the band play on.” This production will feature live music from local brass bands to deliver a soul stirring theatrical experience. Naval Warfare Battle At Peasholm Park Saturday 3:00pm and Monday 3:00pm War breaks out on the lake in the middle of the park when the 20-foot replica boats recreate some serious tensions during the Peasholm Park Naval Battle. The “Battle of Peasholm” lasts for 30 minutes and is produced three times per week. Black Widow Ghost Tours Corner of Eastborough and Merchant's Row, Scarborough, 7:30pm Be enthralled by spooky tales around Scarborough. Walking tour lasts 80 minutes departing the corner of Eastborough and Merchants Row, Every Friday and most Saturdays from June 29th - September 14th. Sunday 25th August 2024 GB SuperMoto Championship at Oliver's Mount Road Racing Circuit Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th August Come see the best SuperMoto riders in the country battle it out in Round 6 of their British Championship. SuperMoto always provides close, thrilling racing in a track adapted for them including exciting off-road sections too. Live Music & Poetry Italian Gardens, South Cliff - 12:00pm - 3:45pm Peasholm Park Concert with Simply Brass Peasholm Park, Scarborough - 2:30pm Brassed Off At The Stephen Joseph Theatre Friday 23rd 7:30pm - Saturday 24th 2:30pm and 7:30pm - Sunday 25th 7:30pm and Monday 26th 7:30pm “Three disasters. Two world wars, one bloody big depression. And every time, the band play on.” This production will feature live music from local brass bands to deliver a soul stirring theatrical experience. Tony Skingle as Elvis Scarborough Spa, 7:30pm Tony has performed all around the world including dates in Asia, New Zealand, Australia and mainland Europe and is back in his hometown. Monday 26th August 2024 Brassed Off At The Stephen Joseph Theatre Friday 23rd 7:30pm - Saturday 24th 2:30pm and 7:30pm - Sunday 25th 7:30pm and Monday 26th 7:30pm “Three disasters. Two world wars, one bloody big depression. And every time, the band play on.” This production will feature live music from local brass bands to deliver a soul stirring theatrical experience.
Pop superstar Jess Glynne makes a long-awaited return to Yorkshire coast this Saturday night for her THIRD unmissable headline show at Scarborough Open Air Theatre. Chart record holder Jess – the only British female solo artist to ever score seven UK Number One singles – headlines Scarborough OAT on Saturday 15th June. And the last few tickets are on sale now! It's almost sold out! BUY JESS GLYNNE TICKETS HERE NOW!
Scarborough is about to host a three-day festival of outdoor events, murals, street art and performances. This brand new and inclusive community event taking place in Scarborough Town Centre over the Early May Bank Holiday weekend (Saturday 4 – Monday 6 May) from 11am- 4pm and will include a variety of free performances and activities. Organisers are promising a huge weekend around the town centre: "We want to inspire, celebrate and showcase local creativity, but it will also feature national and international artists, too. There will be something for everyone. Throughout the weekend we have a variety of street performances for everyone to enjoy. From circus acts and puppetry to dance and theatre, the streets of Scarborough will be jam-packed with entertainment. With so much to see and do, we have made things a little easier for you by providing a full schedule, so you know where to be and when".
The “ Galeón Andalucía” will visit Scarborough for 6 days in July and dock at North Wharf Quay. Among its creaking timbers the “Galeón Andalucía” tells the story of the legendary Spanish galleons in times gone by. The visit will coincide with the Seafest maritime festival in Scarborough. You can climb aboard and learn how the adventurous sailors of yesteryear sailed and lived with the ship open to the public from the 17th to 22nd July from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. Visit the floating museum with an exhibition in which you can visit 5 of its decks. The Galeon Andalucia is the replica of the type of vessel used by the Spanish Crown for maritime expeditions during the 16th through the 18th centuries. Galleons were intended to discover and then establish trade routes between Spain, America and the Philippines islands, and formed the then called Fleet of the Indies. With an innovative design at the time, galleons were armed merchant vessels which tonnages ranging from 500 to 1,200, whereas their lengths-over-all would range from 130 to 200 feet. They were designed to cross the largest oceans as efficiently as possible. For three centuries, these Spanish galleons crossed the Atlantic Ocean back and forth, sailed around the Caribbean Sea and the American coasts, and covered the Pacific route as well. They carried plenty of seamen, merchant traders and settlers, while their holds bore the fabulous loads resulting from American and Asian trade. It's recommended the public book their tickets at www.tickets.velacuadra.es so as not to miss this fantastic vessel! Tickets: Adults: £12 / Children (5- 10 years): £6 / £30 Family ( 2 adults + up to 3 children between 5- 10 years). Free for children under 5 years old, who must be accompanied by an adult.
