A Tyne Tees Television Today at Six news report dated the 11 February 1976 about the release of a new book on the histories of Cleveland castles by Robert Woodhouse. The film begins by following reporter Peter Holland as he visits the locations for some of the castles mentioned in the book, some of which no longer exist. These include Marske Castle, Danby Castle, Whorlton Castle near Swainby, Wilton Castle, Stockton Castle and Yarm Castle. At each of the sites, he gives a history of the place...

A Tyne Tees Television Today at Six news report dated the 11 February 1976 about the release of a new book on the histories of Cleveland castles by Robert Woodhouse. The film begins by following reporter Peter Holland as he visits the locations for some of the castles mentioned in the book, some of which no longer exist. These include Marske Castle, Danby Castle, Whorlton Castle near Swainby, Wilton Castle, Stockton Castle and Yarm Castle. At each of the sites, he gives a history of the place and the people who lived there from details in the book. He then interviews Mr Woodhouse about his book, the reason for writing it and why it is important.  The film begins with reporter Peter Holland stand in an empty field at Maske-by-the-Sea. He is standing on the site that was once Marske Castle. The film cuts to the snow covered ruin of Danby Castle near Whitby. There are views of the site that is now part of a farmstead. A sign on a wall reads ‘Built by Baron le Latimer – 1300AD. Danby Castle. Here dwelt Catherine Parr’. Peter Holland steps out of an upper doorway, opens and looks at a copy of ‘Castles of Cleveland’. He comes down a set of worn stone steps and looks through a stone window. The film changes to show Peter Holland walking towards the ruins on Whorlton Castle near Swainby. A sign above the 14th century gatehouse reads ‘Whorlton Castle’. General views inside the ruin and the surrounding countryside from inside. General views of the exterior of Wilton Castle near Middlesbrough with cars parked out front. Peter Holland stands outside a shop in Finkle Street , Stockton-on-Tees. He says that this is all that is left of Stockton Castle, the stone plundered to build many buildings in the town, this shop being the last.   The film cuts to show a view of the exterior of Yarm Castle in Yarm. The camera pulls back to reveal Peter Holland standing beside a garage, on top of which sits Yarm Castle, a model built by local builder David Doughty in the late 19th century. Robert Woodhouse, author of ‘Castles of Cleveland’, is interviewed and is first asked about the origins of Yarm Castle. He continues by saying the book is based around ‘ancient Cleveland’ which meaning ‘Cliff-land” and stretches from the River Tees down as far as Whitby. He believes those interested in finding the history of Cleveland should stop their cars, get out and have a look at anything that catches their eye. Cleveland castles are not as obvious as others are around the country, and he has written the book as a way of publicising these sites for the benefit of local people as well as tourists. He believes Cleveland castles are not as well known because their remains are not as substantial. He also believes that this part of the country is being neglected and not thought of in terms of history. Because of this, people have not come to look at, publicise or maintain what there is with the Ministry of Works not taking over responsibilities for any of Cleveland castles.