Councillor 'really sorry' after claiming coastal village was ‘most in-bred in Britain'

Councillor Jemma Joy was asked by Councillor Barry Hunt if she would “kindly apologise” to residents in Skinningrove for the remark. Coun Hunt, who lives in Skinningrove, got his wish at a full gathering of Redcar and Cleveland Council and went on to wish Coun Joy well in her election endeavours.

The latter was selected in October as the Liberal Democrat prospective Parliamentary candidate for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, the current incarnation of the seat being currently held by Sir Simon Clarke.

Mr Clarke, who had also previously called on Coun Joy to apologise, said it was “right” she did so, adding: “From someone who wants to replace me as the local MP, it simply showed a lack of judgement. We should be talking every part of Teesside up, especially at such an exciting time for [Skinningrove] with the new British Steel investment there.”

In a recently unearthed and now deleted post from 2010, which accompanied a photo from the village, Coun Joy had remarked: “Skinningrove…urgghh. Possible contender for most in-bred village in Britain.”

She later told the Local Democracy Reporting Service she had spent part of her youth in Skinningrove and was being sarcastic, while also conceding: “It does look really bad on social media, I appreciate that.”

Coun Joy, who lives in Guisborough with her husband and two children, told the meeting that Coun Hunt’s question allowed her to say sorry in the council chamber publicly. She said she had been “mortified” and the comment was taken “out of context and misinterpreted”.

Coun Joy said: “At the time I thought I was being edgy, funny, ironic when I wasn’t and I am reminded of that everyday by my children. I’d like to say to anybody from the village who was embarrassed, angry, and rightly so, I am really really sorry.”

She said she had lived in the village for ten years and had “great times” there, adding: “I would like to think I can still go to Skinningrove and have a cup of tea in my camper van on the beach, which is beautiful”.

Coun Hunt, an independent representing Brotton and a former council cabinet member and borough mayor, replied: “I would like to thank you for that and wish you well in your campaign. I’d say this to all of the candidates if you were lucky enough to get in, can you please not forget Skinningrove.”

Skinningrove played a prominent role in ironstone mining in the 1800s and its population grew in turn. But the decline of the industry in the 20th century led to many former miners’ homes being demolished, while schools and shops also closed.

It also suffered from wartime bombing raids and has been the location of several serious floods. In 2005 a Sky One documentary narrated by Ralf Little featured Skinningrove, claiming it to be one of Britain’s ‘toughest villages’ with the programme going on to secure cult status.

It is home to the Land of Iron mining museum and Skinningrove and Cattersty Sands Beach and on the Cleveland Way national trail, while the National Cycle Network runs through the village.