The cocklewomen of Seaton Snook were led by Bella Danby, who lived in a shack on the beach, as seen in the photos below.  They were a proudly independent and self-sufficient group, and were a frequent sight not only on the Snooks but also on the beach of Seaton Carew, and the markets of Greatham and the Hartlepools.  

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As reported by Hartlepool historian Maureen Anderson, they were blamed by some for the arson attack on John Wells, also known as Timon of the Tees, although Wells himself did not believe the cocklewomen were responsible.