The first photograph is a view of Yarm Lane c1957, looking from the High Street, showing the Grey Horse public house and the Garrick Public House beyond. The second photograph shows The Grey Horse Hotel which was situated on the corner of Yarm Lane and the High Street c1972. 
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
Rebecca – Go to ‘miscellaneous buildings’ and scroll through the pages or copy this link into your internet address bar (www.picturestockton.co.uk/viewpage.aspx?id=2994) and you will come across the the photograph I took on a warm sunny day a few years ago.
When last I saw the building it was a creche called Fun City. Well named, it was always fun city to happy dancing teenagers such as myself during the fifties (and no alcohol on the premises)
If my memory serves me the building you refer to Rebecca, is still there in Brunswick Street and was purpose built as a dance hall because it has a proper ballroom sprung dance floor. It became Blundells show room. Blundells were a tally company you payed off for your goods weekly (very weakly) but they had you hooked because you bought something else as your payments reached the end of the last item. The dance hall has seen some of the most famous bands of the day and was a very popular place.
I am looking into the history of the Palaise de Danse and am unable to find any information on the building, the history of it, let alone any pictures. Any information would be greatly welcomed.
Especially what the building was used for before it became a dance hall! If anyone has any pictures this would prove extremely helpful!!
Was the Motorcycle shop called “John Coltons”?
Does anyone know the name of the motorcycle shop where Tilsons is now and used to only sell Hondas?
Many thanks for any info!
Thank you Charles Russell Stockdale for taking the time to compose the website. I have just ‘googled’ it and read the story. Gentleman Jim or Blue Angel is my grandfather and although I was aware of his wrestling background I dont really know a great deal about were he lived before he came to lincolnshire so this has given me a lot of pleasure. I guess my father Stewart was named after his grandads middle name…again something new to me! Thanks again.
I”m back, replying to Walter Cook”s query. Yes, my dad (Charles Stewart Stockdale) did go to Richard Hind school. He often mentions it and remains proud that he went there. He married Doreen Foy and they”re doing well and I visit them regularly, but dad has lost sight in one eye and most in the other. Uncle Jimmy is still alive, we visited him recently in Grimsby. My Uncle Neville died recently after returning from Canada, so we all went to his funeral in Scotland. I updated Granddad Stockdale”s Ghost website a bit, also there”s Stockdale”s Online (just google for them). What I might do is print out this page of everyone”s comments for mum & dad to read, see if he remembers Walter, etc. and get some feedback from him.
Sadley the chap who WAS the green bushes for twenty five years was Birt Ridley who passed away several years ago, I was one of his staff I.E. his doorman. I now own the GARRICK HOTEL on yarm lane. I have been on the drink in stockton with Berts son Peter tonight and we finished the night off in the Garrick Hotel… as to drink in the green bushes is to painful right now.
I wonder if Charle”s dad went to Richard Hind? If he did he was a year or so in front of me and one of my first school memories is going through the front door of the school on my first day to miss the treat of the second and third year boys grabbing the new first year boys (foggies),sitting them on the toilets,then pulling the chain.I knew about this treat because I went to the juniors next door.
In 1962 I was working on the Bankside Power Station (new Tate Gallery now) in London on the opposite side of the Thames to the St Pauls Cathedral. Along with me and others from Teesside were Jimmy Stockdale and Vick Perry. We were working the weekend when one Sunday morning Jimmy and Vick were very late turning up for work. Eventually they turned up but walking. They said that overnight whilst the car was parked in the Street someone had painted it all white, and that included all the windows. Ask your Dad if he remembers that?
Yes, Charles Stockdale was the publican of the Grey Horse Hotel and father of the wrestler “Gentleman” Jim Stockdale. How do I know? He was my granddad and, after he died, the first ghost I ever saw – believe it or not. I created a website about my ghostly experience some years ago at – Okay, not allowed to publish the web address. But if you google for “granddad stockdale”s ghost” you”ll get it straight away. Enjoy! Just looking it over, it badly needs updating so I”ll get started on it… Cheers, Charles Russell Stockdale
To Martin Spires and any others who remember the boutique SPIRIT on Barry”s corner of Yarm Lane and the High street.We were the premier shop in Stockton for the years from 1971 to 1975. Then unfortunately the affects of the Miners strike caught up with many a small and large business. I had a great time selling some wonderful clothes during that period and I am sure they will define many people and bring back memories of nights out and ladies they impressed.We also had many celebrities come in and buy and have some ridiculous requests ( Freddie Star, Gladys Knight and the Pips, nearly everyone who passed through the Fiesta in that period and all the footballers of Middlesbrough FC) but we were at the tail end of a wonderful period of music and clothes culture and the fantastic clubs and nightlife of Teesside was unparralled in the North.Later I was involved with the conversion of the old Broughs/liptons supermarket further down Yarm Lane (66-70) we ended up with the old coffee shop on the first floor and turned it into a fantastic Italian restuarant called OSCARS ( 1977-81). If anyone has any memories or photographs of these two places I would love to see them or have copies, please contact this site for my email etc.
i remember buying my t.rex jacket and platform boots and a penny round collered shirt and a south sea bubble tank top from a shop on stockton high street i think the shop was called just jeans plus .they were the days
I seem to recall that I brought a jacket from your shop way back in 1974. I was a Marc Bolan fan (T.Rex fame) and the jacket was a bit of a glam look, I did take it back and exchanged it for another Jacket. Sadly not got it now, but have some of pic”s of me wearing it. Is it the shop on the corner.
First to all reading these pages I wish all a Happy New Year and hopefully a prosperous one also.This picture of Barrys Corner is of great interest to me. I beleive it became a Granada TV rental shop and I then took it over when they moved into the then new shopping centre opposite. On another site relating to the High Street I posted several comments and asked if anyone had any recollection or better still photographs of my boutique “SPIRIT”. I also had more than a passing interest in the Broughs supermarkey site as I was the person responsible for MR Y Din buying it and turning it into a knitwear factory one of the first Saks hairdressers and a boutique his son Baber ran. I with my friend and his brothers Eliano addis opened the famous OSCARS Italian restuarant on the first floor. Again any comments and memories would be appreciated and any photographs etc.So the above photograph and request connected to me personally on two fronts and I hope that someone remembers.
Pancrack: Unemployment Benefit On the Pancrack; On the Dole. This slang word must of been coined up over the years.
Pancrack – in my grandparents generation “to have some crack” meant to stop and have a chat with somebody, nowadays it has a totally different meaning!
Re pancrack I suggest that you have a look at Craig Hornby”s website, it has some very interesting documentaries on the subject & other historical information on Teesside. If you email him he will give you the information. He brought his documentary to Sydney & gave a very good talk. He is very approachable. Pancrack was the slang used on Teesside for the dole. Do have a look at craig web site it is very interesting
Re pancrack…just a guess, but is it derived from Public Assistance or PA or PA number?
Catherine – I have heard the expression ” pan crack ” but I have no idea what it means. I too would be interested in finding out the answer.
The Mr.Stockton (Billy) I was referring to was the manager of the butchery dept. at Brough”s in Norton. I think I can remember your mam used to deliver my groceries. I think if you spent over ÂŁ3 you got them delivered free!!!!!! We had 6 children at the time. but you could get a load of groceries for ÂŁ3 in those days
My husband was recently asked the question why was the dole years ago called the “Pan Crack” neither of us could answer. So here”s a puzzle for all Stocktonians; does anyone the answer?
My mum, Kathleen Brookes, drove the grocery delivery van for Broughs, Norton, from about 1962 to 1967 and as far as I can recall, the manager and manageress at that time were Mr and Mrs White.
I remember a Mr.Stockton( Billy as I recall) being a manager of Brough”s in Norton., in the 60″s. If it is the same person, he was as you say a real gentleman. He was a good friend of my father (Jack Quinn) wh managed the Castle & Anchor in Stockton until 1956.
Does anyone remember Mr Stockton who was the manager of Yarm Broughs and then Yarm Lane Broughs. A true gentleman.
IT WAS INTERESTING TO READ THE COMMENTS OF DES BETTS REGARDING THE JUBILEE HALL AND THE STATION PUB,AS YOU COULD ONLY GET SOFT DRINKS IN THE JUBE, WE ONLY HAD TO CROSS THE ROAD FOR A PINT IN THE STATION. ICE BLUE JEANS AND A WHITE SHIRT WERE A MUST FOR SATURDAY NIGHTS.
the nearest watering hole to the jubilee hall was the station hotel right opposite.we used to go every friday and saturday nights in our ice blue jeans beetle crusher shoes and roll collar jacket with sling button.
I have several books with old photos of Stockton and there is a similar photo to the second one above but maybe at a later date, mid to late sixties when it was up for auction. It says that the landlord of the Grey Horse from 1942, was Charles Stockdale, father of the wrestler Jim Stockdale. It doesn”t say how long he was the landlord for but he had been at the Rolling Mills Arms, Portrack before that. Paul Frost”s father could have taken over after that. Have you tried the electoral rolls Bob?
Bob- Here is a picture of the Grey Horse pub that you refered too in your earlier comment
Many thanks to the picturestockton team for sorting out this page. Yarm Lane is now correctly identified as is the Grey Horse Hotel. Having mentioned John Burdon`s Music shop in an earlier comment I am reminded that prior to buying my guitar I had purchased my pride and joy, a clarinet, from Burdon`s in Yarm Lane. I was a keen jazz fan and had saved hard for two years to buy a clarinet in the hope that I would turn out to be another Monty Sunshine. The clarinet cost ÂŁ26 and I spent all my savings on a Boosey & Hawkes b-flat clarinet ordered direct from the factory. I could hardly wait to get home with my purchase and imagined that it would be as easy to play as my school descant recorder. Sat in my small bedroom I was dumb-struck to find that I couldn`t get a squeak out of my clarinet. Red-faced I returned the clarinet to its case and took it back to Burdon`s. Very embarrassed I explained my problem and the shop-owner asked if I had ever played clarinet before. I told him that I hadn`t and he smiled and explained to me that I had sounded so knowledgeable when I ordered the clarinet that he had assumed that I was “professional”. He exchanged the very hard reed for a much softer one and I joyfully got the first note out of my clarinet. As I returned my clarinet to its case I thought, if anything should keep me out of the pubs learning to play my clarinet would. Some hope.
Having Successfully sorted out the names of all the pubs and finally nailing the colour of the Horse I confess to having other memories of Yarm Lane. I remember the small music shop directly opposite the Maison on the corner opposite the Garrick pub. I bought my first guitar in that shop.I cannot remember the name of the shop but it is not to be confused with Burdons which was further up Yarm Lane. It seemed as though everybody was buying guitars in the late 50`s and even Curry`s the bicycle shop was selling guitars to the budding Elvis Presleys. Most of the guitars on offer were rubbish but the one I purchased in Yarm Lane was a second-hand professional guitar with a wonderful tone. I had some musical ability but I always wanted to run before I could walk. True to form I could play most popular tunes within the first days. That is, providing they could be covered by three cords and sounded OK in the key of C. Gyrating in our bathroom singing and playing Elvis`s hits became yet another distraction to completing my college homework. The activities in the bathroom, where the acoustics were great, were brought to a sudden halt when my stomping resulted in part of the ceiling plaster crashing down on my unsuspecting mother as she cooked dinner in our small kitchen below. My father banned all further musical activities in the bathroom and so Elvis continued his rise to fame without any competition from England.
All rules regarding the bin-liner have been noted and applied Harry. My wife reckons that I am now better dressed than in my Sunday Best.
Ray Buck is absolutely right. The pub on the corner of Yarm Lane and the High Street was (is) the Grey Horse. I left Stockton almost 40 years ago and my memory of place names is a bit dodgy. I must admit that I was misled by the picturestockton photo caption which named the pub as the White Horse. Never trust the experts 🙂 Harry Rhodes is much more knowledgeable when it comes to naming pubs in Yarm Lane. I remember the Brunswick and the Green Bushes though I was never in the latter. I was mad keen on music as a young man and visited the Brunswick on many occasions, the attraction being the Juke Box downstairs and the Music Room upstairs. I remember Tommy Rosser on the piano who could play anything and seemed to play better the more beer he consumed. Would-be singers tried their hand on stage and most of them were rubbish but there were one or two gems. I remember one lad would turn up, give a fantastic rendition of a Roy Orbison song, drink the pint he was given for singing then disappear, I suppose to the next pub with music to further quench his thirst. The Brunswick was also one of the very few Stockton pubs where you could find young single girls. Unfortunately they always appeared to be accompanied by Stockton`s “hard” boys so they were almost unapproachable. Unlike today, young girls did not frequent the pubs and if we lads wanted to meet girls, the best way was at the dance halls or the mixed youth clubs. The Beatles changed all that when they set the trend and the resulting Mersey Sound inspired thousands of young people to form rock-groups and play in their local pubs and clubs for a couple of quid. I used to hit the Black Horse in Billingham most Friday nights. The music rooms were packed with young people of both sexes enjoying themselves. Happy days.
G”Day Ray,you are correct, the Pub at the corner of Yarm Lane was the Grey Horse. After a few pints, the visit “Across the yard” at night could be quite scarey. I used to swear that I could hear the jingling of harness and the sound of Coach wheels on the cobbled yard. Maybe I should have taken a bit more water with it. The Chinese Restaurant seems to get a good mention, but does anyone remember Terry”s Cafe that preceded it.Nice place to take the “Girl Friend”in the upstairs Dining room.Another popular Hotel was the “Metropole” although it was a little “Upmarket” from “Jockers”. Memo to Ged: Reference your request to substitute Liners, Bin,Plastic, Black, for Sackcloth, Penitent Grade. After consideration, this substitution is considered to be acceptable, provided that the following conditions are complied with. (a) Liner is to be new.No used or recycled materials to be used. (b) On the grounds of safety, the Liner Plastic is to be suitably ventilated in order to prevent excessive perspiration leading to a nasty rash which can be difficult to explain to ones nearest and dearest. (c)Ventilation holes are to be located in discrete positions so that Public Morality will not be offended. The application of Ashes is covered by the “Coals of Fire Act”. Cheers Ged! Hope to hear from you soon.
The memories of yesteryear still keep flooding back. The hotel on the corner of Yarm Road and the High St was the Grey Horse. They Had a sign in the bar “CREDIT IS ONLY GIVEN TO PEOPLE 90 YRS & OVER ACCOMPANYIED BY THEIR GRANDPARENTS”. How I wish my short term memory was as good. Jubilee Hall seemed to cater more for the older set and was usually 50/50 dance. I went to the Palais once or twice and saw Tubby Hayes, still prefered the old Jack Marwood style.
Yes Alan I remember those Chinese meals , One favourite was the curried eggs on the lunch menu, I also remember my father slipping me a ten bob note when I was broke in order to take my girlfriend out ( now my wife ) we had a drink and a meal at the Chinese ( not the most expensive of course ) we thought we had had a great night I wonder if Ged’s memory is correct re the White Horse pub on the corner of Yarm Lane and the High Street, I thought it was the Grey Horse, I may of course be wrong ,the memory fades with the passing of time, I must have walked round that corner five days a week all the time I was at Trinity school to catch the bus to Norton (till 1954)
I must apologise to Harry Rhodes. In my haste to cover up my gaff regarding the Maison I neglected to congratulate Harry and his wife on their forthcoming Golden Wedding Anniversary. Incidentally I note that I did eventually identify the dance hall adjacent to Gum Yun`s Chinese Restaurant as the Maison but was definitely suffering from delirium in the earlier part of my memories of Yarm Lane. So it`s back to the sackcloth and ashes. I am having trouble obtaining the sackcloth, would a black plastic bin-liner do? Happy Anniversary Harry.
Not to worry Ged! Come “ome lad. All is forgiven.I suppose that we are all entitled to a little memory slippage from time to time. Your mention of Jazz being performed at the Palais reminded me of the only time that I attended one of these sessions which must have been around “50, when I was “almost” converted to Jazz by a wonderful performance from Graham Bell and his New Australian All Stars. A night to remember!The third major Dance Hall to which you refer was The Jubilee Hall in Leeds Street. Here, the Clientel seemed to be mainly attached couples, and the atmosphere was quite sedate compared with the Maison and Palais. The nearest “Watering Hole” was the Leeds Hotel in Bishopton Lane. Dances were occasionally held in the Corporation Hall at the back of The Odeon. This Hall is probably better remembered for the Wrestling matches that were staged there. I would be interested to learn whether anyone remembers “Rendezvous Corner” which was also held in this Hall. It was, I believe an initiative of the Stockton Council, and it provided somewhere for young people to meet. There were soft drinks, sandwiches and a Stage for those who fancied giving an impromptu performance. It was a very good effort which came to an end with the advent of the “Teddy Boy”era, and the violence that came with it. Returning to Yarm Lane, a little further along from The Garrick Hotel was The Green Bushes on the corner of Brunswick Street and on the other corner was the Brunswick Hotel.Both of these were located opposite to the entrance to Holy Trinity Churchyard. I am finding this Memory Game to be quite exciting. More Please!!
VERY INTERESTING COMMENTS ABOUT YARM LANE, I DO BELIEVE THE CHINESE RESTAURANT IN QUESTION WAS THE FULL MOON. I CAN REMEMBER THE SPECIAL LUNCH IT COST ONLY 3 SHILLINGS,THAT IS 15PENCE IN NEW MONEY, EXCELLENT VALUE, 3 COURSES. THAT WAS BEFORE THE TAKE AWAY AND SANDWICH SHOPS OPENED AND EVERYONE SEEMED TO HAVE LONGER LUNCH HOURS.
Harry, you are so right. Maybe I had more than one or two pints and didn`t know if I was at the Maison or the Palais. The Palais was also very popular, especially with the traditional jazz fans like myself. Every second week a top trad jazz band played at the Palais and there were as many people listening as there were dancing. As I remember, Stockton had a third Dance Hall in Leeds Street namely the Co-op. I was never there but a few of my pals preferred the less crowded dance floor. I will now sign off to don my sackcloth and ashes and ask forgiveness from Jack Marwood. Nevertheless these were great times even if we were once or twice uncertain of our surroundings.
I noticed that you have put a picture ” an outing to Ropner Park” On the desk top this week. I was a lot younger then (1939) Children made there own enjoyment in those day”s. We did not have expensive toys nor would we have got them. Money was short, but we were happy, not the stresses of today.
Hi Guys IT IS Yarm lane & we all must have been at the same dance together, while you were having a pint to pluck up the courage to ask a girl to dance, I was in there enjoying a dance before it got too crowded, then I went out for a drink, when it was standing room only. Great nights!!!
Oh Dear! Sackcloth and ashes for you Ged Hutchinson. The Dance Hall in Yarm Lane was the Maison de Danse, not the Palais. Otherwise, a very good effort. Ah! Memories of “Jockers” when it was a Men Only Establishment. Air so thick with cigarette smoke that you could cut it, and the deafening rustle of the Sporting Section of the Evening Gazette. A couple of pints then off to The Maison, where I did eventually meet “the girl” who I would later marry. We celebrate our Golden Wedding in three weeks time. This is a wonderful site for we ExPats to visit. Please keep “em coming.
This photo depicts Stockton as I remember it. The White Horse and Garrick public houses are not the only ones visible. Next door to Pacittos is the Theatre pub known to most people in my days as “Jocker Brown`s”. Further down the road was the magnet for all the young people on Saturday nights, namely the Palais de Dance where Jack Marwood did his stuff. I`ll bet there are thousands of Stocktonians who met their wife or husband there. Jocker Brown`s did a great trade on Dance Nights as the young bucks bolstered their courage with a pint or two before chasing the girls around the Palais dance floor. Next door to the Palais was Gum Yun`s, Stockton`s first Chinese Restaurant. Prior to the opening of this restaurant the only food available to people after pub closing time was Fish & Chips. I remember Gum Yun`s being packed almost every night and it was not long before other Chinese Restaurants appeared in the town. I can remember getting a great Chinese meal for 3/6d or 17p in today`s money.
I enjoyed reading your comments Paul. I had forgotten the roman noses of the Pacitto girls. (They always seemed to be a bit haughty) Re the ruining of the south-eastern side of the High Street. This ” improvement” seems to attract the most bitter comments here on the Picture Stockton Site.
I remember Pacittos well especially the home made vanilla ice cream with rasberry sauce. Pacittos was an old fashioned ice cream parlour with booths. Later they moved up on the opposite side of the street to a “more modern” but characterless shop. There was also quite a nice Italian ice cream parlour at the bottom of the High Street next to the Empire -Rossi”s. I remember 2 ladies thought to be members of the Pacitto family – they were remarkable for their very distinguished Roman noses. How we now regret tawdry modern shopfitting ! Does anyone remember the Patisserie Belge on the High Street just up from Rossi”s. Just another of the class shops that vanished from the High Street to be replaced by shoddy shops and bingo/video game parlours. Oh Stockton!
THIS IS TRULY A WONDERFUL SITE. I HAVE NOSTALGIC MEMORIES OF THIS SPECIFIC AREA AS JUST PAST BARRY”S CORNER THERE WAS PACITTOS ICE CREAM WHO MADE THE MOST FABULOUS ICE CREAM WITH RASPBERRY COVERING IT. MY MOTHER AND FATHER WENT EVERY SUNDAY EVENING FOR THIS TREAT. THEN OF COURSE NEXT DOOR WAS MATT NEWTON”S WHERE MY DAD BOUGHT ME MY FIRST CYCLE. IT WAS A DAWES CYCLE AND I LOVED IT. GREAT SITE
Yes it is Yarm Lane, Barry”s Electrical store is shown on the left on what was known as “Barry”s corner”, The large Victorian Building next door is Pacittos Icecream shop.
This is yarm Lane.
Is this Yarm Lane, not Yarm Road? I’m not sure?