Roseworth housing estate, Stockton. The rent in 1957 was:
- Bungalows – 17s 6p per week
- Two-bedroom houses – 23s 0d per week
- Three-bedroom houses – 24s 6d per week
- Four bedroom houses – 27s 0d per week
Roseworth Estate, Stockton. c1957
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
Ragpath Lane, used my old beano book on my roller skates down them paths. I moved 9 Rievaulx Close when I was 1 (1953), Rebrook School 1957-64 and off to the Roseworth Secondary Modern 1964-68, got a job at Heavisides the Printers 4/5 Finckle Street 1968 April-1973. I’ve got some pictures somewhere.
My grandgather Richard Lightowler emigrated to Victoria, Australia about 1910. He came from Stockton on Tees. His mother was Ann Woods and I think his father was either Robert or Richard Lightowler. He had 11 siblings – some of their names were Tommy, Georgie, Albert, Eddy, Jack(emigrated to Australia), Bob(emigrated to Australia), Lizzie (who I think also emigrated to Perth Western Australia), possibly Margaret. Can’t remember the others. Some of them died as children. I know he had a cousin called Bertha who married Alf Bedford. Would like to hear from UK relatives.
Hello my name is Maureen Morgan and I was born a Lightowler in Stockton, 1947. I was born in Vane Street to Francis (Frank) Lightowler and Joyce Lightowler on June 25th. My grandfather was Thomas and my other grandfather was Joseph Raymond they were brought up together as brothers but Joseph Raymond was the son of Thomas’s sister, therefore the shared surname.
I remember the days of the Rag and Bone Man.
It was most exciting as a child to be given a goldfish in exchange of rags. Never parted with any bones though.
Information alongside the Lowry drawing in Sunderland explains that the artist, not feeling able to to draw horses, got a child to help. Was this a Stockton child, I wonder?
There is a pencil drawing of The Penny long Ride by L S Lowry Stockton 1960s in the Sunderland Art Gallery & museum. I remember it going around Hardwick at this time when I lived in Waldridge Road.
Yes you’re right
cracking site! Im only a younster compared to you guys. I lived in number 76 Radstock Ave as a really young boy, we then moved to germany. Upon our return we moved into 4 Rettendon Close, then 59 Ryde Road where my mam & dad still live today. My nana & grandad lived on Redruth just off Ryde Road about 3 or four doors up on the left (cant remember the exact number) They are called Micky & Esther Mintram, my grandad died a cople of years ago
Don’t think so Norman, my family are from Stockton/Darlington, don’t think I have any relatives from Weardale area.
Hi Robert Kidd, are you any relation? My family all came from Weardale but we had some relations famrming in Norton somewhere also some people called Caine who would attend family funerals.
Further to my last posting, have found this, think it’s the same person :
‘Memorial service for former Echo art critic
From the Northern Echo, first published Friday 30th Jun 2000.
A MEMORIAL service is to be held for one of the region’s best-known art critics, who died last month.
Bill Johnson, a well-known figure in the North-East arts world for 50 years, died in May aged 75, at Teesdale Lodge Nursing Home, Stockton. He left four children and eight grandchildren.
The Northern Echo’s art critic for 40 years, he had a larger-than-life personality and wide knowledge as an art historian and critic.
After the war he moved to Stockton and worked at Tarslag, later Tarmac, developing his talent for writing by introducing an arts section to the company in-house magazine.
He then devoted himself full-time to freelance art criticism and lecturing to support his four children.
As an art critic for The Northern Echo, he ran art history courses at universities and polytechnics across the North-East.
He worked to deliver the revolution in learning brought about by the Open University and devoted much of his life to bringing the arts to a wider audience.
Mr Johnson was a pioneer of life-long learning, running Durham University’s extra-mural centre in Hartington Road, Stockton.
His first articles in The Northern Echo were signed W E J – a byline that became his nickname, Wedge.’
I thought I had posted previously about L.S.Lowry and the Johnson family but I cannot find any trace of my post on the site – here’s how I remember it. I was friends with Tony and Andrew Johnson in the 1960’s spending many happy hours train spotting at the various lineside locations around Roseworth. When calling for Tony I often spent some time in their house adjacent to the number 8 bus terminus on Romford Road – there were four children, Tony, Andrew and his twin sister and there was also an older sister who went on to be a midwife at North Tees – unfortunately I cannot remeber either of the girls names. Mr Johnson was an art critic for the Northern Echo and the house was full of magazines/books stored in all corners of the downstairs rooms – I once helped Tony and his Dad set up the furniture in a new Arts centre in Hartington Road, I believe it was something to do with either Durham University or Durham County council. The story about L.S.Lowry staying at the house is true – when he left he gave the family one of his drawings of an eldery gentleman walking with two young children, one on either side – Mrs Johnson told me that the two children were the twins, apparently Mr Lowry was so enchanted with them when he stayed at the house. The drawing was only small and fairly basic but hung on the wall in the living room, pride of place I guess – who ever would of thought that a work by L.S.Lowry would be hung in a council house on Roseworth.
The girls were Hazel and Anne, think Anne became midwife. I lived over the road from them.
Regarding L S Lowry, I remember visiting a house on Romford Rd near Kiora with my (at the time) next door neighbour Lenny Johnson. His Uncle lived there, who I was told was an Art Critic (lots of them on Roseworth!) and was told the story about Lowry staying there once. I lived in Rosthwaite Avenue, by the way.
How wonderful to have memories of my childhood stirred by mention of “penny ride man”. It was so exciting giving him the penny and getting a ride round the streets in return. We lived in Oxford Street and the ride seemed to last forever, if I was lucky I got another ride sometimes the same night when visiting my gran”s in Danby Road, she went by the name if Daisy Bowes, she used to alter clothes for many of the people in that area. The Penny Ride man must have made a fortune over the years because all the kids used to get a ride, he even used to take his ride to Hardwick as I remember my younger sister having rides as well.
I was very interested to read your comments, Norman, about LS Lowry, particularly the “Roseworth” connection. In the 50s Lowry was commissioned to do a painting of Middlesbrough Town Hall. I have been led to believe that, on one of his visits to carry out this work, he stayed overnight at a house on Roseworth Estate. For several years now I have been trying to verify this information. I wonder if anyone out there can elaborate on this?
The Penny a Ride man,I do not remember him in Greta Rd Norton in the 50″s/60″s, only lighthowler selling cheap fruit. My wife, Liz Hindmarsh well remembers the penny a ride man in the Roseneath area with the last long ride to Ragpath Lane near Kiora Hall On a recent visit to Sunderland Winter Garden imagine my wife”s surprise to be shown a drawing of the same penny a ride man by LS Lowry, drawn in Stockton in the early 60″s. As he could not draw horses apparently he asked a local girl to do it for him. Unfortunately no post cards of this are available but for lovers of the penny a ride man a visit to see this wonderful piece of nostalgia is a must.
Thanks for the compliment about my Mam, Mary James, Peter. I certainly recall that you were a very close-knit cohesive family. My Dad passed away at Sedgefield Hospital in 1971 and my Mam 19 years ago at Adelaide Australia where she had emigrated after Dad died. I often wonder about Gary Orpen. Oh, and I”d be interested to know what your career path was, Peter.
I was brought up on the old estate, 12 Radford close, then moved to Fairfield when I was 16, Mam and Dad bought a house, I lived a short while on Ragpath Lane. I remember a few names mentioned along the list Christine Malcome, Peter Goring and his sister Pat who was a real nice girl. I remember chatting to her a lot, some deep stuff she was like a confidente. I have travelled a lot and live outside of the UK. During a visit I was talking to Peter in the Stockton Arms and knew nothing of his sister passing, I was quite shocked when he told me. Terry McGrath went to school with me, I remember him telling me he was born on a boat in American waters hence a US passport. Good old Roseworth and a lot of memories!!
MeI remember Mervin James and his sister Susan very well, in fact as a youngster I thought Susan was really pretty. I cannot remember much about his dad but I had tremendous respect for his mother, never auntie or anything like that always Mrs James, a lovely lady. I also have very fond memories of the Orpen family, Jim Orpen gave me much encouragement in my choosen career path.
You”re right Peter, Elizabeth Estensen does appear in Emmerdale and she also appeared in The Liver Birds taking over from Polly James I think. If I remember rightly she was in the same class at school as my niece whose son, Glenn Chapman, is the personal trainer for the film star James McAvoy. I”m sure my niece said that Elizabeth attended a school reunion a few years ago.
OXBRIDGE BORN ELIZABETH ESTENSEN NOW APPEARS REGULARLY IN TV”S EMMERDALE (NOT THAT I WATCH IT OF COURSE)
Sorry to hear of Mrs Johnson”s death, Frank. Both she and her hubby were very quiet. Regarding Christine Fishburn; I can recall sitting with her inside my Dad”s greenhouse, just chatting late at night. The doctor next door saw us and told my Dad, implying we were up to no good. Dad promptly told him to mind his own business. I was also a great friend of Alan Jones who had a brother, Harry. The lived at the back of our house in Rudyard Avenue, next door to the Johnsons. My Mam worked at the rent office, Sparks the bakers in Redhill road and also at Kiora Hall.
My mam, Elizabeth Hindmarsh (now Hill) went to Redbrook School and remembers Mrs Estensen. I remember her daughter from an obscure childrens TV programme called TBag. My mam and dad went back recently to take some pictures of the school as it has now closed as it has merged with Roseworth Primary School, which was was my school before we moved. Haven”t managed to get back to get pictures of that school yet!
Mrs Johnson Died a few months back Merv. Vera still lives there though Jim is long gone. Christine and Karen come up from Derbyshire to visit. We lived in Rosedale Gardens back then before the Church was built. Moved away from Roseworth a long while ago but still have good memories from those early days when it was a bustling community.
Oh, and I forgot to mention Frank that next door to us at 75 Ragpath Lane lived the Mclone Family. Next door to them lived the Orpen Family. I was a friend of Gary Orpen. Just around the corner in Rudyard Avenue lived Sandra Hutchinson with whom (as a young teenager) I was somewhat besotted.
I went to school, St Peter and Paul’s with Peter McLone and lived next door to John Sudlow who was a friend of Gary or Pen. Wonderful memories.
Hello Frank. Nice of you respond. At the back of us lived Vera and Jim Fishburn and next door to them, the Johnson Family. I new Christine Fishburn very well. You mentioned someone who still lived there who knew me. Can you give me their name? I”d be most interested. Jim Fishburn and my dad had a mutual hobby. Namely short wave radio and they erected a long short wave aerial between their two houses. Next door to the Fishburns, further up Rudyard Avenue lived a man called Mr Glen who was an avid gardener.
The Penny Long Ride man! oh what happy days. Buying bricks to build St Chads Church, going to birthday parties and sitting 3 children to two chairs – why did I always get the join? I often cried until Mum made my brother Malcolm let me play with him and his friends – usually Dead Man falls – seeing who could gallop their imaginary horse across the grass get shot and act a dying cowboy – very ladylike! Mum bought all her fruit and veg from lighthowlers who progressed to a van after the horse and cart, coalman had a horse for a lot longer. I was terrified of the big burly blokes with black faces and leather jerkins bringing in the sacks of coal. We lived at 74 Romford Road, a two bedroom house, and then moved to number 8, a three bedroom. We lived next to Charlie Williams who also had a mobile shop. My favourite teacher at Redbrook school was Mrs Estensen who taught me to sew – a lifelong hobby. Her daughter Elizabeth is now in Emmerdale on TV. Does anyone else remember Mrs Estensen? I was Susan Oliphant then and lived with Mum and Dad and my brother Malcolm.
There was a Brockbank family lived in Exeter Street they had a large family.People who lived in the same row of houses as your mother in Fenny Street were the Harbron”s sisters shop on the corner of Allison Street,Buttles,Orrs,Daubneys, Moodys,Ellis & McQuillan.
Hello Merv James….Yes, I believe that my mother (Rosalie Daubney aka Rooney) lived on Fenny Street as a younger girl and then we moved over to 113 Ragpath Lane which is where I grew up until the age of 8….I have a couple of snap shots of Fenny street but they are very grainy and its difficult to make things out….Did you go to school with my mam….also my Godparent were the Moodys…I think it was Geoff and Maude….do you know of the Brocklesby family….???? that was my Grandmother (Frances Daubney”s (nee Wilde) sister….their names were Alice and Charles Brocklesby….they had many kids…7 I think…..thanks for your note….love this site….
RE: ANN GEORGE, KEN HARRIS – YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BELIEVE THIS BUT MY MOM IS OVER FOR A VISIT, AS WE JUST LIVE A FEW MINUTES FROM EACH OTHER HERE IN VANCOUVER CANADA, I PULLED UP THE SITEHOPING TO HEAR FROM ANYONE OUT THERE AND MY MOM IS STANDING NEXT TO ME AS I READ YOUR COMMENT REAGRDING YOUR MOM (MAM ) CONNIE, YOU AND MY MOM ARE COUSINS!!!! YOUR MAM, CONNIE WAS MY MOMS AUNTIE. MY MOM SAYS SHE CAN REMEMBER BABY SITTING FOR YOU AND YOUR SISTER LINDA, AND YOUR BROTHER WILLIAM. I WILL TELL YOU, MANY YEARS AGO WHEN WE AS A FAMILY VISITED ENGLAND WHEN I WAS 10 YEARS OLD, ( 30 YEARS AGO), THE FIRST VISIT MY MOM HAD TO HAVE WAS WITH HER AUNTY CONNIE, IN ROSEWORTH ESTATE. I WILL NEVER FORGET THE WONDERFUL TEA. AND THE TEARS IN CONNIES EYES WHEN SHE SAW MY MOM.!!! DOREEN WAS ALSO YOUR . WE ARE HOPING TO MAKE ANOTHER TRIP AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, BACK TO ENGLAND FOR A VISIT TO SHOW THE CHILDHOOD MEMORIES OF STOCKTON (OF ANN MY MOM)TO MY CHILDREN. WHAT A TERRIFIC SITE!! I CAN”T BELIEVE WE FOUND A RELATIVE? ANY STORIES!!!!
Pat Watson mentioned her brother John Quinn . Is he the same John Quinn who used to work at ICI Agric Division Billingham ? If he is , I remember him with affection . He always kept us laughing , doing impersonations of senior managers ! Give him my best wishes , Vicky ( from Registry )
Hi, regarding Ann George. If I am correct, she was my mams sister – Connie and I stayed with her a while after being in hospital, ..I also remember visiting my Auntie Doreen in Billingham, she had two girls but sadly after the youngest died in a car accident she moved to Canada.
Was “Auntie Doreen in Billingham” married to Stanley Brown?
I seem to remember the name Ann George. I also attended St.Mary”s from 1944-1954, would that be at the same time as your mom? I have 1 older brother and 2 younger sisters named Mary & Margaret(Mardi). You could ask your mum if she remembers any of the Quinn family. We lived at the Castle&Anchor from 9138-1956. Regards Pat Watson(nee Quinn)
I am writing for my mom, Ann George who lived on Ragpath Lane with her family. Her family lived on 13 Ragpath lane in the 1950″s . My mother has three sisters, Joan, Doreen and Margaret. Does anyone out there remember her. Her father James George used to repair the locals shoes, a cobbler part-time you might say. He was killed by a drunk driver when my mom was young. I think he died around the age of forty. Ann George went to St. Marys. If anyone remembers the George Girls from Ragpath Lane, would you write back a few words as I would love to tell them to my mom. thanks!!!!
The rent office is long gone Mr James the Doctors surgery is now a dentist after the place was left empty and run down for years. The Roseworth Pub is boarded up and due for demolishion but your old house is still there. Your old neighbour from over the back is still living in the house and was talking about you when I mentioned you had posted on here, she asked if you remember Mrs Fishburn and sends her regards. One good point, the row of shops including the Co-op are still active and well preserved. They are still a communal meeting point and although I have not lived there for many years I still often pop in for the library or shopping, seeing some of the people I knew, those still about that is.
I lived at my parents house at 75 Ragpath Lane. A large four bedroomed semi detached, next to the rent office and the doctors surgery.
The Daubney sisters, who were dancers, lived in Fenny Street, next door to Geoff & Mally Moody. I think they went to St Marys school.
Yes Pat, Rosalie was my mother. I was born in 1957 and have very fond memories of spending my formative years from 1957 to 1966 living at 113 Ragpath Lane. We (Albert and Frances my grandparents) immigrated to Canada in 1966. They passed away in 1980. My father was Malcolm Tyerman of Whitby who was a navyman.
I was just wondering if Diane Pickard (nee Daubney) had a sister (or maybe mother) called Rosalie, as I went to school with a girl by that name and if my memory serves me right, I think she was a good dancer. Regards, Pat Watson(nee Quinn)
Hello John Whitmore, I lived at 113 Ragpath Lane and wondered if you remembered the Daubney family. I was definately known as the “little red haired girl” and my chums were a Peter and Gordon and Harold…unfortunately I do not remember their surnames….I remember as well the Guy Fawkes bonfires we would have on the front garden which was all grassed and that the double decker bus stopped right out front of our house…..I think this is an amazing site….and all from one picture…. I”ll keep reading this one !!!!!
I lived at 113 Ragpath Lane from 1957 to 1966. I have viewed the photo on line and the photos I have of my childhood neighborhood and my pictures show a view to the main “T” intersection. On the other side of that was a long laneway up to a “tile company” and at the “T” junction I remember a butcher shop. I attended the school in Roseworth and St. Chad”s church where my eldest sisters (Marguerita Daubney – who married Denis Peacok of Norton and Rosalie Daubney – who married Leslie Elwell, were wed). My sisters were part of a touring professional dance duo named the Daubney Sisters. I also remember morning deliveries by the milk man and weekly visits by the “rag n bone” man and his horse.
I would love to see these photos. We are kind of related… My nanna Betty and Grandad Arthur, my dads called David
Hello Kirsty. I would be happy to share photos and most interested to learn of our connection.
I lived next door but one to Mike Geurds family at 3 Ruthin Close. We moved there at Easter 1952, and our Mums were great friends. I am impressed that he still has the Coronation Mug, can”t remember what happened to mine. We had a big marquee in Ruthin Close for the Coronation and re-enacted the ceremony. Norman Huckle organised it as I remember,he was a Scout Master from No.4,I noticed his death in the Gazette recently. Brenda Cuthbert from No.6 was The Queen, Ronnie Huckle the Archbishop, I was a Maid of Honour in a long white dress which, because of the rain and the fact I was wearing a red white and blue rosette, ended up with a big purple stain on it! The Davidson”s at No.1 had a 9 inch television and everyone crowded into their front room to watch, with sandwiches and sherry and port being provided by the ladies of the road. Talking of the Penny A Ride and the travelling shops, I am surprised no one remembers Norman Fernie who used to come round with a horse and cart on a Saturday night with fruit and vegetables, he soon progressed to a small van, so trade must have been brisk! He also used to sell Smiths Crisps with the blue bag of salt – that was our Saturday treat. I used to go to St. Chad”s Youth Club and was married there in 1966. I remember when Mike left for Australia – Mum was very upset about it and missed his Mum dreadfully.
I remember Caroline Jamieson”s family from Tilery,they actually lived next door to us.If my memory serves me right her Gran died in about 1968 just as they were demolishing Lucy Street. They had several sons, Peter was one and I am struggling to think of the others but was there a Richard.My mother remembers the family very well, she is still alive and kicking and 86 years old, and still living in Portrack,so if you want any information on the family let me know and i will ask her.
wow , what a great site for olde stocktonians. the road is definitely ragpath lane, we lived at 114 on the corner.you can just see it in the right distance. i do remember playing with pat and peter goring and the robinsons who lived next door to them, john i do remember well. alan kett and david rayner lived on the opposite side of ragpath and david seddon lived round the corner. i am now inspired to dig out some old photos, watch this space !
G’day from down-under – Adelaide to be precise! Thanks Dave, I don”t remember many of the names you mentioned. The Bruce”s lived next door to us in No 9 (the Naylor”s living at No 10). When he was home on leave, my Dad used to plant night scented stocks which exuded their fragrance across the common. People always commented on how lovely it was as they passed by – he wasn”t home much, but I remember the trouble he went to with the back garden and the vegetable patch. Speaking of which, Do you remember us digging a big hole in our end of the common? (the boys called it the “air raid shelter”) they camouflaged it by covering it over with galvanised iron and grass, the council came to cut the grass one day with one of those bulky ride on tractor mowers (high tech at the time) and the machine fell into the hole. The boys (my mischievous brother Gerard and his friends – you must have been one of “em), thought they were going to cop it. As for Guy Fawkes and the lead up, we used to go down neighbouring streets bondy raiding. We used to store our stash and the purloined hoard, on our outhouse roof at No 10. Gerard (who was the bossy britches – Sergeant Major if ever there was one, and he was) and I used to take turns (at his insistence and the threat of pain of death if I didn”t) in the night to keep watch so we weren’t raided – booby traps and all sorts of things were set. No wonder our lot made good soldiers! I also remember making “phones” out of two tins and a piece of string. We had them going in all directions from the bedroom windows at No 10 talking to people across the Close – was that you? And the Middletons at the back of us in Renvyle Avenue. As for Terry McGrath, yes, I remember he used to stand up “for honour” at a young age. I used to baby-sit for the McGraths occasionally being a little older – we never got paid in those days. It was just a treat to sleep over at someone else’s house. Terry is now Reverend Father Terrence McGrath with a lot of letters after his name which he richly deserves! Margaret his sister is a Nun and I think Theresa is also. Does anyone remember the Grocery Van that used to come around Rockferry on a Monday if I recall? I was very sick when I was 17 and had to eat bland food for a while and the best at the time for digestion was tins of baby food would you believe, so the Van used to bring me my weekly supply! Then there was the milkman – did he ever have trouble in the winter engineering his precious cargo of milk down our slippery deadly beautifully conditioned sledge slope. Dare anyone throw salt on our painstaking efforts of making it shine like glass and they were banished for life! As for the Milk. we used to have to race the birds to the front door in the winter to bring in the milk before the foil tops were broken. Good old milk bottles hey! They reverted back to the cardboard ring seals and we used to clean them and use them to make pom poms which we duly attached to the French knitting (using cotton bobbins) that we made from scraps of wool for our dressing gowns and pyjama cords! I think I’ve rambled long enough. Thanks for the memories everyone. I need to read through the thread to do it justice, but so far it’s been very therapeutic. Have a good week and God bless from down-under…..Adelaide is in a bad way with the drought…it hasn’t rained for months water is more precious than oil. Yet in the north, parts of Queensland and New South Wales are inundated with floods and monsoons….go figure….hey God ‘sup! Geri 🙂
DAVE RUDGE; I”VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU TO ADD A COMMENT, SINCE YOUR LAST ONE MANY MOONS AGO WHEN WE REALISED THAT WE SERVED IN THE TERRITORIAL ARMY TOGETHER BACK IN THE EARLY SEVENTIES, IF YOU CONTACT PICTURES STOCKTON AND ASK FOR MY EMAIL ADDRESS, IT WILL BE NICE TO HEAR FROM YOU AFTER ALL THOSE YEARS, I NOW LIVE IN BENIDORM AFTER TAKING EARLY RETIREMENT, AND I HAVE JUST HUNG MY UNIFORM UP FOR THE LAST TIME, ON THE 22ND OF SEPTEMBER 2007 I COMPLETED 40 YEARS. HOPE YOU GET IN TOUCH.
Geraldine – you won”t remember me but I lived opposite you in Rockferry Close from Jan 1954 to March 1961. I have spoken to my mother tonight and asked her about the families in the close. I hope the following brings back memories. We remember the Wards at no 3 , had a son called Terry – then Rapers at no 4 in the corner, they also had a son Keith – the next we remember are your nextdoor neighbours McCann”s – then yourselves , did you have a brother called Philip? – further along were the Pitts, son called Trevor – a bit further were the Trotters who had a Downs Syndrome boy cant remember his name – the next we remember are the McGraths who you mentioned ( Terry was a bit of a lad then he and I actually had some fights) further up from them were the Easby”s – then the Linton”s – then us at 33 the Rudge”s, dad Wally & mam Molly – finally at no 34 were the McCartneys. Like you I remember the bonfire nights and the sledging down the “steep” bank. The boys played football in the middle nearly every night from school. Oh so young – happy days. Best Regards dave
Christmas time I communicate that once a year with old friends and acquantances, one of whom is Mrs Mary McGrath who lived opposite us at Rockferry Close. My family (Naylors) were in the 4 bedroomed home next to the laneway after the war (about 1955) I remember the Bruce”s lived next door and a questionable lady named “Fifi” also lived in the Close. We used to have great Guy Fawkes nights with bonfires and fireworks and roast potatoes in the fire and got up to all sorts of mischief with bangers! My sister moved into the corner house when her husband was posted overseas with the Navy their name was Adams. My father was an officer in the RAF and we didn”t see him often. He was stationed at Middleton St George for a while, had been in Palestine and came home at weekends. We were a Catholic family and were parishioners of the local Catholic Church where my sister was Housekeeper. I am now in Australia but keep in touch with Mrs McGrath who must be nearing 90 by now. Her son Terry is a catholic priest and is in charge of St Dympna”s at Harrogate. We had a great little community in the Close. I remember sledging in the ice down the Close in the winter, and roller skating in the summer – drove the neighbours mad I guess. Lovely to connect. Keep up the memories. Regards Geraldine
Hi Iv”e found the Cann connection ,Arthur Cann married Mary Hannah Carter sept 1889. Can anyone help me further with this? I”m not absolutely sure but I think Arthur is part of my Cann family tree which I am having problems with. Any help at all appreciated. I see Carter is a common family name for the area. Thanks in advance.
Andrew Cann,I”m looking for relatives from this area ,Stockton ,moved there from Norfolk.Going back a bit I know. In the 1891 census William Cann c1858 born Lyne? Norfolk married to Matilda c1873 born Darlington living in Windmill Lane, Stockton. Arthur c1866 born Lancing, Norfolk married to Mary c1866 born Norton, Durham and daughter Hara? born Stockton living at 12, Alms Street, Stockton Do You think there are any connections to my family. My Great Grandad was called Fred and a baby at the time. I believe a Thomas and a Louisa Cann lived there too maybe they stayed only for a short while,maybe not. Their children were Walter,Thomas and Emmerline. Maybe they moved back to Norfolk but I don”t think so. My family moved to Blaydon area.Fred and Mary,children William Fred and Lilian.
Televisions – Who had one and who didn’t; I vaguely remember the Coronation in 1953 (this must be a first never been this far back) and the only house in the area that was letting on they had a television was in Runcorn Ave off Repton Ave on Roseworth. The first house on the left, you would think the Coronation was there, house full, back garden full and quite a lot out the front as well, at least they can say they were in the vicinity of a television when the Coronation was showing. In the early 1960’s it was time for 25 Repton Ave to get their television, it was a school day as I remember telling the class of this long awaited arrival, half the class following me home to see the new arrival and not, it wasn’t there. The engineer with the valve tapping screwdriver was late, the kids wouldn’t have it, I was being ridiculed for building up their hopes to have them dashed, the ridiculing only lasted a few hours then other subjects and thoughts filled our heads. We did get our television the next day. Roy.
Roast Spuds – November 5th, Bonfire Night, Bonde Night. All building up to one night of the year, when Guy Fawkes gets his come-uppance, with as much gusto as possible, and mine in the Early Years on Roseworth were spent at my Auntie Auds and Uncle Bill Hardy at Rhondda Ave. No relation, but then all good friends of your parents were Aunts, Uncles and their offspring cousins, its not until later on in life does the complications set in who’s your real family, but hopefully all still friends. The eldest of those friendly cousins were Audrey, Peter and Christopher, there were others later on but not in my story. At first way back I remember going down there en mass, the fire was lit, the fireworks were lit and we had something to eat and drink, had a good time then went home very tired to bed. One thing did puzzle me then being so small; towards the end of the night all the big kids and some of the adults put spuds on the embers of the fire. Must have been an offering to someone, like for Santa and his Reindeers on Christmas Eve, because being so young we went home and never saw them come back out of the embers. A few years later is when all the fun started, in from school, tea, changed and out, bonde raiding, scavenging the streets, fodder for our bonfire, if it wasn’t nailed down and it would burn then away it went. I remember being chased by an irate wife once, wanting her old pram back, she needed it for her not yet walking baby, you can’t win em all. Any unguarded other peoples bonfires was also fair play. We always had an abundance of fire wood and would light a fire each evening to sit around and talk about our conquests that evening, I then found out what the spuds on the embers were for. It was on one of these evenings I lost an eye, Picture Stockton get up very early to start up this site before the majority of the populous have their breakfasts or are just having them, so the gaudy bits I have left out or they won’t publish it. Oh! Just a foot note, I think I know now where all those trees went? Roy.
Roy… that was a nice story to hear. Hardys are my Mams side of my family. I still live in that house on Rhondda Ave
Down the Beck. – Do you remember the beck at Roseworth between Rotherham Ave and Rothwell Crescent, quite a big dip before you came to the beck which was lined with trees, quite a lot of them? There was an extra large tree that stretched out across the beck with a rope swing on it, spent many hours on this swing and over the years seen many busted limbs and heads. The beck was eventually piped under ground and the dip filled in and all the trees removed, the trees which stretched over Durham Road to Ketton Road in Hardwick are still there? The other direction the tree line went all the way along in front of Rhondda Ave to Fuzzy Bridge. Roy.
I have happy memories of celebrating New Years Eve with family and neighbours on Newham Grange Estate. I can remember the look of horror on my boyfriends face when he was asked to step outside just before midnight. The male with the darkest hair was always sent out. He knew nothing of this custom so he was not sure what was in store for him. The year 1968/69 I remember well. I celebrated too much that night with various neighbours, saying goodbye because Colin and I were emigrating to Australia. Boy did I have a sore head the next morning. Oh to be young.