Port Clarence Road, Haverton Hill

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A view of the War memorial on Port Clarence Road, Haverton Hill, Stockton. A row of terraced houses with advertisements on the gable end of a house in Port Clarence Road, Haverton Hill, Stockton. Street lights and telegraph poles in Port Clarence Road, Haverton Hill, Stockton.

553 thoughts on “Port Clarence Road, Haverton Hill”

  2. Hello! Does anyone remember either the Beck family who lived in Hawke Street or the McGrother’s of Marlborough Road by any chance!?

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  4. I worked in my uncle Frank’s shop next to the Royal on a Saturday in the sixties. I think he used to sell fruit and veg on a horse and cart before he got the shop

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    • Your uncle Frank had an allotment at the back of Victoria Tce, top of the road by the centre. When he went round to feed his chickens a few of us young lads would go and help. We enjoyed exploring all the sheds and equipment (carts)

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          • My mother was Molly Dallison nee Holdway. Her mother (my gran) was Fenella Hall Smith who was from Greatham. She had a Sister called Fortuna who married a Vernon

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            • I live in Greatham. I think we have the same grand parents as my dads dad married a girl from Greatham called Smith and my sister is called Anne Fortuna. I haven’t come across a Fenella though.

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              • Hello again Hazel. I would say we are definitely related. I have found my Great grandparents who were my grandmother and Fortuna’s sister. There were more sisters and a brother I think). Anyway my great Grandad was Edward Smith born 1842 and he married Mary Elizabeth Dunthorne born 1846. Just as an aside I did meet my gran’s sister Louisa and also Fortuna. We called her Aunt Toonie. I have a picture of her. If you email Picture Stockton – pictures@stockton.gov.uk they will pass on my email address.
                Kind regards

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      • Yes he had an allotment. He had a pony there called Sandy which used to pull his fruit and veg cart. When I worked I the shop I think Sandy had long gone

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    • We lived there in the 50s… I think I did 1 or 2 years school there before we moved to Stevenage. Dad worked for ICI and before that he worked at Smiths docks and I think grandad worked at Furness… We lived in Osborne Street. I suppose everyone remembers Mary Hall. I do have a few old photos somewhere that were taken in Osborne Street.

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      • Hi John, I’m currently researching my family tree. My great Aunt, Ann Hall, and her husband Thomas Hall, is registered as living in Clarence House, Haverton Hill in the 1911 census. I think they must have been quite well known as they appeared in the local paper celebrating their golden wedding anniversary, which I have a photo copy of. Can I ask, would you have any idea where Clarence House was please?

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      • My Dad also worked in the ICI, we lived in the ICI houses up (hill 60) up until 1966, then we moved to Tyneside. Broke our hearts leaving all of our lifelong friends behind in Haverton Hill.

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    • Susan Garland nee Atkinson. We are related. My dad was Sid Dallison. Who was your Nanna’s sister? I live in Canada now but born in Clarence St

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        • Hello Susan Tinkler. I remember your dad very well. He came to our house in Clarence Street regularly and we would talk a lot. I also remember your mam. She lived near the transporter. Please say hello to him for me. The last time I saw him when he attended my mam’s funeral which I think was 1998. Your mam was there too. I married a man from the Lake District and we emigrated to Canada. Unfortunately he passed away two months ago. I hope Peter is well. I am 85 and I think your dad would be about the same age.
          Nice to hear from you Susan

          Regards Shirley Teasdale nee Dallison

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          • Hi Shirley Sorry to hear about your husband my Mam died in 2014 and my Dad is not in good health. He was thrilled when I told him you had replied he is 87.

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        • Hi Ian. Sorry I didn’t get back to you before now. I did write a few days ago but for some reason the text disappeared and I had to be out of the house for a few days. It was lovely to hear from you that your dad knew my dad. I was the oldest child. I do not recall my dad knowing an Alec but I may have not have known him. Did they both work at the Shipyard? I asked my sister Lynn (who lives in Barnard Castle) and she says she remembers Dalrymple but didn’t know your dad. My brother Bill Dallison may know. I will ask him. Will let you know if he does.
          Kind regards, Shirley (Dallison) Teasdale.

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          • Hi Shirley, I often wonder if your brother Bill remembers Edmund Rose from Elm Street, we used to play together on the bendy and on the big tip near the marsh. I remember you very well, and me helping to deliver crisps to the local shops. Regards Eddie

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            • Hello Eddie. How nice to hear from you. I sent your message to Bill and he certainly remembers you, although he says he doesn’t think he would recognize you. I am quite sure you would probably not recognize him either (or me either). We are all passed our youth now 😁
              Bill still lives in Billingham. He has made many visits to me here in Canada. My mam did too. Bill never married so he is not pleased about lockdown. Bill has an IPad so you could contact him if you wish. He is not terribly good at emailing but can manage a few lines. I can’t remember his email address offhand but if you contact Picture Stockton: pictures@stockton.gov.uk they’ll forward on my email address so I can forward Bill’s email address.
              Good to hear from you. Stay well
              Shirley

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            • Hi Edmund, I remember the bendy it was always a busy place for us kids to play on, and the big tip near the marsh, and if you were lucky enough to have a pair of roller skates you could skate down the bendy path Happy Days/Happy Memories, thanks for sharing. my Family lived up the hill 60 Howard Crescent, there was 7 of us kids, now sadly down to 4, we had a really special childhood growing up in Haverton Hill .

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  8. Wondering if anybody remembers the Daniels family from HH. They lived at 9 Hood Crescent some time around 1940’s / 50’s namely Arthur, Rose, Isabel and Alan (Micky). Would love to hear of any stories

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    • I remember the family very well as Micky and I went to St Gerard’s RC school and played together. When the Mass register was called out in class he was let off much to our jealousy, as he was not Catholic. Mr Daniels encouraged me to play the harmonica, he also helped light the Bon fire Nov 5 in Mr Astor Garriks (spelt wrong) garden each year when we where kids. I didn’t know any of Mickys older siblings. I do remember Rose getting married to a really nice man. Her husband had a drink with my father occasionally.

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      • I only have a vague memory of the Daniels as we lived at number 2 or 3 Hood Crescent (the second house right below the school and I cannot remember who lived in the first house, semi-detached I think) and I attended St. Gerards from 1958 to 1964 (A.C. English and his wife were teachers along with Tom ? Kearney).
        A.C. English used to take us up Cowpen Lane and in his Morris Minor and make us run all the way back. We used to go to St. Thomass’ in Port Clarence for woodwork classes. Then I went to Stockton-Billingham Tech till 1969 and then to the LSE .

        I remember Astor Garricks very well as he was a stand-up comedian/singer in the social and night clubs. The family lived a couple of houses down on Hood Crescent. I can remember only two children Nadine (we used to play together as kids) and Garth (who married the girl at the streaky bacon counter at Woolworths in the town centre).

        Later next door neighbours were the Kelly family with 4 (?) daughters and one son John. Their father was unfortunately killed in a road accident in the USA and the mother later received a sizeable (??) amount of money from the insurance company (no real compensation for a father).

        I cannot remember when, but we also moved to Low Grange Estate in Billingham (down the road from the Madden (?) family, Willie played for the Boro) when they decided that the ICI had finally won eroding everything away in HH.
        Does anybody remember Porky Ward from St. Gerard’s? I used to play football with him in the school yard.

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        • I remember Garth Garriques very well, he married a near neighbour of mine Margaret McHale, she and I shared a desk when we were in primary school at Billingham North, I have a school photo which shows Garth and a few other pupils sat in front of a group of teachers, the room is decorated for Christmas, I think the photo will have been taken in the late 1940s or early 1950s.

          I have the name Maxine Garriques in my list of Billingham/Haverton Hill school pupils from the 1950s, I was wondering if the name should be Nadine or are there more Garriques around.

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          • Mr and Mrs Garriques ( spelt correctly) had five children, the names of the older children i am certain of, Maxine being the oldest, then Astor, Garth, Nadine, and l also think they had a daughter named Karen. I think the photograph you have must have been taken late 50s early 60s. I was friendly with Astor and Garth we occasionally played out together as kids, collecting bondy wood etc. Young Astor left Haverton Hill and joined the Royal Navy when he was 15 and went to train at HMS Ganges. Our family moved to Billingham 1959. Astor Garriques senior was a very well known Teesside comedian and character.( This is years before Charlie Williams became famous.) he was also known locally as a keen cyclist. I believe the family later moved to the Doncaster area.

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            • Young Astor worked with me for British Rail for a short time at the east grid oiling wagons is dad came to see him he was a painter for ici yes he left there and went in the navy he lives behind BSM school

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            • Hello

              I’m afraid I have steered you wrong, the photo I mentioned showed Astor Jnr not Garth, I have names for most of the people in the photo which might give a clue to the year.

              Mr Beresford
              ? Jamison
              Fred Cooper
              Norman Ure
              George Vernon
              Mr Barker
              Mr Summers
              Dennis Thorpe
              Dennis Brown
              Conrad Lithgo
              Astor Garriques
              Maurice Woodhouse
              Pim Thompson
              Ray Parker
              Ronnie Childs
              Harold Turner
              John Whitney

              The school was Haverton Hill and the boys are about ten years old.

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              • hello Bruce. Astor jr was at guess 2 years older than me, so if he was 10 years old in the photograph I would say it was taken 1950 or 1951 at the latest. I do remember a number of the names you mentioned. Its what made Haverton Hill such a special place, almost every family had members that worked at the shipyard or ICI and as a result almost everyone knew each other.

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                  • Hello,

                    I have uploaded a number of Haverton Hill school photos to this address:-

                    https://1drv.ms/u/s!Ajpj0BgkXQUQgniK4ky3-ymo7iTS?e=ILdwwQ

                    You are more than welcome to download any of these photos, some have a text file with the same name as the photo, you can download these at the same time.

                    The one you are interested in is called Pic49 and the list of names is called Pic49 HH Boys Early 1950s.

                    The names start from the back row on the left.

                    Anybody who is interested can download any of these photos.

                    I can be contacted at billinghamlad@gmail.com if you would prefer to have them emailed to you.

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                    • Hi Bruce, I recognise and remember a few of the names in your photos, The name Haddaway, there was a Judith Haddaway lived at end of our street Howard Crescent, there was also an Edmunds family lived near us, and a Shears think they lived in Hood Crescent, coz they were the only family we knew who had a telephone and in any emergencies my Mam would ask Mr Shears if she could use his phone.
                      All my Family attended Haverton Hill school including myself, we may have been known as the Rayner family, and later our name changed to May.

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                    • I also remember the name Nancy Bateman as my Mam was very good friends with the Bateman family, think they lived down the village? I remember when i was 7 years old i jumped off the shed roof in the catholic school yard in Howard Crescent and broke my leg, my Mam borrowed a pram from Nancy Bateman to take me to school in Haverton Hill, Imagine how embarrassed i was aged 7 sitting in a pram, it was the only way my Mam could get me to school, can’t ever remember having any crutches, Mam took me to school to see Mr Taylor the headmaster as she was worried incase I was falling behind in my work after being off school for nearly 9 weeks with a broken leg, she wheeled me to school and then back home again to Howard Crescent. I also remember Miss Caborn as she used the ruler once on my knuckles.

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              • Most of my siblings attended Haverton Hill Infants and Junior School, including myself, i remember my first teacher was Miss or Mrs Atkinson, and the Headmaster was Mr Taylor, we walked to school along the bendy path at the bottom of the hill (hill 60) Happy Days/Happy memories, sadly we left Haverton Hill in 1966 and moved to Tyneside as my dad had a new job to go to there, he previously worked at the ICI, and we lived in the ICI houses.

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                  • My older siblings may have known your cousin George Vernon or your Dad Harry Vernon, I am one of the youngest daughters of my family, I had 4 older sisters and one older brother , Mavis Christine Rayner, or Christine Mavis Rayner, and then my older identical twin sisters Florence and Sandra Rayner then their name changed to Florence and Sandra May, then my older Brother John May, then Marion May, then me Maureen then my younger brother Allan. We lived in Victoria St Sweethills, then we moved up to Hill 60, Howard Crescent.

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    • My parents and family, Jack and Margaret Daniels lived in Haverton Hill in 1950, 4 children John, Sidney, Susan and Patricia

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  9. Does anyone remember Dennis Dowdle from Haverton Hill? My dad served his time at the Furness Shipyard in 1962. He very sadly died on Friday gone, so sadly missed,

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    • Hi Guy,
      I remember your dad very well he was a year above me at St Gerards RC school in Haverton Hill, he went on to be a caulker at the Furness shipyard. I remember as teenagers he had a triumph 150cc motor cycle that we used to ride around the fields of Wallers farm in Cowpen Bewley.

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  10. Hi all
    I have only just found this site and have found it really interesting reading all the comments and seeing names from the past. I was born at 3 St Vincent Street which was my grandparents house (Sam and Bessie nee Warburton) I lived at 1 St Vincent Street until I was 14 and moved to Billingham. My parents Peter and Leonie nee Parker. I like everyone else have great memories of the freedom we had as children to play and learn. Going on picnics with a bottle of lemonade. I went to Haverton Hill school and one of my memories strangely is the polished wood floors.
    Teachers I remember Mr Taylor who I saw from time to time until his death. Mrs kelsey again saw from time to time. Miss Cabourn and Miss Taylor, Mr Chapman, Miss Heslop. I then went to Stephenson and on to Northfield. No longer live locally but my Dad his brother Dennis still live in Billingham both have a great memory for names. My Brother David still lives locally. Thank you all for the memories and yes I was delivered by Dr O’Malley who growing up loved to bits. Does anyone remember the name of the man who looked after the Drs surgery who’s wife I believe died in a fire on the circle.

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    • I think we are related – my mother is Pauline Charlton, nee Warburton (parents Ellen and John), and she was your Mam’s bridesmaid! I remember going to Dr O’Malley’s Silver Jubilee party at his surgery on Marsh House Avenue when I was 9. Sorry I don’t know the name of the man who looked after the surgery.

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      • I used to live next door to Dr O’Malley’s surgery when it was in The Circle, Haverton Hill. My parents were Marjorie and Bill Little who had the shop next door called Elsie Liddell Ltd. I think the lady referred to as being a victim of a fire in the flat above the surgery about ’65/’66, was called Nora Woollhouse. She had a disability which affected her walking and was an Avon Lady. My sister Sheila Little was 5 years older than me and knew her much better than I did as she often went there to sample the cosmetics. Nora was a smoker and I understand it was thought she had been smoking in bed and fell asleep. I’m struggling to remember the name of her partner but George or Harry spring to mind for some reason. Hope this helps and that Susan Tinkler still sees these posts.

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        • Yes just pick up! Harry comes to mind. He gave me a gift of a Hanky which was made of silk and I believe something to do with the medical core I still have it.
          yes I was told she had been smoking in bed I would have been about 7 at the time but can remember the fire. we could see it from our house 1 St Vincent street.

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      • Yes, we are related. I remember Pauline. My mam sadly passed away in 2014 but my Dad is still around and has an amazing memory for names and people.

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    • I was born in st Vincent street in 1958 number 41 I went to Haverton hill school then onto Davy hall my name was Margaret Wardell I also remember Dr O’Malley and Dr Hunter great times.

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      • I too was born in St Vincent Street in 1946. Number 14, it was my grandparents’ house. Hariday was their name. My uncle Alec worked at the shipyard. We moved to Frederic Terrace maybe 1950s and I went to St Thomas’s Port Clarence. My dad was from the Port and grandad on that side lived in Crosby Terrace. Tom Conlon. We moved to Billingham when I was about 13.

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        • I too was born at St. Vincent Street, no.7, my grandparents’ house, in 1954. They were Joseph and Mary Bradburn. Joe worked at Furness shipyard as a plater, Mary was a part-time dinner lady at Haverton school. Joe’s roots were originally in Cheshire, his parents were salt-workers who moved to Port Clarence (where he was born in 1900) from Cheshire. Mary was a Stockton lass. My Mother Joan Bradburn was born in the same house in 1933, her brother Peter ditto in 1931. They both went to Haverton school, and mum later worked in the offices at Furness. Peter’s daughter Heather was also born there in 1956. Peter became Chief Scout at the Synthonia scouts and lived in Billingham all his life. I have very fond memories of Haverton Hill – the chippy, lemonade factory, Clinkard’s shoe shop, Home & Colonial, kid’s Saturday matinee in the hall, etc…. Joe & Mary only moved out when their house was due to be demolished, moved up the road to the Cowpen Estate. My parents moved to Marsh House Avenue in Billingham just after I was born. We stayed in Billingham until 1966 when dad’s ICI work took him to Wilton and we moved across the water to Normanby.

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        • Hi I lived at 13 Cowpen Bewley Road, my mother was May Sera, I also went to Haverton Hill School, my primary school teacher was Mrs Kayborn. I then went onto Faraday Hall, I also remember Dr Omalley he was also a police surgeon, Dr Hunter they were both really good Doctors. I remember Micky Conlon.

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          • Hi Tony.
            I read your reply and hope you can help confirm that Haverton Hill school you all mention was on Belasis Avenue and is not the same school I went to on Hill 60 Belasis or St.Gerard‘s (a catholic school), I remember the teachers Mr. and Mrs. A. C . English and John Kearney. I remember the doctors. I left school is 1964 for Stockton Billingham Tech and just like most other people we moved to Low Grange Billingham. Faraday was next to Bedes where the grammar schools were on High Grange ?

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              • Hill 60 was roughly 5 streets of houses owned by the ICI Scotty, most tenants in the ICI houses worked for the ICI, the houses were demolished in late 1960’s, mainly due to the Chemicals in the area and in the ground, Most families were rehoused in Billingham new town, as far as I’m aware the area has not been used since for building houses on, my family left the area in 1966, and moved to Jarrow.
                Hill 60 was up the Hill from the bendy path and the old council offices buildings. Hope this helps.

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              • Hi. If I recall correctly: Hill 60 was also originally called Furness estate at the top end Nelson Av above Haverton Hill and to the left of Cowpen Bewley road and to the right of the old Cleveland estate which was on the main Haverton Hill/ Billingham road, comprising of at least three crescents: Hood Crescent where we lived (no.3 I think, the second house, Howard Crescent and Codrington Crescent all named after admirals/sailors. Here the houses were big and mainly built for better off Furness Shipyard workers. My school St. Gerard‘s RC school or Belasis was on Hood Crescent. My nickname was funily enough Scotty being Scottish from Glasgow. When most people were moved out ( we moved to Low Grange Estate in Billingham) the whole ICI polluted area was flattened and all what was left was called Hill 60 where later a gas works/installation was erected
                After leaving school in 1964 I went to Stockton-Billingham technical college till 1969 when I went to the LSE in London. I left the UK in 1973 to live and work in Italy after doing a PCE at London University. In 1980 I moved to Germany where I still live (in Bonn).

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            • Hi Paul, as far as I remember the catholic school was at the end of our street on Howard Crescent, I remember this as I had an accident falling from the shed roof and broke my leg when I was 7 years old. Also I remember the Brownies used to use the catholic school in Howard Crescent, because my sister and I always wished we could go to the Brownies, but my Mam didn’t have the money for the uniform or the subs. We sometimes used to spy in the windows when it was Brownies night in the Catholic School. I attended Haverton Hill school infants and juniors until 1966, it was down the bendy path down the village. We moved to Jarrow in 1966, lost touch with all our lifetime friends.

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    • HI, I’m Karen, the youngest of Dr O’Malley’s daughters. I think the name of the couple who looked after the surgery when we moved to Billingham was Mr and Mrs Woodhouse, and I the lady who died was called Norma.( I’m not 100% certain though).

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    • Hello. I’m doing my family tree and have just discovered this site. My nana and grandad, Joseph and Mary Bradburn, lived at 7 St. Vincent Street for many years. He was born in Port Clarence and worked as a plater at the Furness yard all his life until retiring in 1966. They eventually moved up the road to Cowpen Bewley. My mother Joan and her brother Peter Bradburn were born there in the early 30’s and went to Haverton Hill School. Then I was born there, as was my eldest cousin. I’m now 67 and live in comfortable middle-class retirement down south but I have such fond memories of Haverton – the Circle, the chippie, the lemonade factory, Home & Colonial and going to the Saturday kid’s pictures in the community hall. Dr. O’Malley could do no wrong in my mum’s eyes and continued to be our family doctor for many years as I grew up in Bliingham.

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      • Hi David, I remember Cowpen Bewley and Greatham, we lived in Howard Crescent, and on Sundays us kids all 7 of us Me my Brothers and Sisters, used to go to Greatham Beck, it was a lovely place in those days, Happy Childhood memories, and I think Dr O’Malley delivered us all 7 of us at home, there was no going to hospital in those days to give birth.

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  11. I lived in Drake Street, worked in Furness Shipyard and know one or two of the aforementioned.
    For anyone interested I’ve written a book concerning Haverton Hill and some of its then residents, it’s on Amazon (kindle e-books) titled A Time on the Hill.

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    • Vague memories of a man known as “Anti” who had a general dealers shop in HH or maybe PC. A chainsmoker who always had a Woodbine in his mouth.
      This would be late 40s/ early 50s. Ring any bells.

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      • Yes I remember this shop, he was a green grocer although he could have sold other items. He was known as auntie Jarvis. Although I was very young I remember he always wore a black beret. His shop was in Haverton in a group of shops known as the circle. The shop also had loads of sticky tapes for catching flies, why I remember that detail I don’t know.

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        • I can remember Snowdons Grocery shop in Haverton Hill down the village from where we lived up hill 60, Howard Crescent, My mam used to take all 7 of us there and buy a huge big shop and then Mr Snowden used to deliver the order to us at Howard Crescent.

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  12. Does anyone remember a Thomas Street in Port Clarence?

    Just found out tonight that our family (on the Wilson side) moved from Clarence Street to 24 Thomas St, Clarence, Billingham, Durham – according to a census from 1881

    List of people there:
    Martha Wilson Head
    James Wilson Son
    Kezia E Wilson Daughter
    John T Wilson Son
    Sarah Wilson Daughter
    Wilfred Wilson Son
    Sam Wilson

    Seems the father, William, died between 1871 and 1881

    My grandfather (James W Wilson) ended up in Chester Street, Cargo Fleet. I was born in the same street.

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  13. Does anybody know where the plaque from 3 Cambridge Terrace has gone and why they demolished the house? Thank you

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    • They demolished the house and the house next door because someone stole all the copper pipes and wiring, flooding both houses. In the end it was cheaper to knock them down. This is from a reliable source, but he has no idea what happened to the plaque.

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  14. I’m looking for anyone who remembers George and Margaret Gatenby they left Haverton Hill when my dad was a child probably 1930 or 40’s so would love to know where exactly he lived. Sadly passed away a long time ago.

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  16. I lived in high clarence read some stories about the clarences quite a few tales missed outlike the lad who nearly lost his leg on the railway turntable also no mention of the air raid shelter opposite high clarence shops Bill strange building aboat at the back of bell street many more tales to tell

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  18. I lived at 48 Collingwood Road, Haverton Hill from 1954-1962 when our house was demolished and we moved to Billingham. The local shops on Belasis Avenue were Taylors and Allen’s I used to walk to school with Brian Allen together with our mums we would pass the Post office which was on Belasis Ave about 100 yds before DAF lorry place now. There was a Library on Belasis Ave just before you turn right now at DAF place. My granddad was a doorman/committee man at the Top House or Club “George Green” my Gran was Margaret they used to live in 46 Collingwood Road, We used to go on a summer outing from the Club usually just to Seaton by Bus and us kids were handed pocket money usually about 5 shillings which seemed like a fortune to us we used to sit on the beach and build sandcastles and grandparents and aunts would me sat in deck chairs while men went to the pub. Dinner was chips eaten out of paper which usually had sand in them and I remember they tasted good. We had lots of rides on the amusements a good day out was had by all.

    My mothers name was Ivy (Taylor)Archer and my dad Billy I remember their friends from accross the road Chuck and Thelma and their kids emigrated to Australia about 1960 for £10. My Gran use to take in lodgers from ICI I remember when I was about 6 one of them broke his leg and could not go home for Christmas so he stayed over and joined in New Year celebrations. My mothers brother my uncle Totty and his family lived in number 44 Collingwood road so we had plenty of family around us. Our next door neighbour’s at 50 were called Dodds they had a daughter and a son I remember the son I think his name was Norman had been to Billingham to babysit for his sister and he was knocked of his bike and killed on the way home this was the first time someone I knew died if he came home from work early and his mum was out he used to lift me through the kitchen window to open the door for him.
    I remember the local Policeman Sargent Elliot he would give any naughty boys a clip round the ear and go and report to their mums and dads.

    I went to Haverton Hill school in the village but don’t remember much I started in 1959 when I was 5 and the toilets were outside and very dark. We used to eat our school dinners at our desks. We would line up get out dinner and take it back to our classroom. Our teacher sat at her desk which was near fire at front of classroom and it was a tall desk so she could see everyone.

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    • Hi Beryl, I have been wracking my brains trying to remember your Archer family.. we must have known each other, we lived at 54 Collingwood Road and our next-door-but-one neighbour was Mrs. Dodds (mam called her “Dodsie”). I don’t remember about her son being killed, how sad! Dodsie was with my mam when my brother was born, she had a distinctive voice and I remember hearing it during the night. Happy times in Collingwood Road – we moved to Hawke Street when I was about 9 or 10 to be closer to the school. I remember walking to school too – or should I say running, cos we were always late and you’d be in trouble with the teacher. Teachers were Miss Caborne, Miss Dinsdale, Miss Kelsey, Miss White, headmaster was Mr. Taylor (lovely mam who smoked a pipe).

      I am wondering if you would have been in my class? My friends were Jean Harvey (lived on Leven Street, she helped Mrs. Marley at the sweetshop opposite the Post Office. My other friend was Judith Allott whose dad was Post Master. Other girls I remember: Barbara Hamlett, Christine Barron, there were 3 Margarets (Cavannah was one of them), Lynn Rossinelli (her dad was Jewish and had a shop on Clarence Road (I think?). I also went to GFS at St. John’s Church Hall and remember going to the hut (think it was Victory Hall? which was near the Railway Line in the village) for Saturday morning kids movies, loved it!

      I too remember the outdoor toilets and the cloakroom with the hand basins to wash hands. It was across the corridor from the teachers office where me and Jean Harvey would make the huge bowls of different coloured jellies for the Christmas Parties and the teachers tea (good perk especially when it was freezing outside!). Remember playing rounders on the school field and doing the “Gay Gordons” in gym class (the partitions would be pulled back and you had to dance with a boy) haha. Hated assemblies.. remember having to be taken outside on more than one occasion cos I was feeling sick, think it was nerves? Still remember the smell of the floor polish in the hall. One of the school secretaries was my babysitter when we lived at Frederick Terrace (moved when I was 6?) – her name was Rita.

      Those are my memories of Haverton Hill, well some of them! Happy times when kids could play outside until dark and be safe, riding on bogies without brakes and roller skating until your knees were skinned and bleeding, playing on the “Bendy”. I remember being so sad when the houses were demolished and we had to move to Billingham in 1968/9. Great place to grow up! I tell my kids all the time about it all – they had a totally different childhood growing up in Alberta, Canada and Vancouver Island, BC.

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      • I remember Miss Cabourne her beetle car which was called “Happy” and the other teachers you mentioned however I think I was in the year above you the the other names you mentioned Jean Harvey and Barbara Hamlet were in my younger sister’s Carole’s class. Do you remember Irene Robinson she was and still is a very tall girl and her and my sister are still close friends they are an odd couple as my sister is only 4ft 11inches and Irene is over 6ft they were also an odd pair at school.
        I also tell my son’s how we used to play outside games in the street and my mum used to join in. Do you remember Mrs Parker she was the first one in the street to have a fridge freezer and used to sell us ice lollies she made for 1p. Also the fish man who used to come once a week with fresh fish sold of the back of a flat cart pull by a horse. We also went fishing in the beck at the end of Collingwood road for sticklebacks. I used to take my sister Carole and brother Billy to the pictures in the hut in the village it gave mum a chance to get some housework done without us around.
        When we moved to Billingham my mum did a interview on our doorstep for The Billingham Express and they put a picture of her holding my youngest brother Tony who was about two at the time and the headline was “Haverton Hill Refugees” she did not like were we went one neighbour was ex councilor and the other grew flowers for Billingham show and I don’t thing they liked a family with four children moving in. There was not the close community atmosphere like we had in Haverton Hill. We went to Pentland School in Billingham then onto Campus “Davy Hall”. My children never got the chance to play in street I always had their friends in the house or garden. Even when they grew up I had lodgers quiet a lot. I drive along Belasis Avenue to take my four year old granddaughter to Seaton and I have told her I used to live in a house one what now has some pipes and small industrial site.
        At the time we moved we were told it was so ICI could expand which did not happen I have recently read an article which says we were moved because of polution for chemical works. My father died with brain tumour and my young sister has had treatment for cancer so maybe it was good they moved us.

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        • Hi I never lived in Haverton (I now live in Billingham) but I promised a friend I would try and trace (Catholic) school photos from the 1940’s. I can’t find any but can anyone remember my friend Kathleen nee Kelly Gortowski from her growing up in Haverton? My late neighbour Mary nee Hall Shaw was a midwife there and proudly told me of her many deliveries. She could remember the pollution literally melting her nylons as she cycled to new mothers in to 1950’s. I thought she was exaggerating, but I’ve been told it was true Just as well it’s been cleaned up – but why couldn’t it be cleaned up without moving people out? Everyone who lived there (and Port Clarence) seems to have such lovely memories. ICI and other chemical companies have a lot to answer for. I lived in Norton as a child and remember the pongs when the wind was blowing the wrong way from ICI!

          Anyone remember Kath?

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          • Hello

            I have a number of Haverton Hill school photos from the 1940s and 1950s, some are just marked Haverton Hill School and none specify which school, if you are interested ask Picture Stockton for my email and I will send them on to you.

            Bruce

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            • I’m George Morris of 43 st Vincent St HH and went to the local HH school.
              I was born 1938. Would like a copy of your school pictures please.

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            • Hi Bruce, I have just read your comment about having Haverton Hill school photos from the 40’s and 50’s. I would love to have any pictures at all please! I was Carole Huzzard (now Duff) and went to Haverton Hill School from 1959-1966. My dad, Vic Huzzard, would have been there from 1935 until 1944/5 and my mam (Patricia Laing) was at St. Gerards from 1938 until 1947/8.

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            • I am Margaret Glenn lived at 15 St Vincent Street, Haverton Hill dad and grandad both worked at Furness shipyard I went to Haverton School as did my brother Albert. I am looking for school class photos, can you help please?

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              • Hello Margaret,

                I have about eight school photos from the late 1940s to the the mid 1950s, I also have names for some of the pupils and teachers, I can send you copies of them.

                My Grandfather, Father, Mother, two Brothers and three motorcycling friends worked at the shipyard covering the period from the 1920s to the 1970s.

                Contact me here. billinghamlad@gmail.com

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      • I remember Jean Harvey. My parents bought the Marley shop and Jean worked there. Also knocked about with the Harvey twins, Peter and Paul and knew Lynne. My dad was Kevin Greenley, same as me, and he had the barbers shop near the old ice rink. Mam is Kath, still living in Stockton, brother is Mike. Remember the Harvey’s, Tommy Luke and Winker Watson. My Dads uncle Tommy Donnelly lived Hawke Street. Good days!

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        • Kevin cut my hair many times, I had to get the bus from down the Port, always a magazine to read while you waited, a very nice man.

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      • Did you know Margaret Middlewood or David Middlewood? from haverton School. They lived at #2 Windsor Street right across the street from the school.

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      • Hi Thomas long time since we left Haverton I have not gone far I now live in Norton. I have two sons William and Robert who are both married William and his Wife Helen have just had a baby three weeks ago named Benjamin and Robert and his wife Lindsay have a lovely daughter Tabitha. Sadly both mam and dad never lived to see. How is you family and what area do you live in now?

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    • Hi Beryl, I’m tottys oldest daughter Pam, long time no speak what you wrote brings back memories, hope to get in touch soon

      Pam Jackson (nee Taylor)

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      • Hi Pam, missed your comment only found this site by accident it would be nice to keep in touch as I have told Tom is their a way of exchanging email address?

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    • Hi my name is Ann (Gardiner) we lived at 25, Collingwood Rd, I lived there from 53 to 58, then moved to Billingham, then back to High Clarence about a year after.

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  19. would like to know if anyone might know of my Dad or maybe of someone that might know of someone who might, His name was George Statham born 1931. He has sadly passed away and we didn’t ask him enough about his family history.

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  20. Hi, can anyone remember the Carrick family. I believe they lived on cottage street??? Heleena, Mark (known as ted), Marian. I’ve been trying to find out about where they lived but can’t seem to find any reference or maps with cottage street on.

    Thanks Jody

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    • I remember the carricks they lived next door to my grandma and granddad think it was 61 Cowpen Beauly Road their names were Reginald and lillian Toft

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    • Hello Maria, your name seems to ring a bell with me. Do you remember any of the Mccalls? Ray, the oldest had bad feet. Clive, Ian, Stewart, Malcolm. Or maybe you might know my younger sisters, Ann or Olwyn?

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      • Hello Maria I went to Haveron Hill School and Davy Hall Campus with your brother Stewart. My name was Maureen Barber back then. We lived in Hawke Street. Think he was friends with Terry Moody.

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    • Maria, I think I remember your surname now. My younger sister, Bernadette McCall had a relationship with Gerry de Crecsenzo. They had 4 children..3 boys and a girl. Bernie was forced to put her daughter up for adoption. Something that made her really ill and she has never got over it. Are you any relation to him?

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  22. I lived at 9 Cleveland Ave, Haverton Hill, Billingham. I was born in 1944 and left in 1958. I remember the Rose family, the Tingles, the Hansons, and the Mellons. Anyone know them? I went around Billingham a few years back, and was so upset to see where I was brought up had just disappeared, so sad.

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    • I remember all the people you mention, but not you, Bobby Tingle was in my class at school, I lived in Rosedale Grove, we left in 1955 to live in Billingham next door to the Davis family,—remember them Keith and Maureen.

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    • Hi Joan
      I’m Tony Gamble from Bilsdale Grove – I do remember the Tingles and Mellons, I worked with Taggy Mellon in the shipyard

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      • Hi Tony, my Aunt Agnes,worked in the shipyards, so did my dad, John Bendelow, but we left Billingham, and lived in Newcastle since. Thank you for replying.

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    • yes I was in Mr Kearneys class – Kathleen Mcmanus, your name rings a bell . I was a twin – Marjorie is her name

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    • Hi Paul, I went to St. Gerard’s, when A.C. English & John Kearney were there. JK used to throw the blackboard duster at us, lol. Can’t remember the number of our house in Cleveland Ave, we were near the end, the school was at the top of the hill, the names I remember are the Cotterells, Morgans & the Buckleys. My name is David Butler.

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      • Hi David. I remember the same teachers and you are right Kearney used to throw things at us but he was ok. Mr. English used to take us up the Cowpen Bewley road in his old Morris Minor and make us run back. We also were “moved” to Billinghan (Hastings Way) and later I went to Stockton-Billingham Tech and in 1969 I attended the LSE in London. I left the UK in 1973 and lived in Italy till 1980 when I moved to Germany where I still live (near Nürnberg). I am semi retired after working in the crane business most of life.
        All the best.
        Paul Brown
        ps I was at St.Gerard‘s from 54 to 64, didn’t we play football together in the playground almost every day?

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  24. I lived in 4 Leven Street from birth 1965 until 1976 (the end of Leven Street)
    in number 5 was the Leadbeaters, no.3 was the Knightons and no.1 was the Devlins.

    Anyone knew the Lavericks from Haverton? Eric was my uncle but more concerned with my mothers (Joyce Laverick) parents. I’m Will McManus.

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    • Hi Will, My Dad was Cyril Laverick, from HH. He had two brothers Eric and Maurice and sisters called Joyce, Louie and Annie. He also had a sister that passed away many years before called Mary.
      Dad was born in 1932 and Eric was his younger brother.
      Do you have a sister “little Joyce”?

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    • Hi Will
      It’s 3 years since you wrote this and I’ve just come across it. I didn’t know the Lavericks but I was a very good friend of Joe Knighton who lived in Sweethills and I was wondering if it’s the same family. I have a photo from early 60’s of 1st Haverton scouts and cubs with him and me and many others, if you’re interested.
      Ian Hunter (formerly Oxford Terrace and Hood Crescent).

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      • Hi Ian, i was wondering if you might have known my Family from Sweethills/Victoria st? We were know as Rayner in those days, there was 7 of us kids, we later moved on to hill 60 to Howard Crescent? We then changed our name to May?

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    • My 2 older identical twin sisters were called Sandra and Florence May and my elder sister was called Mavis Christine May, ( she changed her name when she got older to Christine Mavis) and my elder brother John May? I am Maureen May one of the youngest daughters, People might remember my family as being called Rayner, we were born in 13 Victoria St Sweethills, and later moved up to hill 60 to Howard Crescent.
      There was 7 of us siblings, now sadly down to just 4 of us left.

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    • Hi Will, my family were all born in 13 Victoria Street Sweethills, my Mam was then known as Mary Rayner, her Dad was Thomas Walker. Just wondering if you knew them?

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      • Hi I was at 15 St Vincent Street 1938 and my brother Albert was a year younger than me. my dad and grand dad worked at Furness Shipyard during the war and after I remember a Freddie Cooper and the Wrays

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    • Freddie you must have known my late dad Matt Teasdale born 1930 pat 16 Hawker street, his younger sister Brenda was probably your age and they had a baby brother Alan. my grandad and grandma were Tot and Madge.

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      • I remember Mattie well he lived near me in Allendale Road until he sadly passed away a couple of years ago. I knew Brenda and Alan his younger brother as well

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    • Freddie. Your name is familiar. I’m George Morris of St Vincent’s street HH.
      May have gone to Haverton Hills boys school with you? I was born born April 2nd 1938. (April 2nd date of your comment!)

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      • David, I remember you but mainly your mother who was always kind to me. Fanny used to ask me in and sit me in front of the blazing coal fire with a drink and a cake. We lived a few doors away from you and family name is Dowdle. I was know as Roni.

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        • Hi Roni Dowdle. I haven’t seen you since 1959 when we left school. My name is Peter King I lived on Belasis Ave. opposite Featherstons shop, I remember your Brian and Dennis.

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    • Hi I remember you Fred. I was born in 1938 in St Vincent Street my name is Margaret Glenn my brother is Albert we went to Haverton Hill School, dad and grandad worked at the Furness shipyard and my brother Bill played football, lots of memories. I now live in Australia I emigrated with husband Ken Gretton in 1963. Hope you get this post.

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  26. Superb memories here. I was born in number 9 next to the Royal, and our family, like so many others moved to Cowpen Estate (Devon Crescent) Dad worked for years at the ICI

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  27. John kelly I lived at 5 Hood Crescent with my 2 sisters Ann and Mary. I left in 1965 to join the Navy, I went to St Gerards School then St Michaels. My nickname was ‘Ginna’ Kelly if anyone remembers us please get in touch.

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    • Hi John this is one of your next door neighours’ – one of the Brown’s – Paul.
      I am here visiting my sister Margaret who lives in Carlton and doing some research. I live in Germany and our older sister Terry is also here from Canada and resettling here somewhere in the NE.
      Do you have any old photos or bricks for sale?

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  28. Does anyone remember the Overton family, we lived in Beach Terrace, Mum (Janet or known as Jenny) John, Walter, Maureen and me Janet, we moved to Billingham in 1955 ish, sadly John and Maureen have passed away.

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    • I remember the Overtons living in oxford tce. I new John Walter and Maureen
      Maureen was a big friend of my cousin Pam Davis. You must be quite young
      as I do not remember you.

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    • There was a Mr and Mrs Overton who lived in Malvern Road Billingham in the 70`s, near to Grampian Rd junction, then the moved further up Malvern near the Pentland junction, good friends of my mam Mary, Mrs Overton used to organise days out/coach trips, if its the same one

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    • I knew John Overton – I lived at 15 St Vincent Street Haverton Hill
      I was born in 1938 and went to Haverton Hill girls school also worked for Bob Durham Transport

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