I worked in the office from 1960 to 1964 and sometimes had to meet the bus outside the depot to empty the charity box. I believe the cost of decorating the bus was about £100.
Children used to wait in anticipation at bus stops hoping it would be the “Xmas Bus “on the route. When taking the daily cash to the National Westminster Bank in the High Street, Bob Murray and Co used to line up along the pavement, take their caps off and bow in respect of Charlie Geary’s driving school going past. Happy days. I’m now 77 and live in York.
The Native American”s head on Guy Arab Buses stems from that company”s motto which reads “feathers in our cap”referring to the chiefs feathered headress. Guy Arab Buses were purchased by Stockton Corporation in 1944 (FPT693 no100) 1946, (FUP21/22/254/no”s101-103)and 1947(GUP556-563/no”s104-111) The biggest users of Guy buses on Teesside were Middlesbrough Corporation, who had several batches of them from 1945 onwards. No Stockton Buses survive today, but three Middlesbrough ones do, one of which is a Guy Arab (EXG892)which lives in Peterbrough and is yet to be restored.
Its nice to read all these stories about the garage staff. I worked there between 1956-60 as fitter. Some one mentioned the depot dances but also bus outings to Scarborough in the summer. I think the radiator cap in the picture was a Guy Warrior Indian headdress on top We had them on the wall in the fitting shop, they are collectors items these days
hi I STARTED WORK AT BRIDGE ROAD WHERE I MET MY WIFE JEAN HILL WE BOTH WERE CONDUCTORS .JACK BRADFORD WAS THE MAN WHO STARTED US LAURA MURRAY WAS IN CHARGE OF UNIFORMS AND VERY SMART THEY WERE ALL THE NAMES YOU HAVE ALL MENTIONED WE CAN REMEMBER HERE ARE SOME MORE PETER HALL -SANDRA WATSON LILIAN FOWLER RAY COOK ERIC COOK STELLA DRUMOND RON MURPHY DEPOT INSPECTOR ALSO WOODCOCK
To Eddie Rose – sorry I have not replied sooner but have been a little under the weather this last few weeks.In your last message you asked when I started at S.C.T. It was in 1942 and was at Bridge Road until 1965 when we moved to the new offices in Portrack. In1968 it became T.M.T and the office staff were moved to the old tramsheds in Parliament Road. We felt like intruders and the fact that the Stockton manager was now General manager and Mbro manager his deputy did not help. So in 1970 I moved to the Housing Dept. in Thornaby Town Hall and stayed in Housing till I retired. In an earlier message Beryl Clare mentioned a book about Stockton corporation Transport. I bought a copy in April and it has a lot of interesting photos of buses over the years although there are one or two that I would question,but still brings back happy memories. As you say we will have to keep up the good work and keep remembering. P.S. Marjorie says thanks for your kind remarks.
To Albert Day,thanks for the contact and for the remarks about Charlie Tealy (I served part of my apprenticeship with him). His beautiful car was reputedly raced at the famous Brooklands track, and I recall Charlie having to completely rebuild it after his son badly damaged it. When did you start with Stockton Corporation? you can go back possibly even further than I. When Billy Bone was chargehand in No.1 Garage his opposite number in No.2 Garage was Bill Bradwell. Keep up the good work. P.S. give my regards to Marjorie (a gorgeous lady).
The Christmas Bus! – I have nothing to do with busses or any of the people who write about them on this site but I did love the Christmas Bus. Why don”t we have one now? As a child going to school we looked out for it and hoped beyond hope that this day it would be on our route to or from school. I know we were so innocent, perhaps today the kids wouldn”t be so impressed. When my son was little, it was still running round the streets and it was a joy to see him anticipating the christmas bus arriving at the bus stop. Ah nostalgia, isn”t what it used to be!!
Hello Eddie.I certainly remember you. The last time we met was in the High Street and you were regulating the buses for one of the companies that had taken over the transport system.The list of garage staff that you gave took me back over 60+ years in 60 seconds.I remembered all of them and it brought little incidences back which made me smile.Bob Murray and his Merry Men used to be the escort when the days cash had to go to the bank.Charlie Tealy was a wizard at tuning engines.He had a big sports car {a Bentley or a Lagonda type} he called THE MONSTER.I had a small M.G.with twin carbs that never ran smoothly.Using only a piece of rubber tubing he had it ticking over like a dream in less than 5 minutes.I think these were some of the happiest years of my working life.I suppose most of them are no longer with us although I did meet Bob{Buck} Johnson in town about 4 months ago,but he is the only one.To add a few more names to the old depot.Billy Norton was garage foreman and his assistant was A.Stavely.On the gantry next to Charlie Betts was the upholster Jock Paterson and Alan Jarnell.The storekeeper was Charlie Pearson and his assistant Walter Readman.It looks like a case of moving up the ladder.The two chargehand fitters were Fred Wood and Billy Bone.Do you remember Johnny Jones. His brother was Walter Jones in the tyre shop and old Harry Ellis who drove the old Morris Commercial pickup truck.they used to say the truck was older than the driver,and he used to be on the trams!!! I hope I havent bored you with all of this but there are not a lot of people around who would know what I am talking about.Hope to hear from you. Regards.
To Beryl Clare, thank you for your comments, I am only too pleased to help keep the memories alive. With regards to Albert Day, like everyone else at Stockton Corporation I knew him well, with a bit of luck he might even remember me. Since my last comments I have recalled more maintenance-staff names. Apprentices, Peter Yardley, Dennis Walton, Brian Codd, Brian Dargie and Mick McEntee. Body Shop, Alan Rutherford, Bill Colclough, Frankie Hudson. Seat Repairer Tommy Hall. Paint Shop Ted Corr. Labourers, Albert Heslop, Mick Wicks, Jack Turnbull and Keith Thomas. Enough!! Did you ever attend the social event of the year, the annual Staff Ball? This event was organised by the Sports and Social Club and was held in the Maison De Dance. If you remember like I do, management and the civic guests dined upstairs first, and only when they were finished were we allowed to eat, after which we would get a passout and meet in the Metropole Hotel. Happy Days.
Hello Eddie Rose, What a fantastic memory you have, I remember lots of the people on your list and I thank you for taking the trouble to type it all out. I think that you should get together with Albert Day – you could write a book of memories together. I was in the bookshop at Teesside Park recently and on their “books to buy for Christmas” shelf, there was a book about “Stockton Corporation Transport” and there were lots of recognisable names in there. Thanks again and best wishes.
Hi Beryl, as an old-timer with a long memory, I think I can supply a lot of names, from my dim and distant past, that I worked alongside at Bridge Road. I started as an apprentice fitter in 1955 and left in 1986. I will start my journey through time with the Paint Shop, chargehand Ronnie Jinks then, Francey Gill,George Wood,Ted ?,Joe Cavaney. In the stores were,Walter Readman, Wilf Ianson and Jackie Smith (Sybil Smiths husband). Sheet-Metal Shop, Jack Burton, Jack O Shaunessey,Bob Spencer, apprentice Cal Hawken. Blacksmiths Shop, Bill Passmore and Jimmy Marshall. Fitting Shop, Jackie Walker, G Etherington,Charlie Bradley, Fred Moorhouse,apprentice Eddie Rose. Body Shop, Tom Huggins, Frank Thomas Snr,Cyril Robinson ,Jack Jamieson,apprentice Frank Thomas Jnr,Frankie Hall.Electricians Shop, Charlie Betts, Billy House,apprentice Dave Watson,Bill Lockey. Fitters, Jimmy Hudson, Vernon Alderton, Joe Paul,Brian Dunn, Ted Retallick, Charlie Tealey, Les Dawson, Bill Bone, Bob Johnson, Bill Johnson, Dennis Thompson, Lennie Fretter. Works Foreman, Arthur Stavaley. Tyre Fitters,Ernie Duncan and Walter Jones. Wash Operators, Bob Murray, Jimmy Good, Reg Peters,Jimmy Swales and Paddy Macabe. Billy Lake Snr was the vehicle greaser. Lady cleaners were, Elsie Robinson,Anne McDonald,Flo Hardwick,Edie Bailley,Minnie Taylor and Evelyn ?. Phew!!!!! I have a mountain of memories of all these lads and lasses, just ask. To those people I have overlooked,sorry, I didnt mean to.
Hi Lesley yes I knew your dad well.sorry to hear he has passed away,It was gordon hedley who you were trying to remember.yes we had some happy times on the buses and they were a good crowd,
Tony, you would have been there when my dad, Jim Heselwood was there. He had to retire through ill health. It may have been in the late 80s. Sadly, he passed away in 1993. I think there was also someone with the name of Hedley there too. I can”t remember his Christian name.
Hi Tony, as a site newcomer I have just caught your photo of the somewhat vintage bus. Whilst the bus is before our time it certainly brought back a lot of memories. I remember very well all the names you quoted, plus a lot more. As you may (or may not)know I worked???? for Stockton Corporation from 1955 to 1986 and I often wonder if any of the old lads from the Bridge Road depot are still with us, if so please get in touch. Thanks Tony, see you soon.
Beryl Clare – The GUY buses had a native american indian chief motive on the top of the radiator so it was easy to identify them. You ask where the people are that we knew. I know that Vera Readman married Bob Griffiths from the general office and are still around. I was talking the other day to some people who had lived near Audrey and Stan Allison, but they said that they had both died some years ago.The only other ex transport staff that I see around is Beatrice Downing{nee Moore} from the ticket office{1946/1954}. As you say the little grey cells are working overtime. Regards..
I worked for transit started in 1972 left in 1987.I recall a lot of names ,norman foster jim hesslewood,Jacky Grey,paddy mcalister,alan carter,peter healy,eric and ray cook,bill raines,ronnie charlton,peter hall,frankie pratt,freda and alfie brown, harry granthum,jimmy cummins,brian dargie,eddie rose,my nickname was big t,then.use to be a good crowd of lads and lasses then. Lot more names I can recall.
To Albert Day. This website is better that the little machines that people buy to keep their minds active. When people on this site start with “do you remember” the little grey cells get very busy. I remember most of the names that you mention – wonder where they all are now. You must be the local authority on buses – fancy being able to recognise a bus by it”s radiator cap ! Very impressive.
To Beryl Clare. Just a few more names that come to mind. The Audrey would be Audrey Dennison who married a driver called Stan Allison.Other girls in the ticket office that I remember were Vera Readman (her father was Walter Readman in charge of the stores and Olwyn Burton(her father was Jack Burton in charge of the panel shop. Do you remember the office lads? Stephen Hart, Gerald Harrison, Eric Whitehouse who was a member of the Blue Caps. He is still in the music business and appears in local clubs with a one man show and is very good. This old photo has certainly jogged a few memories. This bus( no.106 Gup 558 )would have been purchased new about 1947, and by the radiatorcap to be a Guy Arab. As the manager on the left of the picture retired in May 1950 and died in April 1951 I would think this was the last decorated bus during his term of office, hence the inclusion of some of his senior staff and would be for Christmas 1949. I hope you will recognise some of the names I have mentioned. P.S. Yes I do remember Miss Nicholson and Mrs.Stockdale and her canteen. HAPPY DAYS!!!
To Albert Day, Your long memory has brought back to my mind a lot of the people from my first job with Stockton Transport. I was fifteen years old, I was the tall Beryl (Goldsbrough). Jackie was one of my friends and we are still friends today, she lives in Surrey. I do recognise some of the names such as Violet Hutchinson, Anne Dolan. Another friend of mine was Audrey. A couple of boys from the workshops used to hope for dates, one was David Watson who was very keen on Jackie and another was Frankie Thomas who was very keen on Audrey. The Manager at the time was Mr Wilson and your Marjorie used to work with a girl called Eileen. Do you both remember Miss Nicholson? You are right, it is nice to remember the old days – but I wasn”t so keen on being the tea girl and having to go to the canteen for everyones tea and buns, staggering down those steep canteen stairs with a fully laden tray – with warnings from Mrs Stockdale “don”t drop it”! Best wishes to you both, Beryl Clare I am going to email Jackie now to tell her about your entry.
To Beryl Clare. I remember there were two Beryls one was tall and fair hair I think her name was Goldsbrough the other was smaller and always cheerful.Another name was a young girl called Jackie.There were a number of girls who started on the switchboard and then transferred to the ticket office to work with Frank Allison.Your memory is very sharp and I did marry Marjorie in the typing room and this year is our 48th anniversary. I worked with Taffy Jones when he was Captain Jones of Transport dept Home Guard platoon and later with Jack Shepherd in the wages office. He left to work at I.C.I. Stan Lane worked in the chief Inspectors office. Some of the names from the ticket office may not have been there at the same time as you but do you know any of the following, Hutchinson,Dolan,Winship,Foster,Dickinson they were all there at one time or another.When the T.M.T started we were sent to Mbro depot but after two years I moved to the Housing dept at Thornaby Town Hall. Yes I remember Phil Duncan but dont know where she moved to after we went to Mbro. It is nice to remember the old days,talk to you again, there may be other names we can think of.
To Albert Day, Did you also work with Jack Shepherd ? I remember you being in “wages” and that you married Marjorie from the upstairs office. I worked for Frank Allison in the ticket office and later on with Stan Lane and Phil Duncan – ring any bells ?
It would appear that the names of the five members of staff have been shown in the wrong order .they are L to R, W.M.Campbell[Gen.Manager],W.F.Hornby[Chief Clerk & cashier],J.Bradford[chief Inspector],S.Oliver[Senior clerk],R.Jinks[Foreman Painter]I am sorry but the man on the right of the picture is Ronnie Jinks. I worked with all of these people for many years at the Bridge Road Depot. Hello Ian Campbell I remember you in the General office. Yes I was in the Wages section at the time with Fred Koll an Austrian. The next office to yours was the Chief inspector and Mr. Hornby was at the end of the passage. Nice to hear from you.
My first job after leaving school, was in the office at Stockton Transport. I was in the same office as Taffy Jones and Jack Shepherd. Albert Day…I think you were in the next office, with a chap whose name escapes me, but who was originally Austrian. There was also a John Townes. I think Mr Hornsby was more senior and he had his own office next to ours, but on the other side. I joined in October 1953 and left in Feb 1955 to join the RAF at Her Majesty”s behest. I remember Mr Betts and Jack Bradford, as both their sons were at the old Stockton Grammar School in Garbutt Street at the same time as me.
To Albert Day. As I commented in March 2007 on this photograph the man standing on the right of the group is in fact my late cousin Frank Simpson, the photograph was taken in the mid 50s just before his untimely death.
Small world Michael,Ray Cook is my cousin. I saw him and Win when I was in England back in 1993. His brother Eric was also a driver who married Stella who was a clippy at the time. Guess they will all be retired now.
My Dad Jim Heselwood worked as a driver for the Corporation and Cleveland Transit for many years. I remember visiting the depot in Bridge Road. His clippy was Tess (Can”t remember her surname). Norman Foster was an inspector, he lived 2 doors away from us. I remember the works bus trips to places like Seaburn and Crimdon Dean and the annual outing to the pantomime in Stockton where we all got a selection box. Happy times.
To Beryl, Sorry about the misunderstanding i was an apprentice at the portrack depot but i do remember a couple of people. I left in 74 so it was a long time ago. Eddie rose, fitter, Brian dargins fitter, Bill Colclough body builder, Ray Cook driver who married my sister Win. 2 of my cousins Olga and Irean Wynn clippies i remember lots of first names and faces of people Mick
Michael Caveney, it is interesting that you were an apprentice at the Bridge Road Bus Depot. Can you remember any more of the names of people you worked with, and what job they did. One of the things that I used to help with apart from the office work, was handing the wages envelopes to employees through a small glass window of a hut in the yard opposite the paint shop. Best Wishes, BC
Beryl Clare – I think the man 2 in from the right as you look is Jack Burton I was an aprentice at the depot and Jack was my chargehand. He taught me a lot over the years I worked with him and it has stood me in good stead not sure if Mr Jinx is in the Photo he was my brothers chargehand and it is nice to see Bryan Archer has put in a few line as we were apprentices together. Thank you to who ever put this together it is nice to reminice. Mick Caveney
Message for Fred Webster, sorry I mistook your cousin for Mr Jinks, did your cousin talk of any other employees there ? I remember that Mr Wilson was the General Manager and Taffy Jones was in the general office – it was my first job and they were all lovely people and very kind to me. It would be nice if you had any more names to add to my memories. Best Wishes. BC
Beryl Clare : Just to clarify the man on the right of the group is in fact my cousin Frank Simpson, always cheerful, he worked the bus routes for many years before illness, he then transferred to a lighter job within the Bridge Road depot, he died not long after this photogragh was taken. He lived in Norton High Street.
I am sure that the man on the right of this group is Mr Jinks – he was head of the paint shop at Stockton Corporation Transport and he and his staff would have been involved in decorating the Christmas bus.I remember the excitement of the children waiting in the bus queue when the special bus turned up – out of the question these days I suppose.
I can remember the Christmas Bus at Stockton depot with amazement, I was a young apprentice auto electrician just starting out at the depot. The moving camel display the flashing lights and the illuminated Christmas tree at the front of the bus, they were all the work of Charlie Betts who was the Electrician responsible for making the dislays all work. It was a clever mix of wiper motors relays none of this solid state stuff you get now. I don”t know of any other local bus company who had this festive feature on the busses.
There was a long tradition of Christmas buses locally, started by Stockton Corporation Transport and continued up untill very recent times by Teesside Municipal Transpsort (1968-1974), Cleveland Transit (1974 to 1995) and Stagecoach Transit
Yes, I think there was always a Christmas bus in Stockton when the buses were run by the corporation. But I don”t think the private bus companies do anything anymore. I know the Cleveland Transit had an open seater that was run at Christmas, sometimes with Santa onboard.
This looks like a Christmas bus to me. There were specific buses decorated with snow and Christmas scenes and it was always exciting to catch a Christmas bus!
Can anybody confirm a vague memory that I have relating to tickets that were issued on the Christmas bus. In the 1950s, when you bought a ticket on the Christmas bus, the edge of the white paper ticket was printed with green holly leaves?
I worked in the office from 1960 to 1964 and sometimes had to meet the bus outside the depot to empty the charity box. I believe the cost of decorating the bus was about £100.
Children used to wait in anticipation at bus stops hoping it would be the “Xmas Bus “on the route. When taking the daily cash to the National Westminster Bank in the High Street, Bob Murray and Co used to line up along the pavement, take their caps off and bow in respect of Charlie Geary’s driving school going past. Happy days. I’m now 77 and live in York.
Thank you so much for this picture. I remember the bus when I was 3 years old and have often talked about it.
The Native American”s head on Guy Arab Buses stems from that company”s motto which reads “feathers in our cap”referring to the chiefs feathered headress. Guy Arab Buses were purchased by Stockton Corporation in 1944 (FPT693 no100) 1946, (FUP21/22/254/no”s101-103)and 1947(GUP556-563/no”s104-111) The biggest users of Guy buses on Teesside were Middlesbrough Corporation, who had several batches of them from 1945 onwards. No Stockton Buses survive today, but three Middlesbrough ones do, one of which is a Guy Arab (EXG892)which lives in Peterbrough and is yet to be restored.
Its nice to read all these stories about the garage staff. I worked there between 1956-60 as fitter. Some one mentioned the depot dances but also bus outings to Scarborough in the summer. I think the radiator cap in the picture was a Guy Warrior Indian headdress on top We had them on the wall in the fitting shop, they are collectors items these days
hi I STARTED WORK AT BRIDGE ROAD WHERE I MET MY WIFE JEAN HILL WE BOTH WERE CONDUCTORS .JACK BRADFORD WAS THE MAN WHO STARTED US LAURA MURRAY WAS IN CHARGE OF UNIFORMS AND VERY SMART THEY WERE ALL THE NAMES YOU HAVE ALL MENTIONED WE CAN REMEMBER HERE ARE SOME MORE PETER HALL -SANDRA WATSON LILIAN FOWLER RAY COOK ERIC COOK STELLA DRUMOND RON MURPHY DEPOT INSPECTOR ALSO WOODCOCK
Hi Robbie my old mate, give my love to my best mate Jean.
To Eddie Rose – sorry I have not replied sooner but have been a little under the weather this last few weeks.In your last message you asked when I started at S.C.T. It was in 1942 and was at Bridge Road until 1965 when we moved to the new offices in Portrack. In1968 it became T.M.T and the office staff were moved to the old tramsheds in Parliament Road. We felt like intruders and the fact that the Stockton manager was now General manager and Mbro manager his deputy did not help. So in 1970 I moved to the Housing Dept. in Thornaby Town Hall and stayed in Housing till I retired. In an earlier message Beryl Clare mentioned a book about Stockton corporation Transport. I bought a copy in April and it has a lot of interesting photos of buses over the years although there are one or two that I would question,but still brings back happy memories. As you say we will have to keep up the good work and keep remembering. P.S. Marjorie says thanks for your kind remarks.
To Albert Day,thanks for the contact and for the remarks about Charlie Tealy (I served part of my apprenticeship with him). His beautiful car was reputedly raced at the famous Brooklands track, and I recall Charlie having to completely rebuild it after his son badly damaged it. When did you start with Stockton Corporation? you can go back possibly even further than I. When Billy Bone was chargehand in No.1 Garage his opposite number in No.2 Garage was Bill Bradwell. Keep up the good work. P.S. give my regards to Marjorie (a gorgeous lady).
The Christmas Bus! – I have nothing to do with busses or any of the people who write about them on this site but I did love the Christmas Bus. Why don”t we have one now? As a child going to school we looked out for it and hoped beyond hope that this day it would be on our route to or from school. I know we were so innocent, perhaps today the kids wouldn”t be so impressed. When my son was little, it was still running round the streets and it was a joy to see him anticipating the christmas bus arriving at the bus stop. Ah nostalgia, isn”t what it used to be!!
Hello Eddie.I certainly remember you. The last time we met was in the High Street and you were regulating the buses for one of the companies that had taken over the transport system.The list of garage staff that you gave took me back over 60+ years in 60 seconds.I remembered all of them and it brought little incidences back which made me smile.Bob Murray and his Merry Men used to be the escort when the days cash had to go to the bank.Charlie Tealy was a wizard at tuning engines.He had a big sports car {a Bentley or a Lagonda type} he called THE MONSTER.I had a small M.G.with twin carbs that never ran smoothly.Using only a piece of rubber tubing he had it ticking over like a dream in less than 5 minutes.I think these were some of the happiest years of my working life.I suppose most of them are no longer with us although I did meet Bob{Buck} Johnson in town about 4 months ago,but he is the only one.To add a few more names to the old depot.Billy Norton was garage foreman and his assistant was A.Stavely.On the gantry next to Charlie Betts was the upholster Jock Paterson and Alan Jarnell.The storekeeper was Charlie Pearson and his assistant Walter Readman.It looks like a case of moving up the ladder.The two chargehand fitters were Fred Wood and Billy Bone.Do you remember Johnny Jones. His brother was Walter Jones in the tyre shop and old Harry Ellis who drove the old Morris Commercial pickup truck.they used to say the truck was older than the driver,and he used to be on the trams!!! I hope I havent bored you with all of this but there are not a lot of people around who would know what I am talking about.Hope to hear from you. Regards.
To Beryl Clare, thank you for your comments, I am only too pleased to help keep the memories alive. With regards to Albert Day, like everyone else at Stockton Corporation I knew him well, with a bit of luck he might even remember me. Since my last comments I have recalled more maintenance-staff names. Apprentices, Peter Yardley, Dennis Walton, Brian Codd, Brian Dargie and Mick McEntee. Body Shop, Alan Rutherford, Bill Colclough, Frankie Hudson. Seat Repairer Tommy Hall. Paint Shop Ted Corr. Labourers, Albert Heslop, Mick Wicks, Jack Turnbull and Keith Thomas. Enough!! Did you ever attend the social event of the year, the annual Staff Ball? This event was organised by the Sports and Social Club and was held in the Maison De Dance. If you remember like I do, management and the civic guests dined upstairs first, and only when they were finished were we allowed to eat, after which we would get a passout and meet in the Metropole Hotel. Happy Days.
Hello Eddie Rose, What a fantastic memory you have, I remember lots of the people on your list and I thank you for taking the trouble to type it all out. I think that you should get together with Albert Day – you could write a book of memories together. I was in the bookshop at Teesside Park recently and on their “books to buy for Christmas” shelf, there was a book about “Stockton Corporation Transport” and there were lots of recognisable names in there. Thanks again and best wishes.
Hi Beryl, as an old-timer with a long memory, I think I can supply a lot of names, from my dim and distant past, that I worked alongside at Bridge Road. I started as an apprentice fitter in 1955 and left in 1986. I will start my journey through time with the Paint Shop, chargehand Ronnie Jinks then, Francey Gill,George Wood,Ted ?,Joe Cavaney. In the stores were,Walter Readman, Wilf Ianson and Jackie Smith (Sybil Smiths husband). Sheet-Metal Shop, Jack Burton, Jack O Shaunessey,Bob Spencer, apprentice Cal Hawken. Blacksmiths Shop, Bill Passmore and Jimmy Marshall. Fitting Shop, Jackie Walker, G Etherington,Charlie Bradley, Fred Moorhouse,apprentice Eddie Rose. Body Shop, Tom Huggins, Frank Thomas Snr,Cyril Robinson ,Jack Jamieson,apprentice Frank Thomas Jnr,Frankie Hall.Electricians Shop, Charlie Betts, Billy House,apprentice Dave Watson,Bill Lockey. Fitters, Jimmy Hudson, Vernon Alderton, Joe Paul,Brian Dunn, Ted Retallick, Charlie Tealey, Les Dawson, Bill Bone, Bob Johnson, Bill Johnson, Dennis Thompson, Lennie Fretter. Works Foreman, Arthur Stavaley. Tyre Fitters,Ernie Duncan and Walter Jones. Wash Operators, Bob Murray, Jimmy Good, Reg Peters,Jimmy Swales and Paddy Macabe. Billy Lake Snr was the vehicle greaser. Lady cleaners were, Elsie Robinson,Anne McDonald,Flo Hardwick,Edie Bailley,Minnie Taylor and Evelyn ?. Phew!!!!! I have a mountain of memories of all these lads and lasses, just ask. To those people I have overlooked,sorry, I didnt mean to.
Hi Lesley yes I knew your dad well.sorry to hear he has passed away,It was gordon hedley who you were trying to remember.yes we had some happy times on the buses and they were a good crowd,
Tony, you would have been there when my dad, Jim Heselwood was there. He had to retire through ill health. It may have been in the late 80s. Sadly, he passed away in 1993. I think there was also someone with the name of Hedley there too. I can”t remember his Christian name.
Hi Tony, as a site newcomer I have just caught your photo of the somewhat vintage bus. Whilst the bus is before our time it certainly brought back a lot of memories. I remember very well all the names you quoted, plus a lot more. As you may (or may not)know I worked???? for Stockton Corporation from 1955 to 1986 and I often wonder if any of the old lads from the Bridge Road depot are still with us, if so please get in touch. Thanks Tony, see you soon.
Beryl Clare – The GUY buses had a native american indian chief motive on the top of the radiator so it was easy to identify them. You ask where the people are that we knew. I know that Vera Readman married Bob Griffiths from the general office and are still around. I was talking the other day to some people who had lived near Audrey and Stan Allison, but they said that they had both died some years ago.The only other ex transport staff that I see around is Beatrice Downing{nee Moore} from the ticket office{1946/1954}. As you say the little grey cells are working overtime. Regards..
I worked for transit started in 1972 left in 1987.I recall a lot of names ,norman foster jim hesslewood,Jacky Grey,paddy mcalister,alan carter,peter healy,eric and ray cook,bill raines,ronnie charlton,peter hall,frankie pratt,freda and alfie brown, harry granthum,jimmy cummins,brian dargie,eddie rose,my nickname was big t,then.use to be a good crowd of lads and lasses then. Lot more names I can recall.
To Albert Day. This website is better that the little machines that people buy to keep their minds active. When people on this site start with “do you remember” the little grey cells get very busy. I remember most of the names that you mention – wonder where they all are now. You must be the local authority on buses – fancy being able to recognise a bus by it”s radiator cap ! Very impressive.
To Beryl Clare. Just a few more names that come to mind. The Audrey would be Audrey Dennison who married a driver called Stan Allison.Other girls in the ticket office that I remember were Vera Readman (her father was Walter Readman in charge of the stores and Olwyn Burton(her father was Jack Burton in charge of the panel shop. Do you remember the office lads? Stephen Hart, Gerald Harrison, Eric Whitehouse who was a member of the Blue Caps. He is still in the music business and appears in local clubs with a one man show and is very good. This old photo has certainly jogged a few memories. This bus( no.106 Gup 558 )would have been purchased new about 1947, and by the radiatorcap to be a Guy Arab. As the manager on the left of the picture retired in May 1950 and died in April 1951 I would think this was the last decorated bus during his term of office, hence the inclusion of some of his senior staff and would be for Christmas 1949. I hope you will recognise some of the names I have mentioned. P.S. Yes I do remember Miss Nicholson and Mrs.Stockdale and her canteen. HAPPY DAYS!!!
To Albert Day, Your long memory has brought back to my mind a lot of the people from my first job with Stockton Transport. I was fifteen years old, I was the tall Beryl (Goldsbrough). Jackie was one of my friends and we are still friends today, she lives in Surrey. I do recognise some of the names such as Violet Hutchinson, Anne Dolan. Another friend of mine was Audrey. A couple of boys from the workshops used to hope for dates, one was David Watson who was very keen on Jackie and another was Frankie Thomas who was very keen on Audrey. The Manager at the time was Mr Wilson and your Marjorie used to work with a girl called Eileen. Do you both remember Miss Nicholson? You are right, it is nice to remember the old days – but I wasn”t so keen on being the tea girl and having to go to the canteen for everyones tea and buns, staggering down those steep canteen stairs with a fully laden tray – with warnings from Mrs Stockdale “don”t drop it”! Best wishes to you both, Beryl Clare I am going to email Jackie now to tell her about your entry.
To Beryl Clare. I remember there were two Beryls one was tall and fair hair I think her name was Goldsbrough the other was smaller and always cheerful.Another name was a young girl called Jackie.There were a number of girls who started on the switchboard and then transferred to the ticket office to work with Frank Allison.Your memory is very sharp and I did marry Marjorie in the typing room and this year is our 48th anniversary. I worked with Taffy Jones when he was Captain Jones of Transport dept Home Guard platoon and later with Jack Shepherd in the wages office. He left to work at I.C.I. Stan Lane worked in the chief Inspectors office. Some of the names from the ticket office may not have been there at the same time as you but do you know any of the following, Hutchinson,Dolan,Winship,Foster,Dickinson they were all there at one time or another.When the T.M.T started we were sent to Mbro depot but after two years I moved to the Housing dept at Thornaby Town Hall. Yes I remember Phil Duncan but dont know where she moved to after we went to Mbro. It is nice to remember the old days,talk to you again, there may be other names we can think of.
To Albert Day, Did you also work with Jack Shepherd ? I remember you being in “wages” and that you married Marjorie from the upstairs office. I worked for Frank Allison in the ticket office and later on with Stan Lane and Phil Duncan – ring any bells ?
It would appear that the names of the five members of staff have been shown in the wrong order .they are L to R, W.M.Campbell[Gen.Manager],W.F.Hornby[Chief Clerk & cashier],J.Bradford[chief Inspector],S.Oliver[Senior clerk],R.Jinks[Foreman Painter]I am sorry but the man on the right of the picture is Ronnie Jinks. I worked with all of these people for many years at the Bridge Road Depot. Hello Ian Campbell I remember you in the General office. Yes I was in the Wages section at the time with Fred Koll an Austrian. The next office to yours was the Chief inspector and Mr. Hornby was at the end of the passage. Nice to hear from you.
Hi Mike Caveney. Good to hear Ray Cook and Win are well. I must look them up next time I am in England.
My first job after leaving school, was in the office at Stockton Transport. I was in the same office as Taffy Jones and Jack Shepherd. Albert Day…I think you were in the next office, with a chap whose name escapes me, but who was originally Austrian. There was also a John Townes. I think Mr Hornsby was more senior and he had his own office next to ours, but on the other side. I joined in October 1953 and left in Feb 1955 to join the RAF at Her Majesty”s behest. I remember Mr Betts and Jack Bradford, as both their sons were at the old Stockton Grammar School in Garbutt Street at the same time as me.
To Albert Day. As I commented in March 2007 on this photograph the man standing on the right of the group is in fact my late cousin Frank Simpson, the photograph was taken in the mid 50s just before his untimely death.
The staff standing by the bus are L.to R. W.F.Hornby W,M.Campbell, J.Bradford,S.Oliver,R.Jinks circa 1948/49
Hi David I left the North East in 76 and dont go back much I saw ray and Win a few weeks ago they are doing really well and have retired
Small world Michael,Ray Cook is my cousin. I saw him and Win when I was in England back in 1993. His brother Eric was also a driver who married Stella who was a clippy at the time. Guess they will all be retired now.
My Dad Jim Heselwood worked as a driver for the Corporation and Cleveland Transit for many years. I remember visiting the depot in Bridge Road. His clippy was Tess (Can”t remember her surname). Norman Foster was an inspector, he lived 2 doors away from us. I remember the works bus trips to places like Seaburn and Crimdon Dean and the annual outing to the pantomime in Stockton where we all got a selection box. Happy times.
To Beryl, Sorry about the misunderstanding i was an apprentice at the portrack depot but i do remember a couple of people. I left in 74 so it was a long time ago. Eddie rose, fitter, Brian dargins fitter, Bill Colclough body builder, Ray Cook driver who married my sister Win. 2 of my cousins Olga and Irean Wynn clippies i remember lots of first names and faces of people Mick
Michael Caveney, it is interesting that you were an apprentice at the Bridge Road Bus Depot. Can you remember any more of the names of people you worked with, and what job they did. One of the things that I used to help with apart from the office work, was handing the wages envelopes to employees through a small glass window of a hut in the yard opposite the paint shop. Best Wishes, BC
Beryl Clare – I think the man 2 in from the right as you look is Jack Burton I was an aprentice at the depot and Jack was my chargehand. He taught me a lot over the years I worked with him and it has stood me in good stead not sure if Mr Jinx is in the Photo he was my brothers chargehand and it is nice to see Bryan Archer has put in a few line as we were apprentices together. Thank you to who ever put this together it is nice to reminice. Mick Caveney
Message for Fred Webster, sorry I mistook your cousin for Mr Jinks, did your cousin talk of any other employees there ? I remember that Mr Wilson was the General Manager and Taffy Jones was in the general office – it was my first job and they were all lovely people and very kind to me. It would be nice if you had any more names to add to my memories. Best Wishes. BC
Could the man on the left with the trilby be my uncle, Jack Burton? I know he worked for many years at the Bridge Road depot.
Beryl Clare : Just to clarify the man on the right of the group is in fact my cousin Frank Simpson, always cheerful, he worked the bus routes for many years before illness, he then transferred to a lighter job within the Bridge Road depot, he died not long after this photogragh was taken. He lived in Norton High Street.
I am sure that the man on the right of this group is Mr Jinks – he was head of the paint shop at Stockton Corporation Transport and he and his staff would have been involved in decorating the Christmas bus.I remember the excitement of the children waiting in the bus queue when the special bus turned up – out of the question these days I suppose.
I can remember the Christmas Bus at Stockton depot with amazement, I was a young apprentice auto electrician just starting out at the depot. The moving camel display the flashing lights and the illuminated Christmas tree at the front of the bus, they were all the work of Charlie Betts who was the Electrician responsible for making the dislays all work. It was a clever mix of wiper motors relays none of this solid state stuff you get now. I don”t know of any other local bus company who had this festive feature on the busses.
There was a long tradition of Christmas buses locally, started by Stockton Corporation Transport and continued up untill very recent times by Teesside Municipal Transpsort (1968-1974), Cleveland Transit (1974 to 1995) and Stagecoach Transit
Yes, I think there was always a Christmas bus in Stockton when the buses were run by the corporation. But I don”t think the private bus companies do anything anymore. I know the Cleveland Transit had an open seater that was run at Christmas, sometimes with Santa onboard.
This looks like a Christmas bus to me. There were specific buses decorated with snow and Christmas scenes and it was always exciting to catch a Christmas bus!
Can anybody confirm a vague memory that I have relating to tickets that were issued on the Christmas bus. In the 1950s, when you bought a ticket on the Christmas bus, the edge of the white paper ticket was printed with green holly leaves?