Recollections of a River

The Victorian attitude was to cut the loops off! This 1889 plan shows the new course of the river after the cuts as well as where the old loops used to be. Such loops are known as ‘meanders’. These meanders were difficult to navigate, and sail, horses and even manpower were some times needed for the larger ships to get round them.

St Marys Church c1986

St Marys Roman Catholic Church on Norton Road at the corner of Major Street, Stockton.

The foundation stone was laid on 31st May 1841 by Bishop Mostyn, Vicar Apostolic for the northern regions. The church officially opened by Bishop Mostyn on 7th July 1842. The congregation transferred here from Playhouse Yard known as the Mother Church of the catholic community in Teesside.