I’m pretty sure that when I was at Mill Lane school in the early 60’s, this was a sweet shop. On the other corner was the building that was used by I think ICI to store and distribute what I seem to remember bags of powder/granules. I remember seeing some of R Durham’s wagons in there being loaded. On the other side of the road, there was 2/3 large shutter doors which I think may have been the co op.
Can anyone remember Millie George, who had a shop on Dixon Street? She always had a dog. Ricky was her last dog a collie. She used to drive around in a mini, very kind lady.
I remember Millie very well and her dogs in the small shop she ran just round the corner from Bute Street where I lived. When she sold up the shop she moved into 18 Bute Street and was a friend of my mother. I still remember buying Smiths crisps and trying to find the packet with the most little blue bags of salt!
To Margaret Craggs – Yes I remember Bakery Street. Going down Dixon street from Dovecot Street it was the first street on the right. It was at the end of the Alms Houses. On the other corner of the street was the start of the Co-Op stores. Bakery Street was very short and led of course to the Co-Op bakery.
Does anybody remember the shop in Ewbank Street called Gerty Wassels, I remember it well the door being like many shops of that era right on the corner. Going in there and remembering on the left at eye level (5 to 6 year olds level) large biscuit tins, one with an animated picture on it of a young boy with ginger hair and rosy cheeks advertising Ginger Snaps, I thought this was a picture of me. Wife’s coming and going for a quarter of this and a quarter of that from the meat slicing machine, Gerty, continually changing great chunks of cooked meat to slice asking how thick or thin, included in that was a big lump of raw bacon for slicing. (No health and safety then), or was there an additional meet slicer further over that my minds eye could not see. Jars of potted paste made up by Gerty in small jars scooped from a rather larger two toned brown stone jar, sweets at a premium. Two ounces of butter or cheese, you bought what you were going to use there and then, otherwise it would go off, especially in the summer. Ice pops, yes ice pops; no one had a fridge then let alone a freezer. Woodbines sold by the ones twos and the like you bought what you could afford, sugar and the like done up in different size blue paper bags, etc. The next shop up from Gerty Wassels in size and more variety was Walter Wilson’s in Dovecote Street, opposite the entrance to Hartington Road, the shop is still there but not Walter Wilson’s. Leaving Gerty’s shop and turning right to go back to Nanas, crossing the road dodging Jackie Johnson’s horse and cart (the local coal merchant) a menagerie of local kids running through a maze of narrow back streets shouting scatter the Bobbies are coming, warning the local illegal bookie that the police are on their way to nick him. Just before turning left in to Nanas, I would have a last look to the end of the street where there was a great big billboard with Ahhhhhh Bisto on it well it was big and great to me. What was I doing there, well going a Message of course, a note of my Nanas wants scribbled down in pencil on a piece of scrap paper the money wrapped up in the note and taken straight to the shop and placed firmly in to Gerty’s hand. Roy.
To Paul Dee i have been in touch with my dad also with my aunt Eva,who both lived at 46 Dixon Street.My aunt was too young and did not know your grandfather.My dad however recognized his name but could not remember him.He said he was always a shy quiet lad so there would be no reason,for your grandfather to chastise him for being naughty.Thats the reason my dad cannot remember him.He his 86 in January and has not changed very much he is still very quiet and shy.Sorry we could not have been more helpful.
To Sue Marr. My grandfather,Patrick Dee,lived at No.18 Dixon Street from the 1900s up to 1940 when he moved South to live with a daughter. He was born and raised in the West of Ireland and some of my aunts and uncles were born in Ireland. My father was born in Stockton and from the 1901 census they were then living on Wellington Street. Your father may well remember my grandfather. He had a very upright military bearing as befitted an ex-RSM of the Connaught Rangers (an old Irish regiment disbanded after the Irish Free State was established} He always kept his Irish accent. I gather he was rather strict so he may be remembered by any of the naughty boys of that era !
‘The Crown Jewels of Eubank Street’ Come-on all you Stocktonian Silver Surfers, what do you know about them, who made them, why and where are they now.
Has anybody out there got any information regarding Bakery Street in Stockton-on-Tees, its just behind Dovecot st and I believe it runs adjacent to Dixon street, I would be gratefull for any info.
I have been reading all of your posts with great interest – and note that Wellington Street has been mentioned. I am looking for information on the Pugh family way back in 1891. On the census for 1891 My Grt. Grandfather Mark Pugh and Grt. Grandmother Mary Ann Pugh(nee Lea) and family of eight children were listed as living at No 14 Wellington Street. His occupation was Foreman of Ironworks. Does anyone know of any family by the name of Pugh still living in or around the area. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Ann I have just been chatting to my uncle Tom he is the last of my grandparents children alive.He will not mind me saying but he his 81 he said he was sorry but he did not remember you or your family.However you were correct my granny Tillys sister was called Floss Duncan and did indeed live next door to my grandparents in Ewbank Street.
Hi David sorry about not replying sooner,yes thats my dad and he is still in hospital.He remembered you and your mother and father and your nana Margaret.Happy days he always remembers those saturday nights round at your house.He did however correct you on your recollection of the cow incident.They came in the back yard because someone had left the gate open.Dad said they came in to see where the singing was coming from.He was in the toilet in the yard at the time singing he said whoever was in the toilet used to sing because there was not a lock on the toilet door.He did say you were correct about his mam and your nana a Margaret chatting away while the cows were listening to his singing.Thank you for thinking of him but he said you must have the wrong man when i told him what you had said about him.He sends his regards and hope you are well.
Hi Sue – I left Dean Street in 1953 and went to live on the Roseworth estate, I remember Ada Rowbottam but I thought she actually lived in Dean Street, I think there was a few of them lived in our street, but as time goes by things get a bit fuzzy. When I lived there I remember all the little corner shops on each street, there was Wassles, Foley”s Chapmans and I remember Reltons the Off Licence. Nice talking to you.
Hello Sue Marr; I too remember the library- the children”s on one side and the adult on the other. The Baptist Tabernacle was just up a little way. After the cattle market was finished, the animals were driven down Wellington Street towards the slaughter house. They sometimes escaped and I was terrified of them!! I visited Wellington St. in 1973 and took many photos of that whole area–Wellington Street, Stanley Street, Dixon etc. As a kid, I watched the guy making new horse shoes for the Coop horses nearby. Remember, the Stores shop opposite the library? I stood in line for bread during the war!!! Before going to school.!! Sue, regarding the children”s library, my favorites were Arthur Ransomes books. —Swallows and Amazons. I am presently working with a kid here and trying to get him interested. Nice chatting with you!!!!
The shop featured in this photograph was refurbished 2/3 years ago. It is now used for private accommodation, I think possibly rented out to students. The building in the background of the photograph was the Stockton Co-op garage in which their many vehicles were maintained. Being employed by the Co-op building department, I worked on the building at the time of it”s construction around 1959/60. In later years it was used for furniture storage, the building was demolished earlier this year and a new housing block is now nearing completion on the site.
Hi Bill the only few memories I have of Wellington Street has a little girl is it seemed to be miles away from Ewbank Street. My Granddad used to help out in the church and he used to walk me there on a Saturday night. I would help him put up all the music stands ready for sunday morning. I also remember the library in Wellington Street I was there every week. My dad remembered the shop being on the corner of Wellington street he said it was called Strethans.
Hi Ann the lady I remember living next door to my grandparents was called Ada Rawbottom. My granny Tillys sister Floss lived there before Ada. This would have been the late 1950s mid 1960s, I was born in 1952. So I spent my weekends from about 8 years old till I was in my early teens. My granddad and the men from around the area used to play pitch and toss for money in the back street between Ewbank Street and Dean street. He was also a bookies runner and would collect the bets long before Ladbrooks or Hills. Next time I see uncle Tom I will ask if he remembers you and your family.
To Sue Marr – I remember Mr & Mrs Cockin their backyard wall backed onto ours – we lived in No 3 Dean Street – I am sure that the people that lived next door to them were the (Duncan”s). I have tried so many times to get in touch with people from that area, did manage to get in touch with one person that lived in No 7 Dean Street. I went to Mill Lane School, left in 1955, so anybody out there that new me or my family have a brother Peter that went to Holy Trinity.
Sue Marr: I remember Dixon st. and Ewbank very well. I lived at 99 Wellington St. and last address was 23 Stanley st. On Wellington there was an off-license next door a Miss Stathern, I seem to recall. Anyone familiar with this area? I believe most of this area has been redeveloped????? Went down Dixon St to Mill Lane Boys School during the war.
To Sue Marr- is your dad the Bob Barron who was friends of the Worsnops in Bute Street. If so he used to come to my mam and dads house in Russell Street for a game of cards every Saturday night. Ask him if he remembers the day cows escaped from the Coop warehouse and entered his mams house, through the front door in Dixon Street. All the Barron kids (of which Bob was one) had to escape by the back door and run round to Bute Street to get their mam who was gossipping to my nana Margaret Worsnop. I hope your dad is OK, I always remember him as a gentleman and a caring person.
I have just been to visit my dad Mr.Robert William Barron in hospital. He lived in Dixon Street from 1922 when he was born till 1951 when he married my mam Mabel Cockin of Ewbank Street. His sister Eva married my mams brother Tom,uncle Tom was visiting my dad at the same time. We got talking and I told them about this web site how interesting it is for anyone born in Stockton-on-Tees or who enjoys local history. My mam and her family lived in number 56 Ewbank Street, next to them was a common. The local children played on the common and their footballs more often than not landed in my Grandparents yard. My Grandad got so fed up with this he painted on the gable wall in white paint (NO BALLS RETURNED). Uncle Tom says this follows him every where he goes, people tap him on the back and say no balls returned. He said he would be interested to know if it had always been common ground or if there had been a house there, prior to the 1920s.
Seems funny seeing it again, I used to work in that shop in 1971, for George Storey and John Hammer, Peter Weedy , Caterfreeze was opposite and Heaps round the corner
The street beyond the shop of Teesside Industrial Fasteners is Melbourne Street. The Co-op Laundry boiler house stood on the opposite side of Melbourne Street. This boiler house fed the hot water and steam for the laundry situated between Melbourne Street and Wellington Street.
I’m pretty sure that when I was at Mill Lane school in the early 60’s, this was a sweet shop. On the other corner was the building that was used by I think ICI to store and distribute what I seem to remember bags of powder/granules. I remember seeing some of R Durham’s wagons in there being loaded. On the other side of the road, there was 2/3 large shutter doors which I think may have been the co op.
Can anyone remember Millie George, who had a shop on Dixon Street? She always had a dog. Ricky was her last dog a collie. She used to drive around in a mini, very kind lady.
I remember Millie very well and her dogs in the small shop she ran just round the corner from Bute Street where I lived. When she sold up the shop she moved into 18 Bute Street and was a friend of my mother. I still remember buying Smiths crisps and trying to find the packet with the most little blue bags of salt!
Allan Marshall
To Margaret Craggs – Yes I remember Bakery Street. Going down Dixon street from Dovecot Street it was the first street on the right. It was at the end of the Alms Houses. On the other corner of the street was the start of the Co-Op stores. Bakery Street was very short and led of course to the Co-Op bakery.
Does anybody remember the shop in Ewbank Street called Gerty Wassels, I remember it well the door being like many shops of that era right on the corner. Going in there and remembering on the left at eye level (5 to 6 year olds level) large biscuit tins, one with an animated picture on it of a young boy with ginger hair and rosy cheeks advertising Ginger Snaps, I thought this was a picture of me. Wife’s coming and going for a quarter of this and a quarter of that from the meat slicing machine, Gerty, continually changing great chunks of cooked meat to slice asking how thick or thin, included in that was a big lump of raw bacon for slicing. (No health and safety then), or was there an additional meet slicer further over that my minds eye could not see. Jars of potted paste made up by Gerty in small jars scooped from a rather larger two toned brown stone jar, sweets at a premium. Two ounces of butter or cheese, you bought what you were going to use there and then, otherwise it would go off, especially in the summer. Ice pops, yes ice pops; no one had a fridge then let alone a freezer. Woodbines sold by the ones twos and the like you bought what you could afford, sugar and the like done up in different size blue paper bags, etc. The next shop up from Gerty Wassels in size and more variety was Walter Wilson’s in Dovecote Street, opposite the entrance to Hartington Road, the shop is still there but not Walter Wilson’s. Leaving Gerty’s shop and turning right to go back to Nanas, crossing the road dodging Jackie Johnson’s horse and cart (the local coal merchant) a menagerie of local kids running through a maze of narrow back streets shouting scatter the Bobbies are coming, warning the local illegal bookie that the police are on their way to nick him. Just before turning left in to Nanas, I would have a last look to the end of the street where there was a great big billboard with Ahhhhhh Bisto on it well it was big and great to me. What was I doing there, well going a Message of course, a note of my Nanas wants scribbled down in pencil on a piece of scrap paper the money wrapped up in the note and taken straight to the shop and placed firmly in to Gerty’s hand. Roy.
To Paul Dee i have been in touch with my dad also with my aunt Eva,who both lived at 46 Dixon Street.My aunt was too young and did not know your grandfather.My dad however recognized his name but could not remember him.He said he was always a shy quiet lad so there would be no reason,for your grandfather to chastise him for being naughty.Thats the reason my dad cannot remember him.He his 86 in January and has not changed very much he is still very quiet and shy.Sorry we could not have been more helpful.
To Sue Marr. My grandfather,Patrick Dee,lived at No.18 Dixon Street from the 1900s up to 1940 when he moved South to live with a daughter. He was born and raised in the West of Ireland and some of my aunts and uncles were born in Ireland. My father was born in Stockton and from the 1901 census they were then living on Wellington Street. Your father may well remember my grandfather. He had a very upright military bearing as befitted an ex-RSM of the Connaught Rangers (an old Irish regiment disbanded after the Irish Free State was established} He always kept his Irish accent. I gather he was rather strict so he may be remembered by any of the naughty boys of that era !
‘The Crown Jewels of Eubank Street’ Come-on all you Stocktonian Silver Surfers, what do you know about them, who made them, why and where are they now.
Has anybody out there got any information regarding Bakery Street in Stockton-on-Tees, its just behind Dovecot st and I believe it runs adjacent to Dixon street, I would be gratefull for any info.
I have been reading all of your posts with great interest – and note that Wellington Street has been mentioned. I am looking for information on the Pugh family way back in 1891. On the census for 1891 My Grt. Grandfather Mark Pugh and Grt. Grandmother Mary Ann Pugh(nee Lea) and family of eight children were listed as living at No 14 Wellington Street. His occupation was Foreman of Ironworks. Does anyone know of any family by the name of Pugh still living in or around the area. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Ann I have just been chatting to my uncle Tom he is the last of my grandparents children alive.He will not mind me saying but he his 81 he said he was sorry but he did not remember you or your family.However you were correct my granny Tillys sister was called Floss Duncan and did indeed live next door to my grandparents in Ewbank Street.
Hi David sorry about not replying sooner,yes thats my dad and he is still in hospital.He remembered you and your mother and father and your nana Margaret.Happy days he always remembers those saturday nights round at your house.He did however correct you on your recollection of the cow incident.They came in the back yard because someone had left the gate open.Dad said they came in to see where the singing was coming from.He was in the toilet in the yard at the time singing he said whoever was in the toilet used to sing because there was not a lock on the toilet door.He did say you were correct about his mam and your nana a Margaret chatting away while the cows were listening to his singing.Thank you for thinking of him but he said you must have the wrong man when i told him what you had said about him.He sends his regards and hope you are well.
Hi Sue – I left Dean Street in 1953 and went to live on the Roseworth estate, I remember Ada Rowbottam but I thought she actually lived in Dean Street, I think there was a few of them lived in our street, but as time goes by things get a bit fuzzy. When I lived there I remember all the little corner shops on each street, there was Wassles, Foley”s Chapmans and I remember Reltons the Off Licence. Nice talking to you.
Hello Sue Marr; I too remember the library- the children”s on one side and the adult on the other. The Baptist Tabernacle was just up a little way. After the cattle market was finished, the animals were driven down Wellington Street towards the slaughter house. They sometimes escaped and I was terrified of them!! I visited Wellington St. in 1973 and took many photos of that whole area–Wellington Street, Stanley Street, Dixon etc. As a kid, I watched the guy making new horse shoes for the Coop horses nearby. Remember, the Stores shop opposite the library? I stood in line for bread during the war!!! Before going to school.!! Sue, regarding the children”s library, my favorites were Arthur Ransomes books. —Swallows and Amazons. I am presently working with a kid here and trying to get him interested. Nice chatting with you!!!!
The shop featured in this photograph was refurbished 2/3 years ago. It is now used for private accommodation, I think possibly rented out to students. The building in the background of the photograph was the Stockton Co-op garage in which their many vehicles were maintained. Being employed by the Co-op building department, I worked on the building at the time of it”s construction around 1959/60. In later years it was used for furniture storage, the building was demolished earlier this year and a new housing block is now nearing completion on the site.
Hi Bill the only few memories I have of Wellington Street has a little girl is it seemed to be miles away from Ewbank Street. My Granddad used to help out in the church and he used to walk me there on a Saturday night. I would help him put up all the music stands ready for sunday morning. I also remember the library in Wellington Street I was there every week. My dad remembered the shop being on the corner of Wellington street he said it was called Strethans.
Hi Ann the lady I remember living next door to my grandparents was called Ada Rawbottom. My granny Tillys sister Floss lived there before Ada. This would have been the late 1950s mid 1960s, I was born in 1952. So I spent my weekends from about 8 years old till I was in my early teens. My granddad and the men from around the area used to play pitch and toss for money in the back street between Ewbank Street and Dean street. He was also a bookies runner and would collect the bets long before Ladbrooks or Hills. Next time I see uncle Tom I will ask if he remembers you and your family.
To Sue Marr – I remember Mr & Mrs Cockin their backyard wall backed onto ours – we lived in No 3 Dean Street – I am sure that the people that lived next door to them were the (Duncan”s). I have tried so many times to get in touch with people from that area, did manage to get in touch with one person that lived in No 7 Dean Street. I went to Mill Lane School, left in 1955, so anybody out there that new me or my family have a brother Peter that went to Holy Trinity.
Sue Marr: I remember Dixon st. and Ewbank very well. I lived at 99 Wellington St. and last address was 23 Stanley st. On Wellington there was an off-license next door a Miss Stathern, I seem to recall. Anyone familiar with this area? I believe most of this area has been redeveloped????? Went down Dixon St to Mill Lane Boys School during the war.
To Sue Marr- is your dad the Bob Barron who was friends of the Worsnops in Bute Street. If so he used to come to my mam and dads house in Russell Street for a game of cards every Saturday night. Ask him if he remembers the day cows escaped from the Coop warehouse and entered his mams house, through the front door in Dixon Street. All the Barron kids (of which Bob was one) had to escape by the back door and run round to Bute Street to get their mam who was gossipping to my nana Margaret Worsnop. I hope your dad is OK, I always remember him as a gentleman and a caring person.
I have just been to visit my dad Mr.Robert William Barron in hospital. He lived in Dixon Street from 1922 when he was born till 1951 when he married my mam Mabel Cockin of Ewbank Street. His sister Eva married my mams brother Tom,uncle Tom was visiting my dad at the same time. We got talking and I told them about this web site how interesting it is for anyone born in Stockton-on-Tees or who enjoys local history. My mam and her family lived in number 56 Ewbank Street, next to them was a common. The local children played on the common and their footballs more often than not landed in my Grandparents yard. My Grandad got so fed up with this he painted on the gable wall in white paint (NO BALLS RETURNED). Uncle Tom says this follows him every where he goes, people tap him on the back and say no balls returned. He said he would be interested to know if it had always been common ground or if there had been a house there, prior to the 1920s.
Seems funny seeing it again, I used to work in that shop in 1971, for George Storey and John Hammer, Peter Weedy , Caterfreeze was opposite and Heaps round the corner
The street beyond the shop of Teesside Industrial Fasteners is Melbourne Street. The Co-op Laundry boiler house stood on the opposite side of Melbourne Street. This boiler house fed the hot water and steam for the laundry situated between Melbourne Street and Wellington Street.