HELP WANTED: I read that Head Wrightson Works and staff were heavily involved with engineering and assembly work on the highly important – top secret – Mulberry Harbours project used on the Day D landings to unload men, weapons and the unloading of frieght ships lying offshore, Normandy, France, 1944. So far my research into Head Wrightsons role has drawn a blank. Do any of the Stockton & Thornaby hands who did wartime work for Heads, have any information about Head Wrightson’s part and what they built during the war years to aid the war effort, an old friend of mine told me they made bomb casings but what esle?
Research Notes: With my thanks to the staff of The Institute of Engineers Carol and Annette, . Ref: Code name Mulberry Harbours: the planning, building and operation of the Normandy harbours. Book: HARTCUP, G. Author, Newton Abbot : David & Charles publishers, 1977 and “A Harbour goes to war”: the story of Mulberry and the men who made it happen. EVANS, J. others author, Garlieston, Wigtownshire : Brook House Publishing, for the South Machars Historical Society, 2000, I was informed there was NO mention of Head Wrightson work on this project. Code Mulberry files includes a list of main contractors and consultants which was reproduced in the NCE supplement. Bob Wilson.
During a visit to Billingham’s Roseberry Library earlier this week I saw a very interesting collection of photographs displayed by the Stockton Borough Council which included some great images of an early 1950’s launch of a Nuclear Reactor Vessel prior to being towed by sea to, I think, Bradwell and Dungeness. Jimmy Kelley with a boat full of passengers seems to be one of the other images.
I lived with my Nana and Granddad in Camden Street when I was a little girl. Dickie Bradshaw was my Granddad. I moved back down south with my Mum, my Mum was their daughter. She never had a good life growing up, but I loved living up North and all my best memories are with the Bradshaw family. I used to play with a girl called Christine Eddie, does anyone know what become of her? Must be at least 45 yrs since I last saw her.
I understand the piano teacher’s full name was Janet Hutton, she lived with my Uncle Bob. They lived on the Eleanor Place/Street side of Northcote Street. I’m sure Chamney’s was on the opposite side of the road. Their house backed on to Stockton & Thornaby Hospital. I can’t remember the number but it was after the place that became the chinese takeaway and before Eleanor. They moved to Moulton Grove in Fairfield around 1972 – my god Ken Rhodes, that was an experience getting the double decker bus from Denshams Corner to a different world altogether!
I worked in the Personnel Department at the top of Chapel Street, the former flour mill offices. I worked for Mr Meachen the Senior Personnel Officer. I started work there from school as a Commercial Trainee working in various department of the company gaining a wealth of experience and attended Stockton Billingham college on a day release basis. We moved to the friarage at Yarm but have very fond memories of working on the Teesdale site. I remember Harry Soppet and Mrs Kiely who worked for him and lived in St Lukes Avenue. I also remember Mr Doran who was head of Personnel at Yarm and was also on the TV programme Ask the Family. I worked in the Transport Department, Research & Development, the chem labs and Personnel. Personnel was where I obtained a permanent post when my training was finshed.
Lesley, old Dickie was my Grandad and I heard the story about him being the first man to escape from Durham Prison in a laundry basket. I cannot confirm if this is true but I definately heard the story and also that there was a film made using his escape method.
My father was young Dickie and he was a verry good darts player. I have a program were he was in the first News of the world final. My brother Ray (Shirty )was also a good darts player.
Anon. Old Dickie that lived next door was a very small man and to me as a youngster going to school he looked very old then, I may be wrong but I dont remember him working. His son was a good darts player as you mentioned. Was there another Dickie that followed on to become Dickie Bradshaw the third? I would be only about nine or ten so that would be about 1942 making me an old man now whose memory is going backover. Does that match your time scale Anon? I’m thinking that you are much younger than me and your memory is better than mine. Lesley and Alice have Camden Street memories, can they help?
The Dickie Bradshaw that worked in the Head Wrightson’s fitting shop was about 5 feet 6 inches tall and would be about 103 years old if he was alive today. He had a son called Dickie who was a good darts player. Old Dickie was allegedly given the Cat of Nine Tails in Durham Prison.
Nice to see this site come alive again. The Bradshaws lived in Camden Street where I lived for a lot of years. Old Dickie was an old man when I was just ten or eleven and his son was Young Dickie who I suppose Anon knew as old Dickie. The senior Dickie lived next door to me and young Dickie lived across the street. Tale had it that the Dickie you knew Anon was in prison one year and won the Xmas darts competition so the next Xmas got put in prison to try and defend his title. True?
The fire pond at Thornaby was at the back of the foundry & the side of the offices, it was used by Head Wrightson’s own fire brigade which Harry Soppet was a leading member. When we were in the Apprentice School we drained the pond and taped all the joints in the concrete up before filling it up again. You are right Bob Urwin, old Dickie Bradshaw was a real hardman in his younger days, he was a boxer in the fairground boxing booths. One overtime night we were having our break & Dickie was sat quietly by the fire with his pipe & knife. We were talking and when we turned round Dickie had blood round his mouth, he said a tooth had been giving him trouble & he had cut it out with his knife. He taught a lot of workers how to sling jobs properly, Dickie was about 76 when he retired & was respected by all his workmates.
My father Ken Beaton worked for Headwrighton Thornaby for 42 years, as a welder, until it was closed down – a day he never thought would come. His brother Morris Beaton, my Grandad Samuel Beaton and two of my dads uncles also worked there.
Kenneth and Morris are my cousins and my father Bob Marshall worked for Heads for 44 years. I only managed 9 years before emigrating to Australia but the experience gained has proved to be invaluable throughout my career. I thank Harry Soppett for giving me the opportunity with Heads. Lost touch with my family in Stockton so hopefully this will get to you.
I worked in the Head Wrightson Drawing office at Thornaby in the late 60’s, having started my training (after the Apprentice school) at the Friarage Yarm and working there until everybody was transferred to Thornaby. I remember Alan Collier, Phil Colliers dad, a really nice man and a very good draughtsman.
Nice to see the late Barry Thompson mentioned here, he left behind many happy memories. His smiling face can be seen in a photo of a class at Richard Hind Junior School in 1955 (photo ref. t7812).
Pam thanks for remembering, Barry Thompson lived a few doors from us, his mother helped with my wedding reception. At the end of Lawrence St there was a bombed out garage and us being just kids had to have a look through the boarded up windows and there was a penny farthing bike in there, but we dare not climb in or we would have been in big trouble. Eddie is still around lives in Eaglescliffe whereas I now reside in the city of Lincoln. I will mention you to him.
I remember Eddie Watling who lived on Laurence Street, Shiela. We were on Yarm Lane, played with him, the late Barry Thomson, Anne Gregson, Margaret Youldon etc.
My grandfather was Jim Kelley, the ferryman mentioned in some of the earlier comments. There is a separate page on the site that mentions Kelley’s Ferry.
I remember my mum Thelma telling me that Jim continued to do work for HW up until the early seventies when he had an accident loading paint onto the back of a wagon. Sadly he passed away in the midseventies.
Well didnt know the area was so well known. I also lived in Parkfield worked at H.W and went to Bowesfield Lane school from 1952 to 57. I can remember all the shops mentioned and my Aunt had the hairdressers in Parliament St called Tyremans. I have a brother who still lives in the area in Eleanor Place, we kids used to have great fun running around the back streets playing tiallio or kiss chase (don’t tell my mum) and all sorts of other games, we didn’t need computers in those days and we were as fit as anything, never stopped running, we my to brothers and sister lived in Lawrence Street off Westbourne St, it’s funny but don’t remember any of the names mentioned in this series of comments – maybe its the old gray matter disintegrating. If anybody remembers us Watlings would be interested to hear from you.
Good to see the street game Tiallio mentioned we used to play at the end of Northcote Street
using the chippie doorway as the bay for people who had been caught. Great game on dark winter nights.
I had an aunt who lived in Northcote Street who taught people to play the piano about 1969/70. She was called Janet and her husband I knew as Uncle Bob, I have no recollection of surnames. All I remember about Bob was he smoked Woodbines.
Wasn’t there a stationers based across the road called Chamneys back then? Janet and Uncle Bob eventually moved to Moulton Grove in Fairfield about 1972 which was a world away from the back to back street houses that Stockton was renowned for at the time.
Does anyone remember Billy Mitchell who ran the newsagents at the bottom of Northcote Street throughout the seventies – now there was a character!
Hi Steve, I remember a piano teacher called Mrs Gorman, she lived in number 24 Northcote Street and would have moved around the time you mentioned, a friend of mine at that time bought the house.
I remember Billy Mitchell having the paper shop, they also moved to Fairfield Road. I knew the lovely couple Madge and Percy Rhodes who had the shop prior to that, they retired and moved to the Darlington area.
I went on one of Sir John Wrightsons shoots at Neasham Hall. Started off by being picked up at Thornaby where we got our packed lunch from the Canteen, “Spam sandwiches.” On arrival at Neasham we met in the Courtyard and I had to beat for Steven Furness of Furness Shipyard. What an eyeopener and a complete waste of lead. Pheasants flying up in front of you and “bang” “bang” and they flew away. At lunch time Sir John and his Merry Men took over at one of the Farm Houses. They all went inside while we sat on bails of hay with our can of coke and the spam. At the end of the day all the catch was laid down in the Courtyard. We were told that we could have a pair of rabbits or a pair of Wood Pigeons. I asked for pheasants but was refused so I didn”t bother with anything. BTW the day was all wet and dismal and I wished I had never gone.
The good old days in the Apprentice School. If you were really lucky you got picked to go to Neasham Hall on a Saturday (unpaid) to act a beaters for Sir John and his shooting parties. As a treat a brace of pigeons may be your final reward for tramping through the woods.
The first Wrightson in the firm goes back to Thomas Wrightson who joined Head and Wright at Teesdale Iron Works in 1859! Very full info about HW”s on Wikipedia from 1840 to 1987.
Sir John Wrightson was the Managing Director of Head Wrightsons. His brother Peter was 2nd in Command. Sir John lived in Neasham Hall which was just on the outskirts of Hurworth and Croft near Darlington. Peter lived just beyond the estate at Manfield. They had another brother who was a Barrister but can”t think of his christian name. I don”t know whether there is any connection with Stokesly. Major Miles had some title in the Firm and was responsible for running the Company.
The good old days at Head Wrightson.I started with Heads in 1965 and worked with all the aforementioned shipwrights not to forget my close mate Tony Foulger,we travelled together on dock gatework for many years.The first job was on the legs of the oilrig Ocean Prince which were launched into the river and towed to Smiths dock I believe.There were 3 brothers worked together TONY,FRED and HELGAR ELLISON.Heads were probably the leading light in dock gates in the uk.There was a slip up on the gate built for TIMA in W Africa,she came off the slipway and landed in the mud we had to work round the clock to get her back on the water for the tugs.Thanks to Head wrightson I have run my own business re fitting dock gates for close on 30years most of the work being on gates that myself and many others built at Heads in the 60s and 70s.I am retiring this year but will always remember the good old days at Heads.A thank you my old work mates . regards Tony Ellison -alive
Other lads in the dock gates section in 1967 were Kenny Tose (shipwright), Arthur Flint (joiner), Roy Harrison (shipwright), one of the Ellison brothers – either Elgar or Tony (shipwright), Scotty (joiner) and two apprentice shipwrights – Dick Surrey and myself. In my time there we built dock gates for Liverpool Herculaneum dock, Tema (south Africa), Kirkaldy and repaired the gates for Middlesbrough Dock. Nothing had changed from 1963. The dock gates were still built at the end of Trafalgar St near to the river. The loco was opposite the main offices which were nearer to Thornaby station.
I worked for the Dock Gates Dept. finishing there in 1963 as a Foreman at the Bankside Power Station(now The Tate Gallery). When I left in 1963 the Dock Gate Dept. was near to the River and the main offices were at the other end of Trafalgar Street. Did something change from 1963 to 1966? I can try and name the people working there when I left. Sandy(Sanderson)- the Manager. Ken Jacobs, Foreman. Les Mustard and Ken McCleod, Chargehands. Charlie Pickering, Joiner and Diver. Jack Dobson, Joiner. Ronnie Suckling, Shipwright, Bill Davies, Shipwright. Bob Tinkler, Joiner. Eddie Rackstraw, Shipwright and Jimmy Kelley, Boatman. There maybe a couple I have missed.
I Joined Heads Teesdale in 1957 going through the apprentice school system then into the drawing office. I went through all of the various DO departments, finally tranfering to the Erection department, Docks and Harbours under Ronnie Allinson. I worked on many Dock Gate installations,Dover, Grangemouth, Liverpool, Whitehaven etc with Ed Sanderson, Ken Jacobs , the Ellison brothers and the rest of the dock gate gang. These were great times, travelling, the country even though docks were not the most glamerous places.
Does anyone remember the launch of the first Dungeness boiler, Sir John and many dignitaries were all there and all the apprentices (I was one) were in new white overalls and lining the slipway. As the boiler went down it pushed the water out of the channel and the visitors crowded near, unfortunately the water then rushed back and over the bank and there were some very wet feet!!
I worked on that Dungeness Boiler at Teesdale works mainly putting the wooden saddles on and preparing the slipway and also doing work at the launch. The gang then went to Dungeness where we brought it ashore before it was taken to a leveled beach and jacking it up and then lowering it onto bogies in preparation to it being taken on railway lines .
Tommy Betts was the squad leader of the Machine Shop fitters who worked on the dock gates, some of his fitters were Danny Galloway, Dennis (Buster) Parkin, Peter Preston, Ray Lathan, Eddie Wilkinson and Big Brian.
I was a shipwright working in the dock gates section of HW from 1966 to 1968. The shipwrights mill was right at the end of Trafalgar St. Opposite the main HW offices, there was a coffee pot steam loco (painted in HW colours) with 3 Chauldron wagons. The steam loco now stands on the roundabout near Halfords after spending some years at Preston Hall.
The fish shop on Lindsay Street in Parkfield, between Pearson and Ellicott Streets, was owned by the Prest family (Frankie Prest was my pal) until about 1953 when the Hauxwell”s took over. Ena Hauxwell was a widow with two daughters, Sandra and Davina. A distant photo of the fish shop, looking along the Pearson Street back street from about Chalk Street, is on picture number T6702 in the Parkfield section. Previous comments are correct, the fish and chips were up there with the best in Stockton.
Gillian Jones , The fish shop in lyndseys Street in the Twenties and probably in the 30s was owned by Mrs MacMenamy ,When I lived in Moses Street around the age of ten I was often sent for fish and chips one half penny worth of each, it was one of the best fish shops in Parkfield at that time , Your other comment about the steps one on the right under the bridge up to the Brick yard and the Public path along by the Railway to Yarm road . The other side of the road steps led up to the Bowesfield Works not Ashmores wich were at the top of the bank before the bridge , So the cleaners may have worked at the Bowesfield works
piano teacher in Northcote street was called Mrs. Gorman. She was very strict and the cost of lessons was one guinea for 3 months. This was quite expensive for that time
To Gillian Jones, not sure which era you refer to, but a Mrs Wilson with a daughter Doris had a general dealer shop at 64 Cecil Street near Pearson Street from the end of WW1 to the 1950s. Mrs W. appears as a young woman in the middle row of PS photo t6688, but I am not sure which she is, any offers? My other past relatives helped out in the shop decades ago.
after reading all the comments of fish shops in parkfield why has nobody metioned the one in lyndsey street or even the one at the back of sharps cafe where you got served at a little window and had to wait ages if the cafe was full as they got priority.there was even one on parliment street just past the sweetshop you are talking about now surely someone must remember them.someone was talking about the steps on bowesfield lane where one side led to the brickyard,well the steps at the other side my mother tells me is the only way the cleaners at ashmores could get into work,they apparently went up them and walked across the grass into the building as she worked there for a long time i am sure this is right.when i was at school i would be late most days as i wouldnt go to school without money to buy american bubbly at wilsons shop on the corner of cecil st. and pearson st.does anybody remember mrs wilson, she had a budgie on the counter and everytime someone went into the shop it would shout”shop doris” she never needed a bell on the door.well i could go on all night but i will wait another time to reminisce somemore
Trevor – you”re right the paper shop in Northcote Street was Cordukes. The paper shop on Cecil Street – opposite Goods – was owned by Cyril and Winnie Foxton. Does anyone remember the piano teacher in Northcote Street-I just can”t recall her name although I still feel that I need to practise when I think of her!
The newsagents in Poplar Grove was called Rhodes and the owner was always called Percy by all the children. We all saved in his Christmas club and then got an annual each year. He used to sell ice lollies for a ha”penny and round the corner in Grove Street the corner shop was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Graham and their lollies were l penny.
Cecil Street what memories Goods shop and wasn”t the paper shop Cordukes. I remember all the “older people” talking as later imitated by Les Dawson and Roy Barrowclough. I first heard the phrase “and she”s no better than she ought to be ” and the way people never finished sentences just nodded or shook there heads. Geoffrey Jarnell I believe is still alive and living in Oxbridge. John Bond we may well be related , did you have a mother called Mam
Trevor-re the sweet shop. It was called Gerards.It was run for years by Mr Gerard and his wife.You”re right.It did have the most fantastic display of sweets I have ever seen.
trevor bond, I remember the sweet shop well. I used to take my coupons there! The man always wore a gray coat the colour of an old barrage balloon. I know that because my nana had a piece that still had a porthole in it – barrage balloon, not that chap”s jacket. used to get coconut cubes, midget gems and nana”s favourite “black bullets”. PS I have a brother trevor bond. are you related to him? gillian jones. fascinated about the spiritalist church. you”ve jogged my memory. I think my mam may have gone there once or twice – irene heslop,- she certainly talked of spiritualism a bit in later life. being posh and going to trinity, we always used to go home via the chuggy, to avoid getting bashed up by you lot at bowsy lane. you”ll remember geoffrey Jarnell and the fish, particularly what my nana called fillet, in fact yellow (dyed and gone to heaven)haddock, superb when poached in milk and eaten with hunks of bread to dip in the gravy. does anyone have a photo of cecil street. We could start a new thread.
Trevor The sweet shop was called Gathergoods I think. Jan I think the shop in Northcote Street you mentioned was called Rhodes, no relation and it arrived after I left Parkfield.
Talking of all this reminds me about Parliament street .There was a sweet shop, which seemed to have about 1 foot of standing room before you met a wall of sweets in jars. Further down was Billy Warriners Hairdressing Salon or Barbers.
I used to live in St Cutberts rd as a child and remember Norts bakery for its pork pies and mrs Leonards shop because she had a poodle with a diamonte studded collar I did volunteer to exchange my sister for the dog but there were no takers I also remember a news agents on Northcote st Roses maybe we got our first Xmas tree from there the other shops I remember were Banks, Dicky Birds and Dawsons on Gladstone st This site really gets the old grey cells moving around trying to picture places Cheers Jan
this is the first time i have ever been on this site after my sister told me about it.i read with interest about the spiritualist church on cecil street which was actually 2 houses knocked into 1 we lived next door to it and my nana ida chesworth used to be a regular visitor to the services there the couple who owned and ran it were mr @mrs neil who always seemed nice people if a little strange or so it seemed to us as kids my auntie connie leeming lived on the opposite corner from codukes on the corner of bowesfield lane and northcote street her sons are ken ,doug and michael best i am sure a lot will remember them although we all went to bowesfield lane school this has nothing to do with head wrightsons but this site seems to have turned into a “remember parkfield ” site now
i have just found and read the interesting stories from ex HW employees,I would like to add this story.My uncle Bill Fortune started at head wrightson aged 15/16 in the offices,when war broke out they were classed as reserved occupation (making bomb casings etc) Some of his office colleagues signed up, so with a wry smile as he was telling me his story he thought he had better show willing and joined the RAF.He trained for two years as a navigator and fortunatley survived parachuting from his blazing Lancaster over France aged 23 (many fellow crews and one of bills gunners did not return) Bill evaded with the help of French resistence and eventually got back home,he went back to Head Wrightson after the war and ended up as financial director/personel director.Bill repeated many times the brilliant and world class workforce he worked with and the good and sad times at the closures of this great company.sadly Bill died with his usual great dignity on 20th Jan 2008 aged 88
Regarding the ponds at Head Wrightsons: During the hot summer evenings of the 1950″s, all the young lads who lived “below the steps”, used to swim in this pond. I can remember it being concrete with sloping sides. We had to keep a lookout for Jim Rickelton (not sure of the spelling) who was Head”s security officer. If he was spotted we would all grab our clothes and hide among the wooden pattern boxes until he had gone. I don”t recall ever seeing any fish in it because it there was, then we would have also used it for fishing.
HELP WANTED: I read that Head Wrightson Works and staff were heavily involved with engineering and assembly work on the highly important – top secret – Mulberry Harbours project used on the Day D landings to unload men, weapons and the unloading of frieght ships lying offshore, Normandy, France, 1944. So far my research into Head Wrightsons role has drawn a blank. Do any of the Stockton & Thornaby hands who did wartime work for Heads, have any information about Head Wrightson’s part and what they built during the war years to aid the war effort, an old friend of mine told me they made bomb casings but what esle?
Research Notes: With my thanks to the staff of The Institute of Engineers Carol and Annette, . Ref: Code name Mulberry Harbours: the planning, building and operation of the Normandy harbours. Book: HARTCUP, G. Author, Newton Abbot : David & Charles publishers, 1977 and “A Harbour goes to war”: the story of Mulberry and the men who made it happen. EVANS, J. others author, Garlieston, Wigtownshire : Brook House Publishing, for the South Machars Historical Society, 2000, I was informed there was NO mention of Head Wrightson work on this project. Code Mulberry files includes a list of main contractors and consultants which was reproduced in the NCE supplement. Bob Wilson.
During a visit to Billingham’s Roseberry Library earlier this week I saw a very interesting collection of photographs displayed by the Stockton Borough Council which included some great images of an early 1950’s launch of a Nuclear Reactor Vessel prior to being towed by sea to, I think, Bradwell and Dungeness. Jimmy Kelley with a boat full of passengers seems to be one of the other images.
I lived with my Nana and Granddad in Camden Street when I was a little girl. Dickie Bradshaw was my Granddad. I moved back down south with my Mum, my Mum was their daughter. She never had a good life growing up, but I loved living up North and all my best memories are with the Bradshaw family. I used to play with a girl called Christine Eddie, does anyone know what become of her? Must be at least 45 yrs since I last saw her.
I understand the piano teacher’s full name was Janet Hutton, she lived with my Uncle Bob. They lived on the Eleanor Place/Street side of Northcote Street. I’m sure Chamney’s was on the opposite side of the road. Their house backed on to Stockton & Thornaby Hospital. I can’t remember the number but it was after the place that became the chinese takeaway and before Eleanor. They moved to Moulton Grove in Fairfield around 1972 – my god Ken Rhodes, that was an experience getting the double decker bus from Denshams Corner to a different world altogether!
I worked in the Personnel Department at the top of Chapel Street, the former flour mill offices. I worked for Mr Meachen the Senior Personnel Officer. I started work there from school as a Commercial Trainee working in various department of the company gaining a wealth of experience and attended Stockton Billingham college on a day release basis. We moved to the friarage at Yarm but have very fond memories of working on the Teesdale site. I remember Harry Soppet and Mrs Kiely who worked for him and lived in St Lukes Avenue. I also remember Mr Doran who was head of Personnel at Yarm and was also on the TV programme Ask the Family. I worked in the Transport Department, Research & Development, the chem labs and Personnel. Personnel was where I obtained a permanent post when my training was finshed.
You should be able to clear this up Keith, it was your Grandad who worked in the Fitting Shop at Head Wrightsons, Thornaby?.
Lesley, old Dickie was my Grandad and I heard the story about him being the first man to escape from Durham Prison in a laundry basket. I cannot confirm if this is true but I definately heard the story and also that there was a film made using his escape method.
My father was young Dickie and he was a verry good darts player. I have a program were he was in the first News of the world final. My brother Ray (Shirty )was also a good darts player.
Anon. Old Dickie that lived next door was a very small man and to me as a youngster going to school he looked very old then, I may be wrong but I dont remember him working. His son was a good darts player as you mentioned. Was there another Dickie that followed on to become Dickie Bradshaw the third? I would be only about nine or ten so that would be about 1942 making me an old man now whose memory is going backover. Does that match your time scale Anon? I’m thinking that you are much younger than me and your memory is better than mine. Lesley and Alice have Camden Street memories, can they help?
The sweet shop was Gerrards, Gathergoods was more towards the bottom end of Parliament Street.
I was told that Dickie Bradshaw senior once escaped from Durham prison. Anyone know if this is true?
The Dickie Bradshaw that worked in the Head Wrightson’s fitting shop was about 5 feet 6 inches tall and would be about 103 years old if he was alive today. He had a son called Dickie who was a good darts player. Old Dickie was allegedly given the Cat of Nine Tails in Durham Prison.
Nice to see this site come alive again. The Bradshaws lived in Camden Street where I lived for a lot of years. Old Dickie was an old man when I was just ten or eleven and his son was Young Dickie who I suppose Anon knew as old Dickie. The senior Dickie lived next door to me and young Dickie lived across the street. Tale had it that the Dickie you knew Anon was in prison one year and won the Xmas darts competition so the next Xmas got put in prison to try and defend his title. True?
The fire pond at Thornaby was at the back of the foundry & the side of the offices, it was used by Head Wrightson’s own fire brigade which Harry Soppet was a leading member. When we were in the Apprentice School we drained the pond and taped all the joints in the concrete up before filling it up again. You are right Bob Urwin, old Dickie Bradshaw was a real hardman in his younger days, he was a boxer in the fairground boxing booths. One overtime night we were having our break & Dickie was sat quietly by the fire with his pipe & knife. We were talking and when we turned round Dickie had blood round his mouth, he said a tooth had been giving him trouble & he had cut it out with his knife. He taught a lot of workers how to sling jobs properly, Dickie was about 76 when he retired & was respected by all his workmates.
My father Ken Beaton worked for Headwrighton Thornaby for 42 years, as a welder, until it was closed down – a day he never thought would come. His brother Morris Beaton, my Grandad Samuel Beaton and two of my dads uncles also worked there.
Kenneth and Morris are my cousins and my father Bob Marshall worked for Heads for 44 years. I only managed 9 years before emigrating to Australia but the experience gained has proved to be invaluable throughout my career. I thank Harry Soppett for giving me the opportunity with Heads. Lost touch with my family in Stockton so hopefully this will get to you.
I worked in the Head Wrightson Drawing office at Thornaby in the late 60’s, having started my training (after the Apprentice school) at the Friarage Yarm and working there until everybody was transferred to Thornaby. I remember Alan Collier, Phil Colliers dad, a really nice man and a very good draughtsman.
Nice to see the late Barry Thompson mentioned here, he left behind many happy memories. His smiling face can be seen in a photo of a class at Richard Hind Junior School in 1955 (photo ref. t7812).
Pam thanks for remembering, Barry Thompson lived a few doors from us, his mother helped with my wedding reception. At the end of Lawrence St there was a bombed out garage and us being just kids had to have a look through the boarded up windows and there was a penny farthing bike in there, but we dare not climb in or we would have been in big trouble. Eddie is still around lives in Eaglescliffe whereas I now reside in the city of Lincoln. I will mention you to him.
I remember Eddie Watling who lived on Laurence Street, Shiela. We were on Yarm Lane, played with him, the late Barry Thomson, Anne Gregson, Margaret Youldon etc.
My grandfather was Jim Kelley, the ferryman mentioned in some of the earlier comments. There is a separate page on the site that mentions Kelley’s Ferry.
I remember my mum Thelma telling me that Jim continued to do work for HW up until the early seventies when he had an accident loading paint onto the back of a wagon. Sadly he passed away in the midseventies.
Well didnt know the area was so well known. I also lived in Parkfield worked at H.W and went to Bowesfield Lane school from 1952 to 57. I can remember all the shops mentioned and my Aunt had the hairdressers in Parliament St called Tyremans. I have a brother who still lives in the area in Eleanor Place, we kids used to have great fun running around the back streets playing tiallio or kiss chase (don’t tell my mum) and all sorts of other games, we didn’t need computers in those days and we were as fit as anything, never stopped running, we my to brothers and sister lived in Lawrence Street off Westbourne St, it’s funny but don’t remember any of the names mentioned in this series of comments – maybe its the old gray matter disintegrating. If anybody remembers us Watlings would be interested to hear from you.
Good to see the street game Tiallio mentioned we used to play at the end of Northcote Street
using the chippie doorway as the bay for people who had been caught. Great game on dark winter nights.
I had an aunt who lived in Northcote Street who taught people to play the piano about 1969/70. She was called Janet and her husband I knew as Uncle Bob, I have no recollection of surnames. All I remember about Bob was he smoked Woodbines.
Wasn’t there a stationers based across the road called Chamneys back then? Janet and Uncle Bob eventually moved to Moulton Grove in Fairfield about 1972 which was a world away from the back to back street houses that Stockton was renowned for at the time.
Does anyone remember Billy Mitchell who ran the newsagents at the bottom of Northcote Street throughout the seventies – now there was a character!
Hi Steve, I remember a piano teacher called Mrs Gorman, she lived in number 24 Northcote Street and would have moved around the time you mentioned, a friend of mine at that time bought the house.
I remember Billy Mitchell having the paper shop, they also moved to Fairfield Road. I knew the lovely couple Madge and Percy Rhodes who had the shop prior to that, they retired and moved to the Darlington area.
Can you remember if Billy Mitchell was a good footballer who played for Primrose Hill and if he is the same Billy? He was also a joiner.
I went on one of Sir John Wrightsons shoots at Neasham Hall. Started off by being picked up at Thornaby where we got our packed lunch from the Canteen, “Spam sandwiches.” On arrival at Neasham we met in the Courtyard and I had to beat for Steven Furness of Furness Shipyard. What an eyeopener and a complete waste of lead. Pheasants flying up in front of you and “bang” “bang” and they flew away. At lunch time Sir John and his Merry Men took over at one of the Farm Houses. They all went inside while we sat on bails of hay with our can of coke and the spam. At the end of the day all the catch was laid down in the Courtyard. We were told that we could have a pair of rabbits or a pair of Wood Pigeons. I asked for pheasants but was refused so I didn”t bother with anything. BTW the day was all wet and dismal and I wished I had never gone.
The good old days in the Apprentice School. If you were really lucky you got picked to go to Neasham Hall on a Saturday (unpaid) to act a beaters for Sir John and his shooting parties. As a treat a brace of pigeons may be your final reward for tramping through the woods.
The first Wrightson in the firm goes back to Thomas Wrightson who joined Head and Wright at Teesdale Iron Works in 1859! Very full info about HW”s on Wikipedia from 1840 to 1987.
Sir John Wrightson was the Managing Director of Head Wrightsons. His brother Peter was 2nd in Command. Sir John lived in Neasham Hall which was just on the outskirts of Hurworth and Croft near Darlington. Peter lived just beyond the estate at Manfield. They had another brother who was a Barrister but can”t think of his christian name. I don”t know whether there is any connection with Stokesly. Major Miles had some title in the Firm and was responsible for running the Company.
Can anyone tell me who the “Wrightson” was in Head Wrightson? Were they related to the Wrightson family from Stokesley?
The good old days at Head Wrightson.I started with Heads in 1965 and worked with all the aforementioned shipwrights not to forget my close mate Tony Foulger,we travelled together on dock gatework for many years.The first job was on the legs of the oilrig Ocean Prince which were launched into the river and towed to Smiths dock I believe.There were 3 brothers worked together TONY,FRED and HELGAR ELLISON.Heads were probably the leading light in dock gates in the uk.There was a slip up on the gate built for TIMA in W Africa,she came off the slipway and landed in the mud we had to work round the clock to get her back on the water for the tugs.Thanks to Head wrightson I have run my own business re fitting dock gates for close on 30years most of the work being on gates that myself and many others built at Heads in the 60s and 70s.I am retiring this year but will always remember the good old days at Heads.A thank you my old work mates . regards Tony Ellison -alive
Other lads in the dock gates section in 1967 were Kenny Tose (shipwright), Arthur Flint (joiner), Roy Harrison (shipwright), one of the Ellison brothers – either Elgar or Tony (shipwright), Scotty (joiner) and two apprentice shipwrights – Dick Surrey and myself. In my time there we built dock gates for Liverpool Herculaneum dock, Tema (south Africa), Kirkaldy and repaired the gates for Middlesbrough Dock. Nothing had changed from 1963. The dock gates were still built at the end of Trafalgar St near to the river. The loco was opposite the main offices which were nearer to Thornaby station.
I worked for the Dock Gates Dept. finishing there in 1963 as a Foreman at the Bankside Power Station(now The Tate Gallery). When I left in 1963 the Dock Gate Dept. was near to the River and the main offices were at the other end of Trafalgar Street. Did something change from 1963 to 1966? I can try and name the people working there when I left. Sandy(Sanderson)- the Manager. Ken Jacobs, Foreman. Les Mustard and Ken McCleod, Chargehands. Charlie Pickering, Joiner and Diver. Jack Dobson, Joiner. Ronnie Suckling, Shipwright, Bill Davies, Shipwright. Bob Tinkler, Joiner. Eddie Rackstraw, Shipwright and Jimmy Kelley, Boatman. There maybe a couple I have missed.
I Joined Heads Teesdale in 1957 going through the apprentice school system then into the drawing office. I went through all of the various DO departments, finally tranfering to the Erection department, Docks and Harbours under Ronnie Allinson. I worked on many Dock Gate installations,Dover, Grangemouth, Liverpool, Whitehaven etc with Ed Sanderson, Ken Jacobs , the Ellison brothers and the rest of the dock gate gang. These were great times, travelling, the country even though docks were not the most glamerous places.
Does anyone remember the launch of the first Dungeness boiler, Sir John and many dignitaries were all there and all the apprentices (I was one) were in new white overalls and lining the slipway. As the boiler went down it pushed the water out of the channel and the visitors crowded near, unfortunately the water then rushed back and over the bank and there were some very wet feet!!
I worked on that Dungeness Boiler at Teesdale works mainly putting the wooden saddles on and preparing the slipway and also doing work at the launch. The gang then went to Dungeness where we brought it ashore before it was taken to a leveled beach and jacking it up and then lowering it onto bogies in preparation to it being taken on railway lines .
Tommy Betts was the squad leader of the Machine Shop fitters who worked on the dock gates, some of his fitters were Danny Galloway, Dennis (Buster) Parkin, Peter Preston, Ray Lathan, Eddie Wilkinson and Big Brian.
I was a shipwright working in the dock gates section of HW from 1966 to 1968. The shipwrights mill was right at the end of Trafalgar St. Opposite the main HW offices, there was a coffee pot steam loco (painted in HW colours) with 3 Chauldron wagons. The steam loco now stands on the roundabout near Halfords after spending some years at Preston Hall.
The fish shop on Lindsay Street in Parkfield, between Pearson and Ellicott Streets, was owned by the Prest family (Frankie Prest was my pal) until about 1953 when the Hauxwell”s took over. Ena Hauxwell was a widow with two daughters, Sandra and Davina. A distant photo of the fish shop, looking along the Pearson Street back street from about Chalk Street, is on picture number T6702 in the Parkfield section. Previous comments are correct, the fish and chips were up there with the best in Stockton.
Gillian Jones , The fish shop in lyndseys Street in the Twenties and probably in the 30s was owned by Mrs MacMenamy ,When I lived in Moses Street around the age of ten I was often sent for fish and chips one half penny worth of each, it was one of the best fish shops in Parkfield at that time , Your other comment about the steps one on the right under the bridge up to the Brick yard and the Public path along by the Railway to Yarm road . The other side of the road steps led up to the Bowesfield Works not Ashmores wich were at the top of the bank before the bridge , So the cleaners may have worked at the Bowesfield works
piano teacher in Northcote street was called Mrs. Gorman. She was very strict and the cost of lessons was one guinea for 3 months. This was quite expensive for that time
Margaret Blake I think the piano teacher in Northcote street was called Miss Gorman
To Gillian Jones, not sure which era you refer to, but a Mrs Wilson with a daughter Doris had a general dealer shop at 64 Cecil Street near Pearson Street from the end of WW1 to the 1950s. Mrs W. appears as a young woman in the middle row of PS photo t6688, but I am not sure which she is, any offers? My other past relatives helped out in the shop decades ago.
after reading all the comments of fish shops in parkfield why has nobody metioned the one in lyndsey street or even the one at the back of sharps cafe where you got served at a little window and had to wait ages if the cafe was full as they got priority.there was even one on parliment street just past the sweetshop you are talking about now surely someone must remember them.someone was talking about the steps on bowesfield lane where one side led to the brickyard,well the steps at the other side my mother tells me is the only way the cleaners at ashmores could get into work,they apparently went up them and walked across the grass into the building as she worked there for a long time i am sure this is right.when i was at school i would be late most days as i wouldnt go to school without money to buy american bubbly at wilsons shop on the corner of cecil st. and pearson st.does anybody remember mrs wilson, she had a budgie on the counter and everytime someone went into the shop it would shout”shop doris” she never needed a bell on the door.well i could go on all night but i will wait another time to reminisce somemore
Trevor – you”re right the paper shop in Northcote Street was Cordukes. The paper shop on Cecil Street – opposite Goods – was owned by Cyril and Winnie Foxton. Does anyone remember the piano teacher in Northcote Street-I just can”t recall her name although I still feel that I need to practise when I think of her!
The newsagents in Poplar Grove was called Rhodes and the owner was always called Percy by all the children. We all saved in his Christmas club and then got an annual each year. He used to sell ice lollies for a ha”penny and round the corner in Grove Street the corner shop was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Graham and their lollies were l penny.
Cecil Street what memories Goods shop and wasn”t the paper shop Cordukes. I remember all the “older people” talking as later imitated by Les Dawson and Roy Barrowclough. I first heard the phrase “and she”s no better than she ought to be ” and the way people never finished sentences just nodded or shook there heads. Geoffrey Jarnell I believe is still alive and living in Oxbridge. John Bond we may well be related , did you have a mother called Mam
Trevor-re the sweet shop. It was called Gerards.It was run for years by Mr Gerard and his wife.You”re right.It did have the most fantastic display of sweets I have ever seen.
trevor bond, I remember the sweet shop well. I used to take my coupons there! The man always wore a gray coat the colour of an old barrage balloon. I know that because my nana had a piece that still had a porthole in it – barrage balloon, not that chap”s jacket. used to get coconut cubes, midget gems and nana”s favourite “black bullets”. PS I have a brother trevor bond. are you related to him? gillian jones. fascinated about the spiritalist church. you”ve jogged my memory. I think my mam may have gone there once or twice – irene heslop,- she certainly talked of spiritualism a bit in later life. being posh and going to trinity, we always used to go home via the chuggy, to avoid getting bashed up by you lot at bowsy lane. you”ll remember geoffrey Jarnell and the fish, particularly what my nana called fillet, in fact yellow (dyed and gone to heaven)haddock, superb when poached in milk and eaten with hunks of bread to dip in the gravy. does anyone have a photo of cecil street. We could start a new thread.
The sweet shop was Gerrards, Gathergoods was more towards the bottom end of Parliament Street.
Trevor The sweet shop was called Gathergoods I think. Jan I think the shop in Northcote Street you mentioned was called Rhodes, no relation and it arrived after I left Parkfield.
Talking of all this reminds me about Parliament street .There was a sweet shop, which seemed to have about 1 foot of standing room before you met a wall of sweets in jars. Further down was Billy Warriners Hairdressing Salon or Barbers.
I used to live in St Cutberts rd as a child and remember Norts bakery for its pork pies and mrs Leonards shop because she had a poodle with a diamonte studded collar I did volunteer to exchange my sister for the dog but there were no takers I also remember a news agents on Northcote st Roses maybe we got our first Xmas tree from there the other shops I remember were Banks, Dicky Birds and Dawsons on Gladstone st This site really gets the old grey cells moving around trying to picture places Cheers Jan
this is the first time i have ever been on this site after my sister told me about it.i read with interest about the spiritualist church on cecil street which was actually 2 houses knocked into 1 we lived next door to it and my nana ida chesworth used to be a regular visitor to the services there the couple who owned and ran it were mr @mrs neil who always seemed nice people if a little strange or so it seemed to us as kids my auntie connie leeming lived on the opposite corner from codukes on the corner of bowesfield lane and northcote street her sons are ken ,doug and michael best i am sure a lot will remember them although we all went to bowesfield lane school this has nothing to do with head wrightsons but this site seems to have turned into a “remember parkfield ” site now
i have just found and read the interesting stories from ex HW employees,I would like to add this story.My uncle Bill Fortune started at head wrightson aged 15/16 in the offices,when war broke out they were classed as reserved occupation (making bomb casings etc) Some of his office colleagues signed up, so with a wry smile as he was telling me his story he thought he had better show willing and joined the RAF.He trained for two years as a navigator and fortunatley survived parachuting from his blazing Lancaster over France aged 23 (many fellow crews and one of bills gunners did not return) Bill evaded with the help of French resistence and eventually got back home,he went back to Head Wrightson after the war and ended up as financial director/personel director.Bill repeated many times the brilliant and world class workforce he worked with and the good and sad times at the closures of this great company.sadly Bill died with his usual great dignity on 20th Jan 2008 aged 88
Regarding the ponds at Head Wrightsons: During the hot summer evenings of the 1950″s, all the young lads who lived “below the steps”, used to swim in this pond. I can remember it being concrete with sloping sides. We had to keep a lookout for Jim Rickelton (not sure of the spelling) who was Head”s security officer. If he was spotted we would all grab our clothes and hide among the wooden pattern boxes until he had gone. I don”t recall ever seeing any fish in it because it there was, then we would have also used it for fishing.