Hi did anyone live next to a Nancy Heslop of 97 George Street please I have found a photo of her . The photo was laying in the grass I picked it up . I’m desperately seeking a relative of hers so I may return the photo . She is a very beautiful lady . Her lover was called Harry maybe from Canada she is 28 in this photo she says . Plz any info is very helpful thank you
“Any boxes, please” my brother would ask the man in Blooms. We occasionally found the odd one or two around the back of the shop and would go off to cook our ‘chips’ – this being done by cutting a circular hole in the top of an upturned shoebox and inserting a tin lid in the hole. A candle would then be lit and placed underneath the tin lid and under the box. A knob of Stork margarine was melted in the lid and thin slices of potato attempted to be fried……with the obvious inevitability of the candle frequently going out. I can still remember the smell of them and the taste – delicious to me at the time – even though they were raw.
Games, mostly outdoors were simple then – Kicky tin, British bulldogs, Mr Wolf land marbles to name a few. We used to get balsa wood planes from Simms model shop and sometimes buy bamboo canes to use as spears. Fishing for newts or sticklebacks was fun with our little nets and jamjars at the Pleasure gardens or Ropner park. My favourite pastime, though was trainspotting and many a happy hour was spent at Thornaby station.
I wonder when this picture was taken? I lived just around the corner, in Barnard Street from 1949 to 56 and although the scene looks familiar, the vehicles in the photo seem to date it a bit later.
It does, however evoke many fond memories of my early years living in the area. Scotts newsagents where we would get the Dandy and Beano, Hirds pet shop and the smell of dog biscuits as you passed by and next door the ice cream parlour with its varying pastel shades adorning the walls.
Across the road was Blooms floorcoverings and Pawnshop with Thirkells the butchers tucked in between. Next to them and on the corner of Barnard street was Hogans the flowershop with Toulsons the butchers in between the two shops.
The name of the greengrocer next to the alley leading to the exit of the Queens picture house escapes me but I do remember the lady being very pleasant. Further along and on the same side was Stockwells wet fish shop and Simms model shop. Jamiesons bookies was on the corner of New Street although I may have got the owners name wrong and the date may have been later – not sure when they became legal.
Opposite that was the Co-op with its different departments – a comparatively big shop in those days and where we would all claim our dividends or ‘divvy’ as we called it – I still remember our number – 47542 – which we had to quote when we ran for the ‘ messages’ on a Saturday. Happy days !
The greengrocers shop on the George Street back-alley corner was called Howdens Fruit shop, if you walked down this alley you entered Middle Street, which was attached to New Street. When ever I think of New Street I think of Tommy Donnachy who lived there. Thornabys best-ever-juniour comedian by far. Tommy died some years ago and will be forever remembered by dozens of his pals.
My mums family lived Back Mandale Road, their house was the back and upstairs of the wool shop. My uncle ran Kaufmans (Kevin Cooney) and I remember this so well. My mam for a time worked in a woodworkers shop?? on George Street?? I remember playing in the back in the soft thick woodshavings as a kid – I desperately want to know more about this and see more photos of Mandale Road, and George Street and St Leonards Street. Also photos of the back areas of Mandale Road. I have many mixed up menories of the area, especially of my uncle and his motorbikes.
Hi Barry, no I didn’t get my ice-creams free, mam & dad would pay Tommy later. The reason me and Leonard got ours on strap was I was born in Napier st, the Hopes lived at the top of Bolsover rd, the Hopes knew me from being a baby.
Hi Derek. Yes I remember Tommy he used to sell from a tricycle, two wheels at the front, who also delivered to the area at the bottom of Trent Street. I often wondered how he got back up the bank [1 in 7]. Also, if I’m not mistaken, the cart had an advertisement – STOP ME AND BUY ONE!
HELLO DEREK; I REMEMBER TOMMY HOPE WHEN HE CAME TO SWAINBY ROAD ON THE ICE CREAM BIKE, I CAN NEVER REMEMBER GETTING A CORNET FREE OF CHARGE. MIND YOU, THE CORNETS WERE MUCH BIGGER IN THOSE DAYS THAN THEY ARE NOW, ANOTHER LOVELY MEMORY TO CHERISH FROM OUR SWAINBY ROAD DAYS.
There was another man in the 50s riding around the Norton area on a bike with a large box on the front selling ice-cream called Tommy Hope, he lived in Bolsover rd, bottom end Napier St where I was born at my Aunt Lizzy (Casey) Evans’. As a little lad living in Swainby Rd, Tommy would come around at weekend and if mam & dad had no money we always got an ice-cream off him, mam & dad paid him next time. Can anyone else remember Tommy?.. nice man & family from a good community.
Eric – Thanks for that, it is indeed the same person, my aunt told me they were known in Thornaby as Puck-eye, but my great uncle’s real name was Guiseppe de Puccio. They lived opposite the Market Tavern in New Street and my Great Aunt Francis used to go over Thornaby bridge to Stockton with the ice cream to where my father and his family lived in Cotherstone Road and as children they used to count the sticky money! Guiseppe was known as Joe and I have heard he was interred during the war at the POW camp in Thornaby, I don’t know if this is true, but I know Francis and Guiseppe are buried together in Thornaby cemetary. Beatrice Gascoigne was their adopted daughter.
Judith, there was a man who used to sell ice cream from a three-wheeler cycle with a large box at the front, very similar to the one that is on loan from Paleschi’s at Preston Park. As youngsters we always referred to him as Puck-eye. Perhaps this is one of your relatives. Gascoigne’s shop was indeed on Queen Street just along from Queen Street School. It used to sell sweets and was therefore very popular with children from the primary schools in the area. I remember a Mrs Gascoigne who used to serve in the shop.
Again I may be wrong but the Queens could have been the one. The entrance was definately at the rear of Mandale road. Access was by turning right after the greengrocers which led to the back alley. The end of the alley joined New St further on.
With reference to New Street, my great aunt Francis de Puccio had an ice cream business in New Street. Her daughter was Beatrice – she married David Gascoigne and I think they had a shop of their own in Queen Street. Does any body remember the family, are there any photo’s in existence of their business in New Street?
Thank you Eric and John for your response. There is a Middle Way now off New Street which I presume was the original Middle Street. Thanks again for your help.
Can’t help with the camouflage factory. However, Thornaby used to have three cinemas.
The Queen’s on Mandale Road, The Central on Westbury Street and the Mayfair at the corner of Lanehouse Road and Thornaby Road.
Thank you Eric, your memory is certainly better than mine. I now recall were it was. Can you shed any light on the buiding that was used during the war as a camouflage factory?… was it an old cinema??
Middle Street ran off Mandale Road just opposite Pumphrey’s sugar factory. It was a very narrow street which was between Niman’s clothing shop and Thompson’s Red Stamp store. As far as I can recall there were only one or two houses in the street. The road is still there today, probably under another name, and it is where all the accidents have occurred as traffic emerges from the Mandale Triangle onto Mandale Road in to the new two-way traffic system which has recently been introduced for the buses.
Hi can anyone tell me where Middle Street in Thornaby was? On checking the 1861 Census it appears in the same district as George Street, also close to Back St and Joseph St, all of which I am unable to trace. Any help would be appreciated.
Indeed Brenda did own the gents hairdresses, which once belonged to Laurie Wilcox. There were another two girls who worked there at the same time as Brenda – Jean and Barbara, who was the young apprentice at that time.
The model shop you refer to, Jeffrey, was Listers. The RAF guy is my Uncle, Robert Gillow (Bob)who lives in Stockton (2009).When Listers closed he moved to number 89 George Street and opened his own small shop in the front room selling model ships, lead soldiers and aircraft etc. He and my Aunt moved out in 1973 after the council did the compulsory purchase to put in the A66. Nice that someone remembers him.
On the left side their were two pawnbrokers, Blooms and Henry Birds. Opposite was a boot and shoe repairers, Albert Richardson. This was next to a cigarette kiosk and an ice-cream parlour.
In 1968/9 a lady called Brenda Lawrence worked in(and maybe owned) the gents hairdressers. Her husband, Peter, helped out on Saturdays. They were there a few years and had a son, Paul, who must be around 40 now.
My Great Grandparents lived at 83, George St. in 1901. Apparently,it was a Draper”s shop. Their name was Jeffries and I”m led to understand that the name was clearly visible on the side wall, prior to demolition. I”ve tried to find photos displaying the name but to no avail.Don”t know whether or not any one on the site can help.
I’m looking for a lady who use to live in 97 george street by the name of Nancy heslop I found a photo of her on the floor in yarm yesterday and I would like to return it to one of her relations and find out the story of a Harry maybe from Canada that was her lover any help would be great thanks
In the parade of low shops from the left in 1960 was a Gents Hairdressing Salon,I miss the girl who used to cut my hair, a pet shop, Rea”s Ice Cream Parlour and a papershop on the corner. In the High buildings on the left was a Model shop run by an RAF guy. this eventually closed and moved down the street, towards the library and fire station, in a small house/shop.
George Street in Thornaby.
Hi did anyone live next to a Nancy Heslop of 97 George Street please I have found a photo of her . The photo was laying in the grass I picked it up . I’m desperately seeking a relative of hers so I may return the photo . She is a very beautiful lady . Her lover was called Harry maybe from Canada she is 28 in this photo she says . Plz any info is very helpful thank you
“Any boxes, please” my brother would ask the man in Blooms. We occasionally found the odd one or two around the back of the shop and would go off to cook our ‘chips’ – this being done by cutting a circular hole in the top of an upturned shoebox and inserting a tin lid in the hole. A candle would then be lit and placed underneath the tin lid and under the box. A knob of Stork margarine was melted in the lid and thin slices of potato attempted to be fried……with the obvious inevitability of the candle frequently going out. I can still remember the smell of them and the taste – delicious to me at the time – even though they were raw.
Games, mostly outdoors were simple then – Kicky tin, British bulldogs, Mr Wolf land marbles to name a few. We used to get balsa wood planes from Simms model shop and sometimes buy bamboo canes to use as spears. Fishing for newts or sticklebacks was fun with our little nets and jamjars at the Pleasure gardens or Ropner park. My favourite pastime, though was trainspotting and many a happy hour was spent at Thornaby station.
I wonder when this picture was taken? I lived just around the corner, in Barnard Street from 1949 to 56 and although the scene looks familiar, the vehicles in the photo seem to date it a bit later.
It does, however evoke many fond memories of my early years living in the area. Scotts newsagents where we would get the Dandy and Beano, Hirds pet shop and the smell of dog biscuits as you passed by and next door the ice cream parlour with its varying pastel shades adorning the walls.
Across the road was Blooms floorcoverings and Pawnshop with Thirkells the butchers tucked in between. Next to them and on the corner of Barnard street was Hogans the flowershop with Toulsons the butchers in between the two shops.
The name of the greengrocer next to the alley leading to the exit of the Queens picture house escapes me but I do remember the lady being very pleasant. Further along and on the same side was Stockwells wet fish shop and Simms model shop. Jamiesons bookies was on the corner of New Street although I may have got the owners name wrong and the date may have been later – not sure when they became legal.
Opposite that was the Co-op with its different departments – a comparatively big shop in those days and where we would all claim our dividends or ‘divvy’ as we called it – I still remember our number – 47542 – which we had to quote when we ran for the ‘ messages’ on a Saturday. Happy days !
l lived in Barnard St. 1950s
The greengrocers shop on the George Street back-alley corner was called Howdens Fruit shop, if you walked down this alley you entered Middle Street, which was attached to New Street. When ever I think of New Street I think of Tommy Donnachy who lived there. Thornabys best-ever-juniour comedian by far. Tommy died some years ago and will be forever remembered by dozens of his pals.
My mums family lived Back Mandale Road, their house was the back and upstairs of the wool shop. My uncle ran Kaufmans (Kevin Cooney) and I remember this so well. My mam for a time worked in a woodworkers shop?? on George Street?? I remember playing in the back in the soft thick woodshavings as a kid – I desperately want to know more about this and see more photos of Mandale Road, and George Street and St Leonards Street. Also photos of the back areas of Mandale Road. I have many mixed up menories of the area, especially of my uncle and his motorbikes.
Hi Barry, no I didn’t get my ice-creams free, mam & dad would pay Tommy later. The reason me and Leonard got ours on strap was I was born in Napier st, the Hopes lived at the top of Bolsover rd, the Hopes knew me from being a baby.
Hi Derek. Yes I remember Tommy he used to sell from a tricycle, two wheels at the front, who also delivered to the area at the bottom of Trent Street. I often wondered how he got back up the bank [1 in 7]. Also, if I’m not mistaken, the cart had an advertisement – STOP ME AND BUY ONE!
HELLO DEREK; I REMEMBER TOMMY HOPE WHEN HE CAME TO SWAINBY ROAD ON THE ICE CREAM BIKE, I CAN NEVER REMEMBER GETTING A CORNET FREE OF CHARGE. MIND YOU, THE CORNETS WERE MUCH BIGGER IN THOSE DAYS THAN THEY ARE NOW, ANOTHER LOVELY MEMORY TO CHERISH FROM OUR SWAINBY ROAD DAYS.
There was another man in the 50s riding around the Norton area on a bike with a large box on the front selling ice-cream called Tommy Hope, he lived in Bolsover rd, bottom end Napier St where I was born at my Aunt Lizzy (Casey) Evans’. As a little lad living in Swainby Rd, Tommy would come around at weekend and if mam & dad had no money we always got an ice-cream off him, mam & dad paid him next time. Can anyone else remember Tommy?.. nice man & family from a good community.
Hi Derek, Lizzie was my Nanna. I’m Gordon’s daughter X
Eric – Thanks for that, it is indeed the same person, my aunt told me they were known in Thornaby as Puck-eye, but my great uncle’s real name was Guiseppe de Puccio. They lived opposite the Market Tavern in New Street and my Great Aunt Francis used to go over Thornaby bridge to Stockton with the ice cream to where my father and his family lived in Cotherstone Road and as children they used to count the sticky money! Guiseppe was known as Joe and I have heard he was interred during the war at the POW camp in Thornaby, I don’t know if this is true, but I know Francis and Guiseppe are buried together in Thornaby cemetary. Beatrice Gascoigne was their adopted daughter.
Judith, there was a man who used to sell ice cream from a three-wheeler cycle with a large box at the front, very similar to the one that is on loan from Paleschi’s at Preston Park. As youngsters we always referred to him as Puck-eye. Perhaps this is one of your relatives. Gascoigne’s shop was indeed on Queen Street just along from Queen Street School. It used to sell sweets and was therefore very popular with children from the primary schools in the area. I remember a Mrs Gascoigne who used to serve in the shop.
Again I may be wrong but the Queens could have been the one. The entrance was definately at the rear of Mandale road. Access was by turning right after the greengrocers which led to the back alley. The end of the alley joined New St further on.
With reference to New Street, my great aunt Francis de Puccio had an ice cream business in New Street. Her daughter was Beatrice – she married David Gascoigne and I think they had a shop of their own in Queen Street. Does any body remember the family, are there any photo’s in existence of their business in New Street?
It is most unlikely that one of the cinemas was used as a camouflage factory, since they were all showing films during the war.
Thank you Eric and John for your response. There is a Middle Way now off New Street which I presume was the original Middle Street. Thanks again for your help.
Can’t help with the camouflage factory. However, Thornaby used to have three cinemas.
The Queen’s on Mandale Road, The Central on Westbury Street and the Mayfair at the corner of Lanehouse Road and Thornaby Road.
Thank you Eric, your memory is certainly better than mine. I now recall were it was. Can you shed any light on the buiding that was used during the war as a camouflage factory?… was it an old cinema??
Middle Street ran off Mandale Road just opposite Pumphrey’s sugar factory. It was a very narrow street which was between Niman’s clothing shop and Thompson’s Red Stamp store. As far as I can recall there were only one or two houses in the street. The road is still there today, probably under another name, and it is where all the accidents have occurred as traffic emerges from the Mandale Triangle onto Mandale Road in to the new two-way traffic system which has recently been introduced for the buses.
I have a vague re-collection that a Middle St was a small street that was near New Street but I am sorry I can’t be any more specific.
Hi can anyone tell me where Middle Street in Thornaby was? On checking the 1861 Census it appears in the same district as George Street, also close to Back St and Joseph St, all of which I am unable to trace. Any help would be appreciated.
Indeed Brenda did own the gents hairdresses, which once belonged to Laurie Wilcox. There were another two girls who worked there at the same time as Brenda – Jean and Barbara, who was the young apprentice at that time.
The model shop you refer to, Jeffrey, was Listers. The RAF guy is my Uncle, Robert Gillow (Bob)who lives in Stockton (2009).When Listers closed he moved to number 89 George Street and opened his own small shop in the front room selling model ships, lead soldiers and aircraft etc. He and my Aunt moved out in 1973 after the council did the compulsory purchase to put in the A66. Nice that someone remembers him.
My uncle Robert A Gillow sadly passed away in 2012
On the left side their were two pawnbrokers, Blooms and Henry Birds. Opposite was a boot and shoe repairers, Albert Richardson. This was next to a cigarette kiosk and an ice-cream parlour.
In 1968/9 a lady called Brenda Lawrence worked in(and maybe owned) the gents hairdressers. Her husband, Peter, helped out on Saturdays. They were there a few years and had a son, Paul, who must be around 40 now.
My Great Grandparents lived at 83, George St. in 1901. Apparently,it was a Draper”s shop. Their name was Jeffries and I”m led to understand that the name was clearly visible on the side wall, prior to demolition. I”ve tried to find photos displaying the name but to no avail.Don”t know whether or not any one on the site can help.
I’m looking for a lady who use to live in 97 george street by the name of Nancy heslop I found a photo of her on the floor in yarm yesterday and I would like to return it to one of her relations and find out the story of a Harry maybe from Canada that was her lover any help would be great thanks
In the parade of low shops from the left in 1960 was a Gents Hairdressing Salon,I miss the girl who used to cut my hair, a pet shop, Rea”s Ice Cream Parlour and a papershop on the corner. In the High buildings on the left was a Model shop run by an RAF guy. this eventually closed and moved down the street, towards the library and fire station, in a small house/shop.