I’m trying to find information on Ellen Wilson (nee Owens) born 1903-1905 who married Frederick Wilson (born 1897) in Stockton-on-Tees, 1927. They had two daughters named Florence (born 1928)and Margaret Irene (born 1930). Ellen died from heart failure aged 28 in 1932 whilst working at the Stockton Union Workhouse. She was living at 14 Swainby Road at the time.
On Ellen and Frederick’s marriage certificate from 1927, Ellen’s father is named has Thomas Owens (deceased). The only birth entries I can find for a Ellen Owens (with a father called Thomas) in Stockton are 1901 and 1906 which don’t correspond with either her marriage (aged 23 in 1927) or death (aged 28 in 1932) certificates.
I am aware of the Owens at Beech Street and have the actual copy of the 1911 census. Ellen’s birth year is shown as 1901, which I know could be a mistake. The problem is, I have no way of confirming whether this is her or not.
The only certain information I have on Eleen Owens is being born in 1904, marrying in 1927 aged 23, her death in 1932 aged 28, and her father being called Thomas Owens (stated as deceased when she married). I know nothing else, not even her mothers name. I haven’t been able to find her on anyone else’s family tree both on Genes Reunited and Ancestry.
I have searched census records, but the family don’t seem to exist before or after 1911, even though the census states the whole family birthplace as Durham, Stockton.
If anyone has information on my Ellen Wilson (nee Owens), I would really appreciate your help.
My granddad had a shop on the end of Swainby Road and Norton Road, it would have been the 1950’s I guess. His name was Jack Arnold. Does anyone remember him or the shop? His son Peter & Daughter Jean worked there for a while.
The only shop I knew at end of Swainby Road was old Mrs Pritchard, when it closed it was empty for a long time then became a cafe, cafe didn’t last that long.
We as kids living in both Swainby & Danby Road would go in Mrs Pritchards shop and buy half penny sweets.
Outside the shop on dark nights it was a meeting place for us lads n lasses.
Great days, great mates both boys and girls.
All the best.
Derek
Re Dr Walsh surgeries before he moved to Darlington Lane surgery he had his main surgery in Norton Rd and he had another one in Dumbarton Ave at Ragworth Est. My friends mother & father, Mr & Mrs Burdon used to live in the house and look after it. This must have been in the 50s, I can remember it well.
i remember the fair very well.there was boxing and wrestling.the songs i remember were the boat that i row,by lulu,and im gonna get me a gun by cat stevens.
Ray Carter, I remember the fair covering most of the old rec, do you remember army and navy shows, plus horse jumping, and billy smarts circus coming at least once, I remember standing right next to billy smart, again great days.
When the fairs used to turn up we would get payed to fill their water urns up.
Great days.
All the best.
Derek
My grandmother, Magaret Goldsbrough, used to run a corner shop near the gas works – I think it was in Thompson Street – behind a pub called the Turks Head. One of my earliest memories was as a small boy sitting on the counter of the shop watching all the early shift guys arriving for their morning paper and Woodbines. They always had the right money and their order was always on the counter waiting for them. They were in and out like a shot.
Shops in Thompson Street one on the corner of Shakespeare Street, Madge Vickers bakery on the corner of Garibaldi Street. & a boarded up one on the corner of Byron Street, from the side of Madge Vickers to Dobing Street was what we called a common, flat ground from the war bombing. The Gladstone pub was on the corner on Milton Street.
The Doctor”s surgery on Norton Road was just near to where Dickens DIY was run I think by Drs.Manning,Zinnerman, Bergman , Bolsover,Walsh in the 50″onwards can anybody correct me if I am wrong. In those days if you wished to see the Doctor then you would go and receive a numbered disc which you could decide if you could go back home and come back later as you wold be able to guess when your turn came up. This surgery was in the in the basement of the building as it meant going down the front stairs of the front of the building. To go into Dickens DIY it meant walking up the steps to enter the shop so the entrance must have been on the first floor. Where the funeral service is now was the site of Tom Cowies motor cycle showroom was (ground floor and basement)this would have been in the sixties.
Dr. Walsh”s surgery on Darlington Lane was on the ground floor and upstairs there was a flat which was occupied by a lovely lady called Nellie – an old friend of the family, who looked after the premises. On Dr. Walsh”s retirement the house was rented to people and then my Auntie, Mrs. Walsh, moved in about 1981/82 ish. Dr and Mrs Walsh had a caravan which they parked to the side of the property.
I lived in Darlington Lane from 1968-72 and in that time Dr Walsh had his surgery on Darlington Lane. The house was part of the Fern Park Estate. You could recognise the house becuse where he had his surgery the window glass was opaque.
MY uncle, Dr.St.John R.B. Walsh never had a surgery in Billingham – he practiced in Norton Road and had a Branch Surgery in Darlington Lane. Around 1976 ish or maybe a year or so before, he was in practice just off Yarm Lane – near to the Presbyterian Church. Incidentally our family were members of the Church – my Grandfather was an Elder and the family were regular members of the Congregation. Dr Walsh had a very large practice in Stockton and was very highly thought of and respected by his patients and also by colleagues in the neighbouring hospitals.In my holidays from school ( Queen Victoria High School ) and then Durham University, I used to help out in the Surgery doing Reception Duties. I no longer live in Stockton but the happy memories are with me.
Rowley Linton, now sadly gone, was a good friend of mine. We would all meet up for a drink and I was often at his house on Hardwick. He had some funny stories of those Gas Board days sadly my memory has not retained them. I hope you find the pictures you are looking for.
DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE NORTHERN GAS BOARD STOCKTON DEPOT, POSSIBLY OF PEOPLE WHO WORKED THERE. I AM TRYING TO BUILD UP A SMALL HISTORY FROM AROUND 1970 UNTIL IT CLOSED DOWN IN 1978. I WORKED THERE AS A GAS SERVICELAYER DURING THIS TIME, NAMES I REMEMBER ARE: BOB DIXON,BOB BELL, DANNY (STOREMAN), ROLEY LINTON, MICK RAYNOR,RONNIE STEWART, TOMMY LONSDALE.
My father was a fitter and main layer his name was Bill Arnold I have some photographs of him working on the under ground storage.
He had many apprentices Matty Moss, Lorry Orpen, Morris Jameson other names Arthur Kerr, Big Bob Weatherill.
Dr Walsh, Dr Bergman and Dr Aashton, Dr Tiplady had a surgrey in station road Billingham in early part of 1960 then they opend the Tennant st surgery and ended up there around 1970 I can remember running to station road in aug 1969 when my brother was born.
My aunty Poppy lived in that house where the doctors practice was I can remember her baking scones for them, I was about 5 this was 1965. Can anyone remember what number Station Road it was please?
Prior to 74 Norton Road being the residence and surgery of Dr. St.John R.B. Walsh it was the family home of my Great Grandparents – Mr. and Mrs. William Johnstone. Mr. William Johnstone owned the Tailors shop at 1 Hume Street and other properties in Stockton. After they died in 1936 the business and family residence passed to my Grandparents Mr. and Mrs. William Lionel Johnstone. Norton Road in the 1930″s was Victoria Terrace.
There was another Doctor on Norton Road who lived next door to my Uncle, Dr. Walsh. His name was Dr. Marquis. Dr. Maurice Klarr was my family doctor and he delivered me at Barton House in 1953. I think Dr. Bergman had a daughter called Janet who attended the same school as me and my sister – Queen Victoria High School.
My Uncle, Dr. Walsh did have his surgery in 74 Norton Road. He and my Auntie Joan lived there also. He was the only Doctor at that address. I believe Dr. Manning may have had his surgery in that terrace of houses also – not too sure – but think I may be right. Over the road Dr. Johnson had his surgery and there was another Doctor also – Dr. Hopkins Hussein (I might have the wrong name and spelling ).I think it was in 1976 or thereabouts when my Uncle moved surgeries to somewhere just off Yarm Lane (can”t remember the address though ). My Uncle continued to live in Norton Road until his death in 1978.I think in about 1981ish my Auntie moved to what used to be the Branch Surgery premises in Darlington Lane,then to a road near the Monkey Puzzle Tree. She then moved to Oaklea Close in Norton. She died in 1997.
In the late 1930s Dr Manning and Dr Klarr were in that surgery in Norton road ,when Dr Klarr left Dr Bergman took his place . I remember Dr Manning delivering our first baby in my mother in laws home in april 1944, and Dr Bergman attending to my wife after the birth of our son. I also remember Dr Klarr teaching me to dive in the old stockton baths after seeing me do a bellie flop and having to attend to me as a result,not sure when those doctors left but my wife attended the surgery till we emigrated to Australia IN 1986 another Doctor I remember a few years later was called Dr Zinnerman
I THINK JEAN MILLER”S UNCLE, DR WALSH WAS IN THE SURGERIES ON NORTON ROAD JUST PAST COWIES CAR SHOWROOM WHICH IS NOW CRAKE & MALLON FUNERAL PARLOUR, OTHER DOCTORS IN THE SURGERY BEING DR MANNINIG AND DR BERGMAN, PERHAPS SOMEONE CAN CLARIFY THIS.
I WAS BORN IN SWAINBY ROAD AND REMEMBER WHEN WE WENT FROM GAS LAMPS TO ELECTRICITY, I CAN REMEMBER THE WIRING BEING DONE AND SWITCHES PUT ON THE WALLS, AND WHEN WE WERE FINALLY CONNECTED IT WAS A NEW EXPERIENCE, FOR ONE THING I DIDN”T HAVE TO RUN TO JIM TURNERS SHOP FOR A NEW MANTLE FOR THE GAS LIGHT WHEN THE OLD ONE BROKE, I NOTICED DEREK CASEY MENTIONED THE CIRCUS IN TILERY REC, ME AND MY MATE BRIAN ALLISON WERE CHASED ACROSS THE REC BY TWO LLAMAS, WE HAVE NEVER RUN SO FAST.
i was born in Thompson street right next door to the gas works, i remember my mother taking an old pram to the gas works which was filled with cinders for the fire, i think you paid something like half crown a sack , when i was six or seven we moved to swainby road , this was our first house with electricity and inside toilet, i spent many happy years in swainby road , but i never forget my early child hood living next door to the gas works,
To Jean Miller, did your uncle have his practice at the old tennent st and did he have blond hair because the name Dr Walsh rings a bell with me,all the best Derek
Derek, I noticed that you lived in Swainby Road. My uncle, Dr. Walsh had a lot of patients in Swainby Road and sometimes when I was a little girl I would go with him and sit in the car when he did home visits.
To David Moody, speaking about the circus in Tilery rec, I lived in the end house of Swainby Road, still at school, one days sat on our steps we saw the strangest animal running the around back end of the rec, no one knew what on earth it was accept my dad, he told us all it was a lama. This was just the start of Billy Smarts circus coming to Tilery Rec, and like you I went around the part you could view the animals. I can even remember Billy Smart in his white suit greeting people to the opening of the 1st show. I never got the chance to go to and see the circus but that didn”t matter even then as I did get to see the animals. Brilliant! All the best Derek
Yes Bob, the fair on the Moor at the end of Dovecot Street must have been in the early 1950s. I vividly remember my mam and dad winning a good quality mirror at the fair. It was above the mantlepiece at home for many years. They had just got married so it must have been about 1951/2. I can remember the fair on the gas works land. The music I remember was Hi Ho Silver Lining by Jeff Beck. I can remember a circus at Tilery Rec. I went in the tents to see camels etc. it was the first time I”d seen exotic animals like this close up.
I remember the Stockton Fair on “The Moor” end of Dovecot Street, under the subway and up a bank to the right You could here the steam organs as you approached the subway and the climb took you into a world of colour and noise The whirl and clatter of the “Catterpillar”.Dodge-Em Cars , the roundabouts and remember the “Steam-Boats” (Two large basket shaped swings which swung almost vertical with everybody hanging on ) Darts and roll-a-penny, vied with shooting galleries. coconut and tin-can shies and above all the evocative smell of crushed grass, coal-smoke and fish & chips The same atmospher was found at the later site on Tilery Rec, but The Moor” had a magic of its own ,being surrounded by total country-side darkness
Yes Graham I remember the fair, but later, about 1969, strangely Sandy Shaws song also comes to my mind. My hubbie was an aprentice then at Robsons, and used to earn a bit extra fixing the big trucks belonging to the fair.
can anyone remember in the early 60″s the fair that use to come to stockton and set up around the area of the gasworks.I remember i was around 8 or 9 years old crossing the bridge from eastbourne into the town and stopping half way across whilst the great steam trains went underneath bellowing clouds of steam upwards.Iwould then carry on down the steps into the dark and eerie lane leading to the music and bright lights of the fair.the music i always associate with the fair was puppet on a string.On arriving i would walk around seeing all the side shows something you dont see at modern day fairs like boxing and wrestling booths and freak shows.The smell of candy floss and hot dogs and freshly made toffee apples.I tell my kids about the great days of my youth and they love to hear the stories and memories of the great days of the 60″s in stockton.(great days)
What has all these doctors surgeries got to do with the old Gasworks?
There was a family of Owens lived in Fenny Street, when you went into Bone Street from Norton Road it led into Fenny Street.
A FAMILY OF OWENS LIVED IN PORTRACK THEN MOVED TO HARDWICK, HOPE THIS OF HELP. IT WAS NEAR ST.JAMES CHURCH.
I’m trying to find information on Ellen Wilson (nee Owens) born 1903-1905 who married Frederick Wilson (born 1897) in Stockton-on-Tees, 1927. They had two daughters named Florence (born 1928)and Margaret Irene (born 1930). Ellen died from heart failure aged 28 in 1932 whilst working at the Stockton Union Workhouse. She was living at 14 Swainby Road at the time.
On Ellen and Frederick’s marriage certificate from 1927, Ellen’s father is named has Thomas Owens (deceased). The only birth entries I can find for a Ellen Owens (with a father called Thomas) in Stockton are 1901 and 1906 which don’t correspond with either her marriage (aged 23 in 1927) or death (aged 28 in 1932) certificates.
I am aware of the Owens at Beech Street and have the actual copy of the 1911 census. Ellen’s birth year is shown as 1901, which I know could be a mistake. The problem is, I have no way of confirming whether this is her or not.
The only certain information I have on Eleen Owens is being born in 1904, marrying in 1927 aged 23, her death in 1932 aged 28, and her father being called Thomas Owens (stated as deceased when she married). I know nothing else, not even her mothers name. I haven’t been able to find her on anyone else’s family tree both on Genes Reunited and Ancestry.
I have searched census records, but the family don’t seem to exist before or after 1911, even though the census states the whole family birthplace as Durham, Stockton.
If anyone has information on my Ellen Wilson (nee Owens), I would really appreciate your help.
My granddad had a shop on the end of Swainby Road and Norton Road, it would have been the 1950’s I guess. His name was Jack Arnold. Does anyone remember him or the shop? His son Peter & Daughter Jean worked there for a while.
Yes I remember the shop I used to go and get a drink for a penny
The only shop I knew at end of Swainby Road was old Mrs Pritchard, when it closed it was empty for a long time then became a cafe, cafe didn’t last that long.
We as kids living in both Swainby & Danby Road would go in Mrs Pritchards shop and buy half penny sweets.
Outside the shop on dark nights it was a meeting place for us lads n lasses.
Great days, great mates both boys and girls.
All the best.
Derek
Re Dr Walsh surgeries before he moved to Darlington Lane surgery he had his main surgery in Norton Rd and he had another one in Dumbarton Ave at Ragworth Est. My friends mother & father, Mr & Mrs Burdon used to live in the house and look after it. This must have been in the 50s, I can remember it well.
i remember the fair very well.there was boxing and wrestling.the songs i remember were the boat that i row,by lulu,and im gonna get me a gun by cat stevens.
Ray Carter, I remember the fair covering most of the old rec, do you remember army and navy shows, plus horse jumping, and billy smarts circus coming at least once, I remember standing right next to billy smart, again great days.
When the fairs used to turn up we would get payed to fill their water urns up.
Great days.
All the best.
Derek
My grandmother, Magaret Goldsbrough, used to run a corner shop near the gas works – I think it was in Thompson Street – behind a pub called the Turks Head. One of my earliest memories was as a small boy sitting on the counter of the shop watching all the early shift guys arriving for their morning paper and Woodbines. They always had the right money and their order was always on the counter waiting for them. They were in and out like a shot.
Shops in Thompson Street one on the corner of Shakespeare Street, Madge Vickers bakery on the corner of Garibaldi Street. & a boarded up one on the corner of Byron Street, from the side of Madge Vickers to Dobing Street was what we called a common, flat ground from the war bombing. The Gladstone pub was on the corner on Milton Street.
The Doctor”s surgery on Norton Road was just near to where Dickens DIY was run I think by Drs.Manning,Zinnerman, Bergman , Bolsover,Walsh in the 50″onwards can anybody correct me if I am wrong. In those days if you wished to see the Doctor then you would go and receive a numbered disc which you could decide if you could go back home and come back later as you wold be able to guess when your turn came up. This surgery was in the in the basement of the building as it meant going down the front stairs of the front of the building. To go into Dickens DIY it meant walking up the steps to enter the shop so the entrance must have been on the first floor. Where the funeral service is now was the site of Tom Cowies motor cycle showroom was (ground floor and basement)this would have been in the sixties.
Dr. Walsh”s surgery on Darlington Lane was on the ground floor and upstairs there was a flat which was occupied by a lovely lady called Nellie – an old friend of the family, who looked after the premises. On Dr. Walsh”s retirement the house was rented to people and then my Auntie, Mrs. Walsh, moved in about 1981/82 ish. Dr and Mrs Walsh had a caravan which they parked to the side of the property.
We were with Dr Walsh for years he was a lovely man… sadly we had to change dotors because we lived in Thornaby
I lived in Darlington Lane from 1968-72 and in that time Dr Walsh had his surgery on Darlington Lane. The house was part of the Fern Park Estate. You could recognise the house becuse where he had his surgery the window glass was opaque.
MY uncle, Dr.St.John R.B. Walsh never had a surgery in Billingham – he practiced in Norton Road and had a Branch Surgery in Darlington Lane. Around 1976 ish or maybe a year or so before, he was in practice just off Yarm Lane – near to the Presbyterian Church. Incidentally our family were members of the Church – my Grandfather was an Elder and the family were regular members of the Congregation. Dr Walsh had a very large practice in Stockton and was very highly thought of and respected by his patients and also by colleagues in the neighbouring hospitals.In my holidays from school ( Queen Victoria High School ) and then Durham University, I used to help out in the Surgery doing Reception Duties. I no longer live in Stockton but the happy memories are with me.
Rowley Linton, now sadly gone, was a good friend of mine. We would all meet up for a drink and I was often at his house on Hardwick. He had some funny stories of those Gas Board days sadly my memory has not retained them. I hope you find the pictures you are looking for.
DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE NORTHERN GAS BOARD STOCKTON DEPOT, POSSIBLY OF PEOPLE WHO WORKED THERE. I AM TRYING TO BUILD UP A SMALL HISTORY FROM AROUND 1970 UNTIL IT CLOSED DOWN IN 1978. I WORKED THERE AS A GAS SERVICELAYER DURING THIS TIME, NAMES I REMEMBER ARE: BOB DIXON,BOB BELL, DANNY (STOREMAN), ROLEY LINTON, MICK RAYNOR,RONNIE STEWART, TOMMY LONSDALE.
My father was a fitter and main layer his name was Bill Arnold I have some photographs of him working on the under ground storage.
He had many apprentices Matty Moss, Lorry Orpen, Morris Jameson other names Arthur Kerr, Big Bob Weatherill.
Was Arthur Kerr the guy who lived in Bishopton Road West, near St Pauls Church?.
Arthur Kerr did live in Bishopton Road West
What did Arthur Kerr do at the Gas Board?
Dr Walsh, Dr Bergman and Dr Aashton, Dr Tiplady had a surgrey in station road Billingham in early part of 1960 then they opend the Tennant st surgery and ended up there around 1970 I can remember running to station road in aug 1969 when my brother was born.
My aunty Poppy lived in that house where the doctors practice was I can remember her baking scones for them, I was about 5 this was 1965. Can anyone remember what number Station Road it was please?
Prior to 74 Norton Road being the residence and surgery of Dr. St.John R.B. Walsh it was the family home of my Great Grandparents – Mr. and Mrs. William Johnstone. Mr. William Johnstone owned the Tailors shop at 1 Hume Street and other properties in Stockton. After they died in 1936 the business and family residence passed to my Grandparents Mr. and Mrs. William Lionel Johnstone. Norton Road in the 1930″s was Victoria Terrace.
There was another Doctor on Norton Road who lived next door to my Uncle, Dr. Walsh. His name was Dr. Marquis. Dr. Maurice Klarr was my family doctor and he delivered me at Barton House in 1953. I think Dr. Bergman had a daughter called Janet who attended the same school as me and my sister – Queen Victoria High School.
My Uncle, Dr. Walsh did have his surgery in 74 Norton Road. He and my Auntie Joan lived there also. He was the only Doctor at that address. I believe Dr. Manning may have had his surgery in that terrace of houses also – not too sure – but think I may be right. Over the road Dr. Johnson had his surgery and there was another Doctor also – Dr. Hopkins Hussein (I might have the wrong name and spelling ).I think it was in 1976 or thereabouts when my Uncle moved surgeries to somewhere just off Yarm Lane (can”t remember the address though ). My Uncle continued to live in Norton Road until his death in 1978.I think in about 1981ish my Auntie moved to what used to be the Branch Surgery premises in Darlington Lane,then to a road near the Monkey Puzzle Tree. She then moved to Oaklea Close in Norton. She died in 1997.
In the late 1930s Dr Manning and Dr Klarr were in that surgery in Norton road ,when Dr Klarr left Dr Bergman took his place . I remember Dr Manning delivering our first baby in my mother in laws home in april 1944, and Dr Bergman attending to my wife after the birth of our son. I also remember Dr Klarr teaching me to dive in the old stockton baths after seeing me do a bellie flop and having to attend to me as a result,not sure when those doctors left but my wife attended the surgery till we emigrated to Australia IN 1986 another Doctor I remember a few years later was called Dr Zinnerman
I THINK JEAN MILLER”S UNCLE, DR WALSH WAS IN THE SURGERIES ON NORTON ROAD JUST PAST COWIES CAR SHOWROOM WHICH IS NOW CRAKE & MALLON FUNERAL PARLOUR, OTHER DOCTORS IN THE SURGERY BEING DR MANNINIG AND DR BERGMAN, PERHAPS SOMEONE CAN CLARIFY THIS.
I WAS BORN IN SWAINBY ROAD AND REMEMBER WHEN WE WENT FROM GAS LAMPS TO ELECTRICITY, I CAN REMEMBER THE WIRING BEING DONE AND SWITCHES PUT ON THE WALLS, AND WHEN WE WERE FINALLY CONNECTED IT WAS A NEW EXPERIENCE, FOR ONE THING I DIDN”T HAVE TO RUN TO JIM TURNERS SHOP FOR A NEW MANTLE FOR THE GAS LIGHT WHEN THE OLD ONE BROKE, I NOTICED DEREK CASEY MENTIONED THE CIRCUS IN TILERY REC, ME AND MY MATE BRIAN ALLISON WERE CHASED ACROSS THE REC BY TWO LLAMAS, WE HAVE NEVER RUN SO FAST.
i was born in Thompson street right next door to the gas works, i remember my mother taking an old pram to the gas works which was filled with cinders for the fire, i think you paid something like half crown a sack , when i was six or seven we moved to swainby road , this was our first house with electricity and inside toilet, i spent many happy years in swainby road , but i never forget my early child hood living next door to the gas works,
To Jean Miller, did your uncle have his practice at the old tennent st and did he have blond hair because the name Dr Walsh rings a bell with me,all the best Derek
Derek, I noticed that you lived in Swainby Road. My uncle, Dr. Walsh had a lot of patients in Swainby Road and sometimes when I was a little girl I would go with him and sit in the car when he did home visits.
To David Moody, speaking about the circus in Tilery rec, I lived in the end house of Swainby Road, still at school, one days sat on our steps we saw the strangest animal running the around back end of the rec, no one knew what on earth it was accept my dad, he told us all it was a lama. This was just the start of Billy Smarts circus coming to Tilery Rec, and like you I went around the part you could view the animals. I can even remember Billy Smart in his white suit greeting people to the opening of the 1st show. I never got the chance to go to and see the circus but that didn”t matter even then as I did get to see the animals. Brilliant! All the best Derek
Yes Bob, the fair on the Moor at the end of Dovecot Street must have been in the early 1950s. I vividly remember my mam and dad winning a good quality mirror at the fair. It was above the mantlepiece at home for many years. They had just got married so it must have been about 1951/2. I can remember the fair on the gas works land. The music I remember was Hi Ho Silver Lining by Jeff Beck. I can remember a circus at Tilery Rec. I went in the tents to see camels etc. it was the first time I”d seen exotic animals like this close up.
I remember the Stockton Fair on “The Moor” end of Dovecot Street, under the subway and up a bank to the right You could here the steam organs as you approached the subway and the climb took you into a world of colour and noise The whirl and clatter of the “Catterpillar”.Dodge-Em Cars , the roundabouts and remember the “Steam-Boats” (Two large basket shaped swings which swung almost vertical with everybody hanging on ) Darts and roll-a-penny, vied with shooting galleries. coconut and tin-can shies and above all the evocative smell of crushed grass, coal-smoke and fish & chips The same atmospher was found at the later site on Tilery Rec, but The Moor” had a magic of its own ,being surrounded by total country-side darkness
Yes Graham I remember the fair, but later, about 1969, strangely Sandy Shaws song also comes to my mind. My hubbie was an aprentice then at Robsons, and used to earn a bit extra fixing the big trucks belonging to the fair.
can anyone remember in the early 60″s the fair that use to come to stockton and set up around the area of the gasworks.I remember i was around 8 or 9 years old crossing the bridge from eastbourne into the town and stopping half way across whilst the great steam trains went underneath bellowing clouds of steam upwards.Iwould then carry on down the steps into the dark and eerie lane leading to the music and bright lights of the fair.the music i always associate with the fair was puppet on a string.On arriving i would walk around seeing all the side shows something you dont see at modern day fairs like boxing and wrestling booths and freak shows.The smell of candy floss and hot dogs and freshly made toffee apples.I tell my kids about the great days of my youth and they love to hear the stories and memories of the great days of the 60″s in stockton.(great days)