I am Michael Hall and attended Grants School from 1944 until 1946. Names from memory were Tony Allick, Edith Norman, Marion (Mill Farm) Miss Stamp and Betty Corner. I have a class photograph
Heather Gray and Honorine Gray would have been there for a while at about the same time. It would be great to see the photo and whether they are on it.
Sorry to hear that. Bruce has been on this site and also although a couple of years older than me we both attended Frederick Nattrass juniors together. I remember his g/father. When we had a broken windows at home it was my job to go to his house either in Milner Road/Jamison Road, can’t remember which now and ask him to come and replace the glass. His words to me as a child when he had finished the job was, “Don’t touch the soft putty” and he would give me some to play with.
Has any former pupil of Grant’s School a copy of the school photogragh taken on the green in the late 1940’s? I was a pupil there with Malcolm Danby, Douglas Grey, Brian Wilson, Marion Barker. The teachers name was Miss Stamp.
Does anyone remember Gunter the shoe shop owner. He was my great uncle, I am doing the family tree at the moment and I am stuck on him, I cant seem to find any information or photos for him.
I think we must have two people called Douglas here. Mr A.Sholto Douglas LDS,RCS was not demobbed until 1949-50 from the RAF. I commenced my apprenticship with Mr C.V.Armitage LDS,RCS,FDS,RCS in 1948. Mr Armitage was the Senior Partner of Armitage”s Dental Surgeons of Norton on Tees. It was his practice that held the contract for dentistry at ICI Billingham. The team consisted of Mr A.S.Douglas and Mr J.Riddell all who manned the clinics at ICI. The laboratory work was completed at the Dental Laboratory on Norton Road. Mr Roper was the technician in charge for ICI work. Mr E.Taylorson and Mr John Atkinson completed all other NHS and Private work, I was the appretice there until 1951. I must say I received a first rate training from all in this practice. It was this training which led me to become Senior Instructor In Mechnical Dentistry at Leeds Dental School and Hospital 1956-1984. Mr Ernie Taylorson was an expert in Dental acrylic resins, having been engaged upon early research in ICI”s own Research Laboratories. Mr John Atkinson specialised in Metalwork as well as routine proceedures with Valcanite and resins. I have a little story to relate. Mr Armitage and Mr Atkinson had just completed a new metal Denture for Sir John? Ropner the shipping magnet of Teeside. Sir John and C.V. came up to thank Mr Atkinson for his skillfull work. Sir John said “I”m a metal man myself you know” I thought that was a nice touch, he dealt in thousands of tons, we delt in penny weights and ozs and grains. All metric now. If any of these people are still alive, I send my very best wishes. J.Norman Kidd
Spot on, it was Mr Douglas who was our 2nd Norton Scout Master when I was a member 1940-42, I joined “A” Coy DLI Cadets from the Scouts. My memory of him was when I was doing my first aid badge, he told me I had done a good job but could I now loosen the bandages before the lad being bandaged passed away. He did go in the RAF and was at ICI after the war so it all fits.
Good to read the piece about 2nd Norton Scouts. I think you may be confused by the Dentist that returned to ICI after the war, that was Athol Sholto Douglas. Mr C.V.Armitage the Dentist”s parner. He gave me a referance when I left the practice for my job in Leeds. Athol was not in 2nd Norton Scouts to my knowledge. He became either a Wing Commander or a Group Captain in the RAF, I just forget his actual rank. When I first joined the Army Cadets it was Captain Downs – who was aided by Lt Peel as second in command. Mr Peel, who in his early days at ICI stayed with us in Grantham Road as a paying guest (lodged) with my Mum. I was very pleased to hear news of Sgt Mc Nally he was my Sgt in No 4 Platoon. I have just sent off a photgraph of Keith Dixon and myself in our scout uniforms in 1939, it should be in the Centienary Celibration to be held in September this year. Regards J.Norman Kidd
I was also in 2nd Norton Scouts and remember the Scout Master going in the RAF. I am sure he came out in one piece and was a dentist at ICI and in Norton. “A” Coy DLI was Major Downs in charge when I joined 1942. Sgt Macnally was also my platoon Sgt until he went in the Army. I met up with him again at Brancepeth when I joined up in 1947, he was waiting to come out then. I met him again at ICI years later. We did become friends, his wife died some years back and he died a while back. He never changed from his Cadet days. One of the Marley twins was the drum Major with Sig Mason on the big drum. I have photo”s of “A” coy and the band when I find out how to post them. I lived in Mill Lane off the green and went to the Friends meeting house Sunday School then to the Church Hall on the green. The Blacksmith had his two daughters working for him during the war as strikers, he repaired Dads truck springs for him and I helped Dad to fit them heavy work that was. Frank.
I went to sunday school in this building in the early 30s, we called it the Quakers,I also went to school with Terry Carrigan at Richard Hind school.I lived in Eamont rd and I was also in 1st Norton scouts.I am now 82.I remember the blacksmiths forge and the old mill and the old water pump by the duck pond.
Ken, Mister Fred who you mentioned was my Great Uncle. My Grandmother was a Nurse and was also involved with the British Red Cross. Thank you for your kind words about her. She was a very caring, gentle lady. My Aunt and Uncle lived at 74, Norton Road, my Uncle was Dr. Walsh and he had his surgery there.
Bob Irwin, Were you ever in 2nd Norton Scouts? I joined in about 1938 in the Pee-wit Patrol I suppose the rookies patrol. I enjoyed all the usual community singing The Quarter Masters Store”s” etc, many of them now forgoten, except “Will you go to Abysinia, will ya go” Our Scout Master got killed in the war but George the Deputy SM came through. I think we children used to meet up at Walkers Farm with Harold to go to Freddy Nattrass, and you lived very close by or even next door. Bill Darney was also in the scouts. Bill worked with my father in the ICI Supply Department, when Dad came back out of the Army at Ki-Ora in 1943. He went off to war on 3rd Sept 1939, having just come back from camp in Tenby Wales. Thats what I meant about the war it shook up a lot of peoples lives. You sure have your finger of the pulse with up to date news with Tony”s death. It was Marjorie we went to see. I very much enjoy hearing about Norton and the area. Bob Harbron keeps me well informed over village matters each month its always the first post I open. My Scouting days finished in 1939 just after the paper and metal collections for the war effort my Mother and I went to Weardale for the duration of Dads war service returning to Norton in about 1943 still with air raids nearly every night. I joined the Norton DLI Army Cadets based at the William Newton School with Cpt Downs, Lt Peel and Quater Master Sgt Dicky Downs, my platoon Sgt was Sgt McNally a good lad who taught us well. We had a great band with a really smart Drum Major, I can hear them now marching up Junction Road to practise at the Band Hut at the William Newton School with the Drums and Bugles blasting out. Regards to All. J.Norman Kidd
J Norman Kidd. Re. the Carrigan Family. They lived at 123 High Street, Norton. Terry, Shiela, Marjorie, Geoff and Tony. Terry was involved in a terrible road accident and through this shortened his life. Geoff who has been mentioned on this site as a member of the 1945-46 Stockton Boys Football Team who reached the all England Schoolboys Cup. He died some ten years ago and Tony passed away in the last 6 weeks. He emigrated to Winchester Massachusetts USA in 1954 where he lived until his death. He was known in the area as a member of the local Church and he was always the leading man in all the Christmas plays together with Judith Wood who was the leading Lady. Judith Wood being the daughter of the Manager of the Norton Cinemas.
Bruce Towl, Good to hear the news about the families. Mrs Lowther who lived on the other side of Milner Road was my God Mother in the 1928-1945 period. Cpt: John Wilson of “Veradale” Junction Road and the Wilson”s daughter Mammie Kidner, remained friends all their lives and after George Kidner died Mammie spent many Christmas”s with us in Leeds. They were happy days spoilt by the 1939-47 war. We just dont learn. Just this last week I had a happy reunion with a member of the Carrigan family of Norton. The father was a Tees pilot. Terry a son, who I knew as a scout, and his brother have both passed away. I see many referances to the Moderne Cinema and its French spelling I rember the sign being erected and trying to figure it out. The Manager Mr Wood and his wife lived in our old house in Milner Road.
J. Norman Kidd Yes. Iremember the shop in Milner Road but only just … I was born in 1935 so you must be about a decade older than me. You must have been born in the house next door to the shop and the Suddick family lived on the other side at number 12 (although I don”t know if they would have been there during your time there). I still send/receive Christmas cards from Leslie Suddick (now Mrs Farnaby) who has lived in South Africa for over 40 years now. The Towl family lived at number 2 Milner Road until moving to Jameson Road in the mid to late 1930s. I was born in Birkley Road but my father, Jack, had an ambition to move back to Milner Road and in the early 1950s we did just that.
Dear Ken, My great uncle was Uncle Fred who you refer to as Mister Fred. My Grandmother was involved in Nursing – she was also very involved with the British Red Cross. Thank you for saying she was a caring, gentle lady. She was. My Auntie Joan lived at 74, Norton Road nearly opposite Hume Street. Her husband was Dr. St. John Walsh and his surgery was there. My Graparents also had a son – my Uncle Malcolm who was in the Merchant Navy during the Second World War. My mother, Marjorie ( nee Johnstone ) was a nurse also. She trained at the RVI in Newcastle. My Grandmother died in 1957, my Grandfather died in 1967, Uncle Malcolm died in 1967, Dr. Walsh died in 1978 and my Auntie Joan died in 1997. My mother is 85 now.
Shortly after leaving school, I worked at the (your grandfather”s) drapery store just before and during the Second World War. I recall that Mister William Johnstone spent most of his time calling on customers in their homes, covering quite a wide area of Teesside, whilst his brother Mister Fred(that”s how we had to address him) took care of the store. If memory serves me correctly he came to the store each day by train from Whitley Bay. I remember that Mrs William Johnstone was involved in Nursing,in a senior capacity, and I always found her to be a very caring and gentle lady.
My mother went to Mrs. Grant”s school in the late 1920″s. Her name then was Marjorie Johnstone and she lived in Bradbury Road. Her father, William Johnstone, had a draper”s shop in Hume Street.
As a very young infant I started Sunday School here. The Sunday School Teacher was Mrs Thorpe who lived in Ragworth Road. Probably at the age of 8 we then went to the School on the Green until 11 when we went to the main Church. I can remember having the attendance cards which were stamped and dated with a star.
Bruce Towl, Thank you for putting me right regarding the Towl”s and Wrigglesworth families. My grey matter is getting a bit forgetful these days. I was born at 8 Milner Road and knew quite a lot of children from around the area. Do you remember Mrs Whinspears shop in the 1930″s? Sorry to hear about your Uncle Harry he was three years older than me but I remember him around.
Bruce Towl, Thank you for putting me right regarding the Towl”s and Wrigglesworth families. My grey matter is getting a bit forgetful these days. I was born at 8 Milner Road and knew quite a lot of children from around the area. Do you remember Mrs Whinspears shop in the 1930″s? Sorry to hear about your Uncle Harry he was three years older than me but I remember him around. Regards, Norman.
J.Norman Kidd Towl has no E though many people include one. My grandfather, Tom, was the chapel steward at Norton Junction. He was not a lay preacher but would sometimes conduct the service if the listed preacher did not turn up. The Wrigglesworths lived at number 9 Jameson Road and the Towls at number 11.It was Ian (Wilton”s brother)Wrigglesworth who became a Labour MP and who was a founder member of the SDP in the 1980s. He has not been an MP for a number of years now and is now Sir Ian. Ted was, indeed, the father”s name but the mother was Elsie who died after suffering a stroke in February 1970. My uncle Harry died in 1986 aged just 65.
Bob Irwin and John Bruce Towel, I hope you dont mind me entering your recollections of the Towel Family of Jameson Road. They were a respected family who”s father preached at Norton Junction Chapel and were part of the fabric of Norton in my time 1928-1950. I remember Harry Towel a son who also lived with his Mum and Dad in Jameson Road. Is Harry still ticking? The Wrigglesworth family were also in the same Road. Wilton I believe became a Labour MP. Ted Wrigglesworth was the father and Barbara their mother. I also attended the Friends Meeting House when thet had Sunday School, all fine people.
John Bruce Towel. I remember you well. I have even mentioned you and your Grandfather on this site. I had to go to your house in Jameson Road when we needed glass replacing in the windows. He would give me some putty to play with and tell me not to take it from the window after he had gone. I am tall but you were even bigger than me.
This was my first school which I attended in the late 1930s. Mrs Grant was in charge and I think that she also had an assistant. I have a painting of the school on my bedroom wall together with another which depicts the building where the old forge used to be.
This was where I first went to school, it was at that time Norton Green Private School. Unless my memory is faulty over the green, just opposite the duckpond, was a forge. We used to walk over at lunchtime to watch the smith work. Nearly white hot iron, sparks, the ringing of hammer on anvil. No wonder today”s children have no view of working life, after school days, divorced from the “real” community. At the age of 7 myself and my mate, Billy, were train spotting on North Shore signal box platform (Not allowed these days) and we cabbed a Gresley A4 pacific and were taken by a very proud driver up to Stockton station. So much for Health & Safety at work!
Friends Meeting House The Green Norton The photo is the 1903 building, the first on this site was 1671, prior to this meetings were house or barn meetings The present tranquil setting of the Friends Meeting House belies the suffering and treatment of the “Quaker” Movement both local and National over 300years ago Details are available on the web entitled “Faith in Adversity” http://darlington quakers click Norton click History-Norton
I am Michael Hall and attended Grants School from 1944 until 1946. Names from memory were Tony Allick, Edith Norman, Marion (Mill Farm) Miss Stamp and Betty Corner. I have a class photograph
Heather Gray and Honorine Gray would have been there for a while at about the same time. It would be great to see the photo and whether they are on it.
Sadly Bruce Towl (my father) died and has his ashes in Norton churchyard
Sorry to hear that. Bruce has been on this site and also although a couple of years older than me we both attended Frederick Nattrass juniors together. I remember his g/father. When we had a broken windows at home it was my job to go to his house either in Milner Road/Jamison Road, can’t remember which now and ask him to come and replace the glass. His words to me as a child when he had finished the job was, “Don’t touch the soft putty” and he would give me some to play with.
Thank you for that memory which I have just seen. Bruce would have appreciated that, Graham.
Has any former pupil of Grant’s School a copy of the school photogragh taken on the green in the late 1940’s? I was a pupil there with Malcolm Danby, Douglas Grey, Brian Wilson, Marion Barker. The teachers name was Miss Stamp.
Does anyone remember Gunter the shoe shop owner. He was my great uncle, I am doing the family tree at the moment and I am stuck on him, I cant seem to find any information or photos for him.
I think we must have two people called Douglas here. Mr A.Sholto Douglas LDS,RCS was not demobbed until 1949-50 from the RAF. I commenced my apprenticship with Mr C.V.Armitage LDS,RCS,FDS,RCS in 1948. Mr Armitage was the Senior Partner of Armitage”s Dental Surgeons of Norton on Tees. It was his practice that held the contract for dentistry at ICI Billingham. The team consisted of Mr A.S.Douglas and Mr J.Riddell all who manned the clinics at ICI. The laboratory work was completed at the Dental Laboratory on Norton Road. Mr Roper was the technician in charge for ICI work. Mr E.Taylorson and Mr John Atkinson completed all other NHS and Private work, I was the appretice there until 1951. I must say I received a first rate training from all in this practice. It was this training which led me to become Senior Instructor In Mechnical Dentistry at Leeds Dental School and Hospital 1956-1984. Mr Ernie Taylorson was an expert in Dental acrylic resins, having been engaged upon early research in ICI”s own Research Laboratories. Mr John Atkinson specialised in Metalwork as well as routine proceedures with Valcanite and resins. I have a little story to relate. Mr Armitage and Mr Atkinson had just completed a new metal Denture for Sir John? Ropner the shipping magnet of Teeside. Sir John and C.V. came up to thank Mr Atkinson for his skillfull work. Sir John said “I”m a metal man myself you know” I thought that was a nice touch, he dealt in thousands of tons, we delt in penny weights and ozs and grains. All metric now. If any of these people are still alive, I send my very best wishes. J.Norman Kidd
Spot on, it was Mr Douglas who was our 2nd Norton Scout Master when I was a member 1940-42, I joined “A” Coy DLI Cadets from the Scouts. My memory of him was when I was doing my first aid badge, he told me I had done a good job but could I now loosen the bandages before the lad being bandaged passed away. He did go in the RAF and was at ICI after the war so it all fits.
There was a Douglas who was a Scout Leader at 2nd Norton just after the War. I believe Ray Shaw followed on after him.
Good to read the piece about 2nd Norton Scouts. I think you may be confused by the Dentist that returned to ICI after the war, that was Athol Sholto Douglas. Mr C.V.Armitage the Dentist”s parner. He gave me a referance when I left the practice for my job in Leeds. Athol was not in 2nd Norton Scouts to my knowledge. He became either a Wing Commander or a Group Captain in the RAF, I just forget his actual rank. When I first joined the Army Cadets it was Captain Downs – who was aided by Lt Peel as second in command. Mr Peel, who in his early days at ICI stayed with us in Grantham Road as a paying guest (lodged) with my Mum. I was very pleased to hear news of Sgt Mc Nally he was my Sgt in No 4 Platoon. I have just sent off a photgraph of Keith Dixon and myself in our scout uniforms in 1939, it should be in the Centienary Celibration to be held in September this year. Regards J.Norman Kidd
I was also in 2nd Norton Scouts and remember the Scout Master going in the RAF. I am sure he came out in one piece and was a dentist at ICI and in Norton. “A” Coy DLI was Major Downs in charge when I joined 1942. Sgt Macnally was also my platoon Sgt until he went in the Army. I met up with him again at Brancepeth when I joined up in 1947, he was waiting to come out then. I met him again at ICI years later. We did become friends, his wife died some years back and he died a while back. He never changed from his Cadet days. One of the Marley twins was the drum Major with Sig Mason on the big drum. I have photo”s of “A” coy and the band when I find out how to post them. I lived in Mill Lane off the green and went to the Friends meeting house Sunday School then to the Church Hall on the green. The Blacksmith had his two daughters working for him during the war as strikers, he repaired Dads truck springs for him and I helped Dad to fit them heavy work that was. Frank.
I went to sunday school in this building in the early 30s, we called it the Quakers,I also went to school with Terry Carrigan at Richard Hind school.I lived in Eamont rd and I was also in 1st Norton scouts.I am now 82.I remember the blacksmiths forge and the old mill and the old water pump by the duck pond.
Ken, Mister Fred who you mentioned was my Great Uncle. My Grandmother was a Nurse and was also involved with the British Red Cross. Thank you for your kind words about her. She was a very caring, gentle lady. My Aunt and Uncle lived at 74, Norton Road, my Uncle was Dr. Walsh and he had his surgery there.
Bob Irwin, Were you ever in 2nd Norton Scouts? I joined in about 1938 in the Pee-wit Patrol I suppose the rookies patrol. I enjoyed all the usual community singing The Quarter Masters Store”s” etc, many of them now forgoten, except “Will you go to Abysinia, will ya go” Our Scout Master got killed in the war but George the Deputy SM came through. I think we children used to meet up at Walkers Farm with Harold to go to Freddy Nattrass, and you lived very close by or even next door. Bill Darney was also in the scouts. Bill worked with my father in the ICI Supply Department, when Dad came back out of the Army at Ki-Ora in 1943. He went off to war on 3rd Sept 1939, having just come back from camp in Tenby Wales. Thats what I meant about the war it shook up a lot of peoples lives. You sure have your finger of the pulse with up to date news with Tony”s death. It was Marjorie we went to see. I very much enjoy hearing about Norton and the area. Bob Harbron keeps me well informed over village matters each month its always the first post I open. My Scouting days finished in 1939 just after the paper and metal collections for the war effort my Mother and I went to Weardale for the duration of Dads war service returning to Norton in about 1943 still with air raids nearly every night. I joined the Norton DLI Army Cadets based at the William Newton School with Cpt Downs, Lt Peel and Quater Master Sgt Dicky Downs, my platoon Sgt was Sgt McNally a good lad who taught us well. We had a great band with a really smart Drum Major, I can hear them now marching up Junction Road to practise at the Band Hut at the William Newton School with the Drums and Bugles blasting out. Regards to All. J.Norman Kidd
J Norman Kidd. Re. the Carrigan Family. They lived at 123 High Street, Norton. Terry, Shiela, Marjorie, Geoff and Tony. Terry was involved in a terrible road accident and through this shortened his life. Geoff who has been mentioned on this site as a member of the 1945-46 Stockton Boys Football Team who reached the all England Schoolboys Cup. He died some ten years ago and Tony passed away in the last 6 weeks. He emigrated to Winchester Massachusetts USA in 1954 where he lived until his death. He was known in the area as a member of the local Church and he was always the leading man in all the Christmas plays together with Judith Wood who was the leading Lady. Judith Wood being the daughter of the Manager of the Norton Cinemas.
Bruce Towl, Good to hear the news about the families. Mrs Lowther who lived on the other side of Milner Road was my God Mother in the 1928-1945 period. Cpt: John Wilson of “Veradale” Junction Road and the Wilson”s daughter Mammie Kidner, remained friends all their lives and after George Kidner died Mammie spent many Christmas”s with us in Leeds. They were happy days spoilt by the 1939-47 war. We just dont learn. Just this last week I had a happy reunion with a member of the Carrigan family of Norton. The father was a Tees pilot. Terry a son, who I knew as a scout, and his brother have both passed away. I see many referances to the Moderne Cinema and its French spelling I rember the sign being erected and trying to figure it out. The Manager Mr Wood and his wife lived in our old house in Milner Road.
J. Norman Kidd Yes. Iremember the shop in Milner Road but only just … I was born in 1935 so you must be about a decade older than me. You must have been born in the house next door to the shop and the Suddick family lived on the other side at number 12 (although I don”t know if they would have been there during your time there). I still send/receive Christmas cards from Leslie Suddick (now Mrs Farnaby) who has lived in South Africa for over 40 years now. The Towl family lived at number 2 Milner Road until moving to Jameson Road in the mid to late 1930s. I was born in Birkley Road but my father, Jack, had an ambition to move back to Milner Road and in the early 1950s we did just that.
Dear Ken, My great uncle was Uncle Fred who you refer to as Mister Fred. My Grandmother was involved in Nursing – she was also very involved with the British Red Cross. Thank you for saying she was a caring, gentle lady. She was. My Auntie Joan lived at 74, Norton Road nearly opposite Hume Street. Her husband was Dr. St. John Walsh and his surgery was there. My Graparents also had a son – my Uncle Malcolm who was in the Merchant Navy during the Second World War. My mother, Marjorie ( nee Johnstone ) was a nurse also. She trained at the RVI in Newcastle. My Grandmother died in 1957, my Grandfather died in 1967, Uncle Malcolm died in 1967, Dr. Walsh died in 1978 and my Auntie Joan died in 1997. My mother is 85 now.
Shortly after leaving school, I worked at the (your grandfather”s) drapery store just before and during the Second World War. I recall that Mister William Johnstone spent most of his time calling on customers in their homes, covering quite a wide area of Teesside, whilst his brother Mister Fred(that”s how we had to address him) took care of the store. If memory serves me correctly he came to the store each day by train from Whitley Bay. I remember that Mrs William Johnstone was involved in Nursing,in a senior capacity, and I always found her to be a very caring and gentle lady.
My mother went to Mrs. Grant”s school in the late 1920″s. Her name then was Marjorie Johnstone and she lived in Bradbury Road. Her father, William Johnstone, had a draper”s shop in Hume Street.
As a very young infant I started Sunday School here. The Sunday School Teacher was Mrs Thorpe who lived in Ragworth Road. Probably at the age of 8 we then went to the School on the Green until 11 when we went to the main Church. I can remember having the attendance cards which were stamped and dated with a star.
Bruce Towl, Thank you for putting me right regarding the Towl”s and Wrigglesworth families. My grey matter is getting a bit forgetful these days. I was born at 8 Milner Road and knew quite a lot of children from around the area. Do you remember Mrs Whinspears shop in the 1930″s? Sorry to hear about your Uncle Harry he was three years older than me but I remember him around.
Bruce Towl, Thank you for putting me right regarding the Towl”s and Wrigglesworth families. My grey matter is getting a bit forgetful these days. I was born at 8 Milner Road and knew quite a lot of children from around the area. Do you remember Mrs Whinspears shop in the 1930″s? Sorry to hear about your Uncle Harry he was three years older than me but I remember him around. Regards, Norman.
J.Norman Kidd Towl has no E though many people include one. My grandfather, Tom, was the chapel steward at Norton Junction. He was not a lay preacher but would sometimes conduct the service if the listed preacher did not turn up. The Wrigglesworths lived at number 9 Jameson Road and the Towls at number 11.It was Ian (Wilton”s brother)Wrigglesworth who became a Labour MP and who was a founder member of the SDP in the 1980s. He has not been an MP for a number of years now and is now Sir Ian. Ted was, indeed, the father”s name but the mother was Elsie who died after suffering a stroke in February 1970. My uncle Harry died in 1986 aged just 65.
Bob Irwin and John Bruce Towel, I hope you dont mind me entering your recollections of the Towel Family of Jameson Road. They were a respected family who”s father preached at Norton Junction Chapel and were part of the fabric of Norton in my time 1928-1950. I remember Harry Towel a son who also lived with his Mum and Dad in Jameson Road. Is Harry still ticking? The Wrigglesworth family were also in the same Road. Wilton I believe became a Labour MP. Ted Wrigglesworth was the father and Barbara their mother. I also attended the Friends Meeting House when thet had Sunday School, all fine people.
John Bruce Towel. I remember you well. I have even mentioned you and your Grandfather on this site. I had to go to your house in Jameson Road when we needed glass replacing in the windows. He would give me some putty to play with and tell me not to take it from the window after he had gone. I am tall but you were even bigger than me.
This was my first school which I attended in the late 1930s. Mrs Grant was in charge and I think that she also had an assistant. I have a painting of the school on my bedroom wall together with another which depicts the building where the old forge used to be.
This was where I first went to school, it was at that time Norton Green Private School. Unless my memory is faulty over the green, just opposite the duckpond, was a forge. We used to walk over at lunchtime to watch the smith work. Nearly white hot iron, sparks, the ringing of hammer on anvil. No wonder today”s children have no view of working life, after school days, divorced from the “real” community. At the age of 7 myself and my mate, Billy, were train spotting on North Shore signal box platform (Not allowed these days) and we cabbed a Gresley A4 pacific and were taken by a very proud driver up to Stockton station. So much for Health & Safety at work!
Friends Meeting House The Green Norton The photo is the 1903 building, the first on this site was 1671, prior to this meetings were house or barn meetings The present tranquil setting of the Friends Meeting House belies the suffering and treatment of the “Quaker” Movement both local and National over 300years ago Details are available on the web entitled “Faith in Adversity” http://darlington quakers click Norton click History-Norton