An old image of Pinkneys Blacksmiths shop in Wolviston around 1905. A number of men associated with the smithy can also be seen along with a woman and child. A plough and a horse drawn Romany caravan are also shown. Photograph courtesy of Mr Keith Parnaby. 
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
My Great grandparents had the blacksmiths in Bishopton and they where also called Pinkney, I wonder if they where related with it being so close and in the same line of work. The name Ada Pinkney does ring a bell, does anybody have info on this
My great grandfather was Charles Atkinson, he was the blacksmith here in the 2nd half of the 19th century. The blacksmith’s shop was at the back of the Duke of Wellington pub and is now part of the saloon bar. There is a photograph on the wall of the pub, of my great grandfather with two of his son’s, Robert and George. George was my grandfather. They are standing outside the blacksmith’s shop about 1888. Also in the photograph is my great great grandfather, George Atkinson born at Wolviston in 1797, died in 1889 at Wolvistone. He was a cartwright by trade.
J. Frank Parkinson, September 24th 2012. I lived with my family from 1949 until December 1956 at 9 High Street, Wolviston. We then emigrated to Ontario. I do recall the Yarm Fair, and a young Gypsy “test driving” a horse up the cobbled main street going like “sam scratch!”. Our house, that was at the end of the row housing on High Street, was originally called the “Old King’s Arms” as family stories go. I recall the cellar being filled up with empty liquor bottles. The house was demolished sometime after 1957 and 1970 when I last visited the site. Anyone remember Duncan Radburn’s convenience store? Ella’s fish shop? Stotts Butcher shop? They were all on the High Street. Or the Co-op store next to the Wellington I think…
Sam (not Jim) Pinkney was the uncle of my late father in law and looking at the names written on the photograph my wife and I think it must date to around 1910/1911 as Lawrence (Lawrie) was born April 2 1908. Neil is also correct in saying that the blacksmith shop was next to the Wellington PH as Sam was the publican there at one time as well. Finally, for information, Mrs Pinkney was called Ada Jane Pinkney.
There are a couple of new houses on this site now as the A19 bypassed wolviston there wasn”t the trade to keep the petrol station going. Pinkneys garage rings a bell, I remember a Mrs Pinkney from School or Nursery who had so link to the Garage.
To answer Colin Bain”s query: Not quite, Colin. The blacksmith”s shop was next to The Wellington, and The Ship Inn was across the street. Both of these pubs are still there, in fact my grandfather was the publican of the Ship Inn in the 1920″s. I am interested in the gypsy caravan. During the late 40″s/early 50″s we had gypsies camping regularly on some common ground just south of Wolviston, roughly between the Kings Arms and the Swan Hotel (where the “new estate” now stands). They would come around the houses (I lived in King”s Road), selling home-made clothespins and the like, telling fortunes, generally trying to make a few coppers. We were all a little bit wary of them. Over the years, in my visits to the UK, I would still see several of these old caravans on some common ground along the coast road between Seaton Carew and Hartlepool. And who remembers Yarm Fair in the 50″s, complete with many of these gypsy caravans? What an exciting event that was. I recall young gypsy men trying to impress potential buyers by running their horses up and down the cobbled high street. So colourful, wonderful memories…
Would I guess correct that this Blacksmith shop was to become Pinkny”s Garage, Wolviston ? located opposite the Welly and next to the Ship inn? I used to get petrol from there back in the 70″s.
According to the names written on the photograph the people shown are (L to R)..Jack Gill, Billy Middleton, Joe Reynard, Noppy(?)Atkinson, Mrs Pinkney, Bart Atkinson, Jim Pinkney, Lawrie Pinkney (the child), Tot Reynard, Harry Parnaby (a relative of our contributor perhaps) and the Lamplough family of West Hartlepool are on the van.
The lady Mrs Pinkney was called Florrie her sister Jane was my great grandmother. They originated from Hartlepool. My grandad has fond memories of visiting Wolviston they had the pub, garage and the blacksmiths. Any one related to these please get in touch can link up the family ties!