This is a photograph of the private Doctors Surgery on Bridge Road in 1985.
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
This is a photograph of the private Doctors Surgery on Bridge Road in 1985.
Picture Stockton Archive 
I am Sandra Dover and I was a patient of Dr Redman as was my mother Sylvia Dover. We also had Dr. Cooling and Dr Davies. All good to both of us. Sandra Dover, Rotherham
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I was registered with Dr Colling from birth until 1994. I have recently been trying to trace my medical records from this time. I now have the practice manager at the Doctors surgery where I am now registered trying to locate my childhood records. I received a phone call from him earlier today asking if the practice had a name, I said I didn’t think it did but I wasn’t sure. Does anybody know if the practice did have a name?
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The last name I know of is Dr Redman’s Surgery or Bridge Road Surgery. I worked there in the 1980s and I loved it, I kept close links with the surgery and doctors until it unfortunately had to close. As far as I am aware the surgery wrote to all patients asking them for the name of their new doctor so that the notes could be forwarded. I’m not sure what happened to records not collected or redirected, but there must have been many patients who had lost contact with the surgery, moved address, or attended very infrequently. I’m sorry this may not be of much help to you, but if your current surgery is local and it has an older GP still working there I am sure they will remember Dr Aubrey Colling, although this won’t help trace your notes which would have been in a paper based system, unlike the present electronic notes.
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Hi Jenny thank you for commenting. I have received a call from the practice manager today and unfortunately there is a strong possibility my medical notes from Dr Collings surgery have been destroyed. The practice manager has done a lot of investigating over the past couple of months and said what he found out was that when the surgery closed in 1994, the council went in and emptied some of it and boarded it up. In 1998 an NHS practice opened up the building, but there was only a few items of furniture in there, all paper work etc had gone. The council have said that they do not store medical notes, so they will not have them. They said that the surgery might have decided to destroy all medical notes when they closed. The practice manager has asked NHS England but they don’t have them in storage either
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My name is Sandra Dover and I was a patient of Dr Redman as was my mum Sylvia Dover. We also saw Dr. Colling and Dr. Davies. Sandra Dover, Rotherham
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We always called it “The Bridge” when we were under Dr. Bird but whether that was its proper name…
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I used to go to that doctors surgery as did my mum Sylvia Dover. Does anyone know Sylvia Dover. She was Mayoress of Thornaby 1965 to 1966 with her mum Violet Harris who was Mayor. Regards Sandra Dover Rotherham.
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I worked there as a receptionist in 1970 to 1972. Remember it well. And Mrs Milburn the dispenser who played golf and lived in a flat overlooking Egglescliffe golf club. Also Lynda was other receptionist when I was there.
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I used to take my motorcycle here when it was John Coltons to be serviced probably around early 1980’s
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Sorry, attached this to the wrong thread.;
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That was the next block, its an Italian Restaurant now.
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I lived in Wharf Street till the late 50’s and remember the surgery well… strangely our doctors were up on the corner of Yarm Lane and Yarm Road.. why we never used the local one beats me.
Directly to the left of this picture stood the corner shop of Winnie Joynes.. then Sherwoods Garage and the Auctions and removals place.
On the opposite corner they printed the Evening Gazette
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Keith
The practice there was a private concern which meant you had to pay for treatment.The surgery at Denshams Corner was NHS, it was the one we used as a family.
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I worked as secretary as Bridge Road surgery between 1989 and 1999. I loved being there, and have very fond memories of working with Dr Colling, Dr Redman, Dr Davies, Dr Currie, and Mrs Milburn. My name is Jenny Bardgett and I also worked with Cass Roberts and Pat Calvert.
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I did my work experience there while on a Medical Receptionist/Secretary course at Billingham College, that will have been about 1984 I think. I loved every minute of it.
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My family were patients at the surgery. My husband saw Dr. Colling and I saw Dr. Redman. We received excellent care. We were devastated when Dr. Redman had to close the practice due to ill health. He was quiet, unassuming, and a very good doctor – a wonderful man. I shall always remember the old-world feel of the place – going down the steps to the pharmacy at the back, Mrs. Milburn’s domain. She was always so cheerful and pleasant, as was the receptionist. I can’t remember her name but she lived in town near Bishopton Road. It was a sad end to an eminent part of Stockton’s medical history.
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The receptionist’s name is Cass Roberts. I worked with Cass but we had different shifts and maybe worked with one doctor more than another according to the shift times and surgeries. I remember your husband. Also working at the surgery was Pat Calvert right at the top of the building looking after the accounts, and from time to time, Mrs Broadbent. Everyone loved Mrs Milburn she was such a lovely, kind lady.
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My father was Dr Redman. He joined the practice in the mid 1970s. I remember his partners Dr Colling and Dr Curry, and his dispenser Mrs Milburn. 25 Bridge Road is an odd building, a single end of terrace house – as others have mentioned, the rest of the terrace having long since gone. I remember many visits there as a child – dad would always seem to have to pop in for some reason, even when he was supposed to be off work! I believe the building is unused now and is owned by the council. Looking back, it seems odd that there was any demand for private GPs in Stockton. But there was, and the only reason it closed in 1995 was that my dad became ill and sadly could not find anyone to buy the practice.
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This building seems to of survived against the odds, the rest of the terrace being long gone.
(if you can’t see it above then try this http://picturestockton.co.uk/srcmedia/l/t921.jpg )
https://picturestocktonarchive.wordpress.com/2002/07/17/bridge-road-stockton-c1865/
https://picturestocktonarchive.wordpress.com/2002/11/23/bridge-road-stockton-c1920s/
https://picturestocktonarchive.wordpress.com/2004/05/01/streets-of-stockton-34/
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Trish Allison
My Mam, Pat Bates (nee McCullogh) worked as receptionist on Bridge Road in the fifties. The doctors I can recall her mentioning were Dr’s Colling, Bird and Hannigan. I also remember that she worked at another Surgery on Mandale Rd, where I think the doctor’s name was McAnally? Mam also worked in Round’s Chemist on Mandale Road and years later worked for Charles Lamb (Chemist) when he had his pharmacy on Norton Road, near the Buffs.23/05/2012 12:15:19
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Katharine Glen nee Colling – Did Dr Hannigan live in Barker Road, Thornaby, if so my aunt was his live in house keeper. I think that he died in the late 1940’s early 50’s.
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Uncle Harry Hannigan lived in ‘The White House’, which I think was just outside Stockton. His housekeeper was called Mrs ‘B’. She stayed with him when he moved to Crathorne Hall, shortly after his retirement in 1960, until his death in 1968. He might have lived in Barker Road before then but I don’t remember that. As I recall, Mrs B’s husband lived with her when she worked at the White House but he must have died before she moved to Crathorne Hall because only Mrs B moved over there. Uncle Harry sold the White House when he moved and I know that the land surrounding the house has subsequently been developed and now contains quite a few houses. I think that the White House itself still stands but is now a ‘retirement’ home.
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Yes Dr Hannigan lived in Barker Rd. My family Kilcoynes bought it in about 1953 and my mother still lives there aged 95
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Lesley! I remember your family so well. In fact, I think I inherited your sixth form blazer! I hope your mum is still with you in 2020. How are Paddy and Frances?
My family also went to Bridge Road surgery. I don’t know why as we weren’t well off. Dr Bird was our family doctor and I remember Mrs Milburn’s cheery manner. The building was full of character and the memory of the steps down to the dispensary is a vivid one.
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I believe the building was the birthplace of John Walker who invented the friction match. I am not sure of the date that my father, Dr Colling, joined Dr Hannigan at the practice.
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I went to see Dr Colling after he retired at his home when I researched the building for updating the History of the Practice.
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Looks like this building is set to be demolished to make way for a new LIDL store according to plans published in this months Stockton News magazine. I wonder why they are building this after leaving their shop in Wellington Square right next door to one of the towns largest car parks?
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I was a patient of he Practice from the early 1980s till it closed. The quality of care was absolutely superb, I was mainly with Dr Colling but all the GPs were all caring, extremely professional and diligent. All the other staff were very good and Mrs Milburn was a veritable star. All sadly missed.
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I would guess its because the new store will be completely under their control, be bigger, built to their exact requirements, at a higher and more modern spec. than the old store (LIDL have raised their profile since then), with an exclusive car park right outside the store, and possibly much more exposure to passing trade from the surrounding busy roads. Makes sense really. Just a shame it has to be one of their off the shelf store designs which are functional, but a bit bland for a town centre. Suppose beggars can’t be choosers, it’s better than nothing and will serve the surrounding residential area’s well.
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This building remains the same as it was in 1965 – very little has changed, if anything, and it still appears to be unused.
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In 1955 when my wife was born she was delivered by Dr Colling, not long after his arrival in the practice. I, along with my wife and her family were patients at the practice up to the practice having to close. Since then my wife and I became patients at the NHS Doctors who took over the building. I found the building is very interesting with a great history, in 1969 one of the private GP”s Dr John Rowlands wrote about the practice, the document Annals of a Teesside Practice, 1793-1969. As I was very interested in the practice I too conducted my own research into the history of the building and it”s occupants over the years. I have copies of the building plans dated 12th July 1865 for 23 & 25 Bridge Road, no. 25 was built for Dr Farquharson. In November 1878 plans were submitted by Dr Henry Hind for the building of an extension in Wharfe Street. Both buildings still remain today. The practice had some very fine surgeons over the years, also John Walker was a frequent visitor. After the retirement of Dr Aubrey Colling the practice was in the hands of Dr David Redman and Dr Ruth Curry who worked part time at the surgery. Sadly the private practice closed after the untimly death of Dr David Redman. I have a comprehensive list of doctors who worked at the practice over the years.
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I hadn’t realised that the practice had closed. My great-uncle, Harry Hannigan, was one of the partners in the practice. He was a wonderful doctor. I think that he joined the practice in about 1924 and retired in 1960. He sadly died in 1968. My grand-parents lived with Uncle Harry at the White House, when they returned to England from India. So we spent many holidays with uncle Harry and the family. I still miss him today. Do you have any more information about his time at the practice?
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Maev. My aunt was a house keeper for a Dr. Hannigan who was a doctor in Thornaby. He lived in a house in Barker Road, Thornaby. Would this be the same Dr Hannigan that you talk about?
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I have only just picked up this email. I don’t know how I missed it. I think that there must have been 2 Dr Hannigans because my uncle, Harry Hannigan was living at the White House, which wasn’t in Barker Road, in the early 50s and even the 40s as my mother used to stay at the White House during her school holidays in the 20s and 30s.
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Fionuala. My aunt Lizzie was the housekeeper for Dr Hannigan in those day at Barker Road. I remember when we went to visit her he always welcomed us. I remember my aunt taking us walks over to Bassleton Woods with their 2 dogs. I can’t remember the names of the dogs but one was a big black one. I remember in the garden, my love of pansies. They also had a big bush that had white round flowers on the shape of snowballs. I think they called it a snowball bush.
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Hi I just happened on this discussion looking for the house we used to stay in with my grandfather Dr Harry Hannigan. He joined the practice in 1924. We would visit with my father Aiden Hannigan on our return from Kenya. I think we stayed in Craythorne House. A massive place with secret passages and huge rooms. So Maev you must be a cousin to me. Hello from Australia
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The doctors surgery was at No 25 Bridge Road, 23 Bridge Road in the early 60″s was a DIY shop called The timber Shop owned by a man called Frank Diddams,who also owned a laddermaking firm called laddercraft based in stephenson Street behind Pumphrey”s the the sugar factory on Mandale Road Thornaby. He closed both the shop and moved his factory to the old RAF site at Greythorpe near Seaton Carew,which I believe is still running today. His son Mike was also involved in the business and perhaps Frank”s daughter I think her name was Christine, Mike drove a smart red Triumph Vitesse convertable in those days.I remember Mr Diddams with respect and a good employer. No 19 & 21 Bridge Road was a car showroom owned by Sherwoods car dealers.
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I remember this building very well as it was my family doctors.The other doctors names were Dr Davies,Dr Roland,Dr Curry and Dr Redman. They was also a Dr Marshall from Harley street who was there a short time before it closed in about 1992.
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If my memory serves me right – the Doctors at the Surgery in the 1960″s and early 1970″s (possibly ?) were Dr. Bird and Dr. Colling. I went to school with Jane Bird and my sister, Catherine went to school with Ruth Bird and Lois Colling.
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