This photo shows Robert Boiston and an employee outside Farm Stores butchers on Dovecot Street. Rea’s Ices (Pacittos) in the background was owned by the father of singer, Chris Rea. A cobbled West Row is running between the two premises. Courtesy of Peter Boiston. 
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
I know that this is a ‘long shot’ but I am urgently trying to contact anyone who knows anything about the ‘Golden Falls’ chinese restaurant which was located in Dovecot Street in the 1960’s. In particular I would like to contact any member of staff who worked in the restaurant in the early 1960’s.
I would occasionally meet up with my now wife and her sister at lunch time for a meal in the early 60’s, generally a three course special 12 – 2, it had a stairs leading to more seating, under the stairs on the ground floor was a small fountain.
We would also use it as a nightime venue, using it several times confirms the quality of the meals.
J.
Does anyone remember the Coop in Dovecot Street, 1960-1965 bakery, fruit shop and butchers. Also a funeral directors. I worked in the fruit shop, Ella was manageress, before I took over as a young girl, I remember winning a shop window display, with a lady called violet. The shops were at the end of Lawson Street and Webster Street. I lived in Charge Place behind St George’s church. Charge Place now Lawson Street Health Centre. Mary brown nee Nevens.
Anyone remember the first names of the couple who owned masons fruit shop?
The first names of the owners of masons fruit shop were, John & Penny mason, John was also known as “Ginger Mason” and loved his horse’s. They had three sons John, David, and Andrew also two daughters Dorothy and Lynn. They went on to own quite a few fruit &veg shops in the area (into double figures) but I think this was there busiest. when the decline came Penny blamed the convenience of “supermarkets” and rightly so I think yes supermarkets were slightly cheaper but you couldn’t get the quality or freshness that you could at Masons.
The late Peter Mason & his wife Beryl also had this shop.
I am trying to remember what the building at 62 Dovecote St was used for in the 1950s and 1960s. I seem to remember being taken there as a child but can’t remember what for. Does anyone know?
My grandfather, Henry Pumley, worked for Staples in the butchers shop on Dovecot Street for many years, sadly he died in 1944 before I was born. My mother has tales of some of his beasts escaping & running amok on their way to the slaughterhouse! Mention of the Little Theatre brought back memories of my first visit to a cinema there when I was about 4 or 5 to see a cartoon. I got a bit frightened in the dark, cried & had to be taken outside. I also recall visiting the Golden Falls with a rugby team to celebrate after a Durham Cup victory in the mid 70s & I’m afraid the ‘water feature’ came in for some hammer. I don’t think we were invited back!
Alan, I am still a resident in Stockton and STAPLES went 30 yrs ago – it is now part of an italian restaurant and pizza takeaway shop – sad but true!