This photo shows the Stockton Forge Drawing Office Cricket Team in 1958. Courtesy of Granville Cooper. 
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
This photo shows the Stockton Forge Drawing Office Cricket Team in 1958. Courtesy of Granville Cooper.
Mention of Jimpy Alan Pearson brought back memories of what my younger brother told about his later career. Maurice my brother started a new job, I think it was with Trafalgar who were building the Oil Rigs near Hartlepool. Jimpy by then was a Manager and asked Maurice not to ever call him Jimpy at work. A complex Character was Jimpy as a template maker, a friendly guy who was so fast at turning out the templates usually had a few errors to fix up on the way, but a very clever young man, who used to regale us younger apprentices with his exploits while on holiday in Spain. Great days remembered with very fond memories. Great mates, very interesting work, and all round pleasure to work in environment.
My dad, John Rayner, worked in the Drawing Office, but perhaps a few years later? If anyone remembers him, I would love to hear from them. We lived in Grangefield Road from ’63 and I recognise some of these surnames! Sadly my dad died in 2001, and I would love to piece together some family history, especially about dads time at The Forge.
I also remember Norman Toulson who was a good cricketer for Thornaby as well as a darts player, he was also a keen photographer. Another good darts player was Lenny Sewell. I think Bob Wallace lived at Fairfield but I don’t ever remember him living near me, Gran.
Bob Wallace lived in Londonderry Road, Stockton (he died in 2013) from the the sixties, before that he lived in Alma Street.
Gran, living in Esk Road you would remember Eric Evans. He was a joiner with me at HW Thornaby. Another one from Esk Road, John Acornley who sat with me in the Malleable Club. Never used the Top House much. My local firstly was the Red Lion and later on George and Dragon and when I moved to the south end of Norton the Brown Jug. Funny story re. the Pickering brothers. A night match at the Asmores ground. Roy playing for Ashmores and Charlie for Primrose Hill in the Stockton and District league. Before the match started, the ref knowing they were brothers and on opposite teams brought them both together and warned them to behave themselves, especially against each other. I know Charlie was a ‘hardman’ at the game and fireworks were expected. I remember Dick Clark, he had his bungalow built near to the entrance to the flats on Darlington Lane and also had an Electrical Shop next door to the Mucky Duck (White Swan).
Billy Blackwell used to play dominoes in the back room in the top house (The Unicorn) with Johnnie Franklin, Alan Rigg & Arthur Jackson, all from Head Wrightsons Machine Shop in Thornaby.
Granville, we crossed paths occasionally during our H.W. apprentice training. I commenced in Jan 1951 and enjoyed the whole experience. Knew Keith Moody and Lacka Day. Ron Craggs, ex Stockton Forge, was also a cousin of Ken, Jim and I. I keep in touch and catch up now and again with your old pal Benny, not always easy, he lives in Melbourne and I in Sydney.
You are right Bob, I had forgotten the little bend from Windermere into Ennerdale, and you probably know that David Birch,s family lived a few doors from that bend before their move to Grangefield Rd. I didn’t play in any of the same teams as Chas but we all played together on the Rec.(Rudd, though nobody ever used that name) I lived in Grays Rd next door but one to the then Pollocks Shop.
I knew Ron and Arthur well, he certainly liked his pint!
As you are a bit of an expert on Norton, Bob, it may surprise you to know that I started life in Esk Road.
Many years later, Harry Lane persuaded me to work for him in his Manchester Steel Works. I knew him through Dick Clarke, one of his son-in-laws, who Harry had set up in a shop in Norton High St.
Those were the days when Harry bought Sedgefield racecourse and built those abortive flats near the Green.
I used to go in the Top House and watch a pal of mine playing Dominoes penny a spot with Billy Blackwell and co.
Sure there will be a bit there Bob to remind you of Albert, Nellie and folk.
When in the Apprentice School and in my visit to the Pattern Shop I worked with Roy Pickering for that week but can’t remember Jimmy Sinclair. Dave Gould at that time was the Foreman. Chas and Roy lived in Ennerdale Road which joined onto Windermere Road. My cousin Ron Saunders worked in the Drawing Office and I also learned my drinking from a Arthur Phipps who was also in the Drawing Office. Did you ever know what happened to Arthur? Also Charlie Pickering was a very good footballer playing for Primrose Hill and Heads. He did have a trial for Darlington. Working away from home ended his footballing career. Did you play with him at Heads Gran?
I was a mate of Kenny in those days, and in fact gave him my treasured tool box when he came into the template shop as I was going into the D.O. It was a work of art which Harry Thompson had given to me when he was promoted.
I did know the Mclures well and sad to hear your comments, Tom. There were many lads from Thornaby who I either played against or for in those days, and worked with, Tommy Peacock, Alan Pearson, Barry Preece to name a few and I think perhaps yourself. Maurice Pratt on the photo was also from Thornaby.
Keith Moody and Lacker Day are also old mates who I know are still around in Thornaby.
My brother-in-law, Brian Nicholls, frequents the indoor bowling club, so finish up most evenings in there whenever I visit.
If Bob Irwin is reading this he may know Jimmy Sinclair from Norton, who worked in the Forge Pattern Shop and was also a very good footballer. Bob, I knew Chas very well when he lived in Windermere Rd but I was also an old pal of Roy, his brother, and we finished up in the Apprentice School together. Lost track of most of the aforementioned when I left the area in 1968.
Hi Granville
This is ken Burton ex Stockton Forge apprentice in the Template Shop. I live in Western Australia & just had an email from Benny Brown to look you up.
Of course I remember you well, I can picture it now , when we went cycling, dancing at the Maison & drinking with Barry Preece & Gordon (Sam) Cullen etc..
Sam was a great darts player along with Norman Toulson. I remember Norman suffered greatly with a bronchial problem. I see that Benny keeps in touch with you, also my cousin Tom Thomas. I will be getting in touch with them both very soon. Keep well Gran, catch up soon.
Hi Ken
Great to hear from you after about 60 years!!! We are all knocking on a bit now but owe a lot to the Apprentice School and the Forge Template Makers.None of us could have ever dreamed how our careers would take us.
You to Perth.
Benny a Senior Cost Manager for RTZ Melbourne.
Barry Preece Sales Manager for Heads.
Sam Cullen Airline Pilot in USA
Myself Senior Construction Manager on BP projects at Sullom Voe (shetlands),Wytch Farm oil and gas installation, Dorset and numerous projects at BP Grangemouth.
Same position at Esso Mossmorran and Sriracha Thailand, as well as Thai Oil.
European Transonic Windtunnel, Cologne.
I was resdent in all these places.
I remember the template shop dart board well it was near Alan(Jimpy) Pearsons bench. I wonder how he got on, and also Denis Harrison who was also a good Pianist.
Get my E- Mail address off Benny.
Do you know Bob Evans in Perth? he was a record breaking goalkeeper for Stockton though a few years younger than us.
Keep in Touch now
Gran
Hi Granville
Lovely to hear from you. You have had a varied lifestyle by all accounts.
I have just emailed Benny for his & cousin Tom’s email addresses, so I
will now ask him for yours, although he will probably read this message
along with Tom. My working life over here has been in Structural/Mechanical
Engineering, mainly as an estimating engineer & projects manager, I can
tell you more about that later. I was interested that you went to Singapore
during your NS, I have holidayed there a couple of times & love the place.
I will be off to Bali soon & then maybe Hong Kong & then Wales.
Will keep in contact.
Bye for now
Ken Burton
Ken, I spent 20 months in HQ Far East Airforce based at RAF Changi which is now Singapore Airport. Played football all over the region including Malaya and Borneo. I live not to far from Wales, Bristol
Gran, Bob Evans is on Teesside at the moment, but returns to Australia on Friday. What was Bob’s record breaking at Stockton for?
Anon, I thought Bob featured in a Rothmans Annual, but if you are not aware of this, maybe I had wrong info.
I think it might mention in the Rothmans Annual that Bob was in the Australian Squad being a former Northern League player, Gran.
last time I saw Bob he was playing for our team Kwinana United.
I will be in Bali also in September
Granville, I believe you will have known two of my cousins who worked at Stockton Forge during your time there. Ken Burton and Jim McClure, Ken lives in Western Australia and sadly jim passed away in 1991.
John Kiers played centre-half for Billingham Synthonia in the Northern League, he also played for the Forge when we beat them in the Head Wrightson’s Inter-Departmental Semi-Final in 1969, we beat the Bridgeyard team 3-1 in the final which included Keith Moody & Reggie Morgan, that was the last time Harry Armstrong played for the Machine Shop.
Anon, I am sure you may be right,but here is a photo you have seen previously taken at Thornaby C.C. when we won the interdepartmentel, when both John and I had hair!!
Gran, did they play the cricket inter-departmental competition at Thornaby C.C. prior to Heads cricket pitch being put on the original football field(now Thornaby F.C. ground)?.
Anon, I was in the Apprentice School in 1950 and then and up to about 1955, when I went to Singapore on National Service, I can only recollect playing football on the lower pitch, which was one of the best pitches I’ve played on. On return from N.S. 1957-58 season, inter-departmentals were played on the upper level along with Heads first team and reserves..
Only the final of the cricket was played on Thornaby’s ground, the knock-out matches were played on the lower ground. I reckon the switch of pitches must have taken place 55-56.
I left the area in mid sixties so I am afraid I’ve never seen those pitches since then. Might try and rectify that if I visit in the next few months
Thanks Gran,The pitches were all in place when I was in the apprentice school & the small juniors football pitch on the top, but I remember the athletic meetings which included cycling events as well in the early fifties on the bottom field. I captained Head Wrightsons Juniors, before starting to play regular for the Teesside League team in season 1962-63 with some of your old teammates Dennis Johnson,Reggie Morgan,Arthur Hodgson & Roy Crallan.
Anon is correct in saying that Bob Harburn was a big pal of Bob Wallace. Bob worked in the Bridge Yard at the Forge and it was a shock when he died when still a young man, many years ago.
The pair of them were particularly good Darts players along with their other pal, Norman Toulson.
I think Bob Wallace came from same area as Anon and wonder if he is still around.
Surprised that there has been no comment on John Kiers football ability, who is also on this photo.
John Keir played 197 games for Billingham Synthonia in the Northern League between 1961-68.
Bob Wallace sadly died in 2013
Bob Wallace in the photo was a mate of Bobby Harburn & was a big pigeon man. He finished up working at Teasdale Works as assistant to Colin Banner the works manager when it became I.T.M.which was owned by Alf Duffield.
LOOKS LIKE A GOOD TEAM GRAN, BOTH COLIN AND FRED WERE HANDY WITH THE BAT AND BOTH PLAYED FOR RICHY HIND IN THEIR YOUNGER DAYS.
Terry McCabe worked in the Works Engineering Department drawing office with Jimmy Dickenson & Doug Merryweather,so he could of been playing for the Maintenance Department or Teesdale Offices.
This team won Head Wrightson Inter Departmental 1958 on Thornaby Cricket Ground. Back Row L-R; John Keir, Bob Wright, Des Good, John Smith, Bob Thompson, Bob Wallace. Front Row; J. Lawson, M. Pratt, Colin Richards, Fred Seaman, Gran Cooper. Can’t remember who we beat but their star player was Terry McCabe.