Hidden behind a modern concrete lamp post few visitors crossing Yarm Bridge notice this pair of plaques set into the parapet, showing the ancient division between Country Durham and the North Riding of Yorkshire. During the 17th century English Civil War a drawbridge was inserted into the stone bridge in order to prevent Royalist forces encamped in Stockton from invading Yarm.
Photograph and details courtesy of Chris Bailey.
The boundaries of the historic counties never changed, the only thing that changed was the name and the boundaries of the names of the local authorities which administer the area. In fact since the abolition of Cleveland County Council, the town of Stockton is officially classed as being in the ceremonial County of Durham, the parts of the borough which lie south of the river, ie Thornaby and Yarm lie within Yorkshire.
The public houses in North Yorkshire had lunchtime opening hours of 10:30 to 14:30 whereas County Durhams’ were 11:00 to 15:00. A hasty walk across this bridge at 14:40 (10 minutes drinking up time after last orders had been called) ensured an extra 30 minutes consumption of alcohol.
So nothing new then! We used to be in Yorkshire once until Teesside took over. I’ve lived in three counties and never moved house. ie Yorkshire, Teesside and cleveland!!!