This image shows a group of (mostly) teenagers, probably taken on Tilery Rec.
The only ones I know, and recognise, are George and Harry Kirby, George is standing at the back on the left side of the image.
The names listed are:- Gordon Pearson, Stan Sudron, George Kirby, Alan Holliday, Bob Laing, Victor Moody, ? Harrison, Harry Kirby, Billy Wilkinson, Lewis Lee, Hardy Donaldson, Andy Melville, Jim McNichol, Bob Harbron, Ken Melville, Harry Skipper, Eric Holliday, Harry Nichol, Arnie Ellis, Joyce Barker, Bob Speight, Kathy Allen, Myra Taylor, Joan Moody, Maureen Laing, Ethel Laing.
This image was given to me by either George or Harry Kirby. Details courtesy of Ian Cartwright.
Just on a point of historical info. If this picture does date from 1946/47, this sort of group would not have been referred to as teenagers at this time. It was a word that did not come into vogue until the middle 1950s, when for the first time people like this started to have free time and enough money to enjoy it.
Stan Sudron was the brother of George, they were both goalkeepers Stan played for South Bank in the Northern League & George played for Primrose Hill, they lived in Railway St. near the Commercial Pub.
Eric Holliday was my father sadly he died in 1979 aged 42 leaving my mum with 5 children. I always look on this website so you can imagine how pleased I was to see this picture with my dad on.
Sorry to hear that Jason & so young! Do you know if any of his brothers & sisters are are still around?
No sadly they are no longer with us also thank you for your kind reply maureen regards jason
Maureen, I’m sure will confirm that many of the people in the photo lived in Craister Street, the background trees look to be bordering Lustrum Beck and the large house will be the farm house at the rear of a later development the container handling depot.
Yes Max you are correct about the background, there was a railway line running I believe in front of the farm. We moved to Suffolk in 1978 & the Tilery area has changed so much it’s not recognisable to me anymore! Most of the people in that photo as you say were from Craister St, it was a great community & I had a very happy childhood. This ‘Benefits St’ programme which I understand they’re filming there doesn’t show Stockton as I remember it & I don’t understand why the film company were given permission to do this!
Hello Maureen, Was it Ellis that had the ‘Posh’ turquoise sports car, they lived in the bottom house on the even numbers side, a few doors down from Fred & Maudy Eeles.
I have to admit in regretting a visit round the current Tilery area, sadly there now seems to be a sort of brazen attitude by certain people on benefits and being out of work which makes good ? programme time for these shows.
That would be Ellis Holliday next door to the Eeles, it’s his brother Alan & Eric in this photo. That sports car certainly caused many admiring & envious looks in the street! He was always smartly dressed & was known to wear a cravat & flat cap, a bit unusual in Tilery!
This must have been taken about in about 1946/47 as I must have been 6 or 7 years old. What a lot of happy memories of playing over the rec. Thanks for posting this Ian.
Hi Maureen, its not a very good copy I’m afraid.
I have asked my cousin in New Zealand if he has a better photo.