Photographs of the new central garden and fountain area in Stockton High Street, which was officially opened on Saturday 21 March 2015.
Central Garden & Fountain, Stockton High Street 2015
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
‘Remembering Stockton’s history and heritage’
I saw details of this scheme to install commemorative plaques into the new paving in the D&S Times , and took the text below from the council website , but had not seen it publicised anywhere else and so thought it worthy of mention . Get those ideas and suggestions in ASAP !
Wednesday, April 01, 2015
Stockton Town Centre may have a new look but that doesn’t mean its past has been forgotten.
Stockton Council is preparing to install heritage plaques to celebrate people, places and events important to the history of the town.
Six sample plaques have been designed and are on display in the Rediscover Stockton shop on Stockton High Street so that anyone visiting the town can share their views about what they look like.
Each plaque will be 300mm in diameter and made from cast bronze which will be set into the High Street’s granite paving.
At the moment the plaques feature the Hirings Fair which saw servants and labourers sell their services in the 1900s, Cherry Fairs which took place every spring until the early 1900’s, Dodshon’s Fountain, Trams, Stockton International Riverside Festival, and Almshouses which once stood in Ropery Street.
Head of Culture, Leisure & Adult Learning, Reuben Kench, said: “We really want to hear from anyone who has an interest in Stockton’s fascinating past so we can make sure we capture the most relevant parts of its history and heritage.
“We are eager to hear people’s views about what the plaques should feature as well as what they look like.
“Stockton may be quickly transforming into a bustling and vibrant 21st century Town Centre but it is important that its rich history and heritage are highlighted for future generations and visitors to understand and appreciate.”
The example plaque designs will be on display in the Rediscover Stockton shop until the end of April.
– See more at: https://www.stockton.gov.uk/news/2015/april/remembering-stocktons-history-and-heritage/#sthash.oS7SHJnD.dpuf
My family went into Stockton last week and thought it lovely, the Grandchildren ran through the fountains laughing and enjoying it. People sitting talking, when did that happen before. The local businesses doing trade apart from those in the Arcade, the little coffee/ ice cream shop was empty mainly because people do not realise it is there, my Daughter talking to the owner was told they are not allowed to advertise? Even M&S advertise it is expected and on a hot day with children playing in the sunshine a few yards away a simple board with an arrow would suffice. Come on Stockton you want business back then agree to let them make themselves known.
Apart from that it was thumbs up from them all.
It’s great to see Stockton looking fresh, it has so many good people. Let’s hope the streets are kept clean and people make an effort. It’s where we live and we should all get behind it.
An architect floated an idea that high streets should adapt to new shopping habits ,the idea was to bring life back to town centres by having a mix of residential and retail properties.
Housing is always a priority and better a block of flats than a boarded up shop – I noticed similar in Spain where the high streets come alive in the evenings .
A positive thought, I watched the TV news coverage seeing the crowds of people who had turned out to see the show, anything that draws crowds back into Stockton must be a good thing for both Stockton and the businesses who have shops or cafe’s in the town.
There are also limited parking spaces back in the High Street and for some one with limited mobility must be a help.
Brown field area’s are being rebuilt which will bring people back and the shops will follow probably not as we once knew it though being able to walk into town is for the good and they will need services even today not everyone has a car.
I once read a letter on here saying the person had been back for the first time in twenty years and was disappointed at the reduction in shops and the market, well if you only go any where once in twenty years it is not going to be there, business does not run like that.
Well done Stockton from one who knew its old dilapidated buildings well and wished some of them gone, it did not all go to plan over the years and as householders we know you need cut your coat to the depth of your purse not always easy even for rich councils, with Governments drastic cut backs the Local Council do what they can and to me this time they won.
Down the Town today, people walking between the water spouts.
In my opinion it’s a waste of money.
Hi Eric, I agree in part. Looks good now, but will it become a haven for the local junkies ?
It looks very nice. Hope the ruffians don’t demolish it. But hate the lights.
it does look smart, not the Stockton I left 42 years ago. Wonder how long before the water feature is full of MacDonalds cartons, and empty coke cans, or worse.
Until the parish church popped up, I had difficulty actually placing where on earth it was. Dovecot Street!
Kirsty sent me one of those pictures, but Pic Stockton hasn’t sent me them, so thank you for passing them on.
Love to both and furry friends.
Gwyneth xx
macdonalds stockton closed a couple of years ago !