These images were sent in by Mike Blackburn in response to ‘Tool Room, Ashmores c1950s’, where a trip to Blackpool was mentioned. Very much of their time, we thought they may be of interest…
My Dad (Geoff Blackburn) is second from right in the front row. I obtained this from my Mam (rightly named as Sylvia Howe – former pupil at Newham Grange School). Mam said the photograph was taken before she met Dad. She was able to point out the aforementioned Titch Clark, who is far right on the back row, holding the beach ball. She didn’t know anybody else on the photograph, so maybe others can identify them. As for the girls on the photo, Mam is not sure they were even from Stockton – unless others know different!
My Dad (Geoff Blackburn) is third from left.
Another photograph taken from the same holiday – in what looks to be the meeting place outside of the guest house. Dad is far right looking on wistfully! The girl in the middle appears to have made several appearances in front of the camera. Who is she?
My Dad is second from left – the lad to his left is possibly Titch Clarke.
Photographs and details courtesy of Mike Blackburn
Came across this comment again and realised 60 years have passed since that great holiday.
I wonder where all the guys are now, as we went our separate ways when we married and moved around… I now live in Bucks but have good memories of friends and Stockton.
The 2 Blackpool ‘guest house’ pictures were taken on Hornby Road.
Can Dave Day or Anon tell me if the Tidd Connell mentioned in this group of photographs is the same Phillip Connell that lived in Dundas Street.
That’s correct, John, he lived in Dundas Street.
Thanks for the confirmation Anon. Phillip & Mick’s parents were friends of my parents, I often went to the Connell’s house when I was schoolboy. They had an allotment at the back of the house from which Mr Connell would pick some fresh vegetables for me to take home for my mother, along with a few sweets for myself.
John, We always called him Tid, he went to Richard Hind the same as you, he was the same age as Dougie Cattermole, Franc Roddam got the idea of Auf Wiedersehen Pet from the late Mick Connell’s experiences in Germany as a bricklayer.
Anon, Once again you prompt my memory I had forgotten Phil Connell went to Richard Hind. Must admit I never knew of his nickname Tid until now. I often see Billy the eldest brother around Stockton, don’t know if Phil is still resident in the town. Mick was a real character and as you mentioned provided Franc Roddam with marvellous material for that wonderful TV series.
One of your old school football colleagues is still about John, Douggie Cattermole who has just recently had a knee replacement operation, he was a great little footballer.
Geoff Groarke was still in Fairfield with his wife Delia not too long ago. I saw him at the funeral of Alan Kitching’s wife. I now live in Bucks so am out of touch with old friends in Stockton but it would be nice to know if any of the guys in the pictures are still around.
Dougie Cattermole has had both his knees replaced now, after his performance for Middlesbrough Juniors, at Old Trafford against Manchester United in the F.A. Youth Cup, the Evening Gazette said the next Golden Boy.
More thoughts on the photos, I think the 2nd picture was a different year as Tid Connell was not with us in 57. Not sure who the guy on the left is but it is not Geoff Groarke as Anon thought. Top picture the person holding the beach ball is actually Fos. Titch Clarke is on the back row 3rd guy from the right. What a week we had!!
Dave, you have got your photos mixed up, I said the second photo was Geoff Groarke in my comment. Tid Connell is the older brother of the late Mick who was a big mate of Franc Roddam the film director.
Sorry anon I misread your comment about Geoff. I have some very similar pictures. I think a couple of us had Box Brownie cameras with us. Funny now to think of taking 8 pictures and having to wait to have them developed after you got home.
Dave, I knew a Geoff Groarke back in the sixties, he worked in a drawing office at the Malleable. I didn’t think it was him in the photo.
The Geoff Groarke we are referring to is in this Richard Hind School Football Team.
https://picturestocktonarchive.wordpress.com/2006/08/13/richard-hind-junior-football-team/
The guy holding the beach ball is Alan Foster. He used to be good friends with my older brother Alan (George) Davies as was Geoff Blackburn.
Strange to find out that Fos was called Alan, I only ever knew him as Fos ,also his friend Satch who was with us must have had a christian name but again I have no idea what.
This brings back loads of memories. Photo 2 is left to right effective Geoff Groarke, Geoff Blackburn, Dennie Maxwell, Ray Dea, me and Titch Clarke. The girls in all the photos were some girls we met there and not from Stockton. This was our first holiday away after we had started work. Bottom picture is left to right:
Titch Clarke! Geoff Blacburn, Dennie Maxwell and Ray Dea with me Dave Day kneeling.
In the second photo, Geoff Groake is on the left, the 3rd photo, 2nd left is Tidd Connell & 2nd from the right is Ian (FUSSY) Thompson next to your dad Geoff (BLACKIE) Blackburn. I don’t think the girls are from Stockton.