Back Row (l-r): Judy Peacock, ??, Janet Bartram, Hazel Pratt, Maureen Boardman, Dorothy Ashworth, Julie Ellis, Mary Rowntree, Elaine Iceton. Middle Row (l-r): ??, Annette Jenkins, Alison Southeran, ?? ??, Jacky Simpson, ??, ??. Front Row (l-r): ??, ??, Sylvia Stott, Carol Lawson, Mrs Hazleton, ??, ??, ??, ??.

Photograph and details courtesy of Maureen Lonsdale nee Boardman.

This is a photograph from Colin Hatton’s collection, which I am slowly working my way through renovating them for him and this is one of my favourites.

This picture was taken on Cowpen Lane between Central Avenue and Belasis Avenue, in the backgroud are the old Billingham Baths and the low light coloured building is the dreaded “Clinic”, this is where the school children of Billingham went for their Polio jabs amongst other equally unpleasant events, the baths are long gone but I believe the clinic buildings are still there and are used as industrial units.

The wagon behind the young ladies has a sign above it, the I think the first word is “Lime” and the second may be “Orange”, this leads me to think it is a “Pop” delivery wagon, the company could possibly be Somebody & Sons, has anybody any recollections of such a company?

Behind the car is a man on a bike with a child sitting on the crossbar , in Billingham this form of giving a lift was called “A Croggy”, across the great divide in Middlesbrough this was known as “A Tan”, were there any other variations around this area?.

I think this was a photo stop, possibly for the local press, the girls are all smiling toward somebody or something just out of shot to the left, also there is no driver, the man to the right looks as if he may have a notebook in his hand, a Billingham Express reporter perhaps, the person who took this photo was likely part of the crowd and was lucky to be at the right place at the right time, a very nice piece of social history.

Details courtesy of Bruce Coleman.

The Yarm 1914 Commemoration Group held a series of events to remember The Battle of the Somme including an exhibition in Yarm High Street, poignantly centred around the town hall war memorial. There were stalls with memorabilia of the period both from the war front and home front, a horse drawn field ambulance – minus the horse, an army farrier – minus the horse and a display of the modern Army by the Yorkshire Regiment – with modern motorised horses! A stage had also been set up and choirs from both Conyers and Yarm schools entertained the large crowds as did Mike McGrother and the Stockton based male voice choir, Infant Hercules whose medley of wartime songs brought the exhibition to a rousing close.

Photographs and details courtesy of David Thompson

This is the earliest photograph taken of me, Mervyn William James.  It was taken at Lustrum beck, my pockets filled with Dinky Toys. I lived at Stavordale Road, Newtown, then moved to Ragpath Lane, Roseworth. I went to Newtown primary/Junior school, then Frederick Nattrass.  I started work at Archer Parkin and Townsend, solicitors then became a constable in the Teesside Police, prior to emigrating to Australia in November 1974.

Photograph and details courtesy of Merv James