A decorative flower bed detailing the Locomotion No.1 in Ropner Park, Stockton c1949.
Taken by Len Toulson, courtesy of Neal Toulson.
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
A decorative flower bed detailing the Locomotion No.1 in Ropner Park, Stockton c1949.
Taken by Len Toulson, courtesy of Neal Toulson.
ROPNER PARK
A Gift to Stockton on Tees, from its most illustrious family
Ropner Park was presented to the citizens of Stockton on Tees by Major (later Sir) Robert Ropner a ship builder who paid for the land on which it was built. In 1893, it was officially opened by the Duke and Duchess of York (King George V 1910, and Queen Mary) Sir Robert Ropner – was a Victorian Entrepreneur, whose life story would make a great film describing how a young German born ‘Dick Whittington’ arrived penniless in West Hartlepool, who launched his first ship ten years later and later started his own shipyard based in Stockton, eventually he owned the largest fleet of privately owned ships in Britain, a man who founded Stockton’s most illustrious family of achievers, politicians and statesmen. The park named after him is tended by Stockton Council, aided by The Friends of Ropner Park, a voluntary group who throughout the year organise fund raising events to finance the care and aid they provide to this beautiful park. New members are invited to join this group – membership details can be found on their website.
Bob Wilson (Five Lamps)