I am looking for information on a Nursery around THE NORTON GREEN circa 1938-1945. I was taken there by my Mother during the war from my memory there were quite a few children taken care of whilst our mothers were working in ship yards etc. Can anyone help, PLEASE!
I remember paddling in the duck pond, in the 1950’s. My brother was, married in 1955, and bought one of the new houses built on Roseberry Road, in Norton. My sister-in-law’s younger brother and myself, would walk from my brothers house to the pond on summer Sunday afternoons. It was always popular, and the weather always seemed good. We used to walk back to Billingham (where we lived) passed the old mill, and across Billingham Beck. Long gone times.
I sat in the position the camera is taking the photo on Wednesday morning with my Daughter and Son, looking at the same scene as the first post card taken in 1905. My Father would have known that scene as I have known it most of my 88 years seeing the many changes yet nothing has changed. It was the clean lungs of Norton when Norton was still a village in the time before Stockton invaded us
I remember cattle on the green and in the pond although I think it was only a few times a year to stake the claim it was Common Land, they came from the farm between the Church and the Whitehouse. At that time there was still a working pump on the corner opposite the Top House (Unicorn) with a large stone trough Dad told me when he was a lad some of the poor village people still did their washing in.
The Pond had a clay bottom and once a year the Fire Brigade would empty the pond inspect the bottom clean out the broken glass and refill it. i do not know but assume the pond was kept full by seep water and rain, it was the bottom of a banked area and the water table fairly high in Norton apart from the area which was sandbanks, Mill Lane and the Showfield were sand banks had been at some time past locally used for building sand.
Wartime it became a static water tank and the NFS would practice with their Coventry Pumps on the green they were stationed in the old tram sheds in the middle of the high street.
I was naming the shops and houses for my Daughter, Miss Forster in the Paper shop, Hawes grocery shop under the clock, Billy Toulson Butcher and Mr Geldart Coal merchant among the many names I remembered.
The pond got many make overs but still had the children feeding the ducks as we did, the Rooks strutting their stuff near the seat in the picture knowing people who sat there would be eating something and drop crumbs. it has changed yet nothing has changed, when my Grandson is 88 he will probably sit as I sat saying it is just as I remember as a lad, a playground for so many children and adults, a trysting place for young lovers, a place to take our children and grandchildren.
A wonderful picture and so full of memories for so many of us.
Frank.
As a group of teenagers we spent many evenings walking up to Norton Green in the early/mid 50’s generally sat in the shed near the church, all part of courting as well.
Last time we visited of late I always remember the metal seat surrounding the tree to the left in the photo, sadly gone.
I recall being beside this pond in Ca. 1960. My auntie lived on the nearby Roseworth estate, so I guess we’d have caught the bus there. There was a boy sailing a cream-coloured plastic Triang(?) passenger liner across the pond. It was called ‘Orcades’ – probably battery-operated. There was a switch mounted in its funnel and I recall him taking his model out of the water, switching it off and then proudly walking away. This fantastic model was from my dreams!
Everett’s Butchers shop was in Leven Road just off the high Street. Mr and Mrs Everett lived in one of the cottages between the White house and the Church on Norton Green when I knew them. We all got together in the horse and Jockey for convivial evenings and fun filled arguments, Mr Everett was a clever man.
Frank.
A postcard showing the pond at Norton Green c1960s.
Picture Stockton Archive 
I am looking for information on a Nursery around THE NORTON GREEN circa 1938-1945. I was taken there by my Mother during the war from my memory there were quite a few children taken care of whilst our mothers were working in ship yards etc. Can anyone help, PLEASE!
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I remember paddling in the duck pond, in the 1950’s. My brother was, married in 1955, and bought one of the new houses built on Roseberry Road, in Norton. My sister-in-law’s younger brother and myself, would walk from my brothers house to the pond on summer Sunday afternoons. It was always popular, and the weather always seemed good. We used to walk back to Billingham (where we lived) passed the old mill, and across Billingham Beck. Long gone times.
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I sat in the position the camera is taking the photo on Wednesday morning with my Daughter and Son, looking at the same scene as the first post card taken in 1905. My Father would have known that scene as I have known it most of my 88 years seeing the many changes yet nothing has changed. It was the clean lungs of Norton when Norton was still a village in the time before Stockton invaded us
I remember cattle on the green and in the pond although I think it was only a few times a year to stake the claim it was Common Land, they came from the farm between the Church and the Whitehouse. At that time there was still a working pump on the corner opposite the Top House (Unicorn) with a large stone trough Dad told me when he was a lad some of the poor village people still did their washing in.
The Pond had a clay bottom and once a year the Fire Brigade would empty the pond inspect the bottom clean out the broken glass and refill it. i do not know but assume the pond was kept full by seep water and rain, it was the bottom of a banked area and the water table fairly high in Norton apart from the area which was sandbanks, Mill Lane and the Showfield were sand banks had been at some time past locally used for building sand.
Wartime it became a static water tank and the NFS would practice with their Coventry Pumps on the green they were stationed in the old tram sheds in the middle of the high street.
I was naming the shops and houses for my Daughter, Miss Forster in the Paper shop, Hawes grocery shop under the clock, Billy Toulson Butcher and Mr Geldart Coal merchant among the many names I remembered.
The pond got many make overs but still had the children feeding the ducks as we did, the Rooks strutting their stuff near the seat in the picture knowing people who sat there would be eating something and drop crumbs. it has changed yet nothing has changed, when my Grandson is 88 he will probably sit as I sat saying it is just as I remember as a lad, a playground for so many children and adults, a trysting place for young lovers, a place to take our children and grandchildren.
A wonderful picture and so full of memories for so many of us.
Frank.
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I always enjoy reading your detailed memories of life in Norton. Thank you, Mr. Mee. 🙂
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Looks nice and serene unlike today when they would be swimming in it.
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As a group of teenagers we spent many evenings walking up to Norton Green in the early/mid 50’s generally sat in the shed near the church, all part of courting as well.
Last time we visited of late I always remember the metal seat surrounding the tree to the left in the photo, sadly gone.
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My brother David Black was run over and killed here by a blue O bus 14 November 1963 anyone remember this?
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I recall being beside this pond in Ca. 1960. My auntie lived on the nearby Roseworth estate, so I guess we’d have caught the bus there. There was a boy sailing a cream-coloured plastic Triang(?) passenger liner across the pond. It was called ‘Orcades’ – probably battery-operated. There was a switch mounted in its funnel and I recall him taking his model out of the water, switching it off and then proudly walking away. This fantastic model was from my dreams!
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Used to go there when I was young with Suzanne Everett and sister Jackie. Anyone know where they are now?
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The two names you mention ring a bell. Think they went to Cleveland School as I did but have no idea where they are now.
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I also went to Cleveland School. They had a butcher shop on the High Street.
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Everett’s Butchers shop was in Leven Road just off the high Street. Mr and Mrs Everett lived in one of the cottages between the White house and the Church on Norton Green when I knew them. We all got together in the horse and Jockey for convivial evenings and fun filled arguments, Mr Everett was a clever man.
Frank.
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Everets butchers shop was in Leven Road.
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