The picture is of the Portrack Mothers Union Members. I suspect the date to be in 1950, presumably the annual meeting. The place is definitely the Baptist Chapel (primitive) whose entrance was on the St Anne’s Terrace, with it’s rear extending to Lumley Street. It was next to No 1 St Ann’s.
I know only two people. Sitting relative to the lady from centre they are: My grand mother, Louisa Jane Hatton, formerly Howgill, born Thompson. She is 3rd left from centre lady in the front row and Margaret Ann Prosser (sorry – don’t have birth name), front row, first right from the lady in the centre. I do know that she was the grandmother of Henry Prosser and great gran of Howard Prosser.
Considering that war had barely ended but rationing had not; the picture of women who had helped to care for families on poor pensions, almost non existent sick pay and in many cases survived two world wars is a resounding tribute to them all.
Should any one be any to add more names etc, I would be delighted to acknowledge them.
Photograph and details courtesy of Derek Wade.
Picture Stockton Archive 
It is difficult to see but someone who looks like my gran is in the second row 6 from the left. She lived in Portrack then, as she was born in 1885 she is about the right age.
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My Great Aunt Emma Edwards is in this picture, she is the very small lady at the end right of the second row up. She lived at 7 Elliott Street, Portrack, I posted a photograph of her standing in the doorway of that house a few years ago. Wonderful photograph that recalls memories of old Portrack.
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Thanks Derek for this. I can’t help with names, but it is clear that most of the women would have become mothers just after the First World War. When as you say, times were hard, especially after ship building vanished from Thornaby. By 1950, unemployment had almost vanished and sickness benefit had greatly improved, but people who were long term unemployed or chronically sick would find it hard.
Living in St Annes Terrace, the steps of the Baptist Chapple were a favourite meeting place for young kids. Derek himself lived just across the ally way
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