‘One of the yards which the sun seldom enters’ – extract from the 1909 ‘Old Stockton’ slide show by Michael Heavisides. Photograph from the Heavisides Collection

Descending some stone steps, we stand almost in awe before the sublime fall, feeling like tiny creatures at seeing pour down each side of the fortress-like rock a tremendous volume of water, the white spray from it falling in such form that we are obliged to use our umbrellas. Here, some years ago, when the water was very low, two gentlemen climbed on to the highest part of the rocks, but, suddenly, a great wave several feet high came down. People near, at once saw the predicament of the climbers. A rope was procured and one of the gentlemen was safely landed on the river bank; but sad to relate, in rescuing the other, the rope was cut in twain against the sharp rocks, and he was hurled down the fall to meet a terrible death. Had they remained on the top for a few hours all would have been well as the water quickly subsided.

From a Photograph by Mr Walter Riley, Stockton.

Peace Day in our ancient town surpassed all expectations and what few pessimists therein were utterly confounded. The people in their might rose to the great occasion. Our worthy High Street presented a grand sight with the lavish decorations which were seen on every side and all other thoroughfares and even minor streets did their best to brighten up with flags etc. There were three stands and two tracks and the programmes included foot races, sack, three-legged, bun and treacle, human wheelbarrow, pillow fighting, skipping, ball bouncing, nail driving, etc?

Photograph and extract from Heavisides Almanack 1920 Photograph from Messrs Thirlwell, Photographers, Bridge Road

Arriving at the bottom of Thorngate, the young scion is anxious to prospect his fishing ground. We turn to the left, and, when we are near the river, watch the finny tribe dart away on our approach. Here is that grand open ground, the “Demenses� where the boys enjoy cricket, football, and all other games. The river is always attractive. The residents of and visitors to, Barnard Castle are more fortunate than many of the small towns on Teesside, as they have free access to the river’s banks on either side. So, this lovely morning, down by the river’s rocky bed, stepping from stone to stone, we eventually view the familiar Abbey Bridge. We now leave the river, and, striking an opening in the woods, emerge at the old bridge, and view the sublime scene so faithfully described by Scott: “Where Tees full many a fathom low Wears with his rage no common foe; For pebbly bank, nor sand-bed here, Nor clay-mould checks his fierce career, Condemned to mine a channel’d way O’er solid sheets of marble grey.�

From a Photo taken with a No. 5 Poco Camera by M. Heavisides. Remembering our conversation with the old man, near Holwick, one afternoon we set out for the abode of the fairies. The three grace are in ecstasies at discovering tiny flowers, beautiful in form and colour, nestling amongst the grass. Evidently they are of an Alpine character. We next come to a small mountain stream, which is on its way to form the waterfall. At last we appear before Fairy Dell waterfall, a delightful bit of nature unalloyed. Looking down westward, is the Gorge, with Newbiggin hazy in the distance. The old mans account is fairly correct, for vegetation is struggling for a bare existence on its rocky walls. The small stream plays hide and seek over the rough stones, on its downward course.

Another memorable incident occurred in this year (1851) as towards midnight on the 8th November, a fire broke out in Tommy Wrens Mill, situated on the western side of the town. My father and several townsmen heard the alarm, hastened to the scene and there rendered such timely assistance that the residence adjoining the mill was saved. Returning to his home in the early morning, he awoke me from my peaceful slumbers and took me in his arms to the window, where I gazed for a few moments, with fear and trembling, on the awful spectacle, as the fire at the mill itself was still raging.

Photograph and extract from Heavisides Almanack 1902

From a Photo taken with a No. 5 Poco Camera by M. Heavisides. I pass the clean bright church and its buildings, and, walking onwards, observe that the residencies are built of freestone, which gives them a substantial appearance. The decades of their age is marked by the varying roofs, as they embrace thatch, flags, tiles and slates… I arrive at the quaint and ancient hostelry of the “Red Lion,� which is to be my headquarters for a short period. On entering, I explain to the hostess that I am a stranger to Cotherstone- have heard of the rustic old Mill on the Balder, the Fairy Cupboards, Thor’s Gill, etc., and desire a guide to those interesting places. A bright-eyed girl, of about seven summers, with peach blossom cheeks and dark lustrous eyes is asked to accompany me, but she doesn’t know the way to the Fairy Cupboards; so Hilton, her brother, a year older, is brought forth. He possesses a beaming face and good-natured expression, and readily assents to be my escort. They partake of light refreshment, and now we are off on our adventures full of mirth.

The genial president of Old Stockton Cricket Club, Dr Richardson, or The Doctor, of which club, for more than a quarter of a century he was the life and soul. When an important match was on the tapis, my father, who was still a keen enthusiast generally left our premises for the cricket ground. I invariably quickly followed, and the printing operations for the afternoon were suspended.

Photograph and extract from Heavisides Almanack 1911

ICI Site scene’ from the ’70 Years Behind The Lens’ exhibition by local artist Ray Wallace Thompson.

Ye Olde Cherry Faire Races 1904. The crowds could enjoy such events as the Donkey Derby, pillow fighting and eating contests! This was one of the oldest of Stockton’s fairs and of course the sale of cherries, ripe in July, had a main feature.

Clevo flour mill has their own small fleet of boats to ensure supplies left on time. Warehouses stored grain, sugar, lead. The warehouses are equipped with elevating and conveying machinery so that grain can be taken direct from ships laid alongside the quays at the rate of 60 to 70 tons per hour. The Corn trade ceased to be a number of private water/wind mills and later became a large concern of steam-driven mechanical mills. The imposing Clevo Flour Mills was one such mill.

The Derelict Waterloo Mills on the quayside. The Mills were built in 1780 as a sugarhouse refinery and later as a granary and warehouse. The buildings were demolished in 1929. Photograph c1910.

Venetian Facade’ from the ’70 Years Behind The Lens’ exhibition by local artist Ray Wallace Thompson.

The Pipe Festival on the Street at Preston Hall Museum. c1986