This photograph was taken outside of Stockton Town Hall during the celebrations for our late Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation, in 1953 depicting a very young me (Michael Thompson) with my late mother Mrs S. Thompson. We were returning back to Stockton after visiting my paternal grandparents who lived in Wolviston.
Photograph and details courtesy of Michael Thompson.
100 years ago was a momentous year for the north east. In January the London and North Eastern Railway came into being, then on April 1st Billingham Urban District Council was formed and on Christmas Eve, Ammonia was made at Billingham. This photograph showing our late Queen opening the Forum at Billingham on the 19 October 1967 is one of the photos commemorating these events in a nostalgic informative display, including cuttings from the much-loved Billingham Press, at Billingham library. Everything that today is Billingham, such as the Town Square, the magnificent Forum and Billingham Golf Club, was created during the jurisdiction of BUDC. Currently at the Dorman Museum, they are showing the story of the Titanic, sunk in 1912, but what part did its sister ship play in the development of Billingham. The answer is to be found at Billingham Library.
Photograph and details courtesy of Colin Hatton.
Thousands of people gathered on Stockton High Street to watch a military procession take place during the celebration of the Queens Silver Jubilee, July 1977.
I found a book in my late mother’s effects. The inside cover suggests that it was given to some/all Billingham Residents in 1937. I took photographs of the front and inside cover together with the first three pages but it was the ‘Presented by Billingham Urban District Council’ that took my attention.
Images and details courtesy of Roger Clayton.
An amazing view of Stockton High Street. Crowds line the street, hang out from windows and stand on rooftops as the Royal car approaches the Town Hall during the Queens visit in 1956.
Walking from the Royal Train to inspect the Guard of Honour is The Queen accompanied by Brigadier R.G.W. Melsome, MBE, followed by the Mayor and Mayoress; Councillor and Mrs P.J.Milne.
The Queen visits Stockton Station with Brigadier R.G.W. Melsome, MBE and the Officer Commanding the Royal Guard of Honour mounted by the 1st Battallion The Light Infantry
The Member of Parliament for Stockton-on-Tees Mr G.R.Chetwynd talking to The Duke of Edinburgh during the Queens visit to Stockton-on-Tees in 1956.
The Queen was visiting Stockton for her Silver Jubilee Year – I think it was July 1977. Taken on Norton Road, near Hallifield Street, they show the crowds waving at the approaching car, and the second is the Queen and Prince Philip as they passed by.
Photograph and details courtesy of Alec Moody.
Meeting the Queen Mother at the YMCA on Bath Lane, Stockton in 1968.
Photograph by Jack Marriott.
An interesting photograph has just come into my possession. It show one of our regular contributors meeting Her Majesty the Queen at Cologne in 1992, during the opening of the joint venture Project for European Wind Tunnel between Great Britain, France, Holland and Germany. The Project was in connection with the development of the Airbus. Gran as we all know him is the gentleman far right shaking the Queens hand. Gran was the Project Site Manager. This was one of many Major Projects that Gran was associated with Managing as many as 5000 men one particular Project.Not bad for an ex Head Wrightson Apprentice Templatemaker at Stockton Forge Works. Gran was educated at the old Stockton Secondary Grammar School in Nelson Terrace.
Gran played football for South Bank, Whitby Town, Billingham Synthonia, The RAF while on National Service in Singapore where he won the player of the year award. Recognised as the old type bustling centre forward Anon my remember him in the local leagues before he moved up in the standard of play he finally achieved.
Photograph and details courtesy of Ben Brown.
A photograph of the Royal Car at the junction of Finkle Street as it proceeds down Stockton High Street towards Thornaby in 1956.
Clergymen and various other people wait to meet the Queen Mother as she arrives at the new YMCA building on Bath Lane, Stockton in 1968.
Photograph by Jack Marriott.
HM the Queen at Stockton Racecourse on the 4th June 1956 as Colonel in Chief of the Loyal (North Lancashire) Regiment, Queen Elizabeth II reviewed the 1st Battalion, The Loyals on Stockton Racecourse. I was attached to the Loyals at the time and that day performed the duty of an usher to the invited guests. Note the cameraman on the roof of the car.
Photographs and details courtesy of James Bridge.
Princess Henry of Battenberg visited Stockton on 28 October 1905 to open the Queen Victoria High School. She is seen here passing the Victoria Buildings on Stockton High Street.
She was Beatrice, the youngest child of Queen Victoria, born in 1857 she will have been about 48 at the time of this picture.
Photograph and details courtesy of Derek Buttle.
People arrived in droves to get a glimpse of the Royal car as it proceeded along the High Street. The Royal Standard can be seen flying from the Town Hall, Stockton c1956.