Widening of Church Row c1934

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t492Extracts from Council Minutes – Church Row Sub Commitee 1934-1935…

’Commencement of work on Church Row. Work was commenced on Monday the 10th instance and proceeding at present in the Churchyard. The footpath is being moved and material excavated to the New Road level. Any remains met with will be removed to Durham Cemetery with proper care and reverence. The arrangements are to be made for the work being commenced upon the Potrack side of the Road on the land known as Robsons Land as soon as possible, notice being given to any tenant of any part thereof terminating the tenancy. The shrubs in the cattle market are being moved preparatory to commence work there in the New Year. Arrangements are also being made to commence work at the other end of The Scheme early in the New Year so that proper entry can be made to the Railway Land. There were 8 tenders submitted for approx 2000 tons of cement. The tender from Industrial Chemicals Industry Ltd of Billingham to supply 2000 tons of Rapid Hardening Portland Cement for the sum of £4387 10s 0d being at the rate of £2 5s 0d per ton less 2% discount. Subject to a contract being entered into in terms to the satisfaction of the council. The number of men employed at present apart form the Foreman and Timekeeper is 17. It is proposed to treat the labour on the Church Row Scheme as nearly as possible the same as the Unemployment Relief Schemes carried out in the past. Whenever possible men will be changed every eight weeks and apart from Christmas Day and Sundays they will be given the opportunity of working at ordinary rates (by ballot) on all other holidays.’

HOC Office Billingham

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t15054I haven’t got a date for this photograph but I think it was taken before 1940 and even possibly before 1930. When I was growing up in Billingham in the 1950s this office block was a well known landmark, the “Sawtooth” roof could be seen from everywhere in the Belasis Avenue area and up to St. Johns school on Cowpen Lane.

During the 1950s the brick frontage was completely covered in Ivy and the main office was painted in camouflage colours, also the car on Chiltons Avenue looks to be of 1920s manufacture. The picture was taken from just inside the ICI West Gate.

Photograph and details courtesy of Bruce Coleman.

Tank Waggons on the Clarence Railway in 1985

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t15005 t15005aThe top view shows the Seaton Carew Road and surroundings, in Port Clarence, from the north side of the Transporter. The side of the bridge can just be seen, and in the far distance is the Hartlepool AGR nuclear reactor. Anderston’s magnificent iron foundry, which was on the river side of the railway, but in alignment with the road junction, has been replaced with two plastic coated corrugated steel buildings.

These were the standard form of industrial steel building in the 70s and 80s, the technique having been developed at Dorman Long. They still seem to be in existence. The brick buildings in the middle foreground, possibly dating from the 1950s, and look disused, have now been demolished.

The other image, which is an expanded view, shows four tank waggons, probably carrying oil or chemicals to or from the vastly expanded chemical complex and oil terminal on the north bank of the Tees. Note the large tank farm in the top view on the horizon.

Photograph and details courtesy of Fred Starr.

St. John Ambulance Brigade, Billingham ICI Division

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t15044St. John Ambulance Brigade (Billingham ICI Div.) en route to inspection in London, 1954. The St. John Ambulance Brigade had an annual inspection every year, at Sir Leonard Ropner’s estate in Bedale, but in 1954 they attended the grand gathering in London, where they appeared before the Queen in a grand march-past.  The photograph was taken on Billingham Green, before departure.  Remembered personnel are: Frank Eley (2nd. from lt.), Bob McDowell (5th from lt.), Bill Burns (7th from lt.), Alec Geddes, Div. Officer F. E. Shaw, Ralph Fernie.   Family members in the bus:  front two windows; John Fernie; your humble servant in silhouette; Mrs. Shaw, my mother and another unidentified lady; remainder unidentified.

Photograph and details courtesy of Malcolm Shaw.

Class from William Newton School c1970/71

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t14905Back Row (l-r): ??, ??, Carol Lawson, Sylvia Stott, ?? Judy Peacock. Middle Row (l-r): Mary Rowntree, Maureen Boardman, ??, Alison Southeran, Jacky Simpson, Annette Jenkins, ??, Hazel Pratt. Front Row (l-r): ??, ??, Janet Bartram, Julie Ellis, Dorothy Ashworth, ??, Elaine Iceton, ??, ??. Can anyone fill in the blanks?

Photograph and details courtesy of Maureen Lonsdale nee Boardman.

Armed Forces Day on Stockton High Street, 2016

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A number of organisations offering people the opportunity to find out about the past, present and future of the Armed Services was held on Stockton High Street today. There were a range of military and civilian support organisations; the World War Two re-enactment society with several military vehicles, regular Army Stands of Vehicles and information from The Yorkshire Regiment,1 Close Battalion REME and the Rifles. Museums from the Green Howards, Yorkshire Regiment and The Hough Battery Hartlepool, Local Regimental Association information stands, Army reserve stands from 243 Provo Coy, 201 Field Hospital, 282 MC Sqn, 50 Sigs Sqn and 124 Recovery Coy, The Drums Platoon of the Yorkshire Regiment, WW1/WW2 Singer Janie St John and Soprano Samantha Holden. Thursday 30 June 2016.