Photographs taken in April 1941 show the blast damage from bombs at Head Wrightson, Thornaby. The bombs originally intended for the industrial firm of Head Wrightsons fell short and landed near Crosthwaites Foundry.
A photograph of the Theatre Hotel on Yarm Lane, now Jockers pub. Stockton c1985.
A photograph of the Norton Cricket Team taken on 15th July 1964. This was the date of the Kerridge cup final that year between Norton and Bishop Auckland played at the Feethams ground Darlington. If you look closely in the background you can see the famous ‘Twin Towers’ entrance to the ground. In the week before the final the Norton batsman Billy Mott broke his finger and his replacement was Jonny Townsend, the son of David Townsend. This proved to be a blessing in disguise as Jonny top scored with 67 in a Norton score of 181 for 6 wickets in the 40 overs allotted.
In reply Bishop Auckland were always struggling and were all out for 126 leaving Norton the winners by 55 runs.
The Norton team is as follows, back row left to right: Jimmy Everett (scorer), Alan Kennerley, Brian Donne, David Branson, Tom Birtle, Jonny Townsend, Tony Manners (twelfth man) and Brian Armstrong. Front row, left to right: Ken Williamson, Mike Branson, Bobby Alexander, Alan Giddings and finally Norman Kelly.
My late father, Tom Birtle, had also played in the Norton team which had won the Kerridge Cup as far back as 1946. He was the only Norton player to have played in both of these cup finals.
Photograph and details courtesy of Martin Birtle.
W Weddel and Co. Abattoir, Tennant Street, Stockton c1986
‘Thornaby’s Own’ – 608 Squadron RAF at Thornaby.
Photograph courtesy of Julie Allinson.
A view of Martins Car Showroom and the private Doctors Surgery next door. Bridge Road, Stockton c1985.
The annual Christmas ICI employees party held above the old Co-op building on Billingham Green / Belasis Avenue was always a well attended event. The photographs date from 1961 – 1963. Children of ICI employees could choose to go either to a Christmas party or a pantomime. These pictures are obviously of young party animals!
Photographs and details courtesy of Geoffrey Cowton
Santa and his four-legged friends made their way through Stockton Town Centre on Sunday 15 December 2013 entertaining the crowds and spreading Christmas joy and wishes along the way.
Photograph and details courtesy of David Thompson.
An advert for the Great Christmas Bazaar at M. Robinson and Sons Ltd. Taken from Heavisides Almanack, 1911.
We believe this is a dinner attended by the Co-op Wholesales Society (CWS) employees c1970s. Venue unknown.
A snow covered Norton. Photographs taken 20th January 2010.
Photographs courtesy of Julia Hall.
A photograph taken by me of a Class 37 loco no. 6893 on the Seal Sands causeway, hauling 4 empty liquified ammonia tank wagons from Monsanto Textiles Ltd to Shellstar, Thameshaven. The loaded train had arrived in darkness. This was the first timetabled movement on the Seal Sands branch. Previously, during the plant’s commissioning, trains had run as specials, as required. I was British Rail’s local operations supervisor, and had gone there in the 5 cwt Bedford van which is on the photograph, 26th May 1970.
Photograph and details courtesy of Brian Johnson.
The foundation stone of the Castle Theatre was laid on 3rd October 1907 and the first play, ‘The Lady of Lyons’, was performed there on 31st July 1908. The Castle Theatre on Stockton High Street, later became the Empire.
Image and details courtesy of Derek Buttle.
The Transporter Bridge taken from an RAF Canberra Aircraft in 1966.
Photograph and details courtesy of Bill Purchase.
Another photograph from St. Cuthbert’s R.C Mixed School photo album showing St. Cuthbert’s Senior Class 4, Stockton 1950. Unfortunately we don’t have any names, does anyone recognise them?
Courtesy of Tony Cooney who dropped the album off at Fairfield Library. He believes the head teacher, Mr Connors lived in the house at Jesmond Grove which he moved into last year.