ICI Billingham apprentices pose for the photographer at the Belasis Avenue ICI Training Centre, more commonly known as the Engineering School, 1966. The adult trainers are: LH side Frank Sterritt/Bernie McNeil RH side Ralph Hill/Jack Youdale – incidentally, Jack Youdale is the well known local astronomer.

The apprentices include on the: back row: Harry Raffle/Geoff Edwards/Malcolm Hogg/Peter Pallister/Frank Brough. Middle row: Geoff Cowton/Neville Drummond/Harry Knight/Lawrence Manser and kneeling: Paul Simpson/Steven Croft/Kevin Bolland/Peter Robinson/Colin Murray. Can anyone enlighten me on the other names?

Photograph and details courtesy of Geoffrey Cowton.

The photograph shows Norton’s first team in 1950. My late father Tom played cricket for many years in the north east, most of it for his hometown team of Norton. Going left to right and starting with the back row the players shown are as follows… Jimmy Everett (scorer), Jackie Fox, Ken Williamson, Len Reed, Tom Birtle, Norman Kelly, Ted Waller. Front row… Freddie Harker, Jim Grigor, Harry Thompson, David Townsend and finally Basil McQuillan.

DCH Townsend (David) worked for many years in Stockton as a solicitor. In cricketing terms he is the holder of a record which will almost certainly never be broken in that he is the last man to have played test cricket for England yet never played for a first class county. His father CL Townsend (Charles) also played cricket for England and also worked is Stockton as a solicitor. A piece of sporting history associated with the town.

Photograph and details courtesy of Martin Birtle.

Thornaby 608 Squadron reunion at the RAFA (Royal Air Force Association) Club, September 1976. Can anyone identify the men in the photograph?

When Keith passed the exams for both Stockton Grammar schools, he chose the one where his parents were not required to pay for pens and paper! He enjoyed sport but his real love was music. (Stockton Secondary Grammar School Rugby Team. Keith Lipthorpe 2nd from right, front row.)

At 14 years old he started to play the trumpet and with his brother Jim on saxophone they formed the Jimmy Lipthorpe Swingtet. Keiths musical expertise progressed during his RAF Service and whilst playing with many local dance bands in the 1950’s/60’s. He played at the Jubilee and Maison de Danse in Stockton, following this he accompanied ‘Top of the Bills’ at the famous Fiesta nightclub which he created in Norton Road. (The Jimmy Lipthorpe (JL) Swingtet at Fishburn Miner’s Welfare Hall.) His story, ‘Club Fiesta: The Real Story’ is available to purchase at Norton Library.

Photographs and details courtesy of Helen Lipthorpe (Keith’s Daughter).

This a photograph of the girls sports team from Harrowgate Junior School in 1970. Unfortunately Carol sadly passed away in July this year in Spain where she and Iain had made their home. Carol is in the centre of the front row. The photograph was sent to me by Carol Speight’s husband Iain Renfrew.

Details courtesy of Peter Jordison.