Back Row (l-r): Vicar, Peter Curland (science), Mr. Llewellyn (science).
Middle Row (l-r): Pat Upton (Maths), Joyce Hazelton (Home Economics), Margery Thompson (English & Drama), ?? (Commerce), Margaret Hodgson (Art & Needlework), Anne Pickard (French), Mr Hall.
Front Row (l-r): Marian Heald (Art), Dorothy Coates (PE), Miss Nicolson (Head), Liz Bennett (Geography), Mrs Hall.
Photograph and details courtesy of Maureen Lonsdale nee Boardman.
A view of Victoria Bridge, Stockton, seen from Thornaby. The bridge was opened in 1887 to replace the earlier stone bridge.
A view of the top part of Anderson Street, Thornaby c1974.
Photograph and details courtesy of Derek Smith.
I drove along the Riverside Road on Friday evening and was quite surprised to see a car stuck on a mud-bank after going through the temporary fencing surrounding the proposed Lidl supermarket. What I didn’t notice until I was driving back along the riverside in the opposite direction was that the demolition work had started on the old ADS Martins car showroom and worse, the old doctors surgery had gone completely!
I went down on Sunday while Storm Ciara was at a low ebb and took a few photos, the blown down fencing being a distinct advantage allowing for easy photography although blocking the footpaths. Clearly the ’24 Hour CCTV In Operation’ operator does not work on weekends!
Photographs and details courtesy of David Thompson
I attended Robert Atkinson Secondary Modern School on Thorntree Road, Thornaby from 1965 until 1971. My swimming certificate from 1969, my school report from 1965 and my school reference from Mr Irvin, headmaster in 1971. I was in the Westerdale House – colour Green.
Photographs and details courtesy of Michael Hymer.
I came across this laundry box in my loft recently. I think it might have come from my Grandmother’s house. She lived in Thornaby from about 1940 till 1972. I wonder if the company still exits.
Photograph and details courtesy of Chris Shields.
The House Of Wax was an early 3D film, it was made in 1953, the Globe has 4 showings in one day and it appears that it was being shown for quite some time as the “Final Week” notice indicates.
I remember my parents going to see a 3D film in the early 1950s, it was probably at Billingham Picture House and much later than the initial release, my Father was unimpressed and my Mother thought it was “All Right”, damned by faint praise, as the saying goes. The main thing I remember was wearing the red/green spectacles the following day at school and having them confiscated.
3D cinema was never a success, it was unrealistic and unconvincing and very expensive to make, I have seen a number of I-Max films over the years and they are quite good but I don’t think they improve the cinema going experience, they can be quite novel for a short time but they do pall.
Photograph and details courtesy of Bruce Coleman.
Recently there has been something of a commotion over Locomotion No1 and the plans by the National Railway Museum to move it from the Head Of Steam Museum in Darlington to their own collection at Shildon, named no less – Locomotion! With the bi-centenary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway less than 5 years away I’m sure we can expect more letting off of steam over this in the coming weeks!
I suspect that very few people know that we have our very own Locomotion No1, albeit, a very impressive artwork in Spring Street off Yarm Road? The sculpture was designed by artist Andrew McKeown who has completed many large sculptures and artworks within the Tees Valley and all with a theme of growth, change and renewal often combined with historic references as here were the old terrace housing alongside the railway track was demolished to make way for a new modern development. This was the first time that I had seen the sculpture without any obstructions in front of it and thought it too good to miss.
Photographs and details courtesy of David Thompson.
Images of the order of proceedings for the presentation of gold badges to local blood donors. My late mum Doreen Birtle was one of 6 people from Billingham being honoured. For many years donors could only make two donations a year so reaching 50 was a real achievement. I think mum finished up in the top 60s before she was stood down.
Images and details courtesy of Martin Birtle.
Head Wrightson made the legs for this drilling rig.
Photograph and details courtesy of Tony Campbell.
A view of Sober Hall Farm and house at Ingleby Barwick. Taken 26th June 1979.
A table tennis tournament photographed from the bleachers at Thornaby Sports Pavillion c1984
Melbourne Street in Stockton, c1985
An undated picture of the Robinsons building when it was probably at its architectural peak. It looks like it was in the middle of being decorated to celebrate an event.
It shows all the detailed features that were later simplified/removed (mostly on or at the roof level), before the canopy was added and the entrance modified to its current configuration (corridors between display windows).
Image and details courtesy of Jonathan May.
The phrase “A picture is worth a thousand words” could have been coined for this image, I don’t think it needs any explanation. One thing I do like is the horse looking straight into the camera while all around are oblivious of it.
Photograph and details courtesy of Bruce Coleman.