Service of Dedication for Driver Sydney Charles Johnson, Royal Army Service Corps

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Sydney Charles Johnson, from Thornaby, was killed at Dunkirk on 1 June 1940, aged just 19. Just six months before his death, Sydney had become engaged to Nancy and although Nancy later married, she never forgot Sydney and spoke about him often to her daughter, Gillian.

It was Gillian who discovered that Sydney’s name was not on the Thornaby War Memorial and she wanted to remedy this, getting in touch with the Royal British Legion Stockton & Yarm Branch.

On 1 June a service of dedication was held at Thornaby Cenotaph to remember Driver Sydney Charles Johnson, Royal Army Service Corps, with Gillian unveiling his name 85 years after his death.

Photograph and details courtesy of Gillian Brookes.

Oxbridge Lane Primary School Appeal for Memories

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Dear Parents, Carers, Ex Pupils, Ex Staff and Oxbridge Alumni,

Miss Montier, a teacher with with 31 years at Oxbridge Lane, will be retiring at the end of the summer term. She has lots of memories of her adventures with all of the children she has been involved with.

We would love to find out from you, your memories of your time at Oxbridge Lane. You could inspire the whole school community by telling us about your fondest memories, your life since leaving us, your achievements and how Oxbridge was instrumental in your successes.

Please contact us by leaving your messages and recollections at the following email address.

memories@oxbridgelane.org.uk

Thank you,

Oxbridge Lane Primary School

Richard Hinds Girls School, 1958

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A photograph of the second year of Richard Hinds Girls School in 1958.

Top row (L – R): Jennifer Taylor, Jean Stelling, Dianne Hawkins.

Second row (L – R): Marion Carter, Jacqueline Hale, Joan Ainsley, Sheila Potts, Iris Johnson, Pat Grahame, Winifred Langburn.

Third row (L – R): Eileen Neighbour, Ann Calvert, Joan Atkinson, Geraldine Stephenson, Norma Wood, Ann Johnston, Irene Amos, Joan Newcombe, Joan Phillips, Mavis Lightowler, Pat Duggan, Elizabeth Hardings, Pauline Howell.

Front row (L – R): Margaret Avery, Barbara Fishburn, Wendy Speight, Valerie Riley, Pauline McMaster, Maureen Dickinson, Jean Mortimer, Susan Jonson, Yvonne Davis, Sheila Simpson, Margaret Watson.

Photograph and details courtesy of Pauline McMaster.

Richard Hinds Girls School, July 1957

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A photograph of 1st Form 1B at Richard Hinds Girls School taken in July 1957.

Back row (L – R): Dianne Hawkins, Jean Stelling, Jennifer Taylor, Sheila Potts.

Third row (L – R): Joan Phillips, Ann Johnston, Eileen Neighbour, Jacqueline Atkinson, Joan Ainsley, Iris Jonson, Cynthia Lister, Joan Atkinson.

Second row (L – R): Pat Duggan, Marion Carter, Pauline McMaster, Joan Newcombe, Norma Wood, Winifred Langburn, Pat Grahame, Jacqueline Hale, Mavis Lightowler, Elizabeth Harding, Geraldine Stephenson, Jean Mortimer, Maureen Dickinson.

Front row (L – R): Margaret Watson, Gillian Ettle (?), Wendy Speight, Yvonne Davis, Valerie Riley, Susan Johnson, Sheila Simpson, Barbara Fishburn, Margaret Watson.

Photograph and details courtesy of Pauline McMaster.

‘Teesside Smells’ Publication

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In digging around in my old stuff I came across these two hand made publications from my misspent youth. I only have the first two copies (whether there were anymore only your readers could say) from the local punk rock/new wave days in the late seventies. They were filled with lot’s of articles and band info. I spent many a night in the Teessider pub watching some very fast and certainly furious youth of the day do their thing. Great times.

Photograph and details courtesy of Mike Bellerby

St. Joseph’s RC School, April 1956

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A photograph of Miss Lilley’s class at St. Joseph’s RC School taken in April 1956.

Back (L – R): Miss Wilkinson (Head Teacher), Brian Pitelen, Brian Stott, Brian Morton, Michael Lindsay, ?, Brendon Bethan, Michael Craig, Brian Mathew, David Humble, ?, Terry Fitzpatrick, ?.

Middle (L – R): Michael Ledger, Brian Harvey, Geoffrey Costello, Alan Waller, Pauline McMaster, Margaret Crawford, Maureen Chicken, Monica Baker, Pat Cooper, Pat Harvey, ?, Brendon Thornton, David Parker, Peter Armstrong, Miss Lilley (teacher).

Front (L – R): Ann Jenkinson, Mary Quinn, Catherine McQuillen, Kathleen Gilhooley, Sandra Buchanan, Pat O’Brien, Ann Hamilton, Joan Connelly, Barbara Johnson, Angela Harris, Sylvia Clucose?, Joyce Connelly, Joan Machin.

Photograph and details courtesy of Pauline McMaster.

Meadowbank Railway Bridge: Stockton should be proud!

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Near my home in Meadowbank, New South Wales, there’s a magnificent old iron bridge that I often ride over on my bike and paddle under in my kayak. Originally a railway bridge, it was prefabricated in England and shipped here in 1886. Each pylon is inscribed with “Stockton Forge Company Makers, Stockton-on-Tees”.

Although the bridge no longer carries the railway it is a much loved pedestrian and cycle path across the Parramatta River and stands strong despite nearly 140 years in salt water.

I often think of the tremendous skill and hard work it took to make something like this, often for meagre wages and in harsh and dangerous conditions, and the sad loss of decline of heavy manufacturing in both Australia and the UK.

I think we should be very proud of this heritage, and you may want to let the people in your community know about it!

Photographs and details courtesy of Ian Elliott, Australia.

Witham Hall, Eaglescliffe (1968 – 1973)

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Here are some photos of Witham Hall, Eaglescliffe, from the years 1968 – 73 when the property was under our care. The hall itself had three floors with a main staircase and a second for servants. During those years, I was told that Henry VIII slept there on his hunting trips to the north and monks resided there for many years.

In the mid-sixties, Witham Hall and its farm land became part of the new Eaglescliffe industrial estate owned and developed by builders, The Tennet Group (which was owned by my uncle, Mr Charles Tennet). The first construction was for the Tetley Tea factory, then other businesses followed.

Today I live in Canada but Witham Hall still remains in my thoughts with good and bad memories.

From my young age at Witham Hall, my pigs loved the open range inside its orchard and garden, along with their new pigsties housed in the original farm buildings within its enclosed courtyard.

It was believed that hidden treasure was contained on Witham Hall grounds. We searched relentlessly but found nothing!

Today I live in Canada but Witham Hall still remains in my thoughts with good and bad memories.

Photographs and details courtesy of Jeffrey Smith.

Yorkshire Colts ‘Sevens’ 1963 Winners

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This team represented Stockton Rugby Club, in the Harrogate Colts, 1963 Sevens Competition. From what I recall, the competition was only open to Yorkshire teams. The Club got an invite to make the number of team entries even, so no team got a “bye” in the first round.

In the early “sixties” the colts had limited success playing in two Lormer Cup Finals, beaten both times. The teams were unfortunately weakened with players being called up for “county duty”. My name:- Stan Galloway, played second row in the 15-a-side team.

Back Row (L – R): A.J Walker, G. Winn, K. Pearson, M. Williamson. Front row (L – R): I. Fox, R. Clegg, I. Darling.

Image and details courtesy of Ron Watson.