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Cargo Fleet memories

Here are memories of Cargo Fleet and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Cargo Fleet or a Cargo Fleet photo.

Cargo Fleet

I lived in Cargo Fleet as a young child, having moved from Australia. My grandmother was born in Cargo Fleet, and she ended up returning with my grandfather, where they purchased a shop on the corner of Bristol Street. We lived up the road, at (I think) 11 Cargo Fleet Lane. I attended Lawson school for a short time, but ended up having to attend North Ormesby school when Lawson was demolished. I have fond memories of my time as a child in Cargo Fleet. I recall the bonfires every Guy Fawkes night and the fair that came to town every summer. There was also a church in North Ormesby that burnt down shortly before our arrival and seemed to take forever to be repaired, so the sight of it with a blackened roof was quite eerie at night. I also recall several houses in the next street that were derelict, and we used to play in them. My grandparents sold the shop in 1978 and we returned to Australia.... Read more

A Trip Down Cargo Fleet

I lived in Cargo Fleet in the back end of the 1960s. There was a shop on the end of our row. I went to Lawson School. We played near a beck or river near some works. I fell in and was pulled out by a young teenager. I never got to thank him as I would not be here now residing in Ripon with a wife and 3 children. Does anyone know the name of the street as I was very young? Tthere was a football ground a bit further down the road .

Cargo Fleet

When I look back, they were probably the best years of my life though I didn't think so at the time, my mam had parted from my dad, I was 12, had never heard of Cargo Fleet, had lost my dad and was taken to this place Id never heard of. I rebelled and hated every minute, but it wasn't the place, it was the circumstance. I ran away as my mam had another bloke but somehow Cargo Fleet always drew me back. I made great friends there, I met my first hubby while there and had my daughter. I got my first house there, 3.75 per week, no running hot water and a tin bath on the yard wall, yes it was 1978 and I had a tin bath on the yard wall. I live in Harrogate now, nothing grand, and have 4 beautiful grandchildren, and a gorgeous second hubby, but I would go back now, give me two hours to pack, no hot water, tin bath, heaven. I... Read more

Childhood Memories of Cargo Fleet

I always remember the November 5th Bonfire on the common opposite Hilda Woodall's (I think) shop on the corner of Chester Street and next to Dents Cobblers. We all stood around the magnificent bombfire feeling quite safe as adults were also there. I also remember the clean washing hung out in the back-arches, the street games which were played, some were too old for me (t-Ak), but it was good fun to watch, and Colliers Dairy in our street( Dover Street). I only lived there for a short time of my life and the time going back to visit my relatives in Dover Street, where I was born, but neverthless have some happy memories!

Cargo Fleet, All Gone Now!

It is so sad that there is little of Cargo Fleet remaining, not only physically but also photographically. I have searched in vein to find photographs of this once strong community. Those I have are from when I was around 4 to 6 years old and only show outside of our house and a couple I have of the old school taken shortly before being demolished.

Memories of Cleveland

Childhood

I was born in the parlour of 25 Pierson Street in 1954. My Mam's name was Margaret (Meg) and my late father was Alf (or Hank) to his mates. He worked on the tugs on the River Tees. I don't have any memories of him as he died when I was four. I remember we didn't have a lot but then neither did most of the street. Mam had me and two sisters and three brothers to look after, not an easy task with no breadwinner but we managed and one thing I always remember was my happy childhood. Playing in the streets with all the other kids, running messages for people, mam telling us not to take money for doing it (but we did). We were told to mind our p's and q's and always say please and thank you. If you saw a policeman you'd run a mile even if you hadn't done anything. Friday night was bath night. We had a tin bath hung up in the... Read more

Opening of Albert Park

The Park Entrance c1965
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My great grandfather, Mark MIDGLEY was a member of the First North Yorks Artillery Volunteers. He was in number four battery for 11 years where he rose to the rank of sergeant-major.
I have news paper cuttings of him celebrating his 90th birthday (1941) in which he recalls those days. He remembered the visit of the Duke of Connaught when he opened the Albert Park in Middlesbrough 1868. He was a member of one of the artillery detachments which fired a salute. He says it poured down all the time "we got drenched to the skin, and received  a shilling each for it."

Hugh Bell School

Hugh Bell School 1896
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Seeing Norman Jackson's reflections on the teachers of Hugh Bell School conjured up all sorts of wonderful memories. I agree totally with his description of the two headmasters, "Taffy" Evans, the cane toting, foot stamping disciplinarian and Charles Harmer, a gentle man but with a persuasive manner. Mr. Evans at times took us for music and he would always push "Sweet Lass on Richmond Hill" to the point where we got fed up of it. I remember once the class singing Sweet Lass on Richmon Dill and we all thought he was going to "blow a gasket".
Looking at Norman's list of teachers I was reminded that my favourite subject was Maths with "Buller Madden". His teaching methods would certainly be outlawed today but in most cases got results. I am sure ex pupils will remember his entry into a classroom filled with silence, mark the register and then go to his "cane cupboard". Having selected his favourite for the day he would hit his desk top a few times... Read more

My Old School - John V. Culbert  

Hugh Bell School 1896
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I attended this school around 1945 to 1949. In my final years I was School Vice Captain and represented the school at football, basketball, athletics and swimming. I was Middlesbrough Schoolboy Swimming Champion 1948 and played Water Polo for the Middlesbrough Junior and Senior Team. I also took part in the Mile Swim in the RiverTees starting at Yarm and in the 2 Mile Swim in the River Wear (Durham). In the latter event I was 9th out of 99 Swimmers, the rest mainly adults. I went on to Middlesbrough Constantine Technical College achieving a London Unversity Matriculation in French and English Language after 1 year of a 2 year course.

Hugh Bell Teachers

Hugh Bell School 1896
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Reading John Culberts memories, I was reminded of my own time at Hugh Bell from 1947 to 52. I believe Hugh Bell to have had the most significant influence on my future career together with the Southfield Road Baptist Scouts.

It made me try to think back to the teachers. They were in my opinion all sound and decent men. Anyway this is how I remember them. I would appreciate any corrections or additions if only to help maintain the memory of a fine institution.

'Spanky' Macfarlain - Craft
'Fred' Pickering - Commerce
'Buller" Madden - Maths and Deputy Head
'Charlie' Maingot - French
'Jock' Macbretty - Geography
'Baggy' Jones - English
'Pop' Fowley - History
'?' Backhause - Science
'Mick' Proctor - PT

I remember my two headmasters as 'Taffy' Evans and '?' Harmer. The former very tough and the latter gentle and learned.

Norman Jackson

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