Middlesbrough, Cleveland

Family Tree

My father's family came to Middlesborough at the time of the Pig-Iron. He came from Worcestershire, around Lye. His name was Robert Jepson. He had 4 sons and 1 daughter. Charles Jepson, being my great grandfather. Fred Jepson, his son being my grandfather. Fred and his brother Frank were professional footballers for Spennymoor United Football Club, and received a medal medallion... [more]

Its a Small World - Clifford Wilson

Hi, I was interested to see you were in 4p Clifford as I was also and of course Dickie Purvis was a familiar name to me as he became School Captain with me as Vice. Our House if I remember rightly was Dormans, which is where I had my first job for a very short time - in other words i... [more]

Hugh Bell School

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... [more]

Hugh Bell Teachers

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.... [more]

John McFarlane

Sorry, but this slightly worries me. My uncle was John McFarlane, who for my memory taught at Stainsby School as the Head of Bell house. But I have heard of people describe him as 'Spanky'. I don't know if he worked at High Bell, but it's very possible. Interestingly, I now work for the firm of architects who are building a... [more]

My Old School - John V. Culbert  

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... [more]

Cargo Fleet

I have many memories associated with this church in as much as it was where I went to Sunday School and my brother James was an Altar Boy and chorister. During the war years my mum ran the "Castrees" fish and chip shop in the market square right opposite the church. Her name was Rebecca Wilson but she was always known... [more]

Opening of Albert Park

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... [more]

North Yorkshire Photographic Memories

The electric street tramway system operated on 3ft 6in gauged track, and opened in 1898, the same year as similar systems in Bradford, Glasgow, Halifax, Liverpool, Stockton, Cork and Kidderminster.

North Yorkshire Photographic Memories

The Grand Opera House opened in 1904 at a cost of £38,000, but struggled and was taken over by John Imeson in 1909. Imeson was one of the leading figures in the town's entertainment business; his involvement with the theatre began in 1866, when he started building the Royal Albert Theatre. In 1870 it was renamed the Theatre Royal and did... [more]

North Yorkshire Photographic Memories

On the left is the old Town Hall, which was built in 1846; the town fire engine was also kept here. A new and rather grand Town Hall, designed by Alfred Waterhouse, was opened in 1889 by the Prince of Wales; it cost £130,000 to build.