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Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough photos
Displaying the first of 38 old photos of Middlesbrough. View all Middlesbrough photos
Middlesbrough maps
Historic maps of Middlesbrough and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Middlesbrough maps
Middlesbrough area books
Displaying 1 of 3 books about Middlesbrough and the local area. View all books for this area
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Memories of Middlesbrough
Displaying a selection of personal
memories of Middlesbrough.
There are 11 shared memories to read.
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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 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
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 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."
“Play Up, Play Up, And Play The Game!”
My memory bank has been activated by the contributed items about Hugh Bell Central School, though my recollections of Hugh Bell are older than those published on this website. My years at Hugh Bell were 1938 to 1942 and so my memories have had many years to fade and I’ve been living on the far side of Canada in the beautiful Okanagan Valley since 1948. Most of the teacher’s names have passed into oblivion, but who could forget the irascible Arthur E. Evans. I remember all too well the day I was speeding to get to school in time. It was raining hard as I sped along, I think, Borough Rd. and turned hard on to (could it be) Albert Rd.? A High School girl was riding hard in the opposite direction. We each leaned hard in a vain attempt to avoid the other idiot, but our front wheels touched and we both went flying, she one way, me the other. Not only did the crash break my front mudguard into... Read more
Hugh Bell And Old Mans's Park
A nice memory of Hugh Bell School was that at assembly each morning when the weather was fine, the old men would sit in the park outside to listen to our hymn singing. Hence "Old Man's Park". They had no money and their scruffy dogs were on bits of string while they filled in their time with nothing to do. Could you imagine old men these days listening to children sing hymns? Not everything has changed for the better.
Old North Ormesby.
My grandma lived in Stovin Street and I attended Westbourne Grove Methodist Church from about 1948 until 1956ish. I remember the hospital and the wonderful markets where we used to buy a penny bag of winkles. I also remember the Gem cinema (local flee pit but fabulous). Above the Gem was Central Mission, a very happy religious place, I don't know what denomination but it was great fun (no sermon). St Alphonsus church was at the top end of Kings Road where my parents had a grocery business. I used to serve in the shop and women used to come in and buy refreshers (sweets) to use as counters for the bingo at the church. Next to the police station again on Kings Road was the library where we used to borrow Enid Blyton books. Lynas Brothers used to have a funeral business in the same road. What excitment when the Magestic cinema opened on the Trunk Road. Oh I could ramble on forever about the REALLY GOOD OLD DAYS Hope... Read 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 new school on the Stainsby site.
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 worked for Dormans but not for Long! You would have to be from the Boro to appreciate that 'joke'!I was also interested in the fact that you were in Royal Signals for 2 years. I served in Royal Signals 27 years basically as the result of George Harmers advice and recommendation. He was dead right I loved it and served all over the world only left for family reasons but having reached the rank of Captain from that of a Beverley Boy Soldier. In fact the year i left I was due to become Major. So I owe a lot to good old Hugh Bell and in particular George... Read 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 as "Becky". Although these times were not good ones because of the war, black outs etc., that little shop was packed from opening to closing and created a fantastic place of togetherness. A place to meet and support each other.
I remember walking from our home in Chester Street, Cargo Fleet, to the shop and home again after closing when all the cinemas and pubs had closed. I look back with fondness on those times and have often wondered if there is anyone who remembers my mum and also anyone with memories/photos of Cargo Fleet. I do hope this stirs up some memories for you.....Cliff Wilson
