Middlesbrough memories
Here are memories of Middlesbrough and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Middlesbrough or a Middlesbrough photo.
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
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. 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
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 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.
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 which hangs on a necklace. I still have it. It declares that they won it in 1917. Frank ran a newsagent in Middlesborough. His brother Harold drove trams for the town of Middlesborough, and then Reginald, who died in 1941, and a daughter Gladys Jepson. It is not known whom Gladys married, and it would be interesting to know. So, if there is anyone out there whose mom was Gladys, please contact me.
Fred Jepson had 2 children - Constance and Dennis, my aunt and my father. It would be great to hear from anyone that remembers him.
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
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.
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
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
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 .
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