The Town Hall c1955, Thornaby
The Town Hall c1955, Thornaby Ref: T122006
Memories of The Town Hall c1955, Thornaby
17 Caledonia Street
I was born at 17 Caledonia Street in 1958, delivered by a lady known as Aunty Didd who lived across our street. The second son of Billy and Gwen Mason, originally from Cannon Street, Middlesborough. Yes Rosemary, the street was cobbled with high curbs. The shop was owned by I think Jimmy Spyte (Spyties) who was also a fireman? Our mam would send us with a note (written on the back of a sugar bag) to get groceries on the slate to be paid at the end of the week, we got a little bag of sweets if Mam paid on time. All the kids would play out in the street and we used to play football aganst the police station wall, no one ever complained in those days. We went to the Misson Sunday School on New Street (Mam still has our booklets with the stamps in). Dad worked as a welder at Kennedy Gratings next to Minnories Garage, Stockton (where I would later serve my apprenticeship as panel... Read more
Thornaby & local memories
Read and share memories of Thornaby and Cleveland inspired by Frith photos.
The Langcake Family
Does anyone remember the Langcake family who lived in Thornaby on Thornaby Road? Great Aunt Ruth Langcake was a teacher, Queens Stret School, unless I'm mistaken, she lived with her blind sister Isabella/Bella. My dad, John Albert Langcake's father was a Policeman and he lived in Lanehouse Road, he married France Doreen Roberts. Any info about this family would be great.
RAF Thornaby
I was stationed at RAF Thornaby for three years from 1954, and was welcomed into the community. I made friends with my namesake, Pat Whelan, and was invited to his home for some good parties. I also remember the Malloby family. There was a lad who worked in the cookhouse as a civilian washroom worker and I hung about with him and his mates at the Italian cafe. I also remember the pub at the Thornaby side of the bridge closed half an hour before the one on the Stockton side, as then Thornaby was in Yorkshire and Stockton was County Durham. We used to run over the bridge to get extra drinks. Also I recall going to a dance in Stockton and the entertainer was Lonnie Donegan at the start of his career. All told you were great friendly people to a stranger. I'm 73 now. I was a cook on the drome, hope someone add something who was also around then.
My Home Town....
I was born in 1972 and moved to Thornaby in 1973 where I spent my life until the age of 24. People used to tease me that I was brought up in Thornaby and I was nicknamed 'the roughian'. People would say don't get on the wrong side of her (meaning me!) as I would punch their lights out! The more I defended the town, the more I was ribbed. So Thornaby has a reputation which I am not sure how it came about. I was brought up in Balmoral Avenue which is still a lovely road with 'nice' people living there. I went to Harewood Infants, Westbury Juniors and The Dene (as was) and I regard myself as having a 'decent' upbringing. I don't swear necessarily, I drink in moderation, I don't beat anyone up and I haven't been to jail....yet!!!! So I was wondering if anyone out there could tell me when in fact the quiet little place in Teesside became known as a rough diamond? A X... Read more
