Winterton

Billy Nattress driving the scratter, John Morgan paced your stretch. HARD work for 12/6 a day, 'tax free'. The best job was emptying the swills (baskets) and 'Don't forget your bucket of free taties'. The field is now an airfield.                              

Hesleden 70's

I was born in Hesleden and lived there until I left for college in 1979.

I can remember there were as many pubs as shops ! Workmen's club, Conservative Club, The Golden Calf which featured big in my life.. I worked there with Janice and Ernest and ended up recruiting my friend Jillian and most of the female members of our family to work in the restaurant. I moved onto the bars and can remember working with Phyllis!!

Obviously went to Hesleden Primary School and can remember having to change into black plimsolls for gym. I think the whole school shared the same shoes !!
We had school dinners delivered and we all ate in the main assembly hall. To this day I can still remember the smell of the custard.

Mr Jackson was my favourite teacher and we used to stand at his Car window while he gave us sweets for answering capital cities questions correctly. He wore a long black leather coat (which looking back... Read more

Hesleden in The 1950s & 1960s

I've visited the old place several times and where I was born and lived has gone! I was born at no.1 West Terrace in 1950, then moved across the road to Gladstone house on Station Road. My dad, Reg Wright, had a printing shop in the 1950s and later my mam, Doris, had a general goods shop in the early 1960s. Dad was also organist at the church and was involved in a lot of village activities. I was only tiny in the early 1950s when the powers to be decided that everybody should move to the 'new' town of Peterlee. Dad composed a little ditty which went something like 'We don't want to go to Peterlee, town of misery, not for you or me.....'etc. We lived in Peterlee for a few months then moved back to Hesleden. Funny how things stick, isn't it? My first day at Hesleden infants was most memorable for the thwack on the back of the hand from Miss Hewitson's ruler for not paying attention and believe me,... Read more

Schooldays

The Campus Schools c1965
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Billingham Campus School consisted of four halls - Bede, pictured in the foreground, Davy behind and Faraday furtherst away.  The fourth hall, Stephenson was about 800 yards away, not pictured.  There was a sports block with a swimming pool which can just be seen to the left of this photograph.

Those Were The Days

The Campus Schools c1965
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I was still a teenager, 17 years old and my baby brother at school at Bede Campus. I escaped the campus by virtue of it not having been completed when I passed the 11+. The town centre in Billingham was still being built, and we used to hang out in the park - John Whitehead. In those days, pleasures were simple, roller skate in the street (though not when neighbours were on nightshift and so still sleeping) cycle around the neighbourhood, walk, swim at the local pool or go to the bowling alley. Cafes used to open late so we could sit and have a coffee at 8 o'clock. There was no early morning tv which used to start mid to late afternoon so we kids were encouraged to spend our time outdoors which to me now is remembered as being warmer, drier and longer summers? I was often given sandwiches in the summer holidays and went off to amuse myself all day long, sometimes bringing... Read more

Billingham Town Centre in The 1970s

The Campus Schools c1965
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I often sit now in the town centre and ponder on the days gone by .. not that I'm that old but Billingham has sadly aged quicker than a tired old dog. The Forum Theatre, and the big name stars that visited it then, are now faded memories, just like the Forum's splendour. I can remember the fish pond and fountains that were adjacent to Woolworths, the monkey cages and glass reptile houses opposite Miles newsagent (does anyone have any photos?). I remember as a child along along with my brothers and sisters our mam every Saturday morning would take us to Finlays Cafe, we would have milk shake or tea with warm teacakes and melted butter. She would be stopped by almost everyone in the whole world and chat for what seemed like hours while me and my siblings would run around the bandstand or, if brave, up the stairs to the bowling alley above Asda. Although scarey it was always a place to run and hide before... Read more

Best Days of You Life?

The Campus Schools c1965
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I was lucky enough to attend Bede Hall. We had a terrific staff team in those days - Clive Bell, Peter Dixon, the late Annie Woodward et al. The whole experience was mind blowing, as the mix of administered and self discipline was a whole new ball game. I have to say, it worked very well at the time, although educational policies seem to have been in a rapid downward spiral ever since. What a shame! The standard of teaching was generally very high (there were one or two exceptions), and we learned various life skills along the way. One example was that respect was a two way street! I don't ever recall a 'Because I said so!'. No! Always an enthusiastic 'Well the reason for this is....'. Result? Well, you always walked away not necessarily happy, but aware of the reasons for whatever was bugging you at the time. The campus itself was a place of wonder; especially when you had come from a small junior school in the old... Read more