Nostalgic memories of Stanhope's local history
Share your own memories of Stanhope and read what others have said
For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.
Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.
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Displaying Memories 21 - 30 of 59 in total
Yes we were bad lads who went to Stanhope. The first words Mr Bowles said to me was "I tame lions and tigers just like you" then slapped me across the face. Remember that? As for the teachers: Glendenning Mctavish, Mellody Maddison, Stewart Wheeler and Headmaster Bowls and Miss Fergison. Yes I think most of us will remember them, some for good some for bad. The first three years was just growing up. ...see more
I am sorry to read some of these descriptions of your time there. Mr. Maddison, McTavish, Jones, Peart (GYM teacher) Wheeler ( Woodwork) and one who lived in between Grenville & Drake Dorms, I found very fair, firm yes, Mr Bowles, HEADMASTER, wacked & caned me both on knuckles & rear, but I still found him FAIR.
Matron was very fair, food was good, sport GREAT, exercise very good.
My gripe was that we all ...see more
Hi Edward, were you at Castle School in the early 1960s, 1961 to 1963? That's when I was there, I was in Crawley house, my name by the way is Ray Palfreyman, known in them days as Polly. I remember the lad you mentioned and his name was Danny Slaven, he was in Sofly House and the bastard that used to abuse him was Maddison, I remember he used to make him run while beating him with his walking stick to try and make him run faster, he was a sadistic bastard. Do you remember me?
I was caned regularly by Mr Bowls. My mother came to see once and saw the welt marks on the back of my legs and another lad called David Hyde, she went down to his house and tried dragging the matron out, the matron was screaming out that Bowls was in his office. My mam barged in and set about him, me and David Hyde ran down to the office and the coward Bowls was cowering down on the floor with his glasses lopsided ...see more
I was that place, nothing but bad memories.
I am now 62 and never foget that place, I remember when I was about eight or nine we were made to go a long run and one of the lads said he did not feel well, but he was made to do it. When he got back he went to see the matron and an ambulance was called, he sadly died (polio), I have never forgotten the bastard who made him run.
I was made to work in the gardens across the road, that is when I ran away.
Hi David, I was in the Castle School from 1961 to 1964. I was also in Crawley House laundry no 84. And I rememeber you, was your laundry number 86? I used to spend a lot of time with George March, Marchie was his nickname. I also remember the imfamous Mr Bowles who as you rightly put was an evil B-----d along with his equally evil animals Mr Maddison, Bewdley House & Mr Stewart, Softley house. Stewart was ...see more
Hi, my name Jacko, I left the castle in 1972, never been the same since. All bad memories. Hi Jaff, how's life? I was only a kid and no kid should go through what we went through. I spent all my time running away. I remember little red shorts and tops we had to wear, we must have looked a sight going for walks in all red or green blue or yellow. Remember. Get in twos. If you could not count, hold hands. I went on to ...see more
I remember Miss Turnbull very well. She was the school nurse and assistant matron when Mrs Bowles was absent.
She lived in a wing of the castle and attached to her flat was a two bedded room where you were looked after, fed, watered and medicated. Miss Turnbull wore a ward sister's uniform. She was very kind, compassionate and caring.
The domestic staff were all local people and the food was excellent ...see more
I remember Nurse Turnbull, she was a very nice person, caring and kind - Victor Bates (email address: alfredpoldark@hotmail.com)
On the 9th of April, this year, 2011, I travelled from Cambridge to Stanhope on the train. The Diesel pulling us was the 'Roy Castle'. I hadn't travelled on the route since the 1960's, especially from Darlington to Bishop Auckland, and I had never been on the line from Bishop to Stanhope. It was very nostalgic for me as my Grandparents had lived in Bishop Auckland and my Grandad would meet ...see more