Archive for June, 2009

Captain Cooks Birthplace, Stewart Park, Middlesbrough

The cottage which was the birthplace of Captain James Cook in 1728 stood in what is now Stewart Park.

Cooks Birthplace, Stewart Park, Middlesbrough Cooks Birthplace, Stewart Park, Middlesbrough  

It was actually demolished in 1786, its position was originally marked by cobbles but was replaced by Bolckow with a granite vase in 1858

Cooks Birthplace, Stewart Park, Middlesbrough 

Marton Hall Collonade, Stewart Park, Middlesbrough

This is all that remains of Henry Bolckows residence, built in 1856. The original building showing the collonade can be seen here

Marton Hall, Stewart Park, Middlesbrough Marton Hall, Stewart Park, Middlesbrough Marton Hall, Stewart Park, Middlesbrough

The house burnt down just before it was due to be demolished in 1960, it is now the site of the Captain Cook Birthplace Museum. and has some interesting Totum Poles outside. Northwest Coast Canadian totem pole by Tim Paul and Richard Hunt (1979) and Community totem pole by North East carver David Gross (2006) 

Totum Poles, Stewart Park, Middlesbrough

Also theres the Marton Moai made with stone from Aislaby

 Easter Island Head, Stewart Park, Middlesbrough

Finally a short distance to the west, stands a garden temple

Gothic Temple, Stewart Park, Middlesbrough 

Alpha Place, Saltburn

Alpha Place was the first building in “new” Saltburn, the foundation stone was laid by Joseph Pease on 23rd January 1861, before the line opened on 19th August 1861.

Alpha Place and Train, Saltburn  

It stood directly in the middle of what is now Milton Street between Garnet Street and Ruby Street, and was demolished in 1908 to extend Milton Street.

Alpha Place Map, Saltburn 

The foundation stone has since been reused and can be seen in flats on Marine Parade.

Alpha Place Stone, Saltburn 

 

Brian Clough Statue, Albert Park, Middlesbrough

The status by Vivien Mallock was unveiled on May 16th, 2007. It is positioned where Brian crossed the park on his way to Ayresome Park.

 Boro 079  Boro 080

The statue was removed in March 2009 when cracks developed in the leg and returned in June 2009 with a redesigned plinth.

St Hildas Bells, Middlesbrough

The 8 bells from St Hildas are now located in central Middlesbrough.

St Hildas Bells, Middlesbrough St Hildas Bells, Middlesbrough St Hildas Bells, Middlesbrough

They date from 1864 and were cast by Mears and Stainbeck, bells were donated by Bolckow and Vaughan, Thomas Vaughan, Cochrane and Company, Joseph Pease, Hopkins and Company, Gilkes Wilson Company, Clay Lane and South Bank Iron Companies and the local clergy.

St Hildas Bells Plaque, Middlesbrough St Hildas Bells Plaque, Middlesbrough

St Hildas Bells Plaque, Middlesbrough St Hildas Bells Plaque, Middlesbrough

St Hildas Bells Plaque, Middlesbrough

After the demolition of the church in 1969 they were stored until 1975, then hung in a side street at the south side of All Saints Church, in 2005 they were moved to the current more prominent location.

 

 

Bottle of Notes Scupture, Middlesbrough

The Bottle of Notes by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen has been in Middlesbrough since 1993. Their website includes interesting photos of the construction and transportation of the sculpture

 Middlesbrough Bottle Of Notes

The outer text is from the 1768 ships log of Captain James Cook.

“We had every advantage we could desire in observing the whole of the passage of the planet Venus over the Sun’s disc”

The inner text is from a poem written by Coosje van Brugen

“I like to remember seagulls in full flight gliding over the ring of canals.”

St Hildas Churchyard, Tower Green, Middlesbrough

The chuch of St Hildas was demolished in 1969, all that remains is a brick block marking the position of the altar from which even the plaque has been stolen. The housing that replaced it is already being demolished.

Middlesbrough, St Hildas Plaque (gone) 

The area is surrounded with flattened gravestones which are now all virtually covered in grass,

Middlesbrough, St Hildas Grave 

Middlesbrough Millennium Arch

A relatively modern relic built by the Marske Machine Company that used to stand in Victoria Park before it was relocated. It now stands in Ayresome Gardens

Middlesbrough Millenium Arch Middlesbrough Millenium Arch

 

Fountains and Bandstand, Albert Park, Middlesbrough

Joseph Pease donated the fountain decorated with herons and swans in 1869.

 Middlesbrough, Fountain, Albert Park

The current bandstand is a replica of the 1871 original made by George Smith and Co. of Glasgow.

Middlesbrough, South Bandstand, Albert Park 

West Lodge and Memorial Clock, Albert Park, Middlebrough

West Lodge was actually built in 1866, two years before Albert Park was opened

Middlesbrough West Lodge, Albert Park 

There should be a plaque of dedication on the right, but it appears to be missing currently, there is coat of arms with Middlesbroughs motto “Erimus” which is Latin for ‘We shall be’. There is a carved owl to the rear of the building, possibly something to do with the Friends of Albert Park who I think are based there.

Middlesbrough West Lodge, Albert Park Middlesbrough, Carved Owl, Albert Park

The memorial clock was donated by Councillor Thomas Sanderson in 1900. It was manufactured by Walter Macfarlane & Co. of Glasgow.

Middlesbrough, Memorial Clock and West Lodge, Albert Park  

South African War Memorial

Lieutenant General Sir Henry Leslie Randle, unveiled the to the memorial to 1899-1902 South African war on 7th June 1905

Middlesbrough, South African War Memorial, Albert Park Middlesbrough, South African War Memorial, Albert Park Middlesbrough, South African War Memorial, Albert Park

Crystallization Sculpture, Albert Park, Middlesbrough

2004 Sculpture by Andrew Mckeown

Middlesbrough, Crystallization Sculpture, Albert Park  Middlesbrough, Crystallization Sculpture, Albert Park

Middlesbrough, Crystallization Sculpture, Albert Park 

Bust of Henry Bolckow, Albert Park, Middlesbrough

The ’Bolckow Niche’ was at West Lodge near the park gates from 1898 and moved to its current location some time around 2004. It was donated by the Evening Gazettes founder, Hugh Gilzean Reid.

Middlesbrough Bolkow Bust, Albert Park Middlesbrough Bolkow Bust, Albert Park

Sundial, Albert Park, Middlebrough

The sun dial was donated by Henry Bolckow in 1879 (aong with the park itself in 1868)

Middlesbrough Sun Dial, Albert Park 

It was designed by John Smith of Stockton and gives the times in New York and Melbourne as well as Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough Sun Dial, Albert Park Middlesbrough Sun Dial, Albert Park 

The plaque below it shows corrections for the time of year, accounting for BST its pretty much spot on for the time I took the photo.

 Middlesbrough Sun Dial, Albert Park

Crimean War Cannon, Memorial Garden Albert Park, Middlesbrough

The cannon has a long history and has been in several locations since arriving in 1858, it overlooked Cannon Lake in Albert Park until 1947 before being dumped in Stewarts Park, recovered after an Evening Gazette campaign in 1965, with the Territorial Army until 1978, then to the Dorman Museum for 23 years and finally over the road into the Albert Park Memorial Garden in 2001

Middlesbrough, Memorial Cannon, Albert Park  

The right inscription mentions 1824, which is the year the cannon would have been cast.

Middlesbrough, Memorial Cannon, Albert Park Middlesbrough, Memorial Cannon, Albert Park

There are a number of other plaques to other conflicts and causes in the Memorial Garden

Middlesbrough Memorial Garden, Albert Park Middlesbrough Memorial Garden, Firefighters, Albert Park

Middlesbrough Memorial Garden, Green Howards, Albert Park Middlesbrough Memorial Garden, Navy and Marines, Albert Park

 

National and Provincial Bank, Cleveland Club, Middlesbrough

Designed as the National and Provincial Bank in 1872 by John Gibson. The portico features a sculpture of Britannia with an ironworker and a miner

Cleveland Club, National And Provincial Bank, Middlesbrough Cleveland Club, National And Provincial Bank, Middlesbrough

Cleveland Club Detail 

The original ornate doors are now on a bar at 42 Albert Road, the 24 panels inscribed are with Greek lettering showing coins from the Mediterranean.

Middlesbrough, Baracuda Doors 

 The site was originally the location of the home of ship builder John Gilbert Holmes and later became the Cleveland Club

Cleveland Club, National And Provincial Bank, Middlesbrough   

 

Cleveland Buildings, Middlesbrough

The Cleveland Buildings from 1840 were the home of Henry Bolckow and his brother-in-law John Vaughan

Cleveland Buildings, Middlesbrough 

There are a couple of plaques already in place.

Cleveland Buildings, Middlesbrough Cleveland Buildings, Middlesbrough

Also commemorated is a later resident Sir William Crosthwaite, Mayor of Middlesbrough and founder of the Tees Towing Company.

Cleveland Buildings, Middlesbrough