Show on map Parts of the church are thought to date from the 12th century although the main tower is from 1901 by Temple Moore.
During repairs in 1827 this stone depicting a dragon attacking a horse/cow/panther (opinions vary)Â was discovered under the floor, it is thought to be Anglo-Saxon.
A stone coffin was also found under the floor at the same time.
Show on map I posted earlier this year about the Wesleyan Chapel
Sadly in April 2013 demolition started
In early May 2013 this was revealed
It would appear to be a passage from Psalm 100
‘Enter into his gates with praise, and into his courts with rejoicing’
Show on map This sign relates to the opening times of the pub during the livestock mart, as far as I can tell a pub called the Red Lion existed here until around 1970.
As far as I can make out it says :-
These premises are permitted to be open 11am to 10pm on Tuesdays for the convenience of those attending the mart.
Show on map The land for the Mechanics Institute was donated by Admiral Chalenor in 1861, the mechanics in question would be the ones associated with the booming local ironstone trade at that time. An 1866 report lists 54 pupils.
Surprisingly this is not a listed building.
Show on map The first bridge at Whorlton was started on 9th June 1829, on 13th October 1829 the incomplete bridge was swept away in a huge flood.
The foundation of the north pier of the replacement chain bridge was laid on 19th August 1830 with the main chains being slung on 1st April 1831, the complete bridge opened on 7th July 1831.
The architect was Mr Green of Newcastle and the builder Welsh of Gateshead. The toll booth at the north end carries a reproduction of the fees to cross.
Show on map Backhouse’s Bank was founded in 1774 in Darlington by Quaker, James Backhouse. This ‘branch’ is at Preston Hall Museum. Jonathan Backhouse was heavily involved in the £125,000 financing of the Stockton & Darlington Railway.
In 1896 Backhouse merged with other Quaker banks, Gurney of Norwich and Barclays of London to form what is still known today as Barclays Bank.
I’m not sure which branch this plaque originated from, possibly Stockton given the date and current location ?
Show on map Despite being wrapped in black plastic yesterday, for the 1st of May the penguins have been enveiled.
They have moved numerous times since they appeared in 1994 with the placement of the bandstand and more recently with the placement of Sinterlation.
In the background you can see that the picture postcard are back, but they now stretch the pull length of the seafront (theres a puzzle to solve if you look closely for hidden letters)