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Ivy Close was a silent film actress born in Stockton in 1890 (although this plaque says 1893, nothing new with confusion about actresses ages)

Ivy won ‘The Most Beautiful Woman in the World’ contest organised by The Daily Mirror in 1908. Theres a huge amount of additional information and photos on the Picture Stockton site.

She was married to the photographer Elwin Neame, their son Roland Neame directed many films including The Poseidon Adventure.
The dynasty continued with their TV producer grandson Christopher Neame and great-grandson Gareth Neame.

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John Walkers sold his friction matches at his chemist and druggist at 59 High Street

The original building it now gone and replaced by the Castlegate Centre, although the location is now Boots, so still a chemists.

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John Walker (1781-1859) was the inventor of the friction match, this bust by Jose Sarabia dates from 1977.

The later plaque was unveiled on 29th May 1981 on the bi-centenary of Walkers birth at 104 High Street, all of that side of the High Street has since been redeveloped as the Castlegate shopping centre.