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A series of plaques were erected some years ago by Arts UK to mark the areas ironstone history.
“About to begin an early shift, a miner accidentally set his blasting powder off and wrecked his home near here. After that no miners were allowed to store their blasting powder at home.”
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A series of plaques were erected some years ago by Arts UK to mark the areas ironstone history.
“By 1871 the local mining company forbade spitting, swearing and drinking both at work and at home and employed a policeman to enforce these rules. Every payday he spent the evening trying to catch miners sneaking back from the pubs in Marske”
Pease & Partners were Quakers hence the no-drinking rules in their village.
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This sign is down an alley just off Borough Road. It mentions Arthur Thompson Auctioneer, Valuer and Estate Agent established 1866.
Judging by records held at the Teesside Archives, the company became Thompson and March Ltd around 1949, so it may predates that.
A smaller “Royal Liver Friendly Society” sign is also visible below.
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This stone stands on the village green in Greatham.
I have found a reference in the 1856 book “History, topography, and directory of the county palatine of Durham” by William Whellan that states.
‘The Barrington School, situated in the centre of the village, was erected in 1831 ; it is efficiently conducted, and well attended. There is also an Infant School, which was erected by subscription in 1831′
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I took this photo last summer, but never posted it as I couldn’t figure out any of the text.
Drove past the same location today to find the wall repainted and the sign lost. Does anyone know what it said ?
UPDATE : I think Bruce is right about Pratts looking at this logo.
I can also make out ‘GH TEST’ as above after that hint.
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The remains of this painted sign can be found on the end of the row of houses at St Johns Well.
There are mentions of a “Moulding Mill” and ‘Hardwoods of every description stocked” but most of the paint is gone now. Does anyone have any ideas about the company and age of the sign ?
UPDATE : At first I thought it could have been “John B Smith & Co” who had a yard in the area, but many thanks to Ian who has come up with some great additional info and old photo which show its “Foster Brotherton & Co Ltd”
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This rock was deposited by a glacier and discovered 12 feet below the surface when a nearby reservoir was being constructed
It was placed in the village to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria on 20th June 1887, by William Alexander Wooler (1831-91) of Sadberge Hall 
As pointed out below by Helen, the reservoir in question is the small one to the west of the village, rather than the large one at Long Newton
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The 1877/78 Thorpe Thewles viaduct was demolished spectacularly in 1979
This stone outside the village is part of the structure.
At the top of an embankment overlooking the village are a few scant remains of the viaduct
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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.