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This metal pin is another part of the extensive network on anti-landing measures around Greatham Creek.
It was the mounting point for a Spigot Mortar or Blacker Bombard which would have been able to fire a 20lb anti-tank explosive approximately 100 yards, presumably at any invading force on the nearby bridge.
The original bridge which has since been replaced, was itself mined to allow its total destruction
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After a little more research and some input from readers i’m now confident these are the remains of a QF decoy site called Greenabella. These sites lit controlled fires during air raids to appear as targets struck by bombs. This location was a civil decoy for Middlesbrough.
A reference in ‘Fields of Deception’ by Colin Dobinson idenifies a generator house and site shelter at this location.
Both have an offset entrance or a blast wall for protection
I think the larger structure with the holes for pipes and a chimney is likely to be the generator building, with the smaller structure the shelter.
Other decoy sites in the area also have unusual structures.
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This water wheel dates from around 1850 and was part of Fidlers Mill, which was only demolished as recently as 1983.
The actual location of mill was under the co-op car park, and its thought a mill existed on that site since the times of the Domesday book.
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All that remains of the church from 1865 is the lych gate and graveyard.
The church was demolished in the late 1960s along with most of Haverton Hill due to heavy pollution.
I have only been able to find one tiny composite photo of what the church actually looked like.
A plan of the layout fortunately available online
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This pump stands in the middle of the village green, it doesnt work as its also a flower pot.
The plaque on the rear records it was donated by Dr and Mrs G Rider in July 2000 to commemorate the millenium.
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A number of the houses around the village green in Hutton Rudby have date stones from the 1700s
A booklet about the village by Alice Barrigan suggests the house dated 1745 was once a pub, possibly called the William IV, it still has a horse mounting step outside.
This stone names David & Everell Simpson – AD 1754
Nearby Mary Tunssall – AD 1755
I alwasy find it fascinating that most small villages usually contain buildings that pre-date events such as the creation of the USA.
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The Flaming Stump was an inn that stood on Portrack Lane, by the banks of the Tees. It was rumoured to be heavily involved in smuggling and featured the eloborate ‘Angel Room’ sculpted by a craftsman called Palini
The course of the Tees was shortened and straightened by the Tees Navigation Company and the Portrack Cut was completed in 1831, although the old course of the river is still very apparent on this 1899 map before the area was developed. This change lead to the inn closing and becoming Portrack Grange Farm also shown on the map below.
The buildings were still in existance as late at 1959 before being demolished, fortunately a photograph exists of the Angel Room in 1950
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The ‘D13′ building is an original part of the Stockton to Darlington Railway.
It was an agents house and coal depot.
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This type 23 pillbox now stands at the edge of a trading estate between Cowpen Bewley and Haverton Hill.
Its positioning is a little mysterious as its well away from the road and old maps show nothing in the area but empty fields. Although there was much industry in the general area.
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The inventor of the friction match in around 1827, died 1 May 1859 and was buried here.
This is actually a replacement headstone from July 1972 and it says the original is in the Preston Park museum
However the heavily weathered stone next to it also mentions John Walker which seems a bit too co-incidental, although its too worn to make out any dates.
