Greatham Railway Station

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I’ve been taking a short break from Hidden Teesside, but I return with a kind contribution from Michael Thompson.

Greatham Railway Station was opened on 10 February 1841 as a branch of the Clarence Railway, from Billingham to Hartlepool. The station finally closed on 24 November 1991. Apart from serving the residents of Greatham the station also served as a freight station for the nearby salt works.

(Info – Wikipedia: Greatham Railway Station)

Greatham Station looking east towards Hartlepool (Michael Thompson)

Although the station has now been deleted from the Ordnance Survey maps the road from Greatham to the station is still called Station Road.

Greatham Salt Works (Cerebos) , Greatham

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The site known as Greatham Saltworks was founded in the late 1800s before becoming Cerebos around the turn of the century. In 1968 Cerebos became part of Ranks Hovis McDougall and products such as Bisto Gravy and Atora Suet were manufactured.
Cerebos Greatham
From 1997 to closure in 2002 some Sharwoods products were made here, on the day I visited it was in the final stages of demolition.
Cerebos Greatham
The internals of site were photographed extensively on urbex sites such as 28 Days Later

Barrington School, Greatham

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This stone stands on the village green in Greatham.Barrington School, 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’

Greatham Church School / Community Centre

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A series of date stones are preserved in the wall of the current community centre. The first marks the foundation of the Greatham Church School in 1834 with the inscription ‘Non Nobis Domine’ which translates as “Not to us, O Lord”

Next is a 1878 rebuild with the inscription ‘Non Nobis Sed, Nomini Tuo Da Glorium’ which translates as “not to us, but to your name give glory” both parts being from Psalm 115

Greatham

The final stone simply marks a 1928 enlargement.

Spigot Mortar – Greatham Creek

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This metal pin is another part of the extensive network on anti-landing measures around Greatham Creek.
Spigot Mortar, 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.
Greatham Creek Bridge
The original bridge which has since been replaced, was itself mined to allow its total destruction