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”

Ivy Close was a silent film actress born in Stockton in 1890 (although some websites say 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.

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.

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.