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Shotley Bridge

Shotley Bridge photos (3 available)

Old photo of Shotley Bridge

Shotley Bridge maps (2 available)

Old map of Shotley Bridge

Shotley Bridge books (1 available)

Shotley Bridge memories

Shotley Bridge Hospital

My father was deputy head porter at the hospital, he worked there for 40 years. When I came out of the Royal Air Force in 1959 I did not work for a few months until early 1960 when my father gave me a job as a porter at the hospital. I worked mainly up at the huts, it was an interesting job. I did all kinds of things. I remember Jack Thompson who was the porter in the morgue, he used to help the doctor do post mortems. When I delivered mail I would knock on his door but would never go in. I really enjoyed my short time at the hospital. I left to get married in Buxton, Derbyshire.
Contributed by alan sanderson

Shotley Bridge Hospital

I was in Ward 24 in 1961 and 1962.

I remember Staff Carter, (who became Sister Carter), Sister Pinkerton, Nurse Beech, Staff Kendall ?

I cannot remember many of the other patients with whom I shared about three months during October - December.

Regards.
Contributed by adrian percy

Procter memorial Home

I have found three postcards sent to my father at the Procter Memorial Home round about 1911/12. I thought at first that he might have been recuperating from some illness, but reading one of the cards it suggests that he could be scouting for fires. The writer sends his best respects to Mr Souter? and all others.
I have searched for history of this building but can find nothing I wonder if anyone out there knows anything about it.
Contributed by Jean Dickinson

County Durham memories

Shotley Bridge Hospital

My father was deputy head porter at the hospital, he worked there for 40 years. When I came out of the Royal Air Force in 1959 I did not work for a few months until early 1960 when my father gave me a job as a porter at the hospital. I worked mainly up at the huts, it was an interesting job. I did all kinds of things. I remember Jack Thompson who was the porter in the morgue, he used to help the doctor do post mortems. When I delivered mail I would knock on his door but would never go in. I really enjoyed my short time at the hospital. I left to get married in Buxton, Derbyshire.
A memory of Shotley Bridge contributed by alan sanderson

Extracts From Shotley Bridge & County Durham books

Stockton-On-Tees, High Street 1951

Stockton was granted its market charter by Bishop Bek in 1310, but until the 1840s it consisted of little more than the High Street, a few side streets, and a quayside railhead for Stockton & Darlington Railway. On the right can be seen the parish church, which dates from 1712. Other 18th-century buildings were the Town House (1735) and the Customs House (1730).
An extract from from"County Durham Photographic Memories".

Billingham, Shopping Centre c1967

Billingham owes its development to the Great War, when a small chemical works opened nearby for the production of synthetic ammonia for use in explosives. Between the wars the population of Billingham rocketed as the works was expanded for the production of methanol, chemical fertilisers, and petrochemicals. The town centre was redeveloped from the late 1950s by Elder Lester & Partners; the Forum opened in 1967.
An extract from from"County Durham Photographic Memories".

Greatham, High Street c1955

In the 1950s Greatham consisted of little more than the High Street. In 1272 the Prior of Finchale founded a charity and a hospital here for ‘decayed priests’; the local vicar was usually appointed Master. Today the aged and needy do not necessarily have to have been clerics or their widows in order to benefit.
An extract from from"County Durham Photographic Memories".

Seaton Carew, the Green 1914

The Green was, and still is, one of the more picturesque parts of Seaton Carew; the houses were mostly built in the early 19th century. In the corner, with the steep bargeboarded gables, stands Sylvern House, dating from 1864.
An extract from from"County Durham Photographic Memories".

Ferryhill, Darlington Road 1959

Six miles from Durham and twelve miles from Darlington, Ferryhill was only a hamlet until the development of Dean & Chapter Colliery. With the colliery came rows of miners’ housing, such as those in Stephenson Street, Bessemer Street, Rennie Street, Davy Street, and Newton Street. By the eve of the Great War there were about 49,000 tied miners’ houses in the county housing 260,000 people, or 20 per cent of the county’s population.
An extract from from"County Durham Photographic Memories".