Last Chance for Over The Border Model

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fmttmadmin

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I have just been down to MIMA again to view Steve Waller's superb model of St Hilda's the original new town of Middlesbrough. He wanted to let everyone know that this Saturday will be the last chance for Boro fans to take a look at the model on your way to the match.
The model has actually attracted 1000s of people, many, like those we chatted with today were born or had relatives that were born Over The Border. Today there was a guy that was born in the King Billy pub, or William IV, its proper name. Because Middlesbrough was founded in the short reign of William IV, before Victoria.
Steve told me another person had been born in a caravan in the former market place. Today's visitor told us about a bearded guy with a turban that would sell a mysterious cough medicine on market day. He would speak in a gruff voice, someone would shout out, if its that good, you try it. He would take a spoonful and miraculously his voice would be restored to a rich baritone.
Anyway, please make time before the game on Saturday and you can get a tour from Steve and hear about the many tales he has been told over the past few weeks from Over The Border.

steve waller model web.jpg
 
As you may know I have researched a bit about St Hildas in the past and hosted an event with a recent archaeological dig. But today I learned something totally new to me.
I asked Steve and the gentleman born in the King Billy, what are those two cottages with red pan tiled roofs behind the old Cleveland Club (this now restored as Gibson Huose, Boho 4 a former classical styled bank).
Anyway, they told me there were two old cottages there. The former resident said they were rendered stone cottages. Steve speculated they may have been workers cottages for the nearby Middlesbrough Farm. I had no idea at all about their existence and survival well into the 20th century. I recall the Gosford Arms next door but the cottages must have long since gone.
 
The model leaves mima next week. Last day is this Sunday 6th November - opening hours that day are 12-4pm.
Last weekend to be amazed by the streets of old Middlesbrough and guided round by the model maker Steve Waller.
 
Lifelonfaninexile said:
Being an exile I have not managed to see this piece of genius, where is it going when it is moved?
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It is hoped it will go to a nearby office block in a glass case for a year - I presume this is the new council building with public access.
The long term ambition is for it to be housed in a renovated old Town Hall in St Hildas - how good would that be!?!
 
My Grandad grew up over the border, but left to join the army in the late 50s early 60s. My great nan lived there until she passed away in the 90s and my great uncle and his family lived there until he passed away in 2006 he lived over there and worked down the docks there most of his life. I used to pop over there and have a pint with him in The Ship or the Captain Cook when I was in my late teens. The stories I heard from my Grandad it was a very deprived area in the 40s and 50s.
 
Druss_The_Legend said:
My Grandad grew up over the border, but left to join the army in the late 50s early 60s. My great nan lived there until she passed away in the 90s and my great uncle and his family lived there until he passed away in 2006 he lived over there and worked down the docks there most of his life. I used to pop over there and have a pint with him in The Ship or the Captain Cook when I was in my late teens. The stories I heard from my Grandad it was a very deprived area in the 40s and 50s.
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There are photos of the inside of some of the houses on East or West Street in the 50s and it looks straight out of a Dickens novel - absolutely pitiful living conditions.
 
fmttmadmin said:
There are photos of the inside of some of the houses on East or West Street in the 50s and it looks straight out of a Dickens novel - absolutely pitiful living conditions.
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Over crowding was an issue from what I was told. Full families including extended family(grandparents, siblings, parents aunts,uncles and cousins) all living in small damp cottages/houses.
 
In the 19th century shift workers could actually take turns in the same beds. Some of the beds were even in cupboards under stairs
 
My ex was making a rare visit to Boro last week, so I recommended she pop in. She really enjoyed the day and spent half an hour chatting to Steve. She told him about the father of her best friend who happened to be my father's best friend when they both lived in town. He was found as a baby abandoned on a doorstep in West Street by a policeman named Syd - so he became Syd West. Luckily the copper wasn't called Fred.
 
Popping down on Saturday. Saw it in Steve's flat last year and he was on the phone this week reminding me I hadn't been to see it at mima yet! It's a remarkable piece of work, mind.
 
fmttmadmin said:
In the 19th century shift workers could actually take turns in the same beds. Some of the beds were even in cupboards under stairs
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What times does MIMA open on Saturday Rob? Definitely going to see it if its open before the game.
 
fmttmadmin said:
There are photos of the inside of some of the houses on East or West Street in the 50s and it looks straight out of a Dickens novel - absolutely pitiful living conditions.
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I was born over there. Lower East Street. Sadly never saw photos. Might try to go tomorrow.
Rob the guy said today that it is going into storage for a year until old Town Hall is finished.
 
asredastheycome said:
I was born over there. Lower East Street. Sadly never saw photos. Might try to go tomorrow.
Rob the guy said today that it is going into storage for a year until old Town Hall is finished.
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Going into storage right. Old Town Hall development doesn't even have any planning as yet. It could be years off.
 
Didnt the old Town Hall get refurbished some years ago and the land around it. If its getting done again it should have some form of presence and attendance.
 
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