HARTLEPOOL TODAY

Entitled 'Heaven and Earth' townsfolk are undecided whether this expensive sculpture is a work of art or just a load of balls.

Fashioned in bronze, this magnificent statue of a stag watches over the new marina car park. It was unveiled in December 1999.

Situated on the Headland, this cannon, which was captured by British forces at Sebastepol during the Crimea War, keeps a watchful eye over the North Sea.

Despite being known as 'The Friarage', this sadly neglected building on the Headland was probably a mansion belonging to the lay proprietors of that institution. It would most likely have been constructed from the ruins of the Franciscan Friary following the dissolution in 1536.  In the early 1800s part of it was used as a poorhouse. I believe it is still reputed to be haunted by the Grey Lady whose presence was well known in the former St Hilda's Hospital.

Jackson's Landing shopping mall, taken in December 1999. This is part of the redevelopment of the old docks area.

The Wingfield Castle paddle steamer is now a tourist attraction at its port of birth, having spent its working life crossing the Humber.

West Hartlepool's parish Church until it closed in 1973, Christ Church was built from magnesian limestone excavated during the construction of Jackson Dock. The alter rails were made from 'bog oak' from the prehistoric peat beds in Hartlepool Bay.

Part of the new marina development, Jackson's Landing shopping mall is built on the site of the old Grays shipyard.

Built in 1873, and having stood derelict for many years, the Wesley Church has been restored and is now a nightclub, pub, and gym.

The Heugh breakwater on the Headland, built in the 1860s, is now in disrepair. The adjacent beach is known as the 'block sands' because it was here that the concrete blocks used in its construction were manufactured.

Looking towards the Historic Quay from Jackson's Landing. The ships masts are those of HMS Trincomalee, which is being restored here. Built in Bombay in1817 she is the second oldest warship afloat

In keeping with the maritime flavour of the new marina a ships' chandlers shopfront has been incorporated into the Jackson's Wharf pub.

All Saints Church, Stranton, dates from approximately 1129, in which year Robert de Brus granted it to Guisborough Priory.

  This plaque commemorating the German  bombardment during the First World War is situated on the Headland near to the lighthouse

The Fish Sands and Town Wall. Before the Fish Quay was built the catch was laid out on these sands for auction,

The Heugh Battery, built 1859. Shells from here and the Lighthouse Battery scored several direct hits on the German warships which bombarded the town in 1914.

Looking through the Sandwell Gate towards the old Pier

The Sandwell Gate from the beach. This gate derived its name from the now dried up Chalybeate Spring which was on the beach nearby, and the triangular abutments enclosing the arch are unique in English walled towns. The Town Wall is over eight feet thick at this point

St Hilda's Church, built by the de Brus family.  

Throston Engine House. Constructed of Magnesian Limestone in 1838/40, the building originally had a flat roof which housed a reservoir. The steam engine within hauled coal wagons from the Stockton and Hartlepool railway up to the coal staithes of the Hartlepool railway

This Victorian fountain in the town's Ward Jackson Park has recently been restored. Restoration doesn't seem to have gone as far as getting any water out of it though!

St Mary Magdalene Church at Hart village is the mother church of St Hilda's on the Headland. It dates from the 9th century. A 'witch' called Ellen Thompson was buried under the stile at the east entrance to the churchyard in 1596.This final resting place was chosen so that all coming into the churchyard would walk over her.

Carving of George and the Dragon on the south wall of Hart Church chancel. Thought to date from the 15th century, the carving must have been re-sited, since it was reported to be on the tower wall in 1823

This 14th century wall is all that remains above ground of the old Manor House at Hart, although archeological excavations have revealed extensive foundations under what is now the adjacent car park. This was probably the birthplace of King Robert the Brus of Scotland.

The Pilots Pier at the entrance to the Commissioners' Harbour. A pier is shown here on a map of 1585, although even earlier structures probably occupied the site.

The new Museum of Hartlepool sited at the marina. Well worth a look, and admission is free!

Built in 1860  HMS Warrior was the first British armoured battleship and the most powerful ship to that date. She arrived at Hartlepool as a wreck after years of being used as a floating jetty at Milford Haven.

The shipbuilding skills of Hartlepool craftsmen gradually restored her to her former glory. Since that time (mid 1970s) Hartlepool men have restored the paddle steamer 'Wingfield Castle' and the 1817 warship 'Trincomalee'. The town has now established a reputation for quality workmanship in this field.

The old Dock Office, built in 1853. The building behind is the oldest in the dock area. Built in 1844 it was originally the Ship Inn, and was reputed to have the longest bar in England. It was converted into the Customs House in 1880.

Watching a fishing boat at the entrance to the old West Harbour.

Looking up Church Street to Christ Church. The imposing building to the right of the picture is the Royal Hotel. Built in the mid 1840s  it fronted onto Albert Square, the original town centre of West Hartlepool. Unfortunately this Square lasted only eight years before the success of the docks forced a re-routing of the railway lines which then bisected it!

Looking across West Harbour, showing the marina lock gates on the left and the Tall Ships Centre under construction in the distance.

The Lion Brewery of J W Cameron & Co is probably the oldest surviving industry in Hartlepool. Founded by William Waldon of Stranton in 1852, J W Cameron took control in !872

The former Co-op Central Stores is one of the town's most imposing buildings. Plans to turn it into a luxury hotel failed, and sadly it is now used as yet another night club.

The grade 2 listed Municipal Buildings. Opened in 1889 following the incorporation of West Hartlepool as a Borough in 1887

This statue of the founder of the town, the Stockton solicitor Ralph Ward Jackson, looks down the length of Church Street on the town he created.

Standing in Church Square between the Municipal Buildings and Christ Church is the statue of Sir William Gray, of shipbuilding fame. He was the first mayor of West Hartlepool

A superb aerial photo showing the peninsula of the Headland. The breakwater is at the top of the picture, with the old pier to the right hand side. Saint Hilda's Church can be clearly seen a little way below the breakwater. The only blot on the landscape are the huge white sheds, used in oil industry construction, which should never have been allowed to be built on this site.