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Dormanstown
A brief History and some of it's people
In 1917, the steelworks of Dorman Long required workmen, so the company decided to build a whole new community, similar to a “garden city”. The village was developed on a flat marshy windswept costal site, of 850 acres. The associate architects chosen to erect the first 300 houses were Stanley Davenport Adshead, Ramsey, and Albert Abercrombie. S.D.Adshead was renowned for his exquisite craftsmanship and the Baroque building style. The layout of two concretic semi circles and symmetrical lines, had completeness and unity. Previously the only building was Westfield House and Adshead stood in front of the house facing both the steelworks and the sea, and drew his plans from this position. He used crescents, cul-de-sacs and closes. The houses were modest and charming Georgian buildings with sash windows and delicately moulded doors. A light railway was built to carry materials from the works to the building site, the railway track is now called Ennis road, so called after the works manager. The colonnades of the shops can still be seen today. The builder’s chosen were Messrs Jones & SONS, OF Westminster and Messrs Costain Brothers of Liverpool. When finished three streets were named after the three architects. Owing to a shortage of bricks, the houses were built with steel frames and filled with concrete These Dorlonco houses were demolished in 1979. There were kitchen houses for manual workers and parlour houses for clerical staff; Gas was supplied free to every house. When completed in 1920, Dormanstown housed 342 families. A stream from the nearby hills ran through the western end of the village, called The Fleet, this eventually entered the river Tees. There was a railway track from the Upleatham mines to the steelworks, until the ironstone ceased to be produced; it then became a rough, ancient pathway from the nearby village of Wilton, to the Fleet end of Dormanstown, known as Meggits Lane. A row of six cottages (now demolished) were called Wiley Brigg, after a nearby plantation. The two main roads- South Avenue and Broadway run the entire length of Dormanstown from East to West. With a few exceptions the streets are named in three distinct blocks. The older group to the west were named after councillors and the architects, engineers and officials responsible for the development. The later group was named after the villages of East Cleveland, and a later phase built to the south was named after the Yorkshire Dales. In the 1930’s four blocks of cottages were built for pensioners. The block of twenty cottages called Dormans Crescent are Grade II listed buildings, as they have the distinction of being the first homes in England to be constructed for local senior citizens. Following the cessation of hostilities in 1946, more than 50 prefabricated were built in Meggitt Avenue to accommodate squatters who had previously lived in the derelict army camp at Green Lane Redcar.
The school was a tin hut on the Green, and the teacher spent much of her time stoking up an old-fashioned stove in an endeavour to keep some warmth in the room. The first junior school was opened by Lady Dorman, in May 1926, catering for 400 pupils. At the opening ceremony a class of school children sang two songs Jerusalem the golden and Green Lanes of England, the invited guests were very impressed and the entire class were invited to Councillor Lonsdale’s café as a thanks for the performance.
The first local bus nick named Tin Lizzie ran from Dormanstown to Redcar for 1d return, there were frequent breakdowns. Eventually there were two Redwing buses, much more reliable but costing 2d return. The Majestic was a cinema built on open ground and was known locally as The Bug and Flea for sixpence people sat on a bench, but seats were ninepence. The building catered for other events, similar to our modern community centres.
There is a Dormanstown re-generation scheme. Committed to improving the economical and environmental prospects of the area. There is a Dormanstown Regeneration news community paper. Two social clubs exist The British Legion, and the British Steel club. Racing pigeon enthusiasts have a flying club, the library is well used a recent survey estimated 57% of households own a car. There are two public houses, The Fairway and The Kingfisher.Dormanstown is not well provided with shops.
All Saints Church was built in 1932 and St. William’s Catholic Church in 1939. The former Methodist Church, built in 1935, has been demolished. The extensive Trunk Road Recreation Ground is used for Gala’s and other events. The Domanstown Delegates Juvenile Jazz band established for many years is called to play at these events and other functions in the area.
At the west end of Dormanstown there is a small industrial estate.
A Millennium Green situated on South Avenue was sponsored by the Country Commission, The Millennium commission, and local industry, costing £250,000
Pictures and History Courtesy of Vera Robinson M.B.E.
This map is dated 1779
If you look close you can clearly see a windmill near to where Ennis Square is Now
This Map is Dated1800.
Meggitts Lane can be seen to the right note where the beck runs.
This picture shows the mines and iron works, note the rail network.
The double dotted lines are footpaths.
Dormanstown 1922
As can be seen Hobson Avenue ,Hutton Grove ,Armitage Road and Howcroft Avenue are yet to be built
As is the Dales Estate.There used to be a railway line that run from the works (Warrenby) to Wilton Ironstone mines .The line carried Iron Ore , It can be seen comming from the worksto the north to wards what is now the fleet. The old pond behind Ennis Square can also be seen.
We think this picture was taken around 1930-1940.
The picture depicts The Steel Club Bowl's Team Presentation.
Can any body help with Names etc?.