Yarm-on-Tees

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Yarm-on-Tees

A resource devoted to the history of Yarm-on-Tees and surrounding areas

Yarm is a small town and civil parish in the borough of Stockton-on-Tees in North East England. The name of the town is thought to be derived from the Old Norse word yarum meaning an enclosure to catch fish. Yarm was first mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 and was originally a chapelry in the Kirklevington parish in the North Riding of Yorkshire; it later became a parish in its own right.

31/05/2026

Yarm Railway Station and Viaduct, 1890

With the magnificent view of Yarm High Street in the background, two Victorian train travellers, seated on their luggage, wait on the platform for the arrival of their southbound train, while two observing children stand on the northbound platform.

Yarm Railway Station was opened in 1852 by the Leeds Northern Railway. This station ceased operations in 1960 and was repurposed for business use; however, when the decision was made to reopen Yarm station, the original site was deemed too limited, leading to its relocation to the southern outskirts of the town.

Yarm Viaduct was designated a Grade II listed structure in 1966 and represents an extraordinary achievement in engineering. Designed and constructed by Thomas Grainger and John Bourne from Edinburgh, its construction took a total of just over four years to complete, from 1848 to 1852. The imposing red brick structure spans a total of 690 metres (2,260 feet) across the River Tees and features forty-three arches that cover nearly half a mile, utilising 7.5 million bricks and 139,000 cubic feet of stone. With a cost of £44,500 (equivalent to nearly £4 million today), its primary function was to extend the Leeds and Thirsk Railway from Northallerton to Stockton and Hartlepool.

17/05/2026

In 2011, Yarm Town Hall was subjected to restoration initiatives designed to elevate its historical importance. Consequently, the Yarm Civic Society honoured the Town Hall with their annual award, celebrating its improved appearance within the town. The Society praised the repainting of the building's exterior, the floral displays beneath the windows, and the impressive display boards that marked the building's 300-year anniversary.

When asked for their feedback, some locals responded with both praise and criticism, suggesting that the council should have invested more money to restore it properly.

09/05/2026

West Street, Yarm c1910

A peaceful West Street looking north, featuring Yarm Fellowship Hall and the former Yarm County Infant School on the left, which has since been demolished and replaced by Scholars Court. Adjacent is the Grade II listed Elizabethan Hope House, which dates back to the late 16th or early 17th century, and thought to be one of the oldest buildings in Yarm. Initially, the two-storey structure with an attic was significantly larger, but it was halved in size to make way for the Viaduct that commenced construction in 1849.

It is difficult to envision, but West Street once served as the central hub of the town, bustling with activity and markets. Prior to the establishment of a bridge over the River Tees, a river ford provided the main access route via West Street/Bridge Street. The High Street, known as King's Street during medieval times and later referred to as Town Street, was regarded as a secondary street, much like West Street is perceived today.

After the construction of Yarm Bridge, the significance of West Street diminished swiftly as attention shifted to the High Street, which became the primary thoroughfare. Consequently, the area experienced a decline, exacerbated by the arrival of the railway and the building of the Viaduct, which effectively isolated the land from the remainder of the town.

08/05/2026

The Yarm Methodist Chapel, Chapel Yard, Yarm c1970s

The Yarm Methodist Chapel, constructed in 1763, is distinguished as one of the oldest octagonal Methodist chapels currently in operation. John Wesley was involved in the planning and construction of this chapel in 1763 and declared it as his 'favourite' chapel. He preached here 18 times including on his 72nd birthday in June 1774. It experienced substantial renovations in 1815 to improve its capacity and functionality. In 1993, a computerised Allen organ was added, and in 1996, the church underwent another significant transformation with the establishment of the new Wesley Hall entrance.

Yarm's location, encircled by its river, rendered it consistently susceptible to flooding, and in 1970s, much of the riverside was untamed and unprotected. Since this photograph was taken, enormous changes have occurred along the riverside. Notably, the flood alleviation and redevelopment initiative of 1993, which included the er****on of flood walls and gates.

03/05/2026

The George & Dragon, 70 High Street, Yarm - Farm & Country, September 1959

This article titled 'Letters to the Editor' is taken from a 1959 edition of Farm & Country and discusses Yarm's George and Dragon, as follows:

"Motorists passing down the A19 road, from Stockton to Thirsk, rarely see much of the old north Yorkshire town of Yarm-on-Tees, for its broad main street — with houses and shops well set back — allows traffic to pass unhampered. However, in days gone by Yarm was quite an important centre and it was here that the first railway company in the world was formed at a meeting held in the George and Dragon Hotel, shown in the accompanying picture. Another example of a great industry which grew up from a meeting held in a coffee shop or an ale house."

Undoubtedly, the George & Dragon is the best known public house in Yarm due to its association with the promoters' meeting of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in February 1820, which was the world's first steam-powered public railway. This photograph depicts the original open archway that provided access to accommodation and stabling at the rear. Additionally, of interest is the neighbouring building at 72 High Street, which features the 1930s mounted enamel SUN Fire Office signage. These fire plaques indicated properties that were insured and were typically mounted at a high position on the front of the building. They usually displayed the insurer's logo, enabling local volunteer fire brigades to quickly identify the insurance policy linked to a property. It wasn't until the Fire Brigades Act of 1938 provided for centralised co-ordination of fire brigades in Great Britain and made it mandatory for local authorities to arrange an effective fire service.

01/05/2026

Yarm Medical Centre, Worsall Road, Yarm - September, 1985

This group photograph and invitation was taken during the official inauguration of the new Yarm Medical Centre located at Mulberry House, Worsall Road, Yarm on Saturday, 28th September 1985.

It features the lineup of General Practitioners who were practicing at the surgery at that time, along with the Member of Parliament, Ian Wrigglesworth.

24/04/2026

Yarm High Street, 1962

A view from the rooftops of Yarm High Street on a bright, sunny afternoon in August 1962. In the distance, the chimney top of H & JC Hird Ltd dominates the skyline.

22/04/2026

Lime Road/Sycamore Road, Eaglescliffe, c1980s

An aerial perspective from the grounds of Preston Park on Yarm Road, Eaglescliffe, looking towards the corner of Lime Road and Sycamore Road, circa 1980s

In the 1970s, prior to Claires Kitchen, 2A Lime Road was occupied by MILLERS Fish Game Poultry, whereas Liam James Barber Shop at 2B was known as WHITES Groceries General Dealer.

20/04/2026

Brian Tattersall Sponsored Walk - Yarm High Street, 1975

A group of walkers pause outside Strickland and Holt on Yarm High Street during a sponsored walk for the Bryan Tattersall Cancer Fund. Bryan Tattersall was a member of the Freelanders, a North East group that achieved some recognition by appearing on Opportunity Knocks in 1967. After leaving the group in 1972, Brian began working at the local radio station, BBC Radio Teesside. In 1975, during a check-up for an ulcer, Bryan was diagnosed with stomach cancer. Following the failure of drugs and other conventional treatments, he turned his focus to faith healers in the Philippines.

Residing in Hutton Rudby, Brian needed to raise £1,000 to fund his trip to the Philippines. A show business-sponsored walk was organized, which contributed £200 towards the fund. Various clubs and entertainment venues throughout the North East also collaborated to assist in reaching the target.

Tragically, Bryan Tattersall succumbed to his prolonged battle with cancer and passed away in England in 1975 at the tender age of 32. He left behind a wife and two young children.

18/04/2026

Yarm High Street, circa 1964

A relatively calm and sunny early afternoon on Yarm High Street around 1964, with an impressive selection of vintage cars featuring various makes and models. A workman is fixing cobblestones, whilst a bit further down we can observe DANBY FOR ICES and the familiar CROSS KEYS Inn.

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