South Bank Special: The Girl in the Green Blouse: A South Bank Story and Memories of Middlesbrough in the 1970s & 1980s

We are proud of our South Bank roots so we are combining two books that feature South Bank history in a new special offer. Get both books for £24.99 and relive life in the town and its surroundings through the years.

The Girl in the Green Blouse: A South Bank Story

Paperback, 146 pages.

TALES of the people, places and incidents growing up in early twentieth century Teesside are shared in the fascinating new book The Girl in the Green Blouse: A South Bank Story by Kay Andrews.

The book draws on the letters of Mabel Briggs - born in South Bank near Middlesbrough in 1900 and passed away aged 98 - which document in the manufacturing town. The letters provide a unique insight into the local community and the major changes experienced in the early decades of the twentieth century as experienced by a young woman in South Bank.

Collated by Mabel’s granddaughter Kay Andrews, the book focuses chiefly on everyday life in and around South Bank from the 1900s until the late 1930s as recollected in the letters of Mabel Briggs, penned in the 1980s and 1990s.The book begins with stories of childhood in South Bank, visits to the now demolished North Ormesby Hospital, early working life and fascinating memories of the area during the First World War that brought local ‘alien’ internments, a Zeppelin shot down over Hartlepool, the tragedy of those killed in action and armistice celebrations at the end of conflict. Dozens of photographs from across the decades also feature including snapshots of celebrations in South Bank marking the Coronation of Edward VII, school life at Cromwell Road and St Peter’s Schools and Smith’s Dock Ladies’ football team including celebrated Grangetown footballer Winnie McKenna. The book includes a commentary from Kay Andrews providing further insight into the history of the local firms, people and incidents described in the memoir.

Memories of Middlesbrough in the 1970s and 1980s

This book includes over 100 historic photographs of many of the town’s familiar landmarks and provides an insight into a period that brought unprecedented change. Inspired by the photographs of John Severs, Teesside Archives and other private and public collections, the book charts demolition of historic buildings, the disappearance of many industries, regeneration, sporting glories and shares the memories of the people of Middlesbrough, South Bank and surrounding areas.