Teesside, England – June 1999
Some Hartlepool History
Around AD640, a monastry was founded (in what is now known as the Headland or Old Hartlepool) by the Irish St. Bega, though not proved to have been used as a port in Roman times.
William de Brus commissioned a church, St. Hilda’s and this church still dominates the Headland. While the church was built between 1190-1240, there is architectural evidence of an even earlier church built in the Norman style by the south doorway.
In 1201, King John granted Hartelpool the Royal Charter thus freeing the people from bondage and giving them the right to self government.
In 1322. the town was raided by Scots. In 1346, five ships set sail with 145 men on board on their way to join King Edward III at the siege of Calais. 1569 saw seventeen people hanged for rebelling against the new Protestant faith, then in 1587 the black death visited and took its’ toll in townsfolk.
Again, in 1644, Scottish forces took over the town; 1765 saw the poet Thomas Gray write, “I have been for two days in Hartlepool – I am delighted with the place – I have nowhere seen a taller, more robust or healthy race – Nobody dies but of drowning or old age.” Pity he wasn’t around in 1587.
The first soldier and the first civilian killed during World War 1 on British soil, occurred in December 1914 in Hartlepool as three German battleships bombarded the town, this attack was the first time that British civilians came across the concept of ‘Total Warfare’, whereby the enemy would indiscriminately target non-military targets. Up until this point, civilians had been spared the barbarism of war; imagine the impact this had on the town and even throughout the whole country. Churchill himself recounted the tale of being in the bath when he found out and swore revenge upon the Germanic foe.
The site of the first soldier to fall is marked by a plague alongside batteries (not Duracell) dating from the Crimea through both wars, alongside a cannon brought as a Russian trophy from Sebastapol and only yards from a Town Wall (started after the battle of Bannockburn 1315) built to keep out marauding Scots. The town had been in the hands of the Brus family for 200 yrs but after the entire area of Hartness was taken from the Brus family, an uprising resulted in independence for Scotland and the crown for Robert VII Bruce, hence the need for a protective wall.
Again in June 1940, Hartlepool was bombarded but this time from the air. It was one of the first industrial towns to be bombed in the Second World War (well before London) and on that night an ARP named John Punton lost his life, becoming the first civil defence worker to be killed by enemy action.
Please excuse me for mentioning the war – I realise it is a British stereotype but it is strong in the town’s history.
Things to do in June
Same as any month in Hartlepool – drink.
What Hartlepool excells at is drinking. The range of pubs and bars is unique (at the turn of the century there was recorded One Hundred Public Houses in One square mile within the Headland), there is something for everyone: there are Star Wars café type pubs (strange Alien life forms from remote parts of the town) complete with all kinds of the physically challenged; to trendy bars complete with a remarkable hardy breed of Hartlepool lass who will wear mini skirts and vests in the depths of the North Sea winters; real ale pubs were the geography teachers gather in their mass of Arran sweaters discussing weather patterns to classy joints were people wipe their feet before entering and the average age is above 17.
Unfortunately, the Draconian licensing laws still produce very restrictive hours of opening, 11-11 Mon-Sat, 12-10.30 on Sun. Nightclubs can stay open till 2am.
Nightclub wise, H’pool does not have any with the status of the Arena or Empire in Middlesbrough but does have several clubs that are seriously full and fun, if not adventurous in their policies – 42nd Street (twenty something’s), The Wesley (very young crowd, 16 and up), The Cotton Club for a diverse carefree crowd (upstairs from the Shades and age range of 20-50).
Over the past few years, with the Marina Development, Hartlepool has gained a lot more restaurants than previously, plus with the renovation of Church Street provides a very pleasant and party atmosphere on weekends, especially during the summer. There are several restaurants in Church street; Indian, Chinese, Italian, French & Greek / Mediterranean, along with a traditional Kebab / Pizza shop, this one area should be enough to satisfy everyone.
Hartlepool have both a professional football (soccer) and rugby teams, although they are both in their close season. It was a tense season for both teams with Hartlepool United (soccer) narrowly surviving to stay in Division 3, Peter Bearsdley (he of the dragon child appearance) played the last half of the season and was instrumental in the survival effort. ‘Pools’ ended up 3rd bottom, unfortunately Scarborough were the team to slip out of the professional leagues.
West Hartlepool were in the 1st division of the national rugby league, but unfortunately Mike Brewers’ team could not compete with the richer clubs in the league and were relegated. Half of their team (notably the overseas professionals) had to be released.
During the summer there is cricket to watch. Hartlepool play at Park Drive, a lovely setting for summer afternoons in typically English fashion. What is more, the bar sells Stella Artois on draught.
Next Month: The Marina, inc. museums & Shopping and days out from a Hartlepool Base.
Origin of the Name
Prior to the formation of Hartlepool, the village of Hart had been the prominent settlement overlooking the alleged Roman Harbour.
So when the harbour began prospering and the town started to grow it became Hart in Pol, then Hart-le-pool.
The name “Hart” has some confusion over its’ origin. The whole area was the ancient kingdom of Hartness but what is the origin of this ?
The soil in this area was red (hence the link to heart), the whole area used to be forested with a plethora of deer (aka Harts), the former being the favorite.
Alternatively, it is believed to be a abbreviation of Heracleopolis from when a trading colony visited these people are recorded as Ionians of Asia proper.
Hartlepool Monkey Story
Where ever I have gone in this country and in several places abroad, people, once they have found out where I am from have mentioned this famous tale. Folks often are a bit apprehensive, they think it is insulting and that I will be offended. I am not and nobody from Hartlepool ever is. This is the tale.
During the Napoleonic wars (start of 19th Centrury), a ship floundered off the coast of Hartlepool resulting in its’ destruction. A monkey, dressed in a little uniform, got washed ashore clinging to flotsam. The story has it that the locals, never having saw a monkey or a French sailor before, assumed that this little hairy fellow was one of our Gaelic cousins. As a result he was subsequently hung as a French spy.
Although quaint and it gives Hartlepool a recognisable ‘handle’ throughout the world, it unfortunately is not true. There are many theories why but the one that I like to remember is this: Hartlepool has always been a seafaring town with inhabitants since the 9th Century; it gained its’ Royal Charter in 1201. Sailors have been synonymous with simians ever since they started trading, so for the people of an important sea trading town never to have saw a one before 1805 is a ridiculous notion.
As I say, the story has been good for Hartlepool so I never try and dispel it too vehemently. Check this out for the
full story and explanantions.
There is another theory which relates the monkey to an Alien (Rosswell style) theory, the ship being a spacecraft getting buried beneath what is now a nuclear power station and links the Industrial Revolution (which started in the NE of England) to Alien technology. It has a point, check it out.
Getting there !
Teesside International Airport is around 20 miles from Hartlepool, on the outskirts of Darlington.
A train service then feeds the rest of Teesside and Darlington, which is on the main east coast line between London and Edinburgh. Other Teesside stations inc. Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Stockton, Billingham and Thornaby.
By boat, Tees & Hartlepool Port Authority is the third busiest in the country, so I am sure you can stow away on board a car transporter without much of a problem. I know fisherman and private boat owners who will pick you up anywhere for a small fee or a gift.
Accommodation
Unfortunately, the tourist boards of Hartlepool & Middlesbrough seem to be a bit out dated and I cannot locate E’mail addresses so here are their conventional steam powered details:
Hartlepool,
Church Square, Hartlepool, TS24 8NH.
Tel: 01429 266522 Ext. 2407
Middlesbrough,
51 Corporation Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 1LT.
Tel: 01642 243425/264330
Stockton
Theatre Yard, Off High Street,
Stockton on Tees
Tel: (01642)615080
More Info Links
Complete Teesside website – search engine of UK towns
General Interest of Teesside
About Shaun
While I am down from my soapbox, I will tell you something about myself.
I am 31, work as a draughtsman / project engineer for a design
consultancy to the chemical industry.
Left school and studied Computer
Technology, Mechanical & Production Engineering, Management Studies, 3D
Design and Philosophy of Religion.
I own my house that I share with two
cats and sometimes my girlfriend (of course she has equal rights as the
cats).
Interests are as wide as can be although they are mostly
controversial or at the very least away from the norm.
I support my
local team Hartlepool United (currently battling to stay in the football
league – Div 3), spend a lot of time in the Lake District and just
generally being a nuisance.
At heart I am a biker, although circumstances (bike theft, stiffed by
my insurance, an office job where I need a car and insufficient funds to
have both) mean I long for the day when I will again, which will come with
financial security.
How ironic, the icon of rebellious youth, of a
rootless existence, of terrorising sleepy villages is really dependent
on financial security – that’s life.
Mmmm, the boots question. I was a German Para boot man but I must admit to
becoming slightly decadent in purchasing a pair of Karrimoor Munro’s, in
Nubuck leather, steel stiffened soul and a Gore-Tex lining.
Before
casting your displeasure on the Gore-Tex just think how beneficial it is
to have a pair of boots that can hold around 3 pints of beer in them to
drink in between the pub and the tent on a sweet summer’s evening with
the milky way stretched out above.
As regards their ability to be worn
on a night out….well you should see me in my 3 piece suit, adorned in my
Munro’s. A classy gent indeed, fit for any theatre, restaurant or dance
floor in the land.
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