An early indication of our pre-history has been discovered and explored by Cleveland County Archaeology Section and we commence with two of their exhibits of the Thorpe Thewles Iron Age Site. The first is their artist’s impression of the Site. The second is an aerial photograph of the ‘dig’.
For early recorded history, we take a brief introduction from a document of County Durham CRO. As follows;
The old Norman Church of Grindon 1153 – 1193 dedicated to St Thomas a Becket, consecrated by Hugh de Puiset Bishop of Durham (great grandson of William the Conqueror). The church was of plain structure, consisting of nave and chancel and stands in a field to the east of the road between Durham and Stockton, now on private land. The church ceased to be a place of worship in 1848 when a new church was built at Thorpe Thewles, dedicated to the Holy Trinity – again being replaced in 1885 by the church we see today, St James, the cost of which was raised in the main by the Marchioness of Londonderry and her friends – as the poster shows.
There has been an Inn in Thorpe Thewles for centuries. An old brick house dating back to 1166 becoming the first Inn. At that time the village belonged to the family of Thorpe (Geoffrey de Thorpe - from Durham CRO).
This is followed by a selection of photographs with the briefest of comments covering the last 100 years. All of which can be realistically linked with memories of folk with us today. These images are just intended to stir the thoughts of anyone, past or present residents, who can recall life around the Village or Parish and perhaps be happy to assist us.
