Long lost and historic pubs of Middlesbrough come under the spotlight in a new book by historian Dr Tosh Warwick.
Last Orders! Middlesbrough’s Lost & Historic Pubs, published by Heritage Unlocked, features more than 150 photographs, plans, historic newspaper reports, and memories of the town’s watering holes through time.
It is the first book to draw extensively on the Les Bulman Collection at Teesside Archives. The new publication features dozens of previously unpublished, unique photographs of life in and around Middlesbrough’s pubs through time.
Alongside Les Bulman’s photographs, the book includes reports on life in the town’s pubs between the 1970s and 1990s, including tales of community life, local characters, and changes in well-known venues, including The Albion, Captain Cook, The Navigation, and The Zetland.
Material from the collections of the late Middlesbrough historian Paul Stephenson, Middlesbrough Libraries, Teesside Archives and local newspapers also feature alongside community memories.
Les Bulman, who passed away in 2019, dedicated much of his life capturing Middlesbrough’s pubs through his trusty camera lens and spent countless hours at local archives and libraries researching the history of the town’s watering holes.
His collection was donated to Teesside Archives after his death, and work with Heritage Unlocked, Navigator North, Teesside Archives volunteers, Teesside University students Katy Parsons and Adam Shillaw, has seen hundreds of photos digitised and research carried out.
“I am delighted that through the new book I am able to share unique photographs, histories, and stories from Les’ visits to long-lost or much-changed pubs for the first time,” said Middlesbrough-born Dr Warwick. “Les’ worksprovides a fascinating insight into pub life, particular the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.
“The book would not have been possible without the Bulman family, the fantastic work at Teesside Archives and Navigator North, as well as the local community sharing their stories.
“I hope that the book proves popular, brings back fond memories for readers and even helps people struggling to find a Middlesbrough-inspired gift ahead of Christmas!”
- Last Orders! Middlesbrough’s Lost & Historic Pubs, is available to buy at www.heritageunlocked.com/shop/lastordersbook and is available in local bookshops, including Guisborough Bookshop and Book Corner, Saltburn.
