Latest news with #Middlesborough
The Sun
25-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
We spent years tracking down WW2 hero to return heirloom my grandad kept for safe keeping – what we discovered amazed us
AFTER years of safeguarding a watch given to her grandfather in the Second World War, two sisters have finally tracked down its owners. Amateur sleuths Debbie Blaxhall and Tracey Stevenson's quest to find the heirloom's owners took them on a journey from the 1940s to a lavish lunch celebrating the 80th anniversary of VE Day earlier this month. 5 5 5 Speaking to The Sun, she revealed how enabled her to do the 'right thing' for her grandparents. The story began back in World War Two, when Debbie's grandfather, Richard Houseman, first met another soldier named Arnold Sharrocks. Stationed near Middlesborough, the pair quickly became friends but were sadly separated when Arnold was posted elsewhere. As a parting gift to Richard and his wife Naomi, Arnold left his pocketwatch for safekeeping along with a note which read: 'Best wishes, Arnold.' Neither one ever saw the other again. For years, that was all Debbie, now 59, knew about the mysterious watch, which had become legendary in her family. However, Debbie and her sister Tracey, 62, knew that, one day, they would have to help the watch find its way home. Debbie said: 'We were only looking after it for someone else. We could never dispose of it because we wanted to carry on that legacy.' The former nurse has always had an interest in her family history, but finally decided to send the watch home when Tracey found it in her late husband's belongings. They decided to reach out to Ancestry's military genealogist Simon Pierce for help. At first they hit a dead end, but then, a medal card - found by Simon - allowed Debbie to uncover that Arnold had married a lady called Joyce Finch. From there, she managed to find Janet Hunt, 64, Arnold's daughter, who also had an account on Debbie said she nervously deliberated for days about phoning Janet, but eventually 'bit the bullet'. When the line connected, though, she realised that Janet had no idea about the watch. She said: 'The poor woman; I honestly don't know what she thought, because I knew the story. 'She didn't have a clue, so I was trying to explain who I was and that I had her father's watch." Debbie added: 'I think it took a few days for it to sink in with her, but we were finally able to send her father's watch in February.' Welling up as Tracey finally let go of the watch which had meant so much to them, Debbie had one overriding feeling. Through tears, she said: 'It's going home.' decided to organise a meeting between Debbie and Janet at a fabulous VE Day party in London, in May 2025, but there was one final twist in the story. Debbie said: 'Janet and I thought we were actually going to meet at lunch, but we actually met at breakfast in the hotel where we were both staying.' She added: 'Her daughter said: 'I think this is them.' 'And I was saying the same to my husband, and eventually I just said: 'Yeah, it's us.' 'So we hugged and I just cried. But it's the fact that her daughter is called Naomi, the same name as my grandmother.' In another surprise, Debbie and Janet realised that they only lived 22 miles away from each other in Sussex. Arnold, and 79 other 'hidden heroes', were honoured with a commemorative plate at the lunch later that day. Debbie said: 'Each plate had a little plaque about the story that was represented. And they were all incredible. 'You just think these were all just normal people going about their lives, daily lives or doing their bit for the war. They were the hidden heroes. And it didn't just cover people in the armed forces. There were scouts, there were children who had done great things. 'There were a lot of women represented too, which was really lovely.' Janet revealed that Arnold had served with the 103rd Light Anti-Aircraft regiment - earning the France and German star for his heroic efforts. Stationed at first in the UK and, then, later in Europe, he also served in the Corps of Military Police. For Debbie, the journey has brought her grandparents 'back to life for a little while' as well as Arnold - who survived the war but sadly died when Debbie was nine. She doesn't know why he never came back for the watch, with the entire endeavour having 'raised more questions" for her "than it answered'. Now in regular contact with Janet, Debbie is considering a career in "genealogy" to find out more about her family tree. Still, she is thrilled to say that handing the watch back to its owners has changed her life. Debbie said: "We adored our grandparents and just being able to complete something that they'd set out to do, it means the absolute world to us." Do you have a similar story? Email 5 5
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Horror moment family is forced to flee their home in the middle of the night after 'arsonist' targets cars and sparks an inferno
This is the terrifying moment a thug sets a businessman's cars on fire while his young children slept upstairs. Chilling footage shows the masked man pouring a liquid over the £70,000 Range Rover, a 1994 Mitsubishi 3000 GTO sports car and a van, before setting them all on fire. The vehicles spark into a terrifying blaze, lighting up the driveway in Marton, Middlesborough. Gym owner Mark Hind MBE, 41, said the sight was 'like walking into a war zone' when he rushed out of his home to the horrifying scene - not even waiting to get dressed. The father-of-three told MailOnline: 'My windows just were yellow. I screamed "Get out, get out now." All I could see was smoke. 'I turned back around and I thought, my family are in the house. I need to get them out. 'I will never get that scream from Skye out of my head for a million years. That scream. Whether you are a parent or not that scream was just absolute fear and I didn't know what to do.' Choking back tears, he added: 'When I close my eyes I can see quite clearly what I saw last night. That will be what I see when I go to sleep and I don't think I will ever get rid of that.' Mr Hind, his wife Jenny and their children Freddie, 16, Max, 12, and eight-year-old Skye were all in bed inside the home when the fire erupted, shortly after midnight. Fire services told him that had he come down the stairs a minute longer the cars would have been engulfed in flame - and the house with it. Mr Hind said: 'The fire brigade told me, had you not come out at that time this would have been a murder inquiry.' Footage from the family's Ring doorbell camera shows Mr Hind sprinting naked from the house after the attacker, dressed in a hooded top, a checked jacket and luminescent shoes. He had been watching TV in bed when he heard the camera alert and saw his windows 'engulfed in yellow' - saying that the noise 'saved my life'. Confronted with the horrifying scene, he sprints back into his house, shouting desperately at his family to 'get out'. His young daughter can be heard letting off a heart-wrenching scream as she sees the scene of destruction outside their home - before she is pulled away to safety. Mr Hind confirmed the two cars had been written off. The Range Rover was bought for his wife a month ago, while the red Mitsubishi was Mr Hind's 'pride and joy'. Restored to its original condition, he believes it was one of the best examples of his kind in Britain and is 'irreplacable'. Fire services told him that had he come down the stairs a minute longer the cars would have been engulfed in flame - and the house with it But he added: 'As much as it hurts me to say that, I can get a bike with two wheels and ride it. I can never replace a family member.' Mr Hind has now been left terrified, watching the road from his window in case the man comes back. He continued: 'It's been the worst 24 hours of my life. I can't understand for the life of me why they did it. 'I cannot physically sleep. I haven't slept a wink since this time last night. I've sat on the same chair that I sat on last night, and I haven't stopped looking out the window to make sure everything's okay for the past 24 hours. 'I feel vulnerable, alone, scared, worried. Every emotion of fear that you could feel is in my head right now. My family are all sleeping in bed and I have to try and somehow protect these people against somebody. 'I don't know who it is, I don't know why it is. I don't know the reasons. I don't know what's next.' Mr Hind, a fitness coach, was awarded an MBE after providing food, essentials and PPE for the local community during the Covid pandemic. His son, who has his GCSE exams this coming week, was by his side as they battled to calm the flames. The blaze was finally brought under control as Mr Hind and his neighbor aimed a garden hose on the flames, before two Cleveland Fire Brigade appliances arrived at the scene He continued: 'I cannot believe this. I can't believe some one would do this, what I have I ever done to hurt anyone? All I've ever done is try to help people. 'My kids are traumatised, I cannot tell you what is going through my mind right now. 'Jenny was in bed with Skye, Max was fast asleep and Freddie was in bed, I heard the ring alarm and then saw a flash. 'The cars I do not care about but my children and with were all asleep, I can not get what happened out of my head and that scream from Skye will stay with me forever. 'How can I take this memory away from my kids, we could all have not woken up this morning and that honestly breaks me to say it!' The blaze was finally brought under control as Mr Hind and his neighbor aimed a garden hose on the flames, before two Cleveland Fire Brigade appliances arrived at the scene. Cleveland police have the arsonist's jacket, which was left behind as he fled the scene. Officers confirmed they had launched an investigation after the three cars were set alight and significantly damaged.
The Independent
28-02-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Gareth Southgate hails ‘true privilege' of giving 2025 Richard Dimbleby Lecture
Former England football manager Sir Gareth Southgate has said being asked to present the BBC's 2025 Richard Dimbleby Lecture is a 'true privilege'. In the 48th lecture, which will be broadcast on BBC One, the former Middlesborough defender will explore the concept of belief, examine the power of unity and highlight the importance of resilience, particularly for young people, in a fast-changing and challenging world. Speaking about being asked to take the lecture, Sir Gareth said: 'After stepping down as England manager following eight very special years, I've been reflecting on what I have lived through and what I have learned. 'I was extremely humbled and honoured when the BBC asked me to deliver the Dimbleby Lecture, especially given the esteemed list of past speakers. 'I consider it a true privilege to be offered such a prestigious platform to talk about what I believe in and what I care about.' The lecture, which began in 1972 and is named in honour of late broadcaster Richard Dimbleby, who died in 1965, features influential speakers from academia, the arts, business and the royal family. Sir Gareth will join the likes of the Prince Of Wales, then-International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde, entrepreneur and philanthropist Bill Gates and computer scientist Sir Tim Berners-Lee in giving the speech. The manager and former footballer led the England men's team to the 2018 Fifa World Cup semi-final and the Uefa Euro 2020 and 2024 finals, after playing for teams including Aston Villa and Crystal Palace. After leaving the England set-up, the 54-year-old became a visiting lecturer at Harvard Business School. Catherine Catton, head of commissioning for factual entertainment and events at the BBC, said: 'We are delighted that Sir Gareth Southgate has agreed to deliver this year's Dimbleby Lecture. 'His extensive career in football, unwavering dedication and leadership have not only brought great achievements on the field, but they continue to inspire new generations. 'In an era of increasing division, it is more important than ever to address how resilience and unity can help us all navigate a challenging world. 'It's an honour to have him share his insights and experiences with our audience.' David Dimbleby, the speech will be broadcast in March on BBC One and iPlayer, produced by BBC Studios.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gareth Southgate hails ‘true privilege' of giving 2025 Richard Dimbleby Lecture
Former England football manager Sir Gareth Southgate has said being asked to present the BBC's 2025 Richard Dimbleby Lecture is a 'true privilege'. In the 48th lecture, which will be broadcast on BBC One, the former Middlesborough defender will explore the concept of belief, examine the power of unity and highlight the importance of resilience, particularly for young people, in a fast-changing and challenging world. Speaking about being asked to take the lecture, Sir Gareth said: 'After stepping down as England manager following eight very special years, I've been reflecting on what I have lived through and what I have learned. 'I was extremely humbled and honoured when the BBC asked me to deliver the Dimbleby Lecture, especially given the esteemed list of past speakers. 'I consider it a true privilege to be offered such a prestigious platform to talk about what I believe in and what I care about.' The lecture, which began in 1972 and is named in honour of late broadcaster Richard Dimbleby, who died in 1965, features influential speakers from academia, the arts, business and the royal family. Sir Gareth will join the likes of the Prince Of Wales, then-International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde, entrepreneur and philanthropist Bill Gates and computer scientist Sir Tim Berners-Lee in giving the speech. The manager and former footballer led the England men's team to the 2018 Fifa World Cup semi-final and the Uefa Euro 2020 and 2024 finals, after playing for teams including Aston Villa and Crystal Palace. After leaving the England set-up, the 54-year-old became a visiting lecturer at Harvard Business School. Catherine Catton, head of commissioning for factual entertainment and events at the BBC, said: 'We are delighted that Sir Gareth Southgate has agreed to deliver this year's Dimbleby Lecture. 'His extensive career in football, unwavering dedication and leadership have not only brought great achievements on the field, but they continue to inspire new generations. 'In an era of increasing division, it is more important than ever to address how resilience and unity can help us all navigate a challenging world. 'It's an honour to have him share his insights and experiences with our audience.' Recorded in front of an invited audience and introduced by Richard's son David Dimbleby, the speech will be broadcast in March on BBC One and iPlayer, produced by BBC Studios.
