Heritage Strategy - Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Chapter 1: Introduction
Our achievements to date
<strong>Stockton</strong> has much to celebrate and has already set in
motion some very significant heritage projects as well as
maintaining long-standing and increasingly high profile
events.
All of these projects (outlined in Chapter 3 and 4)
demonstrate the importance of working together with local
residents, volunteers, Council officers, other partners and
businesses.
<strong>Stockton</strong> has a long, diverse and proud heritage and has a
wealth of beautiful landscapes, particularly the riverside.
The story of <strong>Stockton</strong> is your story – it is the stories
unearthed from the archaeological excavations at Ingleby
Barwick, Norton and Thorpe Thewles; it is the River Tees
which established <strong>Stockton</strong> and Yarm as important trading
centres and its increasing importance for natural heritage.
<strong>Stockton</strong>’s story also includes contributions to our
important railway heritage – with the <strong>Stockton</strong> and
Darlington Railway, 1825. A growing part of the story is the
oil and chemical industry and modern industrial processes.
Therefore, when we think of <strong>Stockton</strong> Borough, we think of
some or all of these things. There are many ways in which
these stories can be told – through new development,
improved interpretation and access, research in archives
and libraries tracing family and social history; visiting sites;
recognising historic features in the landscape; engaging in
our landscapes and natural heritage.
This <strong>Strategy</strong> is about understanding, celebrating and
promoting <strong>Stockton</strong>’s heritage and will help to ensure the
on-going protection, preservation, management and
commemoration of our story for years to come.
Victorian event to reopen Ropner Park after major restoration work
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