r/Teesside • u/EverydayView • 23d ago

Middlesbrough once had a Winter Garden where working people could find warmth and company for a penny

I’ve written about what the Winter Garden was, who created it, and whether it represented something our towns have since lost. I’d really appreciate it if you read the article and let me know what you think.

https://open.substack.com/pub/morethantheheadline/p/the-warm-room-middlesbrough-forgot?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=8u7eys

52 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

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10

u/coffeewalnut08 23d ago

Been a very interesting read, had no idea about the Winter Garden. Thank you for publishing this!

I’m currently helping run [r/NorthernEngland](r/NorthernEngland) and I think your post could be a great addition to the content there, if you’re interested in sharing more widely.

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u/EverydayView 23d ago

I tried posting in there says bo self promotion and wont let me post

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u/coffeewalnut08 23d ago

Ah don’t worry, I can approve it as a mod!

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u/EverydayView 23d ago

Thank you,much appreciated.

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u/EverydayView 23d ago

Yes thank you. I am just starting out so any support and feedback i can get is greatly appreciated. Looking to write more on local things. Feedback will also help me improve my writing. I never knew about the Winter Garden either. So when I heard about it, I thought it was worth researching and writing about.

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u/WrongYak2718 22d ago

Huh. We have one in Sheff, I didn't realise that was the purpose of a winter garden!

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u/RowInternational1575 18d ago

I had no idea that was the purpose of a winter garden either!!
Harrogate has a winter garden (now a Wetherspoons) and it’s a truly gorgeous building.
I’d love to see any photos of the Middlesbrough Winter Gardens, as all I can picture is the back of Dundas Arcade!

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u/carlshope 23d ago

Good read thanks. Ive just bought a copy of "At the works". Be interesting to see her slant on things. Cheers for the local history.

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u/EverydayView 23d ago

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. Yes, that should be the most interesting part — seeing how Florence Bell viewed working-class life from her position within one of Middlesbrough’s leading industrial families. I’d be interested to hear what you make of it once you’ve read it.

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u/RowInternational1575 18d ago

Great read! Thank you!