THE new book contains a rare photograph of Neasham Hall, the 18th Century mansion which was the home of the Wrightson family until it was pulled down in 1970.

Neasham Hall was to the south of the village of Neasham, on the lane to Sockburn, and it had fine parkland views overlooking the River Tees.

The Wrightson family first owned it at the end of the 18th Century, but then they sold it to the Cookson family of industrialists.

In the 1830s, the Cooksons employed John Dobson, the famous Newcastle architect, to substantially enlarge it.

The success of the Teesdale ironworks allowed Thomas Wrightson to buy back the hall towards the end of the 19th Century. He added a large music room in 1902 and, in 1909, he built a “handsomely curved” bridge over the Tees to enable him to reach the church at Eryholme. The only previous way across had been a ford, so if you own a bridgebuilding company, you’d be foolish not to get it to build a private bridge at the bottom of your own garden if it keeps your feet dry.

Thomas – whose monogram can still be seen on the bridge – was the Conservative MP for Stockton from 1892 until 1895, when he was defeated by a Liberal candidate. He turned his attention to St Pancras East, in London, which he represented from 1899 to 1906. He was created a baronet in 1900.

On his death, the hall and the firm fell to his son, Sir Thomas Garmondsway Wrightson. Two of the second Sir Thomas’ sons, John and Peter, were evacuated from Dunkirk at the start of the Second World War. They fought until 1945 and then returned to the business.

Younger brother Peter lived at Manfield Hall until his death in 1995.

Elder brother Sir John inherited Neasham Hall and the title in 1950. A former Conservative candidate in Sedgefield, Sir John threw garden parties for senior HW staff, and asked the apprentices to act as beaters on pheasant shoots.

The Northern Echo: the private Neasham Hall Bridge over the Tees at Eryholme, bears the initials of Thomas Wrightson, founder of Head Wrightson
The private Neasham Hall Bridge over the Tees at Eryholme, bears the initials of Thomas Wrightson, founder of Head Wrightson

In 1970, Sir John demolished the old hall and had renowned Yorkshire architect Sir Martyn Beckett build a smaller residence on its site.

Sir John, who became chairman of HW in 1960, died in 1983, leaving £400,000 in his will, which equates today to about £1.2m today, according to the Bank of England inflation calculator.

The Northern Echo: Sir John Wrightson in 1971 receiving an honorary degree from Durham University.
Sir John Wrightson in 1971 receiving an honorary degree from Durham University.