Today it is one of the region's most thriving towns, but back in the 1850s it was little more than a hamlet. Gavin Havery joins Middlesbrough's 150th birthday celebrations

LOOKING at the bustling town on the banks of the Tees, it is hard to imagine that 150 years ago it was so insignificant that it did not register on the political map.

But yesterday, on the anniversary of the historic day that Middlesbrough finally became a town, the proud past of the industrial powerhouse was remembered.

Middlesbrough Council invited children to the town hall to learn a thing or two about civic pride and watch a re-enactment of the birth of the town.

A town crier announced Queen Victoria's entrance to the chamber, and then she proceeded to grant the town the Charter of Incorporation, as she had done from the Palace of Westminster on January 21, 1853.

This gave Middlesbrough the ability to have its first mayor, aldermen and councillors, and newspaper reports of the day described a scene of great rejoicing and celebration.

The first council elections were held on March 31 that year, and 12 men were elected as councillors out of 36 hopefuls, with entrepreneurial ironmaster Henry Bolckow becoming the first Middlesbrough mayor.

Throughout the 1850s and 1860s, the town took off economically after the discovery of vast iron deposits in the nearby Eston Hills, and the development of associated industries such as iron, steel, heavy engineering and shipbuilding.

Bolckow, who went on to become the town's MP in 1868, is synonymous with industrial Middlesbrough, and rolling mills and workshops sprang up along the banks of the Tees.

While Teesside turned into an industrial powerhouse, the council became responsible for many of the key services in the town, such as the provision of gas, water, sewage disposal, police, ferries, street lighting and the fire brigade.

Things have changed over the years, but the youngsters were encouraged to continue to learn from the determination and civic pride that started 150 years ago.

Today's mayor, Ray Mallon, rattled the council chamber with his own strong words, criticising people who he accused of letting the area down by being negative.

He said if townsfolk were to follow the example of men like Bolckow, Middlesbrough could look forward to more wine bars, cafs, an art gallery and a cultural quarter.

"When you are trying to sell a town, you have to remain upbeat, but people are too quick to criticise our industrial heritage," said Mr Mallon.

"If anyone wants to have a crack at Middlesbrough then I will go against them, I will defend it to the hilt, but I will also give out criticism when it is necessary."

"We should not let down the memory of Bolckow and company."

* To celebrate Middlesbrough's 150th anniversary, independent Northern publishers and Cleveland Arts are presenting a celebration of creative writing and publishing from the North in the town on Saturday.

The event, to be held in Middlesbrough Town Hall crypt, from 11am to 11pm, will include a book fair and book launches from independent publishers, creative writing workshops and live readings. There will be live music from Molly Bloom, short films, an open microphone slot and a Burns supper.

For bookings and more information, contact Crista Ermiya on 0191-212 0354, or Bob Beagrie, at Cleveland Arts, on (01642) 264651

Milestones in history

* Captain James Cook, the 18th Century explorer who discovered Australia, was born at Marton on the outskirts of the modern town, on October 27, 1728

* In 1801, Middlesbrough was a small hamlet consisting of 25 people, which grew to 9,000 by 1853 and now stands at about 146,000

* Pot-making in the town began when the Middlesbrough Pottery opened in 1834 on Commercial Street, St Hilda's, about four decades before the better-known Linthorpe pottery factories began

* In 1868, Middlesbrough's first mayor, ironmaster Henry Bolckow, gave Albert Park to the town and became the first MP

* The Transporter Bridge is one of the best-known landmarks. Opened in 1911 it is one of two left in the UK, while the Newport Bridge was the first vertical lifting bridge in the world when it was opened in 1934 by the future King George VI

* Middlesbrough has got some famous sons and daughters including football legend Brian Clough, musician Chris Rea, comedian Bob Mortimer and actress Thelma Barlow, as well as cartoonist Steve Bell

* The Bottle of Notes in the town centre is Claes Oldenburg's only artwork on display in the country and was unveiled by Lord Palumbo, chairman of the Arts Council, in 1993