Renovation work starts at graves

Henry Bolckow helped make the town prosperous

Almost £50,000 is to be spent on revamping the resting places of two of Middlesbrough's founding fathers.

The graves of Henry Bolckow and John Vaughan have been crumbling for years at St Cuthbert's Church in Marton.

The men, both former mayors, died in the mid-1800s and were at the heart of the development of the town, helping attract workers to its ironworks.

Now Middlesbrough Council and the Impetus Environmental Trust are to spend £49,000 restoring their graves.

Respect for men

The work, due to start in September, will also include the installation of an information board outlining the significance of the churchyard in the town's history.

Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon said: "I visited the graves to pay my respects and I was disappointed to see they were in serious disrepair.

"Bolckow and Vaughan did a great deal for Middlesbrough and I see these two men as being two of the most significant personalities in the town's history.

"I said when I visited the graves that they should be restored as a mark of respect to the two men."

Mark Fishpool, Director of Middlesbrough Environment City which is overseeing the project, said: "This project is all about raising people's awareness of the town's rich heritage and history and getting them to take a bit of pride in Middlesbrough."