Schools, University and Family

Anne Baldwin, born on the 23rd of February 1936, was the daughter of Thomas Ernest Baldwin and Bertha Baldwin of 34 Cleveland Avenue, Norton on Tees. Mr Baldwin was a Senior Draughtsman at Ashmore Benson & Pease which specialised in the design and building of Blast Furnaces.

Anne had two brothers. The elder brother was Alan Baldwin and the younger brother was Denis Baldwin. Alan Baldwin became an Electrical Engineer and still lives in the UK. Denis Baldwin became a draughtsman and went to work for the Algoma Steel Corporation Limited in Canada where he now lives.

Anne tending her dolls 1938

Anne started school at the age of 5 years and attended the Norton Board School in Norton on Tees until she was 11 years old.

She then moved to the Nelson Terrace Higher Grade School in Stockton on Tees. The school was later relocated and became the Grangefield Grammar School for Girls from which she won a County Scholarship in 1954 to read for an Honours Degree in English at St Mary’s College, University of Durham.

At that time, St Mary’s was an all female College. In fact, there were no mixed Colleges at all in Durham.

During the first few weeks at Durham, she met Graham Greatrix who was a first year student reading Physics and Mathematics at St Chad’s College - a theological college specialising in the training of ordinands for the Church of England. As an experiment, the College had accepted four non-ordinands and Graham Greatrix was one of those four.

From that time onwards, the two were virtually inseparable. Other people, including some staff, referred to them, even individually, as “you two”.

Visiting hours were quite rigid at both Colleges. Having a member of the opposite sex in College outside visiting hours was almost a capital offence potentially removing you from the University. Alsatian dogs patrolled St Mary’s College at night. Nevertheless . . . .

The pair graduated in 1957 and both went on for a further year to read for a post graduate diploma in education.

In 1958, they got married and took up teaching posts in the Grammar Schools at West Hartlepool. They lived in a rented attic flat above a general grocer’s shop at 34 Mitchell Street.

In 1960, they bought a house in Gillpark Grove, Seaton Carew.

In 1965, Graham gained a lectureship at the Constantine Technical College in Middlesbrough. This College later became the University of Teesside and Graham eventually became Head of Physics and Forensic Science.

In Scotland with Hillman GOK 800 (1959)

Anne continued teaching at the High School in Hartlepool until 1968 when her son Christopher was born.

Anne decided that her primary role was to spend all of her time bringing up her family.

In 1970, her son Simon was born.

In 1977, her youngest son Adam was born.

Christopher went to the University of Hull and gained a B.Eng honours degree in mechanical engineering and design.

Simon went to Van Mildert College, University of Durham and gained a BSc honours degree in Mathematics. He then went to the University of Newcastle and gained a Ph.D.

Adam went to the University of Abertay Dundee and gained an honours degree in Computing. He went on to take a Teaching Fellowship at the University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Internet Computing.

Wedding day 23rd August 1958

When Simon went to Durham, he became involved with the Durham Treasure Trap Society which caters for students and some ex-students keen on role play. Anne started making costumes for the Society and quickly became an active member herself. Her membership covered some 16 years. During that time she designed and made hundreds of role play costumes and banners, many of them intricately embroidered with gold and silver thread and embellished with jewelry.

Christopher’s wedding.

Graham, Simon, Anne, Adam, Christopher

Anne’s Wedding

Anne’s father, Thomas Baldwin

Anne’s mother, Bertha Baldwin

Anne’s brother, Alan Baldwin

Anne’s brother, Denis Baldwin

Best Man, James Thrower - later Professor of Theology,

at Aberdeen University

Graham Greatrix, Husband

Anne Greatrix - nee Baldwin

Diane Bailey - College friend

Barbara Hardy - Lifetime friend

Connie Craig - Bride’s maid