The development of Port Clarence:  originally under the umbrella of: The Local Billingham Urban District Council.

In those early days there was a significant immigration of Irish families between the late 1800's and early 1900's to work in local industries.

According to Local History, the church of St Thomas of Canterbury was Opened on 6th November 1900 with a seating capacity for 1000 people;  showing the incredible growth of the Catholic community and the huge numbers attending Sunday and week day masses.

It was a well known fact that quite a large choir existed together with superb individual voices. The church was equally proud of their brass band which was in great demand, and apart from playing on Sundays, the members would attend various days events outside the area and to other parishes or communities.

It's no wonder that the descendants of these unique families called a reunion of unique personalities themselves to Celebrate together  some years ago at the Low Grange Club (see below). However, we are blessed in many ways because we have descendants those named together with a large number of other families who carry the family name, together with those whose names changed upon marriage! Never the less,  their faith is strong and many are active members of the current Parish of St Thomas of Canterburywith the unique script of families now scattered probably all over the world. "Loved, but not forgotten". Can you help with any further information on this reunion and when it took place.

Below is the script with the words and to the tune of:

"Phil the Fluters Ball" together with that lovely Hymn, 

" I rise from the dreams of time"

Fr Butters memory

Father Butters has a memory he has added to Vince's submission. See below:

Shortly after I arrived at Holy Rosary during one of the Sunday Masses I was both surprised and delighted when during Holy Communion Patsy Fox sang the hymn “I rise from dreams of time “. This was a hymn sung regularly at my home Darlington parish when I was a little boy.  I was told by Patsy that it was a favourite hymn at St Thomas’s so much so that it was known as the Port Clarence hymn.

It no longer appears in any modern hymn book but the words are printed here no doubt bringing back memories for some parishioners.

See a scan at the bottom of the page Fr Butters fiound of the music and words.