Thornaby’s five lamps were originally situated on the junction of George Street and Mandale Road, the original was removed to make way for the construction of the A66. The lamps, lit then by gas became a focal point for community life. Meetings would be held here, political rallies, religious gatherings etc…

Following the building of the A66 a replica of the lamps (built at nearby Head Wrightson LTD) was installed to an area on Westbury Street. Years of vandalism (I know, how times change and attitudes too…) lead to the lamps being removed, restored and placed near the junction of Mitchell Avenue and Acklam Road.

But why the five lamps…

Well the story goes that Robert de Thormodbi (you’d be right in thinking that surname sounds an awful lot like Thornaby) was wounded in the Crusades, he promised that if he survived his wounds he would create a shrine to the Virgin Mary. As such five sanctuary lamps were placed and lit in St. Peter’s Church on Thornaby Green.