Stripped Tees : Endurance and Hope in the North East

Stripped Tees is a double essay from two writers; novelist Richard Milward and BBC journalist Natalie Hardwick. Born and bred in Middlesborough and Stockton-on-Tees respectively, they explore the identity of the north east, in an affectionate, revelatory, sometimes angry but always erudite way.

Hardwick writes of Stockton&apos:s proud past, its changing future and all the trappings that come with redevelopment, council corruption and exploitative television companies. She also delights in the local delicacy, parmo, and Stockton&apos:s live music and pub culture.

Milward takes on the Grove estate, Middlesborough, chronicling his life there and the characters he has seen, weaving social critique, politics, humour and psychogeography together to show you the true fabric of the town.

Essential reading for anyone who wants to know what makes the north east of England tick, this is Teesside: hilarious, hard headed, difficult and direct.