Cleveland Bridge workers to hold Darlington reunion almost a year since closure

Veteran workers of Cleveland Bridge have been holding reunions since 1945.

But this week’s, which will be the 100th event, is the first since the company folded last September.

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It takes place at The Cleveland social club in Neasham Road on Thursday and it expected about 80 to 100 former workers will attend.

Steve Wright, who is organising it, started as a Cleveland Bridge apprentice in 1974 and worked there until it closed last year.

He said: “I think it will be quite emotional. I’ve done the organisation and a lot of people have got in touch.

“Cleveland Bridge has always been there for people. Nearly everyone coming to the reunion will have had more than 20 years with the company, and some 40 or 50 years. It will be a bit of an emotional event. A lot of people won’t have seen some people for a long time. We even have people coming from abroad.

“It will be nice to get everyone together.”

Mr Wright, who was there on the company’s final day, added: “It was really sad. There were tears that day.

“It’s still sad. I was hoping to see it out to my retirement there. I did feel for all the youngsters though everyone got employed because they all have transferable skills.”

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There will also be a chance for the veteran workers to see some of the artefacts saved from the sale of assets, which they clubbed together to buy last year.

Darlington Borough Council is putting on an event at Head of Steam.

The informal reunion event takes place between 5pm and 11pm on Thursday, August 4.

Also attending will be a representative of the Dixon family, who founded the company in 1877 and donated the Cleveland club for the use of workers.

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