Your Town

What a great photograph this is looking north up North Road, with a couple of vehicles for our car lovers to enjoy

From the Archive

8

A trip down memory lane – in this case, Darlington's North Road

Northern League football.

Northern League football.

From the Archive

65 years ago Bishop Auckland and Crook Town were fighting it out for Northern League title

Joe Brown Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Joe Brown Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Memories from a man who played football when South West Durham dominated the FA Amateur Cup

The A+E department of James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough Picture: TOM BANKS

The A+E department of James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough Picture: TOM BANKS

From the Archive

Ten years ago: Why surgery was put on hold across the region

Cartoon by artist Langlands of members of the mechanics’ institute

Cartoon by artist Langlands of members of the mechanics’ institute

Celebrating the unique heritage of Bishop Auckland through objects left behind

Jonas the 58-ton finback whale on display in Bolton town centre in 1970

Jonas the 58-ton finback whale on display in Bolton town centre in 1970

Whale meet again: readers recall their encounters with Jonas the large – and dead – whale

bishop auckland football pic

bishop auckland football pic

More names revealed in this Bishop Auckland photograph

THE DROVERS INN

Cockerton

THE DROVERS INN

Cockerton

Building has started on a derelict site in the centre of Cockerton – but what was there before?

Inside the diary of a mayoress

Inside the diary of a mayoress

Royal dates, and pictures, in the diary of a Darlington mayoress

From the Archive

8

Take a look at when Northgate was the bustling heart of Darlington

Some great pictures to take a look at

Some great pictures to take a look at

From the Archive

1

Sharing tales of summer with the builders and the construction Darlington Cornmill Centre

Derek and Dot Wilson, landlords of The Alexandra Hotel, Rise Carr, in 1972, with their whippets

Derek and Dot Wilson, landlords of The Alexandra Hotel, Rise Carr, in 1972, with their whippets

2

Back to the days of the dogs: the man who pedalled the whippets’ lure

The pillbox overlooking Yarm bridge, by Phil Dennis

The pillbox overlooking Yarm bridge, by Phil Dennis

Pillboxes of every shape, and the chilling but bizarre ghost that haunts the Nicky-Nack Beck

The Engine Pond at Etherley still holds water! It is fed from a spring on the Greenfield estate. It provided water for the boiler of the steam engine

The Engine Pond at Etherley still holds water! It is fed from a spring on the Greenfield estate. It provided water for the boiler of the steam engine

7

A £1m farm up for sale, with a unique stretch of railway history

Darlington mayor's Chryster Coronado outside St Cuthbert's church, March 30, 1967.

Darlington mayor's Chryster Coronado outside St Cuthbert's church, March 30, 1967.

From the Archive

5

Mayor was offered exceptionally rare Chrysler Coronado for a knockdown price

The opening of Cockerton library on September 2, 1970, with mayoress Doreen Jackson drawing the first book of the shelves while her husband Eric, the mayor, looks on behind her. On the far left is David Dougan of the Northern Arts Association, who

The opening of Cockerton library on September 2, 1970, with mayoress Doreen Jackson drawing the first book of the shelves while her husband Eric, the mayor, looks on behind her. On the far left is David Dougan of the Northern Arts Association, who

A library reopening leads us to an extraordinary story about the squire’s fortune

From the Archive

Sharing memories from Echo readers about a football photo, Queen's visit and the A1

John Hill, who sent us these photographs of the filming of a Woman of Substance in Crown Street, Darlington, said he recalled being too shy to ask star Jenny Seagrove if he could take her picture. Did you speak to her that day, or get a photo?

John Hill, who sent us these photographs of the filming of a Woman of Substance in Crown Street, Darlington, said he recalled being too shy to ask star Jenny Seagrove if he could take her picture. Did you speak to her that day, or get a photo?

From the Archive

7

Do you remember when Woman of Substance and Jenny Seagrove came to Darlington?

You’ll recognise a couple of famous, and not so famous faces in this picture. Did you get an autograph that day? What memories does this picture bring back for you?

You’ll recognise a couple of famous, and not so famous faces in this picture. Did you get an autograph that day? What memories does this picture bring back for you?

1

As Darlington Hippodrome prepares to reopen after coronavirus, take a look in our archive

This great photograph shows some of the Bishop Auckland Reserve team players plus supporters after a Cup Final at Kingsway, Bishop Auckland, in the late 1950’s early 1960’s. We think it might be 1955 – can you help?

This great photograph shows some of the Bishop Auckland Reserve team players plus supporters after a Cup Final at Kingsway, Bishop Auckland, in the late 1950’s early 1960’s. We think it might be 1955 – can you help?

From the Archive

1

Are you in this picture taken after a cup final in Bishop Auckland?

Cummins production line in the 1960s. Work began in 1963 on the £8.5 million plant with engine production commencing in 1965, and at that time the firm had more than 400 employees’ on site

Cummins production line in the 1960s. Work began in 1963 on the £8.5 million plant with engine production commencing in 1965, and at that time the firm had more than 400 employees’ on site

From the Archive

3

10 pictures of Darlington's Cummins factory over the past 50 years

woodland road garage

woodland road garage

From the Archive

1

Looking at Darlington garage through the years

St Cuthbert’s from the Market Place in 1964 with the three cooling towers of the Haughton Road power station behind. It also looks like this photo was taken on a market day. Remember when the view looked like this? Remember when you could drive acro

St Cuthbert’s from the Market Place in 1964 with the three cooling towers of the Haughton Road power station behind. It also looks like this photo was taken on a market day. Remember when the view looked like this? Remember when you could drive acro

From the Archive

2

Take a look at these pictures of Darlington town centre church

From the Archive

Take a look at the A1 – before it was built

Are you among this group of students who opened their A-level results at Polam Hall School, Darlington, in 2010? Tell us what you are up to now

Are you among this group of students who opened their A-level results at Polam Hall School, Darlington, in 2010? Tell us what you are up to now

From the Archive

1

Are you in these photos from A-level results day 2010?

The start of the 10k in 2000. Were you among the runners 20 years ago? Are you taking part in this year’s virtual challenge? Let us know

The start of the 10k in 2000. Were you among the runners 20 years ago? Are you taking part in this year’s virtual challenge? Let us know

Nostalgia: memories of Darlington 10k

William Wright Franks' 1898 Daimler, as it looks today

William Wright Franks' 1898 Daimler, as it looks today

Floored by Franks’ Phaeton: You could carpetbag a carpet beater’s car for £400,000

Not lockdown, but not long after the A1 was opened

Not lockdown, but not long after the A1 was opened

6

Not coronavirus lockdown, but the A1 in the early days

John Hill sent us this picture of Queen Street, Darlington, before the enclosed shopping centre was built in 1968

John Hill sent us this picture of Queen Street, Darlington, before the enclosed shopping centre was built in 1968

From the Archive

3

Take a look at this Darlington shopping centre in days gone by

Greenbank hospital

Greenbank hospital

Getting nostalgic about Darlington maternity unit

Greenbank Maternity

Greenbank Maternity

6

Echo reader sparks nostalgic memories of Darlington's former maternity hospital

Priestgate, when you were allowed to park cars on both sides of the road and nip out and do your shopping

Priestgate, when you were allowed to park cars on both sides of the road and nip out and do your shopping

2

Darlington 1992: How much has changed in the past 28 years and what do you remember about the town centre

The inscription on the front of Bishop Auckland fountain

The inscription on the front of Bishop Auckland fountain

Durham County Council

1

19th century water fountain given new lease of life through Heritage Action Zone

Fred Willans Dunkirk veteran from Darlington is celebrating his 100th birthday Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT.

Fred Willans Dunkirk veteran from Darlington is celebrating his 100th birthday Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT.

1

Delve into the diary of Darlington's Fred Willans: the great survivor

The opening of the recreated Northern General Transport bus depot was one the new deverlopments at Beamish Museum, in 2019

The opening of the recreated Northern General Transport bus depot was one the new deverlopments at Beamish Museum, in 2019

Golden Jubilee planned for region's open-air heritage museum

EARLY DAYS: Looking down Tubwell Row from Darlington’s High Row. William Watson’saddle shop can be seen on the corner on the left. Did Maud Darling grow up in the rooms above? See facing page

EARLY DAYS: Looking down Tubwell Row from Darlington’s High Row. William Watson’saddle shop can be seen on the corner on the left. Did Maud Darling grow up in the rooms above? See facing page

A planning saga, an amorous grocer and true love?

OPENING DAY: Men and boys in flat caps inspect the Ferryhill Cut on its opening day, June 30, 1923

OPENING DAY: Men and boys in flat caps inspect the Ferryhill Cut on its opening day, June 30, 1923

Bypass ushered in a new era after years of waiting

SO SIXTIES: One version of the Shepherd Scheme, in which the town clock and Bakehouse Hill have survived the bulldozer. In other version they, too, were to go, with the new civic theatre to be built on top of Bakehouse Hill

SO SIXTIES: One version of the Shepherd Scheme, in which the town clock and Bakehouse Hill have survived the bulldozer. In other version they, too, were to go, with the new civic theatre to be built on top of Bakehouse Hill

Theatre’s first century has been a true rollercoaster ride

INDUSTRIAL AGE: A Bo-Bo electric engine which worked the line from Shildon to Newport from 1915 to 1935

INDUSTRIAL AGE: A Bo-Bo electric engine which worked the line from Shildon to Newport from 1915 to 1935

Keeping track of change during a fast-moving age

FIRST GLANCE: The original Boots shop front with Victoria Avenue going off to the right and Newgate Street to the left. A poster in the window advertises “Pure Drugs” – a Victorian Boots tradename. Above the window on the left are two enamel signs.

FIRST GLANCE: The original Boots shop front with Victoria Avenue going off to the right and Newgate Street to the left. A poster in the window advertises “Pure Drugs” – a Victorian Boots tradename. Above the window on the left are two enamel signs.

‘Health for a shilling’ at Boots

PIONEER: Arthur Wharton, the first black professional footballer, who started his career in Darlington. He is pictured here in a Rotherham Town shirt in the early 1890s

PIONEER: Arthur Wharton, the first black professional footballer, who started his career in Darlington. He is pictured here in a Rotherham Town shirt in the early 1890s

The first black footballer,who hit the heights but died a pauper

TRACTION DRIVER: John Danby Jemmeson, from Piercebridge who pulled the 12-ton Manson Boulder out of the River Tees at Winston

TRACTION DRIVER: John Danby Jemmeson, from Piercebridge who pulled the 12-ton Manson Boulder out of the River Tees at Winston

Long-distance travels of a Cumbrian boulder

Sixties scene: High Row in 1965, with Pearl Assurance House (now Kenneth House) on the corner with Bondgate on the right of the picture

Sixties scene: High Row in 1965, with Pearl Assurance House (now Kenneth House) on the corner with Bondgate on the right of the picture

Excavation work reveals the buried secrets of town centre

Level crossing: A wonderful 1895 picture of “Honey Pot Lane Crossing” kindly loaned by Mike Pedelty. It is where the Barnard Castle branchline (the start of the line to Stainmore) crossed the line. By 1899, the level crossing had been replaced by a

Level crossing: A wonderful 1895 picture of “Honey Pot Lane Crossing” kindly loaned by Mike Pedelty. It is where the Barnard Castle branchline (the start of the line to Stainmore) crossed the line. By 1899, the level crossing had been replaced by a

Getting to bottom of Rise Carr

Unexplored park: A view of the sculpture and the bandstand in North Park, on a snowy day last week

Unexplored park: A view of the sculpture and the bandstand in North Park, on a snowy day last week

Little-known town park saved by a new group of ‘Friends’

Hallo dollies: Above, Millie Zealand who ran the Dolls’ Hospital in Grange Road, Darlington.

Hallo dollies: Above, Millie Zealand who ran the Dolls’ Hospital in Grange Road, Darlington.

Darlington hospital where all ‘patients’ came out completely cured,the Doll's Hospital Grange Road

Skate park: Rollerskating in South Park pictured here in April 1962, started as pre-war exercise to get the people fit, ready for battle

Skate park: Rollerskating in South Park pictured here in April 1962, started as pre-war exercise to get the people fit, ready for battle

Put on your boots for a brisk stroll through a historic park

Heavy bombers: Royal Canadian Air Force Lancaster bombers at RAF Middleton St George towards the end of the Second World War, of the type flown by William Stuart McMullen,

Heavy bombers: Royal Canadian Air Force Lancaster bombers at RAF Middleton St George towards the end of the Second World War, of the type flown by William Stuart McMullen,

The hero the town forgot

Quaker pupils: A photograph taken in 1857 of the girls studying at Polam Hall School, which was formed three years earlier

Quaker pupils: A photograph taken in 1857 of the girls studying at Polam Hall School, which was formed three years earlier

In the tracks of Polam’s progress

Utopian vision: The Pierremont Vase in pride of place in Henry Pease’s gardens. This picture has clearly been enhanced by the Victorians to bring Henry’s wonderful house and clock tower closer to the gardens to create a vision of utop

Utopian vision: The Pierremont Vase in pride of place in Henry Pease’s gardens. This picture has clearly been enhanced by the Victorians to bring Henry’s wonderful house and clock tower closer to the gardens to create a vision of utop

Park’s faded fountain poised to spring into life once more

Missing tower: Park House, which was built in 1853, pictured before 1901, when the clock tower replaced its original observation tower

Missing tower: Park House, which was built in 1853, pictured before 1901, when the clock tower replaced its original observation tower

Early beginnings of a pioneering Darlington park

Joseph Albert Pease in his chains of office as Darlington Mayor in 1889

Joseph Albert Pease in his chains of office as Darlington Mayor in 1889

An electoral herring in the face, but nothing mushy about Pease Darlington's mayor