One Darlington - Spring 2026

Spring 2026
22 years of
road safety
for Trish
page 10

Our Sponsors Help to Change
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Autumn 2025
S&DR200 festival SPECIAL EDITION
pages 4-7
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Are you interested in advertising with us?
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Email editor@onedarlington.org.uk and a member of the team will be in touch with details!

Welcome to One Darlington
Springtime blossom at the clock tower
Welcome to your spring edition of One Darlington.
After what seemed like a never-ending winter, with
several weeks of solid rain, it’s lovely to have finally
welcomed in the longer days and with them the
renewed sense of optimism that this time of year
brings.
In this edition, we take an in-depth look at something that
plagued motorists up and down the land over the winter
months – potholes. We’ve unpicked some of the myths
around potholes and set out what the council does to
tackle them. See pages 8 and 9.
We also spend a day in the life of long-serving school
crossing patrol officer Trish English, who has been helping
generations of school children safely across Brinkburn
Road for the past 22 years. Trish would reccomend the
job to anyone – turn to page 10 for the full story.
Elsewhere in this edition, we preview another fantastic
summer of events in the town centre (page 14) and look
ahead to some of the other exciting things taking place
across our community venues in the coming weeks and
months in our What’s On listings (pages 20-21).
As always, we hope you enjoy this issue and find plenty to
read, explore and look forward to. Spring is a great time to
make the most of everything our vibrant part of the world
has to offer.
Inside this issue
4-5 S&DR200 legacy
__________________________________
6-7 Food waste recycling
__________________________________
26 Renters’ rights
__________________________________
32 Flying the Purple Flag
__________________________________
36-37 Clubs & communities
One Darlington, Room 106, Town Hall, Darlington.
Email – editor@onedarlington.org.uk
Design and production – Xentrall Shared Services.
Distribution – Smart Distribution Solutions.
The next issue will be out in late July.
If you haven’t received your copy by early August,
please call 0800 160 1552.
An audio and online version of One Darlington is also
available at www.darlington.gov.uk/onedarlington
www.onedarlington.org.uk
one Darlington 03

Have you ventured along the Stockton &
Darlington Railway (S&DR) Trail of Discovery?
The Trail of Discovery is a new walking
and cycling route that follows sections of
the original 26-mile journey of the world’s
first passenger railway, complete with an
interactive game.
It connects heritage sites between Witton Park
in County Durham and Stockton-on-Tees, and
includes various sights in Darlington, including
Hopetown. Interpretation panels, signs, and
public artworks, including nine murals, guide
you along the route, revealing the rich history
of the railway that changed the world.
The Trail of Discovery interactive game
and website, voiced by broadcaster Steph
McGovern, uses augmented reality to bring
the route to life. The interactive game unlocks
stories, podcasts, and digital experiences at
various locations, building your own virtual
cavalcade and deepening your understanding
of the S&DR’s legacy. You can get invovled at
https://sdr-trail-of-discovery.co.uk
S&DR200 Festival Director Niccy Hallifax said:
"The Trail of Discovery is a cornerstone of the
S&DR200 celebrations. It’s not just a route -
it’s a journey through time, innovation, and
community. The game adds a new layer of
engagement, making history accessible and
immersive for all. Created by Tucan, which is
part of the University of Teesside, it’s a live
project that can be followed on the route itself
or remotely and will benefit our communities
for generations to come."
The Trail of Discovery is one of the lasting
legacies of the amazing S&DR200 festival.
All Change launched the festival in front
of a packed audience at Kynren in Bishop
Auckland. The show combined projections,
400 drones and 60 live performers and was an
exciting start to the celebrations.

The festival continues with Perfume
- a sound and light installation
by French artist Yann Nguema at
Preston Park, Stockton-onTees.
Find out more at www.sdr200.co.uk
Hundreds of you decorated a peg doll as part
of the Memory of a Journey project which
encouraged us to share our travel stories. The
dolls were displayed at Hopetown, the library
and in Preston Park Museum, Stockton, before
being digitally archived.
Throughout last year, special exhibitions
were held at Hopetown and at our libraries
with historic engines, nationally important
paintings and artefacts on display, as well
as a new work - Steam to the Future, by
international artist AA Murakami.
In September, Ghost Train Arrival used drama,
digital spectacle, movement, music and
special effects to bring to life the history and
science behind the first railway journey and
the innovations it inspired. Despite torrential
rain, crowds lined the streets as the Ghost
Train made its way from the Market Square to
Hopetown.
Anniversary Journey was the headline event of
the festival. A replica of Locomotion Number 1
recreated the first passenger rail journey from
Shildon to Stockton, crossing Skerne Bridge
(the oldest railway bridge still in use) on the
same day as the original journey. Thousands
of visitors from across the world watched the
crossing in person, via video link in the Market
Square and online. This historic event was
used as a springboard to inspire young people
into careers in STEAM (science, technology,
engineering, arts and mathematics) through a
one-year education programme.
Alongside these main activities, fringe events
were held across the town with dances,
theatre, workshops, walks and talks curated
and planned by you – thank you for helping
us to celebrate such an amazing milestone in
our town’s history. Thanks to your efforts the
S&DR200 Festival has left a real legacy for the
future.

Get ready for food waste
In line with government policy,
we will soon be starting weekly
household food waste and recycling
collections. You will receive a letter with
the start date for the new collections or you
can check out our website.
Before the food waste recycling collections start, a small
food waste caddy for the kitchen, a larger food waste bin
for outside and a roll of 52 biodegradable caddy liners will be
delivered free to every house in Darlington.
What you
need to
do
1
2
Put food waste, such as peelings, leftovers,
out of date items (not in packaging), coffee
grounds and tea bags, in the lined caddy
When the caddy is full, tie the liner bag
3 4
Put it in the outside food waste bin
Put your food waste bin out for collection
once a week, along with your recycling bin
06 www.darlington.gov.uk/foodwaste

FOOD WASTE COLLECTIONS
Your questions answered
Why recycle food waste?
✔ Reduce rubbish sent to landfill
✔ Cut carbon emmissions
✔ Saves money spent on landfill which
can be used on essential services
What can't go in the food waste bin?
✘ Packaging of any kind
✘ Liquids such as oil or soup
✘ Garden waste
✘ Pet waste or cat litter
What food waste can I recycle?
✔ Out of date food removed from packaging
✔ Pet food
✔ Meat, fish and bones
✔ Cheese and dairy products
✔ Leftovers and plate scrapings
✔ Tea bags, coffee grounds and egg shells
✔ Biodegradable liners (or plastic bags used as liners)
How do I use my food waste caddy?
✔ Line your caddy to keep it clean
✔ Fill with all food waste
✔ Empty into your outdoor food waste bin
✔ Put it out for collection weekly with your general
recycling bin
Will food waste smell or attract rats?
✘ No - food waste recycling won't attract rats any more
than putting it in your black bin. The sealable lids on the
outdoor bin and caddy will stop smells and prevent rats.
Regularly emptying the kitchen caddy and tying the liner
will help limit the smell.
How often is food waste collected?
✔ Food waste collections will be weekly, the same day as
your general recycling. Your collection day may change
so check the information delivered with your bin.
Normal household waste collections will stay fortnightly.
MORE INFORMATION?
Visit www.darlington.gov.uk/foodwaste
Recycling
simplified
We are also changing general recycling to
make it easier for us all the recycle more.
Recycling collections will be soon be weekly
and we are changing what goes where.
The changes mean cardboard, paper, tins and
plastic can all be put together in the existing
recycling bin, along with cartons and Tetra
Paks which can now be recycled. Glass will
continue to be put in the green box. This
means the cardboard and paper caddy inside
the bin is no longer needed and can be used
as storage around the home.
Tetra
Paks, paper,
cardboard,
tin and
plastic
If you are on scheme B, you will put
cardboard, paper, tins and plastic in your
green box with cartons and Tetra Paks. Glass
will continue to be separated and put in the
second green box. This means the blue bag
for paper and card is no longer needed, but
you can use it if your green box is full.
Tetra Paks, paper,
cardboard,
tin and
plastic
Glass
Glass
The day your recycling is collected may
change and this will be included in the
information delivered to your home or you
can check your day online. Whatever your
collection day, please make sure all your
recycling is ready for collection by 7am and
bins are brought back in as soon as possible
after collection.
www.darlington.gov.uk/foodwaste
one Darlington 07

A deeper look at p
Our pothole repair teams work throughout
the year, helping to keep the roads safe. Here
we answer some of your frequently asked
questions about what they do.
Why do you patch potholes rather
than resurfacing the whole street
properly?
We don’t have enough money to resurface every
street that has potholes so we carry out pothole
repairs to keep the road safe. Annual condition
surveys are carried out which identify the worst
roads in need of a full resurface, these are then
prioritised in our five-year program. You can see
the program on the website so you know what
streets will be fully refurbished.
How long do patch jobs last?
We repair a pothole if it is at least 40mm deep
or it makes the road dangerous – the amount
of time the repair lasts depends on a number
of things. We expect repairs done during the
summer, in dry weather, to last a number of years
depending on how busy the road is. Water and
ice are the main issues during the winter months.
It’s not ideal to repair potholes when its raining
but we have to make the road safe regardless
of the weather and this can mean that potholes
reappear. Our regular inspections will pick up
any failed repairs.
How do I report a pothole
You can report a pothole using our online report
it system at www.darlington.gov.uk/potholes.
Alternatively you can call us on 01325 405222. We
will ask for your contact details and information about
the location of the pothole.
What happens when I report a pothole?
We will send someone out within 24 hours to
determine how urgently the pothole needs repairing.
If it is on a road and less than 40mm (1.6in) or less
than 20mm (0.8in) on a footpath it may not be
repaired but we will continue to monitor it as part of
our regular safety inspections.
If the pothole meets the criteria, it will be either
repaired within five days or 20 days. The most
dangerous potholes will be repaired within 24 hours.
Our pothole filling team is out all day throughout the
year working on repairs.
Why haven’t you fixed the pothole I
reported?
The pothole won’t be repaired if it does not meet the
size criteria but we will keep monitoring it. It’s also
important to remember that repairs aren’t immediate
unless the pothole is dangerous but if it is deep
enough, we will repair it.
How many potholes do you fix a year?
We fix on average 6,500 potholes a year.
08 www.darlington.gov.uk/potholes

otholes
Why haven’t you fixed all the potholes
on my street – you came out but only
filled a few?
We do not repair potholes on a street-by-street
basis; we repair them according to the level of
urgency and if they meet our investigation level of
40mm. This means that we will repair the biggest
and most urgent potholes on your street first, and
come back to repair any others when they reach
this level.
We will only resurface a whole road when it is in a
bad enough state of repair to be on our schedule of
maintenance.
How do you repair potholes?
There are two types of pothole repair – temporary
and permanent. Whilst permanent repairs are
preferred, temporary repairs stop the road
deteriorating and remove immediate danger to road
users.
We use temporary repairs in emergency situations,
and if a road is on our planned maintenance
scheme and will be getting further repairs in the
near future.
This means you may see a crew doing a temporary
fix on a road and then returning to do a permanent
repair as part of planned maintenance at a later
date.
While potholes are inevitable when our roads
are aging and more vehicles are using them, our
program of planned maintenance significantly
reduces the number of potholes that form and deals
with many of those that are already there.
This is the work you often see our teams carrying
out when they are not responding to urgent repairs.
We use a variety of treatments including:
● micro-asphalt – we apply a thin layer of cold
bitumen emulsion (a tar like substance) and
aggregate (a mix of crushed converted, gravel
and limestone). This restores the road’s surface
texture, improves skid resistance and prevents
potholes. It can also smooth out areas.
● surface dressing – we spray a layer of liquid
bitumen on to the road to seal it, followed by
one or more layers of stone chippings. The
road is then rolled to embed the chippings and
swept three times to remove excess chippings.
This process prevents water penetration,
improves skid resistance and slows down the
disintegration of the road.
Structural maintenance is required when the road
has deteriorated beyond preventative measures
and sections of the road need to be replaced.
In some situations, the road can be recycled by
pulverising the defective layers, mixing with an
additive, compacting and finished with a new
surface.
www.darlington.gov.uk/potholes one Darlington 09

Making the
school run safer!
Our team of school crossing patrol
officers work in all weathers to make
sure children get to school safely. Trish
English, the longest serving member
of the team, explains why it’s a job she
loves and how we can all help make
the school run go more smoothly.
“I will be celebrating 22 years in my
job at Easter. For all of that time I have
been in the same spot, crossing children
and adults from a number of primary
and secondary schools including Reid
Street, Corporation Road, Holy Family,
Hummersknott and Longfield.
“I started the job to fill in the gap whilst
my own children were at school and now
my youngest is 23 years old! It’s a great
job – I love meeting different people and
over time getting to know them.
“It’s a very rewarding job but I would urge motorists to
take more care, especially driving near schools. I wear an
extremely bright coat and carry a large stop sign, if you
can't see me, you shouldn’t be behind the wheel and for
those drivers who speed past me, slow down you never
know what's going on ahead! When I am in the road, my
job is to make sure people can get across safely and this
may take some time, especially if people have young
children or are elderly, so please be patient.
“We are always on the look out for more
people to join the team. If you enjoy
meeting people and being outside,
come rain or shine, this is the job for
you! People are friendly and you'll get to
know all the interesting characters in your
community. Come and join our amazing team of
strong, independent people playing their part
in helping the children we cross, become
the future of our fantastic town.”
To find out more about becoming a school
crossing officer visit www.darlington.gov.uk/jobs
10 www.darlington.gov.uk/jobs

Contact your councillor
Key: (C) Conservative (G) Green
(I) Independent (L) Labour
(LD) Liberal Democrats (R) Reform UK
Your councillor is there to listen to you and find out about the issues that
are affecting life in your ward. Scheduled ward surgeries are detailed
below, but you can email or call your local councillor.
Find out more at www.darlington.gov.uk
Emailing councillors
To email your councillor, their email address is
firstname.lastname@darlington.gov.uk
For example, if you want to email Stephen Harker, type
Stephen.harker@darlington.gov.uk
The only exceptions are Anne-Marie Curry (North Road), Andrew Anderson
(Bank Top and Lascelles) and Rebecca Baker (Brinkburn and Faverdale)
whose email addresses are shown with their contact details.
BANK TOP AND LASCELLES
Andrew Anderson (L) Tel: 07837 225041,
Andrew.G.Anderson@darlington.gov.uk; Helen Crumbie (L) Tel: 07743
191014; David Ray (L) Tel: 07966 048647.
BRINKBURN AND FAVERDALE
Rebecca Baker (L) Tel: 07805 806420, Rebecca.E.Baker@darlington.gov.uk;
David Beckett (L) Tel: 07982 847837. The Darlington RA, Wednesday 1
April, 5-6pm. Scott Durham (C) Tel: 07805 505156. The White Heifer That
Travelled, Tuesday 7 April, 7-8pm.
COCKERTON
Jan Cossins (L) Tel: 241124; Jim Garner (L) Tel: 241384; Neil Johnson (L) Tel:
07963 524090. Cockerton Methodist Church, Friday 10 April, 10-11am.
COLLEGE
Bryony Holroyd (G) Tel: 07570 776553; Matthew Snedker (G) Tel: 07780
807059. Abbey Junior School, Monday 13 April, 6-7pm.
EASTBOURNE
Joe Dillon (L) Tel: 07939 221166. The Wheatsheaf, Tuesday 28 April, 6-7pm.
Jonathan Dulston (C) Tel: 07775 555251. Kevin Nicholson (I) Tel: 07791
807629. Firthmoor Community Centre, Wednesday 15 April, 6-7pm.
HARROWGATE HILL
Roz Henderson (G) Tel: 07967 213584; Richard Lawley (G) Tel:
07779 993336; Anna-Maria Toms (G) Tel: 07954 719211. St Mark’s Church Hall,
Thursday 9 April, 6-7pm; Elim Pentecostal Church, Monday 30 March and 27
April, 1.30-2.30pm.
HAUGHTON AND SPRINGFIELD
Chris McEwan (L) Tel: 07947 016598; Dawn Storr (L) Tel: 07543 159224; Nick
Wallis (L) Tel: 07960 247554. Asda foyer, Saturday 4 April, 10-11am.
HEIGHINGTON AND CONISCLIFFE
Paul Crudass (C) Tel: 374537; Gerald Lee (C) Tel: 314622. High Coniscliffe
Church Hal (St Edwin’s Hall), Saturday 4 April, 10-11am.
HUMMERSKNOTT
Kate Mammolotti (G) Tel: 07949 222733. Salutation Hall, Monday 30 March
and 27 April, 6-7pm. Thomas Robinson (I) Tel: 07735 310357.
HURWORTH
Lorraine Tostevin (C) Tel: 333382; Paul Walters (C) Tel: 722097.
By appointment only, Tuesday 7 April, 5.30-6.30pm.
MOWDEN
Pauline Culley (C) Tel: 250482; Alan Marshall (C) Tel: 359138 or 07807
523106. Mowden Junior School, Monday 20 April, 6.30-7.30pm.
NORTHGATE
Sajna Ali (L) Tel: 405998; Sonia Kane (L) Tel: 486754. Ward Surgery
appointment only via (The Mayor) Councillor Kane’s number.
NORTH ROAD
Hilary Allen (LD) Tel: 480277; Anne-Marie Curry (LD) Tel: 07531 304050,
annemarie.curry@darlington.gov.uk. James Coe (I) Tel: 07828 178276.
Morrisons Café (North Road), Wednesday 8 April 6-7pm. The Well,
Wednesday 22 April, 1-2pm.
PARK EAST
Libby McCollom (L) Tel: 07910 369887; Michael Nicholson (L) Tel: 07493
247327; Matthew Roche (L) Tel: 07403 208120. Clifton Centre Community
Association, Tuesday 14 April, 1-2pm; Dolphin Centre, Thursday 9 April, 5.30-
6.30pm; Skerne Park Community Centre, Tuesday 7 April, 11am-noon.
PARK WEST
Bob Donoghue (C) Tel: 07767 294194; Heather Scott (C) Tel: 468547. By
appointment only through Cllr Donoghue’s number.
PIERREMONT
Stephen Harker (L) Tel: 380039; Mary Layton (L) Tel: 491802 or
07460 980776; James McGill (L) Tel: 07964 670793. Reid Street Primary
School, Wednesday 1 April, 6-7pm.
RED HALL AND LINGFIELD
Mandy Porter (L) Tel: 07962 363855; Heathfield Primary School, Thursday
16 April, 3.30-4.30pm; Red Hall Community Centre, Thursday 9 April, 5-6pm.
Michael Walker (R) Tel: 406444. Red Hall Community Centre, Monday 6 April,
4 May, 1 June, and 6 July, 6-7pm; Heathfield Primary School, Tuesday 14 April,
12 May, 9 June, and 14 July, 5:45-6:30pm.
SADBERGE AND MIDDLETON ST GEORGE
Deborah Laing (C) Tel: 07747 863297. All queries to be directed to Councillor
Laing’s contact number. Yvonne Renton (I) Tel: 07486 617516; Colin Pease
(I) Tel: 07738 422776. Bishopton Village Hall, Friday 3 April 10.30-11.30am;
Middleton St George Cricket Club, Tuesday 31 March and 28 April, 7-8pm.
STEPHENSON
Ian Haszeldine (L) Tel: 07807 381613; Mohammad Mahmud (L) Tel: 07828
898799.
WHINFIELD
Jamie Bartch (C) Tel: 07716 680109; Andy Keir (C) Tel: 07597 297654. Asda
foyer, Saturday 28 March and 25 April, 11am-noon.
NB: Further surgery dates will be added between May and July, please
contact democratic services on 01325 406444 to confirm dates or visit
www.darlington.gov.uk/councillors and click on the relevant councillor for
details.
MPs’ SURGERIES:
Lola McEvoy (Darlington MP)
can be contacted by email at
lola.mcevoy.mp@parliament.uk or via her
constituency office at 35-36 Blackwellgate,
Darlington, DL1 5HW or call 01325 526655 during
opening hours, Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm.
Matt Vickers (Stockton West MP)
can be contacted by email at
matt.vickers.mp@parliament.uk
or call his constituency office on 01642 956526.
Ben Houchen – TEES VALLEY MAYOR
can be contacted at Office of the Tees Valley
Mayor, Tees Valley Combined Authority,
Teesside International Airport, Darlington,
DL2 1NJ. Call 01325 792600 or
email mayor@teesvalley-ca.gov.uk
www.darlington.gov.uk/your-council
one Darlington 11

Investing in
Darlington’s
future
Council leader Steve Harker on the importance
of the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP)
“Despite the financial pressures faced nationally
by local authorities, the council’s four-year
MTFP sets out a confident and ambitious path
forward.
Along with our 2026-27 budget, the MTFP protects
vital services while supporting development,
investment and opportunity across our borough.
Darlington has celebrated several major successes
in recent years – from the growth of Darlington
Economic Campus to the creation of hundreds of
new homes.
The MTFP for 2026/27 to 2029/30 sets out a
road map for how we can continue to build on this
progress.
Darlington continues to attract new employers
and government departments, strengthening our
economy and creating high quality jobs. Growth
at locations such as Central Park and Symmetry
Park, alongside the expansion of the Darlington
Economic Campus, shows that Darlington is
increasingly seen as a place where businesses
want to invest.
Our economic landscape has been transformed in
recent years. Our strategy of targeted investment
is paying off, bringing new jobs, new opportunities
and renewed confidence in the future.
Housing remains a key success story too. With 365
new council homes built in recent years, we have
made real progress in providing affordable, good
quality places to live – helping to support healthier,
more stable communities. This commitment
continues through significant investment in energy
efficiency upgrades, modernisation and new build
housing outlined in the MTFP.
Transport and infrastructure are also central to the
plan. The redevelopment of Darlington train station
and major investment in highways and connectivity
will support commuters, businesses and visitors for
years to come.
Even in difficult financial conditions, we are
protecting essential services and prioritising what
residents tell us matters most. This plan keeps us
moving forward sustainably, responsibly and with
ambition.
The MTFP signals a borough that is not standing
still. Despite pressures, we continue to invest
in people, services and places - helping ensure
Darlington remains a great place to live, learn,
work and thrive.”
12 www.darlington.gov.uk

A dive into the data…
Just some of the things having a balanced MTFP helps support
*Most recent reporting period
6,341
potholes
repaired
347
planning
application
decisions
393
weddings
registered
£
£76m
spent by
the council
with local
suppliers
160,739
visits to
Hopetown
Darlington
@
294,517
calls and emails
received by
customer
services
296,572
library items
borrowed
903,209
visits to the
Dolphin
Centre
3,836
fly tips
reported
14,029
tonnes of
waste reused,
recycled or
composted

Events guide reveals a
year of free fun for all!
There’s free fun for people of all ages on offer
throughout the year, with the launch of our
2026 events guide.
The guide which is available at the Dolphin
Centre and other town centre venues and on the
Enjoy Darlington website,
www.enjoydarlington.co.uk/what-s-on, details the
main events taking place in and around the town
centre this year.
Firm favourites including Tractor Tuesday,
Emergency Services Day and an extended
Darlington by the Sea are returning, along with
the Eco and Wool Fairs, Proms in the Park, the
GOLD tea dance and Darlington Pride.
Applications have already opened for the
Darlington 10k and there’s the inclusive Making
Sense Together event to look forward to as well as
the Rhythm and Tunes Festival for live music fans.
Get ready for some new events including a trail to
mark the launch of the new Magic Faraway Tree film
and another especially for this Swifties as well as a
special K-pop day, performances by the Hurworth
Concert Band and a town centre disco party!
If you are coming to join in the fun don’t forget to
check out the great range of independent and high
street shops, restaurants and cafes in the town
centre. There really is something for all tastes and
budgets.
14 www.enjoydarlington.co.uk/what-s-on

Caring for our
communities this winter
Over the winter months, colder weather brought
increased demand across NHS services, with rises
in seasonal illness, falls and hospital admissions.
At County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation
Trust, teams worked tirelessly to help people receive
the right care at the right time and support recovery
closer to home where possible.
Two services play an important role during this busy
period: the Acute Frailty Service and Hospital at Home.
Frailty can affect older people living with multiple
health conditions, making recovery from illness more
complex. The Acute Frailty Service is a consultantled,
multidisciplinary team providing early specialist
assessment for patients who are acutely unwell or at
risk of admission.
By bringing together doctors, nurses and therapists,
the team makes rapid decisions, coordinates care and,
where appropriate, supports patients to return home
sooner.
Dr Ewan Tevendale, Consultant in Acute
Frailty, said: “Patients living with frailty can
come to harm from prolonged hospital stays.
By prioritising early specialist assessment and
providing care in the most appropriate setting,
often at home, we can improve outcomes,
reduce complications and help people
recover where they are most comfortable.”
Working alongside this, the Hospital at Home
service delivered hospital-level care in
patients’ own homes, including intravenous
treatments, monitoring and rehabilitation -
helping maintain independence while easing
pressure on wards.
We would also like to thank our local
communities for their support during this
busy time - from choosing the right service
for their needs to checking in on vulnerable
neighbours. That collective effort makes a real
difference.
www.cddft.nhs.uk
one Darlington 15

A new dawn for
The look, feel and use of town centres across
the UK has changed significantly over the
decades and more rapidly in recent years, and
Darlington is no different.
Changes in shopping habits, particularly the
shift to online shopping, and in eating out and
socialising post COVID, have all played a huge
part.
These changes are here to stay, so it’s vital the
town centre responds to the changes positively,
remaining ambitious but realistic as we look
forward and adapt. We’re already in a good
position with much to celebrate.
Despite changes to the make-up and use of our
town centre, footfall remains largely unchanged
in recent years, and our car parks remain busy
and consistently full at peak times which is
encouraging.
Shoppers and diners in the town centre have a
good choice of places to enjoy, with more than
100 independent shops, restaurants, cafes and
bars and over 50 high street brands on offer.
Every year a whole host of events is brought to
the town centre by the council's events team, with
thousands of people coming to Darlington to make
a day of it.
Our events programme delivers free fun for all
ages all year round. From the popular 10k run, to
the Rhythm & Tunes Festival, there’s something
for everyone. The Dolphin Centre has also gone
from strength to strength in recent years, with
the new mini golf development opening soon
alongside existing options like bowling, soft play
and swimming.
This is a significant time for change and growth,
with the council's focus on developing Darlington
to secure real positive change in our town centre,
placing it at the heart of our community for years
to come with much work going on to support this.
An ambitious town centre regeneration initiative
of a scale that was last seen when the town
centre remodelling works were carried out in the
1960s and 80s is about to get underway with
work currently in the planning stages and set to
continue in the coming months and years.

Darlington
The development work will be carried out at
three key town centre sites and will result in more
vibrant and useable spaces which will bring more
people into the town centre – more information
will be available on this as the projects progress
over the coming months.
The Northern Echo building on Priestgate is set to
open soon and will be providing an educational
space for Darlington College and Learning & Skills
as well as affordable commercial space on the first
floor which will see an upturn in town centre users.
A science, technology, engineering and
mathematics (STEM) centre, which will offer
cutting-edge teaching and a learning hub is to
be built at the Science Park sitting alongside
Teesside University and CPI. The introduction of
the centre will provide clear pathways from school
so young people can access high-value careers
in science, technology, engineering and maths.
Building will begin on the centre later this year.
Work is also now underway on the government
hub on Brunswick Street which will house nine
government departments including HM Treasury
with 1,600 civil servants based in the building,
boosting footfall in our town.
The £140 million upgrade to the train station also
completes this year making it easier than ever to
get to and from Darlington.
With all that’s going on, and many exciting things
on the horizon, positive changes in the way our
town centre is used are undoubtedly on the
way. These changes mean we are well placed to
respond to shifting trends and conditions, ensuring
our town centre continues to be an attractive,
vibrant and useable space for people to live, work
and enjoy their free time.
With spring in the air, there’s much to feel positive
about.
www.darlington.gov.uk
one Darlington 17

BookFit Challenge
launched to boost
adult reading
Darlington Libraries has launched an exciting
new initiative to encourage adults to read
more regularly as part of the National Year of
Reading. Whether you’re starting out or getting
back into the habit, this is a fun and supportive
way to boost your reading confidence.
The BookFit Challenge invites residents aged 16
and over to build their ‘reading fitness’ through
a series of simple steps. Much like the popular
Couch to 5k plan, the challenge provides a training
programme to ease people back in to reading.
Warm up reads
Free online magazines and newspapers
Training mode
Quick reads, biographies, travel guides
Advanced reads
Read novels, try a new genre
All reading formats count! That includes physical
books, eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, or digital
newspapers so long as they’re borrowed from
either of the Darlington Libraries in Crown Street or
Cockerton, or through the free online digital library
service.
Taking part is completely free, and you can enter
either in branch or online. Read five things, in any
format and return a completed card or enter online.
A ‘finish line winner’ will be drawn every month,
with the lucky reader receiving a shopping
voucher.
So why not get involved?
Join the BookFit Challenge this year and build
your reading fitness - no sweat required!
To find out more about Darlington Libraries, the
fantastic range of resources it offers and details
of events and activities log onto the website at
www.darlington.gov.uk/library or download the
Darlington Library App. You can also find them on
Facebook @DarlingtonLibraries
18 www.darlington.gov.uk/library

Be
Water
Aware
Firefighters and community safety partners are
urging everyone not take risks when near the
water as they issue life-saving safety advice.
County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue
Service and fellow members of the Darlington
Open Water Safety Group are reminding anyone
that does get into difficulty in the water to stay
calm and float on their back.
The message comes ahead of the National Fire
Chiefs Council ‘Be Water Aware Week’ (April 27 to
May 3) - a national drowning prevention and water
safety campaign.
Crew manager Paul Bainbridge said: “Our advice
is ‘float to live’. If you fall in the water, float on your
back. Tilt your head back with your ears under the
water and use your hands to help you stay afloat.
“When you are floating, call for help or try to steer
with your arms towards shore.”
The group also warned people to never enter the
water to try and help someone, and instead follow
the ‘Call, Tell, Throw’ guidance.
● Call 999 and ask for the fire service, explaining
where you are. You can use landmarks or the
‘what3words’ app to help direct crews to your
location.
● Tell the person in the water not to panic and to
float on their back.
● Throw them something that floats such as a
throw bag, if nearby. If they are attached to a
rope, make sure you hold the end so you can
pull the person in.
Download the what3words app so you can
pinpoint your location - simply read the three
words to the 999 service when making the call.
For more information scan the QR code or visit
www.ddfire.gov.uk/water-safety or the Royal Life
Saving Society UK website at www.rlss.org.uk
County Durham and Darlington
Fire and Rescue Service
www.ddfire.gov.uk/water-safety one Darlington 19

ENJOY WHAT’S ON IN
Spring brings lighter days and a lively line-up of things to do;
another great reason to get out there and Enjoy Darlington.
____________________________________________________
Parkrun and junior parkrun – weekends, South Park. A free,
weekly, timed run, walk or jog. The 5km event is on Saturdays at
9am. The 2km junior event, for those aged 4-14, is on Sundays at
9am.
The Hive at
Darlington Library
Fabrication Station – Mondays, 3-5pm. Material costs from £2.50.
____________________________________________________
Fabric Friends – Tuesdays, 1-5pm. Free, drop-in.
____________________________________________________
Craft & Chat – Thursdays fortnightly, 10-11.30am. £5, booking
required.
____________________________________________________
Design & Print – Saturdays, 10-11.30am. 3D print workshops for 8+.
From £1.
____________________________________________________
Movie Makers – Saturdays, 1-2.30pm. Plasticine animation for 6+.
£2.50.
World Heritage Day – Saturday 18, Hopetown Darlington, 11am –
3pm. Free.
____________________________________________________
May
Food & Drink Festival – Friday 1 – Monday 4, Darlington Market.
Stalls, street food and live music. Free admission, individual
charges apply.
____________________________________________________
Local History Month – Friday 1 – Sunday 31, Darlington and
Cockerton Library. Range of displays, talks and events with a local
history theme. Times and prices vary. Book online.
____________________________________________________
RnB: Big Wolf Band – Friday 8, The Forum, Borough Road,
7.30pm. £18.
____________________________________________________
April
Murder at Midnight – Wednesday 1 – Saturday 4, Darlington
Hippodrome, 7.30pm. From £17.50.
____________________________________________________
Easter Eggstravaganza – Monday 6, Hopetown Darlington, 10am-
4pm. Free.
____________________________________________________
Easter Holiday Workshops – Monday 6 – Saturday 18, Darlington
Library. Times and prices vary. Book online.
____________________________________________________
Easter Holiday Activities – Tuesday 7 – Friday 17, Darlington and
Cockerton Libraries. Times vary. Full details online.
____________________________________________________
Best of Foo – Saturday 11, The Forum, Borough Road, 7.30pm. Foo
Fighters tribute act. £13.
____________________________________________________
Glorious! – Tuesday 12 – Saturday 16, Darlington Hippodrome,
7.30pm. From £18.
____________________________________________________
Smoove & Turrell – Saturday 16, The Forum, Borough Road.
7.30pm. £22.
____________________________________________________
Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift – Tuesday 19 –
Saturday 23, Darlington Hippodrome, 7.30pm. From £17.50.
____________________________________________________
Vintage and Classic Car Rally – Saturday 23, Hopetown
Darlington, 10am – 4pm. Free.
____________________________________________________
Vintage Wares and Wonders – Sunday 24, Hopetown Darlington,
10am – 4pm. Free.
____________________________________________________
The Enormous Crocodile – Thursday 16 – Saturday 18, Darlington
Hippodrome, 10.30am and 1.30pm. Family musical. From £13.
____________________________________________________
1940s Day featuring a Spitfire – Monday 25, Hopetown
Darlington, 10am – 4pm. Free.
____________________________________________________
20 enjoydarlington.co.uk

DARLINGTON
The Wartime Wardrobe – Monday 25, Hopetown Darlington,
2-3pm. £15.
____________________________________________________
May Half-Term Workshops – Tuesday 26 – Saturday 30, The Hive
at Darlington Library. Times and prices vary. Book online.
___________________________________________________
June
Eco Fair – Saturday 6, Town Centre, 11am – 4pm. Free.
____________________________________________________
Wool Fair – Sunday 7, Town Centre, 11am – 4pm. Free.
____________________________________________________
The Simon and Garfunkel Story – Sunday 14, Darlington
Hippodrome, 7.30pm. From £21.
____________________________________________________
Crossing The Tees: Fiona Robertson – Wednesday 17, Darlington
Library, 6-7.30pm. Book online at www.crossingthetees.org
____________________________________________________
Rachel Fairburn & Chris Cantrill: Work in Progress – Thursday 18,
The Forum, Borough Road, 7.30pm. Comedy night. £10.
____________________________________________________
Party on the Platform – Friday 19, Hopetown Darlington, 7-10pm.
18+ only. £12.
____________________________________________________
Dino Day – Sunday 21, Hopetown Darlington, 10am – 3pm. Free.
____________________________________________________
Crossing The Tees: Planting Poetry – Saturday 20, Darlington
Library, 10am-1pm. Book online.
____________________________________________________
Crossing The Tees: Crime Panel – Monday 22, Darlington Library,
6.30-8pm. Book online.
____________________________________________________
Crossing The Tees: Local Author Showcase – Thursday 25,
Darlington Library, 6.30-8pm. Book online.
____________________________________________________
In The Night Garden Live – Saturday 27 and Sunday 28,
Darlington Hippodrome, Noon and 3pm on Saturday, 10am and
noon on Sunday. From £15.
___________________________________________________
July
Proms in the Park – Sunday 5, South Park, 3-6pm. Free.
____________________________________________________
World Cultural Day – Sunday 12, Town centre, 11am – 5pm. Free.
____________________________________________________
The Importance of Being Oscar – Tuesday 14 – Thursday 16,
Darlington Hippodrome, 7.30pm. From £20.
____________________________________________________
The Tiger Who Came to Tea – Friday 17 and Saturday 18,
Darlington Hippodrome, 1.30pm and 4.30pm on Friday, 11am and
2pm on Saturday. From £11.
____________________________________________________
Paddington Day – Saturday 25, Hopetown Darlington, 10am –
5pm. Free.
Love your libraries!
Satur-yays – Darlington Library, Saturdays 10am-2pm, Free. Drop
in for stories, crafts, games and more. No booking required.
____________________________________________________
Stay and Play – Darlington Library, Wednesday mornings (termtime),
10-11.30am, Free. No booking required.
____________________________________________________
After-school activities – Cockerton Library, Tuesdays and
Thursdays (term time) 3.30-5pm, Free. No booking required.
____________________________________________________
Lego Club – Cockerton Library, Saturdays 10am-12pm, Free. No
booking required.
____________________________________________________
Adult Watercolour Painting – Darlington Library, monthly on
Tuesdays 2.30-4pm, £5, book online.
____________________________________________________
Adult Watercolour Painting – Cockerton Library, fortnightly on
Fridays 11am-12.30pm, £5, book online.
Contacts
Eventbrite – www.eventbrite.co.uk
Hopetown Darlington visit
www.hopetowndarlington.co.uk call 01325 405060,
or email hopetown@darlington.gov.uk
Darlington Hippodrome visit
www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk
or call 01325 405405
Theatre Hullabaloo – call 01325 405405 or visit
www.theatrehullabaloo.org.uk
Darlington Libraries – call 01325 349610 or visit
www.darlington.gov.uk/library
Dolphin Centre – call 01325 406000 or email
healthydarlington@darlington.gov.uk
The Forum Music Studios – visit
www.theforumonline.co.uk
Learning & Skills – call 01325 405601 or visit
www.darlington.gov.uk/learningandskills
one
enjoydarlington.co.uk Darlington 21

Keeping your food safe
Our environmental health officers play a critical
role in protecting public health. A key part of
this is making sure the food and drink you buy
and consume is safe.
We work across a number of businesses and
industries including retail, hospitality and care,
offering advice and education on food safety and
hygiene, conducting inspections, taking samples
and investigating complaints.
Here is a snapshot of the fantastic work our small
but diligent team has done in the last financial year
(April 2025 – March 2026):
338
152
Food hygiene inspections
We monitor and inspect food businesses
using the Food Standards Agency’s food
hygiene rating scheme. 97% of those
businesses inspected received good or very
good hygiene ratings (4 or 5 stars).
Hygiene complaints
received
All complaints received by the team are
reviewed, logged and investigated as
appropriate.
220
132
Food standards inspections
These inspections go beyond food safety,
and are more about food quality, including
how food is labelled, what it contains and
how it is imported, exported or transported.
Requests for advice
We have given help and advice to
businesses on issues including labelling,
training and starting a food business.
149
16
Food samples collected
We take samples to make sure that food
is produced, handled, distributed and
stored safely. Nine of our samples returned
unsatisfactory results and we gave advice
to the business owners to help them avoid
future issues.
Allergen samples collected
Food businesses must ensure that all
allergens are safely managed. These tests
identify where cross contamination may
have occurred.
Legal notices issued
5 1
Legal notices outline what food businesses
must do to fix hygiene issues identified by
our team.
18
4
Drinking water samples
More than 300 tests were carried out on these
samples. These looked for different chemicals
and bacteria which could pose health risks.
Allergen complaints
received
These are from people who have disclosed
an allergen to a business and have gone
on to have a reaction. All complaints are
investigated.
Food prosecution
Prosecutions are rare and are only made
where attempts to engage businesses
and resolve issues have failed. Most food
businesses in Darlington demonstrate good
or very good hygiene standards.
To report a concern about a food business please email environmentalhealth@darlington.gov.uk or call
01325 405111.
Complaints about exposure to known allergens in a local business should be reported via the North East
Allergic Reaction website. You can find a link to this at www.darlington.gov.uk/foodsafety under ‘Make a
report’.
22 www.darlington.gov.uk

Going further to support
children’s wellbeing
Children at Pierremont pre-school which is working towards the new standards.
We have expanded our Healthy Early Years
Catering Award, which helps early years
settings create environments where healthy
choices become second nature, to include
physical activity and oral health as core
components.
In Darlington, nearly a quarter of reception aged
children are overweight or obese, placing them
at increased risk of preventable health conditions
later in life, including high blood pressure, heart
disease and diabetes. Children living in our most
deprived areas are almost twice as likely to be
living with obesity as those in the least deprived,
highlighting the persistent inequalities we must
continue to address.
One in four five year olds also have obvious tooth
decay, and the rate of children requiring hospital
tooth extractions is almost double the national
average.
Early childhood health is shaped by a complex
mix of environment, family circumstances, access
to healthy food, opportunities to be active
and exposure to good early years habits. By
broadening the award criteria, we are taking a
more holistic approach to improve early childhood
health. This is not just about preventing problems
today - it is about shaping the long term wellbeing
of our population. Children who begin life healthy
are more likely to thrive in school, enjoy better
mental health, achieve more in adulthood and live
longer, healthier lives.
A new suite of practical guidance, local case
studies and easy to follow tips has been
developed to support nurseries, childminders
and early years providers in meeting the updated
standards - giving staff the confidence and tools
they need to help children build positive lifelong
habits.
More information, including the award
criteria and guidance for early years settings
is available at www.darlington.gov.uk/hey
www.darlington.gov.uk one Darlington 23

Did you
get a paper
council
tax bill?
Your annual council tax bill for 2026/27 has
been sent and 7,200 households chose to
receive their bill by email.
Each year we send around 100,000 paper
council tax bills by post – this does not
include the reminders issued for late
payment.
If you have not yet signed up for email billing,
and would like to receive future bills direct
to your inbox, make a note of the council tax
reference number on your bill and visit
www.darlington.gov.uk/counciltaxonline
It only takes a couple of minutes to register. Click
the digital envelope link, choose “continue without
creating an account" and provide us with your name,
postcode, email address and reference number - it's
that easy.
Getting your council tax bills directly to your inbox as
soon as they’re ready can be especially useful if you
get multiple bills throughout the year or if the amount
you owe changes. It can help you stay on top of your
outgoings and manage your budget more easily.
It may also be a better option if you already get most
of your other bills online.
Learning & Skills Darlington
Enjoy a great
career in care
We have FREE courses to help you
start or progress in your career.
From Continuing Professional
Development (CPD) and distance
learning to apprenticeships and
weeklong introductory courses
offering a guaranteed interview.
Find out more at
www.darlington.gov.uk/healthandcare
CALL 01325 405601
EMAIL l&s@darlington.gov.uk

Driving your
career forward
If you’re looking for work, an employment
academy course with Learning & Skills
Darlington can help you achieve a new career
in customer service, health and social care,
hospitality or manufacturing.
Our free, five-day courses offer a guaranteed
interview at the end and give you the knowledge,
skills and confidence to secure the job you want.
Stefan Gleisner, who now works as a bus driver for
Arriva, shares his experience of being on a course
and the difference it has made to his life:
“I’ve had a varied career, working in the theatre
industry, IT and more recently having my own
voiceover business. Following the pandemic it
became clear I needed a more stable, reliable
income, especially as I have three teenage sons
and a mortgage to pay, but I was finding it difficult
as I didn’t have recent, relevant experience and I’m
in my sixties.
“I found out about the employment course with
Arriva from the course tutor Heather, who I met on
a different course. She asked if I could drive and
the rest is history!
“Although the course was for a driving position,
the focus was on customer care which is a large
part of the role. It gave me insight into what would
be expected of me which was helpful as I’d only
ever worked behind the scenes. I can honestly
say, everything we learnt is relevant to my day-today
working life. The course felt surprisingly short
– it was very relaxed and the tutor was great at
including everyone.
“The best thing about the course was knowing I
was going to be put in front of a hiring manager
and would have a real shot, at a real job. It gave
me a massive confidence boost.
“Getting the job with Arriva has changed my life. I
now have secure hours, opportunities for overtime,
and have a real work/life balance.
“There’s nothing to be lost by trying an
employment course. If it doesn’t turn out to be a
job you want, you will come away with transferable
skills and will have interview experience. The
tutors are also great at helping you access other
opportunities.”
For more information about employment
academy courses visit www.darlington.gov.uk/
employmentacademy or tel. 01325 405601.
The web page is regularly updated with new
opportunities.
www.darlington.gov.uk/employmentacademy
one Darlington 25

Renting is changing
Big changes are coming in the private renting
sector as the Renters’ Rights Act 2025
brings in new rights and responsibilities for
landlords, letting agents and tenants.
Most new and existing tenancies will become
assured periodic tenancies on 1 May. Landlords
will no longer be able to use Section 21 ‘nofault’
evictions and will only be able to evict
tenants if there is a valid reason. This means
tenants will be able to stay in their property for
as long as they want, or until a landlord serves
a valid Section 8 notice.
However, the new rules will make it easier
for landlords to evict tenants who commit
anti-social behaviour, or who are in serious
persistent rent arrears. Tenants will be able to
end their tenancy by giving two months’ notice.
Rent increases with be limited to once a year,
and landlords will have to give the tenant at
least two months’ notice of any proposed
increase. Tenants will be able to challenge
increases through a tribunal if this is higher than
the market rent.
Rental bidding and rent in advance will be
banned. Landlords and agents will not be
able to request more than one month’s rent in
advance.
It will be illegal to discriminate against renters
who have children or receive benefits, and
landlords must also consider tenant requests
to rent with a pet.
As a landlord, it is your responsibility to read
the guidance in full and you must make any
necessary changes to ensure you comply
with the new law when it’s implemented on 1
May.
Landlords must also provide tenants with a
copy of the government published information
sheet on or before 31 May to inform tenants
about the changes.
Other parts of the Renters’ Rights Act will take
effect later. You should read the guidance and
check what you need to do at
gov.uk/rentingischanging where you can sign
up to email alerts for updates.
26 www.darlington.gov.uk

Occupational Therapy
Supporting people to live independently
Occupational therapy
helps people live as
independently and safely as
possible. Our adult services
occupational therapy and
sensory team works with
people who need support,
offering practical advice and
tailored solutions that make a
real difference.
Home is where we feel
safest, yet for some people,
health challenges or sensory
impairments can make everyday
tasks overwhelming. Simple
activities, such as climbing
the stairs or preparing a meal,
can suddenly feel impossible,
affecting independence and
quality of life.
Through conversations, the team
can understand what people
can do, their strengths, and the
challenges they face, giving
them the information they need
to identify risks and barriers and
suggest simple techniques and
equipment to make everyday
tasks easier.
Are you, or is someone
you know, struggling
with everyday tasks?
Contact the occupational
therapy and sensory team
on 01325 406111
For more information, visit
www.darlington.gov.uk/
occupationaltherapy
Real Stories, Real Impact
Anita was facing significant challenges after a decline in health left
her unable to walk safely upstairs in her home - she was sleeping in
the living room, which affected her wellbeing and disrupted family life.
Following an occupational therapy assessment, a range of support
was put in place, including minor adaptations, equipment, and the
installation of a stairlift through a Disabled Facilities Grant. These
changes enabled Anita to return safely to her bedroom and bathroom
upstairs.
Anita told us our team’s support has “changed her life,” helping her
regain independence and a sense of normality.
John, who recently registered as severely sight impaired, was keen to
maintain independence following a significant loss of sight.
A sensory needs assessment by our team identified practical
solutions to support John with his everyday tasks. These included
a liquid level indicator to prevent spills, tactile markers for kitchen
appliances and a talking clock for timekeeping. He completed long
cane training to help him safely walk around his local area and
continue his daily routines, including chatting with people.
John has regained confidence, maintained his independence, and is
delighted to be able to get outdoors safely.
Occupational therapy is not just about equipment - it is about
confidence, independence, and dignity. Whether it is preventing
falls, conserving energy, or making daily routines easier, our
occupational therapy and sensory team works closely with the NHS
to support hospital discharges and rehabilitation, helping people live
independently and safely.
Anita and John’s circumstances highlight how occupational therapy
and sensory services can support people to live well at home.
www.darlington.gov.uk/occupationaltherapy
one Darlington 27

HAF is back!
HAF ACTIVITIES AND
Unsung
Hero award
The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF)
programme is back this Easter, running from
Tuesday 7 - Saturday 18 April. Children and
young people aged 5–16 years, who receive
benefits‐related free school meals, are
invited to take part.
There’s lots to enjoy, including arts and crafts,
sports, bowling, cookery sessions and exciting
days out. If your child is eligible, you’ll receive
a letter from their school explaining how to
book. If you haven’t received a letter but think
your child qualifies, please contact the school
directly. For more information, call 01325
405400, visit www.darlington.gov.uk/HAF or
email movemore@darlington.gov.uk
Silent Santa Appeal organisers Gerald and
Ruth Lee were the winners of the Unsung
Hero Award at the annual County Durham
Together Awards.
More than 1,200 packages of gifts were
given to children last Christmas thanks to
the generous donations from local people
and support of Lingfield Point, Sainsbury’s,
firefighters Carl Blackburn and Robin Craghill
for storing and delivering them.
Celebrating
Carers Week
Electoral
review
Carers Week (8–14 June) is a time to
recognise and celebrate the dedication of
unpaid carers, raise awareness and campaign
for better support. If you are providing
essential care and support to someone, you
are a carer, and you are not alone.
Darlington’s Commitment to Carers supports
carers to access the right help at the right time.
Look out for information nearer the date and
don’t miss out on meeting some of the people
who form Darlington Carers Support during
the week. For more information visit www.
ddcarers.org. or email
admin@darlingtoncarers.org
We asked for your views on the Local
Government Boundary Commission for
England’s review of new council wards. The
first round of consultation has now closed.
Your responses will now be used by the
commission to draw up a new political map
for the area. Draft recommendations will
be published on 5 May when you will be
invited to comment on the proposals on the
Commission’s website at https://www.lgbce.
org.uk/all-reviews/darlington. The consultation
runs from 5 May until 13 July.

Support with daily living
If you are struggling with day-to-day tasks,
you may be eligible for an assessment of your
care needs and support from the council's
adult social care team. If you are eligible, you
could choose to receive a direct payment to
help meet those needs.
A direct payment is a personal budget that is
paid directly to you, to enable you to arrange
the care and support that suits you best.
Direct payments are flexible; you can use them
in many ways.
For example, you may choose to:
● employ a personal assistant,
● attend a day service or community activity, or
● pay for support from a care agency.
You can receive a direct payment for all your
support or part of it, depending on what works
best for you.
If you are a carer, you may also be able to get a
direct payment in your own right.
Direct payments give you more choice and
control over how your support is arranged. You
can manage the payment yourself, or if you
prefer, a family member or friend can manage it
on your behalf.
If you would like to find out more
about direct payments, for yourself,
or someone you know visit:
www.darlington.gov.uk/adult-social-care and
search direct payments or call 01325 406111
and speak to the direct payments team.
You can also find out more at
www.darlingtondisability.org or call
01325 489999 for more information.

Pupils ask
parents to
care about
their air
Children from Abbey School have got behind our
‘care about your air’ campaign, which focuses on
reducing unnecessary engine idling across the
borough.
Junior road safety officers from year five joined
our environmental health officers to encourage
parents and carers picking up their children to
switch off their engines while they wait. As well as
talking to people about the impact of engine idling,
the children distributed information flyers and car
stickers which they asked people to display in the
rear windscreen of their vehicles.
The stickers, which are intended to remind
motorists parked nearby to turn off their engines,
are an effective, low-cost way to ensure this
important message reaches the right people, in the
right place at the right time, and will also be given
to taxi owners as part of the taxi licensing renewal
process.
Other schools, groups and early years providers
interested in supporting the campaign can request
stickers by emailing
environmentalhealth@darlington.gov.uk.
It is estimated that an idling car causes enough
emissions to fill 150 balloons every minute. Leaving
a vehicle engine running while stationary, even
for short periods, can lead to a build up of harmful
pollutants which can impact air quality, increase the
risk of chest infections and aggravate respiratory
conditions.
Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of
pollution from idling vehicles because they breathe
faster and inhale more fumes. They are also closer
in height to vehicle exhaust pipes, meaning children
walking past, waiting to cross the road or sitting in
buggies are exposed to concentrated pollutants.
Recent data shows that more than 7% of people in
Darlington have asthma and nearly 3,000 people in
our communities have been diagnosed with Chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Cutting your
engine when you park is a small action you can
take to help protect our most vulnerable residents
from preventable harm and will help improve air
quality for everyone.
30 www.darlington.gov.uk

Turning over a new leaf
Leave bonfires behind and choose more
considerate ways to dispose of your garden
waste this year.
Although burning garden waste is not illegal, fires
are not without risk and can cause a nuisance
to your neighbours, especially as the weather
improves and more people are enjoying their
gardens, drying laundry outdoors, or leaving
their windows open. Drifting smoke can also be
particularly harmful to vulnerable groups, including
those with respiratory conditions.
In recent years we have noticed a shift in behaviour
with more households turning to safer and cleaner
options to dispose of their garden waste. Since
2020 there has been around 50% increase in
subscriptions to our garden waste service, and
more than 8,000 tonnes of additional garden waste
has been taken to the tip by residents.
Complaints about bonfires have also fallen by about
half in the last five years!
If you’ve not done so already and want to sign up
for this year’s garden waste service, you can. It
costs £48 and covers collections for the remainder
of the year, up to the end of November.
Collections happen fortnightly and you can sign up
for an email reminder to tell you when your bin is
due to be collected. Visit www.darlington.gov.uk/
gardenwaste
The tip off Whessoe Road is also open seven days
a week for residents who wish to dispose of their
grass cuttings and gardening rubbish.
To report the burning of garden waste that is
causing a nuisance contact environmental health on
01325 405111 or email
environmentalhealth@darlington.gov.uk.
www.darlington.gov.uk
one Darlington 31

Painting the
town purple
Council officers with Purple Flag judges Lisa Edwards (third from right) and Colin Jones (far right)
Forget painting the town red, nights out in
Darlington have once again been given the
stamp of approval as we retained the prestigious
Purple Flag accreditation for our evening and
night-time economy.
A team of experts from the Association of Town
and City Management carried out a rigorous
assessment before reaccrediting the town with
Purple Flag status which recognises those who
provide a vibrant and diverse mix of dining,
entertainment and culture while promoting the
safety and wellbeing of visitors and residents.
Similar to the Blue Flag scheme for beaches,
the accreditation has only been awarded to 90
destinations globally and aims to raise the standard
and broaden the appeal of town and city centres
between the hours of 5pm and 5am.
Darlington has held Purple Flag status for the past
five years and the judges gave special mention to
the transformative improvement and regeneration
projects happening across Darlington, and the
continued efforts to improve active travel.
They added that key successes in our submission
included the excellent standard, quality and
coverage of the CCTV provision; the high standard
of maintenance and appearance of Darlington
Hippodrome and the exceptional facilities at the
Dolphin Centre, bolstered by the local knowledge
and professionalism of the staff.
Purple Flag status represents the gold standard
in the management of evening and night-time
economies and retaining accreditation illustrates
how Darlington is a great place to live, visit or work.
Check out pages 14 and 20-21 for information about events coming up in town or visit
the What’s On pages at www.enjoydarlington.co.uk and for tips on planning ahead for a
safe night out go to www.enjoydarlington.gov.uk/stay-safe
32 www.darlington.gov.uk

Step forward for
special free school
Plans for a new specialist free school have
taken a step forward.
The new 48-place Garden Village Free
School, at West Park, will be designed for
children and young people aged 11–19 with
autism and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Education Village Academy Trust (EVAT) has
been chosen to run the school.
The project was paused in 2024 as part of
a government value for money review, and
councils were given a choice: carry on with
their original schemes or accept a one-off
pot of additional high needs capital funding
instead. For Darlington, this alternative would
have amounted to £2.32m.
To help make the decision, the council
spoke with headteachers, multi academy
trusts, college leaders, the local area SEND
partnership, health partners and the parent
carer forum. The message was clear—every
group strongly supported continuing with the
new special school.
Welcoming the news, Nick Wallis, cabinet member for
children and young people, said: “Our priority is making
sure children with special educational needs and
disabilities (SEND) can access the right support close to
home.
“Demand for specialist places continues to grow, and
the Garden Village Special Free School represents a
sustainable solution that will benefit young people and
their families for generations.”
With this united backing, cabinet agreed to press
ahead with the project, and the council will now notify
the Department for Education (DfE) to formally confirm
its decision.
Mike Butler, chief executive of EVAT, added: “We are
proud to be the chosen sponsor and operator for this
much needed new school. EVAT has deep local roots
and extensive experience in specialist education. We’re
committed to creating an exceptional environment
where young people with autism can flourish.”
With cabinet approval secured, work will now continue
with the DfE and local partners to bring the new school
to life, helping ensure that children and young people
with autism can receive the support they need.
www.darlington.gov.uk
one Darlington 33

News
in brief
Double
awards hope
Two council projects have been
shortlisted in the prestigious Local
Government Chronicle Awards.
The BEAT partnership, with
Citizens Advice Darlington, which
helps people to claim the benefits
they are entitled to, has been
shortlisted in the public/private
partnership category. The peer
mentors team, an inspiring group
of care-experienced young adults,
who offer guidance and support to
children and young people in the
council’s care, has been nominated
in the medium team category. The
awards are presented in London in
June.
Parenting
support app
Giving children the best start in
life is one of the priorities in the
2024-27 Council Plan, and we are
delighted to announce the local
launch of EasyPeasy, the free
app-based parenting programme
for families with children from birth
to five years, designed to support
learning and development at home.
The app features:
● easy-to-access expert guidance
and practical support
● simple tips and play-based
activities using everyday items
you already have at home
● personalised support whenever
you need it, helping with
everyday routines such as
brushing teeth, mealtimes,
sleep, communication, and early
learning.
To get started, head to your
device’s app store and search for
EasyPeasy.
Thank you to
our youth MP
Stephen
It’s time to say goodbye and thank you to Stephen Adenuga,
our current Member of Youth Parliament (MYP).
The role of MYPs is to make sure young people’s voices are
heard. They listen to young people, speak up on important issues,
and work with schools, services, and decision-makers to create
positive change.
Stephen was elected by young people aged 11-18 years in 2023.
His campaigns focused on period dignity and political education.
Nick Wallis, the council’s cabinet member for children and young
people, said: “Stephen has been a real force for positive change,
and it has been a joy working with him. I wish Stephen every
success in the future. Whoever becomes our next MYP will have
big shoes to fill, but I’m excited for the passion and fresh ideas
they will bring.”
Stephen wishes whoever steps into the role all the very best and
said he would be happy to chat or share any advice.
Stephen said: “Being in this role has been one of the greatest
honours of my life and has been so rewarding and insightful.
A few important lessons learned are the significance of youth
advocacy and how building strong relationships with other MYPs
nationally helps to achieve desired outcomes for young people
all over the country, that setbacks are inevitable, but it’s how you
navigate them successfully that counts and importantly, that it's
fine to ask for help when needed.”
The youth cabinet is open to new members aged 11–18.
Interested, or know someone who might be?
Email evie.burford@darlington.gov.uk to find out more.
34 www.darlington.gov.uk

CLUBS AND COM
To feature your community group or club, email editor@onedarlington.org.uk
Try the train:
Building confidence
on the Bishop Line
DOVES: Helping
Darlington’s green
spaces grow
Darlington has more than 100 parks and green
patches that people use to walk, play, relax and
enjoy wildlife. Many of these places are cared for
by local volunteers, sometimes a whole group,
sometimes just one person with a litter picker.
DOVES (Darlington Open Spaces Volunteer
Environment Scheme) was set up in 2017 to
support these volunteers, bringing people
together to share ideas and skills, and to
encourage every green space in Darlington to
have its own “friends” group.
Most groups start small – neighbours planting a
few bulbs or picking up rubbish, and they grow
from there.
If you care about your local green space and want
to help look after it, DOVES would love to hear
from you. You can register as a group or as an
individual volunteer by emailing dovesdarlington@
gmail.com
They meet every few months and always welcome
new faces.
For more details, visit teesvalleyivc.org or email
tvivcmemberships@gmail.com
The Bishop Line Community Rail
Partnership is inviting local groups to
join its Try the Train project, funded by
Northern Trains. The scheme supports
anyone aged 14 years and over, who feels
unsure about travelling by train, whether
due to low confidence or accessibility
needs.
Participants take part in a few simple
workshops and supported train trips,
learning how to plan journeys, use travel
apps, be confident in train stations, and
find clear travel information.
Are you a local group leader? Want
to get your group involved? For more
information and to arrange an initial
discussion, email
rail.education@bishopline.org
36 www.darlington.gov.uk/clubs

MUNITY
Moving Minds
Moving Minds is a specialist organisation that
partners with the NHS and specialist teams
to provide accessible, high quality classes
to enhance quality of life through creativity,
connection and joyful movement for people
suffering with Parkinson’s.
Would you, or someone you know, benefit
physically and mentally from dance and joining in?
Why not pop along to an upcoming session?
Sessions are held, every Tuesday in term time,
from 3-4pm with refreshments afterwards, at St
Augustine’s Parish Centre, Larchfield Street, DL3
7TG.
Cost is £4 per person, per session.
To find out more:
visit www.movingmindsdance.co.uk
email hello@movingmindsdance.co.uk
Call 07881 922343.
Visually Impaired
Cricket
Visually impaired cricket is a specially adapted
version of the game and open to anyone who is
registered blind, or partially sighted. They play with
a size three football, filled with carbon balls that
make a sound when the ball bounces or is struck
by the bat, larger stumps, and amendments to the
rules.
Durham Cricket Foundation’s team train all year
round and are always open to new players, who
qualify. Sessions are free and led by professional
coaches.
The team trains at Banks Homes Riverside, Indoor
Cricket Nets, Chester-le-Street, DH3 3QR.
To register or for more information email
daryl.smith@durhamcricket.co.uk or
dominic14james@gmail.com
Darlington Ramblers Group
The group walk 5-10 miles every Sunday, taking in the Cleveland Hills, North Yorkshire Dales and
village areas within Durham and North Yorkshire. During May-August, they also walk 4-6 miles
every Wednesday evening.
Contact Jenni Cooke on 07481897919 or Paul Jackson on 07704930015 for information.
You can find more groups, and add you own, at www.darlington.gov.uk/clubs
www.darlington.gov.uk/clubs one Darlington 37

Can you help us update
the zero waste map?
Darlington is home to a growing network of
places that help residents reduce waste, save
money and support a more sustainable town.
To make sure everyone can find these services
easily, we maintain a zero waste map, and we are
asking for your help to keep it accurate.
The map highlights local places where you can
repair, reduce, reuse and recycle, including
refill shops, charity shops, second hand stores,
foodbanks and recycling drop off points.
As services change, we want to hear from you
about new shops or recycling points we have not
listed, places that have moved, or services that are
no longer available. We also welcome contact from
local businesses offering refill services, repairs,
second hand goods or recycling facilities who
would like to be featured.
To share updates or register your business, email
climate@darlington.gov.uk
Together we can ensure Darlington's zero waste
map is a valuable tool for everyone and continue
working towards a cleaner, greener future.
For more information, visit
www.darlington.gov.uk/zerowastemap
Local Plan set for review
Darlington’s Local Plan, adopted in 2022, is
being reviewed to ensure it remains up to date.
The council's cabinet began this process in
February 2025, and several minor updates are
proposed.
These include extending the plan period to 2042,
adding new employment land, updating policies
to reflect national changes such as biodiversity
net gain, and introducing new policies on hot food
takeaways, gambling premises, climate change
and the protection of trees and hedgerows.
The updated draft also proposes new local green
space designations, including Tommy Crooks
Park and Bellburn Field, with further submissions
welcomed during consultation.
For more information, visit
www.darlington.gov.uk/planningpolicy
38 www.darlington.gov.uk

Do you have three
or more children?
Are you
on a low
income?
Call: 01325 266888
Visit: www.citizensadvicedrc.org.uk
Email: beat@citizensadvicedrc.org.uk
The two child limit for Universal Credit will be removed
from April.
You may be entitled to Universal Credit even if you have
been refused in the past.
If you rent your home or have more than three children,
you may not receive the full amount. Some people are
exempt from this rule.
The Benefit Entitlement Action Team (BEAT)
at Citizens Advice can help check if:
● you can claim Universal Credit
● the restriction applies to you
● you’re exempt

Say “I do” in
Darlington
Make your special day unforgettable in Darlington.
Choose from our traditional
register office ceremonies
or celebrate in one of
our many elegant,
approved venues
across the town.
Weddings
from just
£81
Discover more about
where you can get married
or renew your vows by visiting
www.darlington.gov.uk/weddings