During the summer a number of consultation events were held across Darlington asking people for their views on the Borough and how it could be improved. As part of the consultation, a writing competition was held.

The writing competition asked people to enter a poem or short story about what Darlington might be like in 2020.

The winner of the writing competition is Sandra Moran, whose poem "Darlington in 2020" was a hit with all of our judges. For writing the winning poem, Sandra won a digital camera.

The runners-up who each won £50 of shopping vouchers were Luci Purves (11), Jessica Copland (16) and Zena Braithwaite.

Thank you to everyone who entered - your entries will help us shape our strategy.

Darlington in 2020

In thirteen years time
Well past my prime
I’ll be seventy-three
So how will Darlington be?

I hope it’s full of people shopping
Musicians and street entertainers jostling
With Joseph Pease Standing tall
Keep watch over us all

I hope all children go to school
Study hard and turn out to be no fool
If off to university they do go
I hope they return to earn their dough

I hope the roads are not congested
But people heed Local Motion as suggested
Changing their journey whilst making new friends
Perhaps our youth will make this the trend

I hope our theatre does survive
With drama and comedy there to thrive
On stage any local talent. Pulling off any accent
Making fun of any predicament, or just reading a lament

I hope people can respect one another
And Neighbours still talk to each other
For if we live in solitude
Vast experiences will this elude

I hope our hospital does not close
As such hardship this would impose
Not only for me in my old age
But to our community at whatever stage

I hope the government bring more jobs
No matter what we are not snobs
Bringing wealth to our area
Making distribution much fairer

I hope no litter is thrown around
But put in bins all over town
Then our streets will look so clean
And visitors will enjoy the sights they’ve seen

I hope the supermarkets don’t dominate
As an empty town we would hate
The market stalls would no longer be
And all the traders we would not see

I hope my dancing does not cease
Thursday night, A.S.E, my husband at home in peace
The waltz, quickstep or rock ‘n’ roll
From town it’s only five minutes stroll

I hope our town continues to grow
And to all we put on a really good show
Providing in different ways for young or old
So a happy tale can be told