Share your memories of Darlington's historic town centre

Did you meet your partner in one of Darlington’s historic yards? Did your family once own one of the buildings or shops? Do you know an interesting historical fact about that area of town?

Ambitious plans are underway to transform the yards and we want your help to celebrate the history of the area by sharing your memories.

Darlington was one of the first of 100 towns across the country to receive a share of the Government’s £3.6bm Towns Fund – money awarded to transform town centres and boost local economies.

The first phase of the project is focussing on Clark’s and Buckton’s Yards with the aim to protect and develop the historic heart of the town, inspired by the likes of the Shambles in York and Neal’s Yard in London.

Improvements will be made to the building fronts, lighting, greenery and outside seating areas, encouraging more people to visit and stay longer.

As part of the project we are asking people to share their memories and knowledge of the area. The information will be used to help preserve the history of the area and to inspire the artists and architects working on the project.

Heather Scott, Leader of Darlington Council said: “This funding will allow us to renovate and boost this important part of the town centre. The yards are a unique part of the town’s history and it is so important that we look to the past as well as the future as this work gets underway.

“We would love people to share any pictures, memories or information they have about this area of town. We know that a lot of residents are interested in the history of the town and many more will have personal memories and recollections of times gone by. I hope as many people as possible will get involved.”

You can share your stories, videos, pictures and memories by sending them to [email protected]

Image: Clark’s Yard, Skinnergate 1936 Roast Potato Seller, A Martino 863A 1377 DR07822 Library Wicksteed.jpg - thank to Local Studies at Darlington Libraries. Alex Martino in Clark’s Yard, a potato seller who also sold ice creams in the summer. His full name was Alessandro and he first came to Middlesbrough in 1909, aged 17, from a poor hilltop village, Arpino in Italy.  After World War 1 he worked all over the area and then got a pitch in Darlington and became a well known figure about the town.