Newly elected Mayor of Great Aycliffe, Ken Robson, describes himself as the luckiest guy in the country. My heart bursts with pride that I have been elected by my peers to represent Great Aycliffe, the town which has it all.
The 70 year old councillor who has been a resident of Newton Aycliffe since 1964 cannot keep a beaming smile off his face as he recounts “why wouldn’t anyone want to live here”. The community here is blessed with no less than 7 beautiful parks one of which features 2 lovely lakes which are home to swans, ducks and geese and 12 play areas. A selection of multi-use games units, free for use by the public, football pitches, a cricket club, rugby club and a myriad of things to do. At the council owned Oak Leaf leisure centre the council provides a running track, a municipal centre which houses a bowling green, squash courts, a restaurant and bar and facilities for meetings and gatherings. The popular facility lies alongside an 18 hole golf course with its own driving range.
The bustling town is served by its own railway halt which opens access to the whole UK railway network via Darlington station or maybe a trip to Weardale on the local line. A regular bus route connects the town with all major town and cities in the region.
I am sometimes told “yes, but there is nothing to do here” really only a short distance away our Business Park boasts ‘The Fish Tank’ a popular swimming facility, ROF 59, a converted munitions factory which houses and hosts, amongst other things, a climbing wall, trampolines and even a zip wire along with excellent café, Planet Leisure which boasts a bowling alley, skating and delicious food.
Ah yes, I am asked “but what about work opportunities”, well Aycliffe does have the second largest Business Park in the North East, home to wonderful multi-national companies and employers; Gestamp, Husqvarna, Ineos, Hitachi.
“That’s all very well but what about education for our children”? Newton Aycliffe is home to several nurseries and pre-schools, primary schools of great reputation, two senior schools, one of which is being rebuilt at a cost of £millions, and even a University Training College.
“How about Newton Aycliffe Town Centre”, I am asked, it is full of empty shops. I suppose that is one way to look at it but aren’t those empty shops an opportunity for personal ambition and enterprise? Meanwhile our town centre boasts a large Leisure Centre which houses a successful gym, swimming pool, library, sports hall and even a hairdresser. Shopping in the town centre is easy to access with loads of free parking, Tesco supermarket and Aldi provide the basis of food shopping but local butchers and greengrocers are available too, for a variety of goods. Travel company Hays Travel, Boyes, Wilkinsons, Herons frozen foods, Durham Furniture Company and many more call Aycliffe their home.
Got a celebration coming up? Newton Aycliffe boasts two card shops which stock a multitude of gifts, are also here.
“What’s it like to live in Newton Aycliffe and surrounding areas?” Great Aycliffe has a village like setting of local shopping parades making access to emergency items, like milk when unexpected visitors arrive, we also have charming villages on our doorstep such as Aycliffe Village which has a beautiful medieval Church, Woodham Village with its pristine golf course and country club famous locally for its fine cuisine and scene of many wedding celebrations etc. Not far away is School Aycliffe, home to our council offices and lovely houses built on an embankment overlooking our new town.
Of course the beauty of our lovely town didn’t come haphazardly, involved in its planning was one of the greatest minds in post war Britain, one Mr William Beveridge, architect of our modern welfare state had witnessed some of the slum conditions in our big cities and set out to build a town with wide open spaces fit to bring up Britain’s next generation of families where parents could watch their children play in safety.
What makes a good town? In my humble opinion it is its people and its sense of community. When I think of my local community I think fondly of those selfless people who have engaged over the years with our community. Syd Howarth, who for many years ran the local Newspaper, champion of good causes and mentor to many helped to meld together our community through his paper.
OK, so you’re Mayor, what does this council do for me?
Party in the Parks
Fireworks Display
Santa Tours
Pensioners Trips
Keeps Parks and Flower Beds
What can we do as residents?
Please don’t drop litter or fly tip, as this costs all of us through our rates. Treat your neighbours with respect, know where your children are and help your local councillors with suggestions of how we can make Great Aycliffe greater
So, in conclusion why do I love this place so much? I have grown up in this town, worked here, brought up my family here, owned a business here and worked in the community for the last decade and expect to live here for the rest of my days.