Once again I take issue with a County Council booklet currently being distributed to every home in the county.
I scoured the 48 page “Summer Fun” publication to find only one reference to Newton Aycliffe and that was the Council run Leisure Centre advertising swimming in just a short paragraph.
This short message was grouped with Shildon activities while places like Durham City, Chester-le-Street and the Dales got great coverage. And this comes at a time when Aycliffe is holding a 12 day Festival with all sorts of activities taking place.
It appears from the booklet that Aycliffe does nothing, yet it is a vibrant place offering numerous events of interest to all ages.
Perched on the edge of Durham County Council’s boundary it has often been mentioned that we would have been better off linking with Darlington Borough when Sedgefield Borough was abolished in favour of a Unitary Authority.
The County Council do remember we are here whenever there is an industrial boost like Hitachi opening or some other major development on our Business Park, but other than that we have little to do with County Hall.
They would certainly be financially bereft without the rates they receive from us, sporting the biggest industrial area and probably the largest populated area in the county.
It is time our town was given the recognition it deserves- we should have a cabinet member to ensure we are not forgotten and whoever produces future publications should be reminded to give fair coverage to the whole county – to omit Newton Aycliffe is insulting!