The Great Aycliffe Residents’ Association (GARA) hold their Annual General Meeting followed by a Public Meeting on Thursday 21st March at St. Mary’s Church, Central Avenue at 7.00pm

Guest Speakers will be: Our MP Phil Wilson MP and Police Crime Commissioner Ron Hogg.

Phil has raised the profile of Newton Aycliffe notably on Hitachi and has been instrumental in getting the Town Centre redevelopment underway. Ron Hogg as our newly elected first Police & Crime Commissioner recently confirmed the demolition of the old police station and the rebuilding on its existing site a replacement providing the same level of service as the Parsons Centre which will subsequently be closed.

These two speakers will give members of the public an oportunity to ask questions.

The Association will be electing its Management Committee.Standing for re-election are Chairman: Syd Howarth, Vice Chairman: Fr. Michael Campion, Treasurer: Barry Hutchinson

Secretary: Arun Chandran, Derek Atkinson, Cllr Bob Fleming, Don Fraser, Cllr Bill Curtis, Chris Wheeler, It is hoped the meeting will see fit to re elect existing members of the Committee en masse.Also serving from affiliated bodies: Ken Robson representing the Acorn Residents’Association. Margaret Robson representing Friends of Senior Citizens Neville Community Centre, and 2 representatives from the Town Council’s Youth Council.

All Aycliffe Organisations, Associations, Charities, Interest Groups are cordially invited to send representatives to GARA. Please contact our Secretary to be an affiliate and be represented on the Committee – Its free!

There are two vacancies on the Management Committee and nominations are invited, and must be received by the Secretary no later than 7th March – Arun Chandran, 88 Honister Place, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 7DN. Email:arunmchandran@aol.com Tel. 313224

The Great Aycliffe Residents’ Association aim is to ensure that Residents within the Parish of Great Aycliffe have a voice in their community and their aspirations are represented and acted upon. We exist to work with Councils and others to achieve these objectives.