These are 100 of my favourite stories that have appeared in my ‘Memories’ column in The Northern Echo since I started writing it twenty-five years ago. Back then, I was just a trainee and it was merely a picture caption which no one wanted to write; now I’m Deputy Editor and it is a twelve-page weekly supplement that is one of the most popular parts of the paper.
I became interested in the local history of Darlington as I tried to understand the town where I had generously been offered a job after leaving university, despite only having set foot a couple of times on Bank Top station platform – which means, I now know, that I got a step closer than Queen Victoria, who only gazed out of her carriage window.
I’m not sure I am any closer to my desired comprehension but I think I have uncovered some great stories – fascinating and often funny – about a great place.
My researches often start in Darlington Centre for Local Studies, and successive editors have always supported me, most notably Peter Barron, who currently keeps W.T. Stead’s chair warm. My wife, Petra, has been with me every step of the way, and I have been guided by my readers, whose knowledge, interest, enthusiasm and ability to stay awake during my talks never ceases to amaze me.
My thanks to them all, and I’m already looking forward to finding out about the next 100.
Chris Lloyd, 2015