DARLINGTON
A proud track record of community support
On track – Darlington Building Society chief executive Andrew Craddock visiting the site of the new Exhibition Hall .
Darlington Building Society is the only financial services organisation to be an official partner in the celebration of the bicentennial of the Stockton and Darlington Railway . PETER BARRON reports
When plans began to take shape to mark the 200th anniversary of the world ’ s first passenger railway in 2025 , Darlington Building Society was one of the first businesses to pledge its support .
The society ’ s illustrious history dates back to 1856 , when it was founded as the Darlington Working Men ’ s Equitable Permanent Building Society , just as the town was emerging as a central hub in the development of the modern railway . It has proudly served the people of the local area ever since , and chief executive , Andrew Craddock , says : “ It was inconceivable that Darlington Building Society wouldn ’ t play a part in such a momentous milestone as the railway bicentennial .”
Steaming ahead – Darlington Building Society chief executive Andrew Craddock with musical composer Stuart Brayson and Darlington Operatic Society chairman Julian Cound .
The result of that instinctive commitment is that the society has become one of the key partners in the bicentennial celebrations by sponsoring a new state-of-the-art Exhibition Hall , destined to be one of the main features of the new Darlington Heritage Quarter .
The Heritage Quarter is a £ 35m project to create a national visitor destination ahead of 2025 . The Exhibition Hall , within the 1853 Carriage Works , will initially house a display of early locomotives from around the world . However , it will continue to be used as an exhibition space to enrich education beyond 2025 .
Andrew adds : “ Railway heritage is synonymous with Stockton and Darlington , and we are proud to have those towns included in our branch network .
“ The railway pioneers who changed the world were undoubtedly a major influence on our own history as a local financial institution , and the opportunity to be part of the anniversary simply couldn ’ t be allowed to slip by .”
Councillor Chris McEwan , deputy leader of Darlington Borough Council and cabinet member for economy and regeneration , praised the society ’ s passion for the local community .
“ The bicentennial celebrations are hugely important because Darlington did something that changed the world . It means so much to have a great local institution like Darlington Building Society on board for the celebrations .
“ The society has always been communityfocused and it ’ s great to see there ’ s still a full head of steam behind its passion for the area .”
As well as sponsoring the Exhibition
Hall , Darlington Building Society is also partnering Darlington Borough Council in the production of a new musical to mark the railway bicentennial .
Stuart Brayson , a Gateshead-born composer with West End hits to his name – including a collaboration with Sir Tim Rice on From Here To Eternity – has been commissioned to write the musical , which will be premiered in 2025 .
Stuart said : “ The North-East gave the world the railways , and it ’ s a story that deserves to be celebrated , so I ’ m delighted to be working with the Darlington Building Society and Darlington Borough Council on a project that ’ s close to my heart as a North- East lad .”
Darlington Operatic Society , which produces two shows of a professional standard every year at Darlington Hippodrome Theatre , will also be playing its part in the musical .
The council ’ s head of heritage and culture , Mike Crawshaw , said : “ The bicentennial is a momentous opportunity for our town , and Darlington Building Society has been behind it from the outset .
“ The values of the society chime so much with the heritage of this town , and it ’ s a pleasure to be in partnership with an organisation that obviously values its community . The society was the first to come on board – it led the way – and that set the tone as an important alignment .”
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