Aycliffe 75

Newton Aycliffe Celebrates its 75^th Anniversary in 2023

The 75^th Anniversary of Newton Aycliffe is due to take place this year and the Town Council is making plans to celebrate and commemorate the historic occasion.

Newton Aycliffe was designated as a new town in April 1947, but the actual birth of the town has been widely regarded as being 1948.

The key dates in relation to the birth of the town are 28^th June 1948 which marked the “cutting of the first sod” ahead of the construction of the first houses, and 9^th November 1948 which was when the keys were handed over to the first resident of the town.

Much more information on the history of the town can be viewed elsewhere on this website including more about the history of Aycliffe and the Story of Newton Aycliffe

Aycliffe 75 – Through the Decades

Aycliffe 75 – Through the Decades is a family event taking place in the Town Park on Sunday 2nd July, from 1pm – 4 pm to Poster advertising Aycliffe Through the Decades event on Sunday 2nd July from 1pm at the Town Park. Live music, community stands and stalls

Poster advertising Aycliffe Through the Decades event on Sunday 2nd July from 1pm at the Town Park. Live music, community stands and stalls

help bring the community together to celebrate the 75th Birthday of the Town.

There will be free live entertainment from music duo Jenami and Mr Twister, performances from Aycliffe Dance Academy and Lizzie Lovejoy (poet).

Plus food available, small fairground rides, crazy golf and face sparkle (fees apply to these items).

Entertaining the crowds will be a magician, bubbleologist and balloon modelling.

Check out the community stands and stalls.

Come along to the Town Park on Sunday 2nd July from 1 o’clock and celebrate Newton Aycliffe’s very special Birthday, there is something for everyone!

Let us know how you will be celebrating!

Get in touch and tell us your plans for Aycliffe’s 75th birthday if you wish to get involved, as we would be happy to help publicise any events or projects that you might be running.

The Town Council is also keen to hear from any local businesses that might want to help fund or sponsor the celebrations.

St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School are getting involved

Headteacher Kirsty Evans got in touch to say, “This year, Newton Aycliffe is celebrating its 75th birthday. To commemorate this, we are holding a photography competition within the school. We would like to celebrate the awe and wonder of God’s creations in our local landscape”.

The Mayor will be judging the competition and the top three will go on display in the council offices.

The Town Council thought this was a great idea and to add to this, we too are asking for photos on the theme of what’s great about Aycliffe in 2023, to hopefully create an archive of the town in its 75^th year. Send your entries to the Aycliffe 75 submit your memory

Your Memories

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I moved to Aycliffe in 1953, because my dad was a police officer at the then headquarters. There were very few facilities, one shop in an old building. I particularly remember when the queen visited, I was in the Guides, and kept seeing my dad on duty! I also remember the night the Bakelite factory blew up!

Resident from 1953 to 1965

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My parents and I had been living in a bungalow in Foundry Row, Coxhoe when my Dad started a new job at ENV Engineering on Aycliffe's new trading estate in early 1953. We soon moved into No.69 Bowes Road in the town, a brand new council house in a quiet area, with a green hill at the end of the street where kids could run up and down all day and which is still there. When we moved in, there was a huge tree in our front garden, just a few feet from our living room window. The branches used to clatter against the bedroom windows when it was stormy, keeping everyone awake, and my Dad asked the council several times to remove it. After more than a year he finally reached the ears of the formidable and fearsome Miss Hamilton, who came straight around to see it for herself and then summoned workmen within days to cut it down. The photo shows me aged about three in front of the tree.

I lived there from age 7 months in 1953 until June 1977 when my new wife and I moved to Teesside

Events

I was one of the first people to get married at St Clare's church and we had our wedding reception at the Gretna.

S G

I lived in the town when I was young and moved away for nearly 40 years and now I’m back at the age of 87

Newton Aycliffe Celebrates its 75th Anniversary in 2023

Aycliffe 75 – Through the Decades

Let us know how you will be celebrating!

St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School are getting involved

Your Memories

Other pages in this section

Newton Aycliffe Celebrates its 75^th Anniversary in 2023