Celebration time

May 21 2007 Evening Gazette

REGENERATION, investment and ambition are all helping make Darlington a better place.

From economic improvement to arts and culture - work is going on across the borough.

And there’s plenty of good work to shout about, as you’ll see in today’s special edition of Tees Pride.

The town’s Pedestrian Heart regeneration scheme is nearing completion.

And while it’s already possible to see many of the major improvements which have taken place, the wraps will officially come off the entire scheme in just over five weeks.

A weekend-long celebration is planned for June 30 and July 1 to mark the completion of the multi-million pound scheme.

Improvements in everything from traffic flow to access and seating not only makes the town look and feel better, but are a clear indication of Darlington’s growing confidence.

But more investment is also planned for the town at The Oval, a £100m shopping complex.

Confirmation that Debenhams will be the scheme’s anchor store is further proof of Darlington’s drive to succeed.

Today we also take a look at the town’s thriving arts scene.

We’re just weeks away from a major £800,000 improvement project being completed at Darlington Arts Centre.

And the town’s Civic Theatre is also gearing up for a major birthday celebration.

The venue will toast its 100th birthday in September and a programme of special events and shows is planned.

A century after first opening its doors, the theatre is still going strong - testament to the town’s strong arts agenda.

Earlier this year the Evening Gazette launched its green campaign, Renew, Reuse, Recycle.

We’re encouraging people across the Tees Valley to sign up to our Green Pledge and do their bit to improve the environment.

You can log on today at www.gazettelive.co.uk/environment to show your support.

Today we look at green schemes in Darlington - from the town’s successful transport initiative Local Motion to great community efforts to create a wildlife haven and nature reserve.

Skills, training and education continue to be key themes of Tees Pride in 2007 with our ABC - A Brilliant Career in the Tees Valley initiative.

And today we visit Darlington College to meet students who are gearing up to carve out a great career for themselves here in the Tees Valley.

We can only profile just some of the many projects taking place across the borough.

But from the pages of this special supplement one thing is certainly clear - there’s a huge amount happening in Darlington.

Regeneration and development is forging ahead, making for exciting times.

DARREN THWAITES, Editor, Evening Gazette