Our Darling Town

In this episode of Our Darling Town, we shine a spotlight on one of Darlington’s most cherished independent businesses. We’re joined by Nicola Reading, the inspiring owner of Bliss Gifts on Duke Street, a beautiful gift shop known for its carefully handpicked treasures and heartfelt customer service.

Nicola shares her journey, what drives her passion for creating a warm and personal shopping experience, and the challenges and joys of running a small business in the heart of Darlington.

In this episode of Our Darling Town, we’re joined by Michael Harvey, General Manager of the iconic Darlington Market Hall. With a wealth of experience in retail and brand strategy, Michael shares how he’s been leading the charge in transforming the market into a vibrant hub of culture, commerce, and community.

From spooky ghost stories within the historic walls to the mouthwatering variety of street food vendors, this episode is a journey through the past, present, and exciting future of Darlington’s most beloved marketplace.

In this heartfelt episode, we're joined by Mark Bell to spotlight the incredible work of the Team Luke Foundation, a charity dedicated to raising awareness and funding in the fight against Neuroblastoma.

Mark also shares exciting details about the upcoming Family Fun Day at Blackwell Meadows on 10th May 2025, from 11 AM to 5 PM. Expect a day full of rugby matches, giant inflatables, live music, food vendors, and more, all in support of an inspiring cause.

🎟️ Get your tickets: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/teamlukefoundation/1612238

Follow Team Luke on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamLukeBell/?locale=en_GB

Learn more & support: teamluke.org.uk

Join us in celebrating community, compassion, and the power of coming together in Our Darling Town.

Today on Our Darling Town, we’re raising a glass to one of Darlington’s most beloved spots—Number Twenty 2. We’re joined by head brewer Graham Vasey, who gives us an inside look of this iconic pub.Number Twenty 2 just celebrated its 30th anniversary last month, and it’s still going strong with its diverse selection of ales and a welcoming vibe that’s stood the test of time. Graham shares how the pub has evolved over the years, and what keeps locals coming back for more.In this episode, we also uncover his love for photography, and talk about how his creative eye captures the world beyond the brewery. You can even catch his work on display at Gallerina in Darlington.

In this episode, we’re joined by Julian Cound, Marketing Officer at Darlington Hippodrome, for a fascinating conversation about all things theatre. We explore the magic of musicals, backstage secrets, and the legendary performers who have graced Darlington’s stages. Plus, we uncover eerie ghost stories and the surprising reason theatres are often built next to fire stations!

We are delighted to be joined by Charlotte and Donna, the founders of Pimms and Needles, a community interest company that brings women together for fun and creative activities across the North East and North Yorkshire. Their mission is all about connecting women, trying new things and building a supportive community. They talk about how they started this amazing venture and what makes their group so special, including a 80 year old burlesque dancer.

https://www.pimmsandneedles.co.uk/darlington/https://www.instagram.com/pimmsandneedles/

Today we are diving into the sport of rugby, specifically Darlington Rugby Club's incredible ladies team. We are joined by some amazing guests who have played key roles in shaping this thriving community.

Ando, a club legend who has been involved since his junior days. He set up the junior girls section, coached the seniors ladies team and is now a key figure in the club's growth.

Amy, a passionate player who has been in the game since the age of 7. She shared the love for rugby, the confidence that it has given her and her recent achievements of making the Durham County Team.

Rebecca, a club veteran who started playing at Darlington in 2003. We talk about her journey in Rugby, her time as the injured captain of the ladies team and her role as director of rugby for the girls and ladies section.

https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/darlingtonrfc

In this episode we have 2 amazing guests, Phil and Lisa Crosby who are the driving force behind the Darlington Vineyard Church. As passionate leaders of this vibrant community, they are dedicated to serving Darlington and beyond through faith, connection and service.

Welcome to Season 3 Episode 1 of Our Darling Town. In today's episode we have Will and Lesley from Sortie - Charcuterie & Bar. A stand out spot in Darlington known for it's exceptional charcuterie boards. With a passion for quality and creativity they quickly become local favourites. We are excited to dive into their journey, the flavours they bring to Darlington and what's next for this local gem.

Today we are joined by Scott Akoz, a photographer, videographer and Darlington enthusiast. Originally from York, Scott's journey into photography started it 1998. By 2005 he was a full time pro. He moved to Darlington in 2006 as a bicycle courier for Green Link commuting from York before making the town his home in 2007. Scott seen Darlington evolve whether it's the high street, the growing caffe culture or the town's green spaces.