Today Adam interviews James and Henry, our very own Ant & Dec/Chuckle Brothers duo.James has spent over 30 years with the Carver Group, navigating the world of property, and now also runs Fine & Country North Yorkshire and Durham with brother Henry. James is happiest outdoors (preferably running), while Henry brings his CrossFit energy to everything he does.In this episode, we look back at some of the standout moments from our 2025 recordings, the surprises, the stories, and the conversations that have shaped the year. We’re excited to continue sharing more episodes and giving local businesses a platform to tell their stories through the podcast.
Today’s guest is Josh Benson — panto comic, sarcastic magician, and juggler. You may recognise him from Little Ernie, the BAFTA-winning Eric & Ernie, his memorable appearance in BBC1’s Casualty, or singing his way across the West End in The [Calendar] Girls Musical.
This Christmas, Josh returns to where he truly belongs, the Darlington Hippodrome stage. He’s back for his third season in the spectacular Goldilocks and the Three Bears, running from 5th to 31st December 2025.
Today we’re joined by Jade Sloan, actor, writer, producer, and all-round creative powerhouse. With over 16 years of professional acting experience, Jade has brought countless stories to life on stage and screen. She is the writer behind the family hit Daisy Donald, now touring nationwide.
Alongside performing, Jade runs Blackbird Theatre School and recently launched the Key Stage Door programme, a charity supporting young people in accessing theatre. Her work spans theatre production, arts-based alternative provision at Darlington Hippodrome, and theatre classes for ages 4–18.
Today we’re honoured to be joined by Caroline Todd, Foodbank Manager at King’s Church Darlington. Caroline has witnessed the foodbank’s remarkable growth over the years, navigating rising demand, securing vital support from local businesses and community groups, and providing essential help to families facing food poverty.
In this episode, we chat with Alison Grange, the Collection and Engagement Manager at Hopetown Darlington. Alison helps share the town’s incredible railway story, curating exhibitions, caring for the museum collections, and working closely with the local community to keep Darlington’s heritage alive.
In this episode of Our Darling Town, we’re joined by the wonderfully colourful and brilliantly entertaining illustrator Liz Million. Based right here in Darlington, Liz has built a career out of bringing joy to children and families through her books, artwork, and hilariously lively workshops.
In this episode of Our Darling Town, we meet Paul and Joanne, the passionate driving forces behind Darlington Community Theatre, a vibrant charity project founded in 2023.Their mission is simple but powerful: to make performance and theatre accessible and affordable for everyone, while enriching the heart of our community.
From creating opportunities for local talent to building a welcoming space for audiences, Paul and Joanne share the journey, challenges, and joy of bringing this project to life.🎭 Find out more at dapaonline.co.uk
In this episode of Our Darling Town, we’re joined by Lisette Auton — a multi-award-winning author, poet, spoken word performer, playwright, creative practitioner, and activist.
Based right here in Darlington, Lisette has written several acclaimed novels set in Darlington and the wider North East, bringing to life brave disabled and neurodivergent characters who challenge stereotypes and celebrate difference.
We talk about her creative journey, the inspiration behind her storytelling, and why representation matters so deeply in literature and the arts.
Join us for an inspiring conversation with one of Darlington’s most powerful creative voices.
In this episode of Our Darling Town, we welcome Paul I’Anson, author of the hugely popular Darlington Trivia book, a treasure full of quirky facts, fascinating stories, and surprising details that will make you smile and think, “I never knew that about Darlington!”
Paul shares what inspired him to write the book, how he uncovered these hidden nuggets of local history, and a few of his personal favourites along the way.
📖 You can find Darlington Trivia at Waterstones Darlington.
In this episode of Our Darling Town, we sit down with Martin Stand, coordinator of The Listening Post, a heartfelt project run by the Darlington Area Churches Youth Ministry. Since 2017, The Listening Post has been offering a safe, confidential space for young people in Darlington to share their thoughts and feelings while navigating low-level mental health and wellbeing challenges.Martin shares the story behind the project, the importance of simply being heard, and how The Listening Post has made a lasting impact on the lives of young people in our community.
In this episode of Our Darling Town, we sit down with Suzy Hill, a passionate advocate for community learning. As a key figure behind the success of Darlington Library, Suzy has helped transform it into more than just a place for books — it's now a thriving hub for creativity, connection, and learning. Discover how the library continues to evolve, engage the community, and stay relevant in the digital age — all while preserving its rich history and local importance.
Welcome to Our Darling Town, the podcast that celebrates the people, places, and stories of Darington.Season 4 opens with a very special guest: Niccy Hallifax, a leading creative producer renowned for delivering large-scale, award-winning cultural projects that bring history to life through bold public events and immersive experiences.Niccy is currently leading S&DR 200, a major international festival marking 200 years since the groundbreaking Stockton & Darlington Railway — the line that launched the modern railway age and transformed global travel forever.Join us as we explore the rich heritage, creative spirit, and exciting future of Darington.🎧 Tune in and discover the stories that make our town extraordinary.
In this special episode of Our Darling Town, we're thrilled to welcome back Chris Lloyd, our very first returning guest! As the Chief Features Writer for the Northern Echo, Chris is a true fountain of knowledge when it comes to Darlington’s rich and layered history.
Why bring him back now? Because there's no better time. Darlington is marking a momentous occasion: the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, the world’s first passenger railway. It's a landmark not just in our town's story, but in the history of global transportation and innovation.
Chris joins us to unpack the deep significance of this milestone, share some remarkable tales from Darlington’s past, and offer his unique insights into what this anniversary means for the present and future of the 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