Past and present residents of Newton Aycliffe are invited to make history at a unique event marking 70 years of new towns in the UK.
The Recommission for New Towns is a public conference aimed at uncovering untold stories about life in new towns across the country.
Organiser Jonny Matfin, 34 (pictured above), said: “A lot has been written about the history of post-war new towns – but often the experiences of people who actually lived and live in them get ignored.
“We’re aiming to give as many new town residents as possible a chance to voice their own version of the past and present.”
The Recommission for New Towns, in Stevenage, Hertfordshire on July 30, will mark the 70th anniversary of the 1946 New Towns Act – which launched a wave of new settlements across the country.
The not-for-profit event is open to all, and will combine talks from historians, economists, writers and artists with accounts from new town residents who wish to take part in a public debate.
The independent conference is also set to offer tours of Stevenage by foot and bicycle.
Mr Matfin, who lives in Bethnal Green, London, said: “New towns tend to get a pretty bad press, but a lot of it is based on clichés.
“A different view is of new towns as radical places, with a history of pioneering residents who made brave moves and took on the challenge of new homes, gardens and communities.”
Mr Matfin, a historical research student at Birkbeck College, London, added: “We want to hear from all new town residents who feel they have a story to tell – good or bad.”
The Recommission for New Towns is being held at Stevenage Museum on Saturday, July 30 from 10am to 5pm.
Tickets are £7.
For more information see www.recommissionfornewtowns.org
