Latest news with #LolaMcEvoy
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Darlington Brick Train to be cleaned up after vandalism
A train sculpture which has become the target of vandals is to be Brick Train was unveiled in 1997 as a tribute to Darlington's proud railway heritage, but vandalism and fly-tipping has seen its condition town's Labour MP Lola McEvoy is working with Darlington Borough Council to improve the site, near Morton Park, after recent public concerns."To see it in such poor condition was heartbreaking – but I'm thrilled to see great progress now being made to restore it in time for such a significant moment in our town's history," the MP said. Renovation work to improve the Brick Train will take place over the summer in time for the 200th bicentenary celebrations of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in September. Improvements include replacing missing bricks, reinstating fencing and signage, landscaping the surrounding area, and creating a long-term maintenance is hoped the latest round of works will help deter people from using the site as a dumping ground in the future, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Stories of pride Ms McEvoy said: "I was here at the opening when I was 10 years old, and it was a big deal then. "But if you're trying to find it as a tourist, you would struggle. We need to see more signage."It puts the area on the map and the town's railway heritage really matters. "This generation need stories of aspiration, hope, and pride of what we've done well in the past."Site managers Equation Properties and landowners BGO Logistics will also work with the council and MP to deliver the Libby McCollom, cabinet member for local services, said: "The Brick Train is a Darlington icon, and I'm proud of the collaborative effort that's gone into revitalising this site."With 2025 marking 200 years since the world's first passenger railway journey began here, it's only right that this sculpture stands proud once again – a testament to our past and a beacon for our future." Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Darlington MP vows to clean up historic Brick Train sculpture after vandalism
Darlington's MP has pledged to clean up the town's Brick Train sculpture after a spate of vandalism. Labour's Lola McEvoy teamed up with Darlington Borough Council to improve the site, near Morton Park, after recent public concerns. The sculpture was unveiled in 1997 as a striking tribute to the town's proud railway heritage, but has since been targeted by vandals and fly-tipping. A lack of signage surrounding the site has also been criticised for failing to attract visitors. 'To see it in such poor condition was heartbreaking – but I'm thrilled to see great progress now being made to restore it in time for such a significant moment in our town's history,' the MP said. Darlington's MP Lola McEvoy has pledged to clean up the historic Darlington Brick Train sculpture after a spate of vandalism and fly-tipping. — Bill Edgar (@BillEdgarnews) May 28, 2025 Renovation work to improve the Brick Train will take place over the summer in time for the 200th bicentenary celebrations of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in September. Improvements include replacing missing bricks, reinstating fencing and signage, landscaping the surrounding area, and creating a long-term maintenance plan. It is hoped the latest round of works will help deter people from using the site as a dumping ground in the future. Designed by David Mach, an artist with an international reputation. It was financed largely by the National Lottery and opened with a special ceremony alongside hundreds of Darlington schoolchildren. Supermarket retailer Morrisons maintained the site until the land was sold in 2022. Ms McEvoy added: 'I was here at the opening when I was 10 years old, and it was a big deal then. But if you're trying to find it as a tourist, you would struggle. We need to see more signage. It can't be this difficult to make it nice. 'It puts the area on the map and the town's railway heritage really matters. This generation need stories of aspiration, hope, and pride of what we've done well in the past.' Site managers Equation Properties and landowners BGO Logistics will also work with the council and MP to deliverthe improvements. New Darlington Mayor shares her love of town and pride at being elected How much Darlington car parking charges will increase by ahead of 2025 rise Warning that high streets are becoming 'unsafe and unhealthy' after wave of closures The sculpture was unveiled in 1997 at a ceremony with local schoolchildren. (Image: Sarah Caldecott) Councillor Libby McCollom, cabinet member for Local Services, added: 'The Brick Train is a Darlington icon, and I'm proud of the collaborative effort that's gone into revitalising this site. 'With 2025 marking 200 years since the world's first passenger railway journey began here, it's only right that this sculpture stands proud once again - a testament to our past and a beacon for our future. 'The restoration forms part of a wider celebration of Darlington's railway heritage, reaffirming the town's place as the birthplace of the modern railway.'
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Darlington MP deletes post supporting rival football club after backlash
Darlington MP Lola McEvoy has admitted she got 'caught up in the excitement' after a backlash prompted her to delete a post supporting rival club Spennymoor Town. Ahead of Spennymoor's historic game at Wembley in the FA Trophy final, Ms McEvoy took to social media, posting a picture of herself alongside Moors fans in home shirts. It prompted a backlash from Quakers fans who pointed out that there was a longstanding rivalry between Spennymoor and Darlington. The two sides won a game apiece in the league against each other this term. The post was later deleted after many 'negative' comments were left. (Image: Facebook) Now, the MP who was elected amid a Labour landslide in 2024, has responded to the criticism. 'Over the weekend I bumped into some excited Spennymoor fans heading to Wembley so wanted to share good luck wishes to another North East team on their big day out," she said. "Maybe I got too caught up in the excitement. 'Darlington FC are of course my number one and I'll continue backing them to get their new stadium and to where they belong - back in the Football League. Up the Quakers!' (Image: Sarah Caldecott) Spennymoor's big day out ended in a 3-0 loss to Aldershot, who went into the day as favourites being a league above the Moors. Regis Le Bris makes team news announcement ahead of Sunderland's play-off decider Spennymoor Town rocked by family tragedy as Graeme Lee & club pay emotional tribute Man threatened to torch Bishop Auckland MP's home in series of threats to kill They were more than a match for Aldershot in the first half but the National League side broke the deadlock three minutes after the break and had too much for Graeme Lee's men in the second half. "The scoreline is a touch harsh on Spennymoor," the Echo's Dom Shaw said. "[Spennymoor] should and will take great pride in their run to the final."
The Independent
08-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
MP calls for Canada to honour pilot who died in flight over England
An MP has called for Canada to honour a Second World War pilot who sacrificed his life to save 'potentially thousands of civilians he never knew' in an English town. Royal Canadian Air Force Pilot Officer William McMullen, 29, was stationed at RAF Middleton St George, now Teesside Airport, during the war. He was captaining a training flight in a Lancaster Bomber on January 13 1945 when the plane caught fire above Darlington, Co Durham. He ordered his six crew members to parachute themselves out safely and remained at the controls to steer the aircraft away from the town of 60,000 people, directing it towards an empty field. Pilot Officer McMullen, from Scarborough, Ontario, was the only person to die in the crash. Darlington MP Lola McEvoy has written to the Directorate of Honours and Recognition in Ottawa, Canada, asking the Canadian government to consider him for a posthumous bravery medal. The Labour MP wrote: 'I believe that his heroism has not received the recognition it deserves for many years, and I am respectfully proposing that he be considered for a posthumous honour for his remarkable heroism. 'His selfless actions spared the lives of potentially thousands of civilians he never knew and exemplify the highest standards of courage and duty.' Ms McEvoy has also called for a statue to be erected in his memory in the centre of Darlington. The Darlington MP told the PA news agency: 'I think when you hear about the bravery of this man and the bravery of that generation in World War Two, it feels very close to people in Darlington and it's incredibly moving to hear what he did for our town. 'But it's also really important for the next generation and for young people growing up in the town to know the legacy, so great stories like this inspire the next generation.' Loring Barber, the pilot's grandson, said: 'He saved the town. He saved his crew. Everybody is happy but him. 'How can you not honour him?' Pilot Officer McMullen's only daughter, Donna Barber, has liver cancer and, at 86, her children worry she may not live long enough to see her father recognised. 'She would definitely like to see it. She's probably not going to get the amount of time she's going to need,' Mr Barber said in an interview with The Canadian Press at his home in Toronto. Veterans Affairs Canada said in a statement to The Canadian Press that Pilot Officer McMullen was awarded several medals for his service, including the 1939-45 Star, the France and German Star, the Defence Medal and the War Medal. It added that King George VI decreed in 1950 that consideration would not be given for acts performed more than five years before nomination, thereby putting an end to Second World War nominations. Veterans Affairs Canada said: 'This principle has generally been applied since, in considering honours policy issues, proposals for new honours and individual nominations for honours. 'McMullen was not nominated during this timeframe.' They said the five-year limit is still in place 'to ensure that events are judged by the standards of the time, and that they are measured along with contemporary examples, and to ensure that previous decisions are not second-guessed and history is not reinterpreted.' Pilot Officer McMullen's mother and widow were awarded the Memorial Cross in May 1945, they added. In the aftermath of the crash funds were raised to support his family, but his widow, Thelma McMullen, declined the donation and suggested it be used to benefit the local community as it coped with the war. Funds were used to endow two children's cots at Darlington Memorial Hospital, marked with a plaque honouring the 'Gallant Airman', a tribute that still exists today. A road near the crash site was also renamed McMullen Road in his honour, and a memorial stone was erected at the junction of McMullen Road and Allington Way. Residents in Darlington gather at the memorial to pay their respects each year on the anniversary of his death. A special service was held on the 80th anniversary earlier this year. Canada played a significant role as part of the Allied forces that liberated Europe during the Second World War. About 1,159,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders served during the conflict. Canadian government data shows 44,090 of them died, including 17,397 members of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Calls to honour war hero who sacrificed himself 'to save thousands in Darlington'
Canada is facing calls to honour a Second World War pilot who sacrificed his life to save 'potentially thousands of civilians he never knew' in Darlington. Royal Canadian Air Force Pilot Officer William McMullen, 29, was stationed at RAF Middleton St George, now Teesside Airport, during the war. He was captaining a training flight in a Lancaster Bomber on January 13 1945 when the plane caught fire above Darlington, Co Durham. He ordered his six crew members to parachute themselves out safely and remained at the controls to steer the aircraft away from the town of 60,000 people, directing it towards an empty field. The Echo's then-sister paper the Northern Despatch says Pilot gave life to save people in its headline on January 15, 1945. Image: ARCHIVEPilot Officer McMullen, from Scarborough, Ontario, was the only person to die in the crash. Darlington MP Lola McEvoy has written to the Directorate of Honours and Recognition in Ottawa, Canada, asking the Canadian government to consider him for a posthumous bravery medal. The Labour MP wrote: 'I believe that his heroism has not received the recognition it deserves for many years, and I am respectfully proposing that he be considered for a posthumous honour for his remarkable heroism. William McMullen piloted his stricken Lancaster bomber away from houses in Darlington. 'His selfless actions spared the lives of potentially thousands of civilians he never knew and exemplify the highest standards of courage and duty.' Read more: Ms McEvoy has also called for a statue to be erected in his memory in the centre of Darlington. The Darlington MP told the PA news agency: 'I think when you hear about the bravery of this man and the bravery of that generation in World War Two, it feels very close to people in Darlington and it's incredibly moving to hear what he did for our town. 'But it's also really important for the next generation and for young people growing up in the town to know the legacy, so great stories like this inspire the next generation.' Loring Barber, the pilot's grandson, said: 'He saved the town. He saved his crew. Everybody is happy but him. 'How can you not honour him?' Darlington MP Lola McEvoy. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Pilot Officer McMullen's only daughter, Donna Barber, has liver cancer and, at 86, her children worry she may not live long enough to see her father recognised. 'She would definitely like to see it. She's probably not going to get the amount of time she's going to need,' Mr Barber said in an interview with The Canadian Press at his home in Toronto. Donna Barber, among Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) memorabilia. (Image: FAMILY/PA) Veterans Affairs Canada said in a statement to The Canadian Press that Pilot Officer McMullen was awarded several medals for his service, including the 1939-45 Star, the France and German Star, the Defence Medal and the War Medal. It added that King George VI decreed in 1950 that consideration would not be given for acts performed more than five years before nomination, thereby putting an end to Second World War nominations. Veterans Affairs Canada said: 'This principle has generally been applied since, in considering honours policy issues, proposals for new honours and individual nominations for honours. 'McMullen was not nominated during this timeframe.' They said the five-year limit is still in place 'to ensure that events are judged by the standards of the time, and that they are measured along with contemporary examples, and to ensure that previous decisions are not second-guessed and history is not reinterpreted.' Pilot Officer McMullen's mother and widow were awarded the Memorial Cross in May 1945, they added. In the aftermath of the crash funds were raised to support his family, but his widow, Thelma McMullen, declined the donation and suggested it be used to benefit the local community as it coped with the war. Funds were used to endow two children's cots at Darlington Memorial Hospital, marked with a plaque honouring the 'Gallant Airman', a tribute that still exists today. A road near the crash site was also renamed McMullen Road in his honour, and a memorial stone was erected at the junction of McMullen Road and Allington Way. Read next: 102-year-old Darlington veteran on memories of VE Day and poignant message for future VE Day 80: Darlington comes together to remember with flag raising ceremony Darlington woman inspired by mum hosts biggest ever VE Day celebration lick here to join our WhatsApp community and get breaking news updates direct to your phone. Residents in Darlington gather at the memorial to pay their respects each year on the anniversary of his death. A special service was held on the 80th anniversary earlier this year. A previous memorial held on McMullen Road. Image: ARCHIVECanada played a significant role as part of the Allied forces that liberated Europe during the Second World War. About 1,159,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders served during the conflict. Canadian government data shows 44,090 of them died, including 17,397 members of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
