Calling it a day after decades serving Barnard Castle

SPRING elections will mark the end of an era with Barnard Castle waving goodbye to some of its long-serving town councillors.
Former mayors, Cllrs John Hinchliffe, John Yarker and Tony Cooke will take their leave of town council duties on May 4.  The trio clocked up more than 80 years between them on the town council and its predecessors.
Cllr Hinchcliffe joined Barnard Castle Urban District Council in December 1970 and was mayor three times.
“It was Peter the butcher, who was a local councillor, who told me – ‘next election you’re having a go’ - that was it,” he said.
“In all those years of service, I was never knocked off.
“It was good on the town council – if you fell out in a meeting you would take it outside afterwards.”
The former cafe owner met the queen mother twice and visited Buckingham Palace gardens three times during his council tenure.
He went on to be awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List and was named an honourary alderman of Teesdale for his long service.
Offering advice to newcomers, the 80-year-old added: “You have to keep your temper, lower your tone and do your homework. I tried to get in touch with lots of different people I knew. The YMCA are taking a big interest in the town council – I hope that, maybe, we will see them have a go if they’re old enough.”
Cllr Yarker moved onto the council after retiring from his job at Deerbolt Young Offenders’ Institution (YOI) in 1996.
The former RAF serviceman was the longest continually-serving member of the group.
He said: “The time comes when you cannot do everything you could before. We’re getting old now and new stuff is coming up so I thought now was the right time. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”
The 75-year-old said a highlight had been erecting the Aviation Memorial on Galgate, with the help of dale businesses. He added: “We didn’t pay a penny – we went to quarries and it was all paid for by the companies. The main thing is it’s about those air force men who lost their lives.”
However, the advent of party politics on the town council in recent years has caused Cllr Yarker concern.
He said: “I think it’s wrong – we are here for the people of this town and politics should not come into it – we’re only a small council and big councils are different.  There are party policies they have to go through whereas I can say anything I want.”
He added: “They [new councillors] should know it’s not about talking in meetings – it’s about getting out there and doing things.”
Cllr Cooke was mayor of the town twice and was infamously banned from pubs in the town after becoming embroiled in a row, before he successfully appealed against the decision. 
He said he was calling time on his 14-year spell as a councillor in Barnard Castle and Stainton and Streatlam due to health reasons.
“It’s been a pleasure helping people with the problems they’ve had,” added Cllr Cooke.  “I have a great respect and admiration for my colleagues – they do a difficult job during austerity.  I wish them all the best for the future and hope they can bring satisfaction to the town.”
Also departing are Cllr Angela Grady, who was on board for six years,and Cllr David Kinch – who will continue as a parish councillor in Stainton and Streatlam, Whorlton and as chairman of Teesdale Action Partnership (TAP).
Mr Kinch will also contest the Burnopfield and Dipton seat in Durham County Council elections.