Hetton Town Council flies the flag for County Durham Day

Hetton Town Council marked County Durham Day on Monday 20 March by raising the County Durham flag for the first time in the town. Town Mayor Cllr Dave Geddis proudly raised the flag at a small-scale civic gathering joined by the Deputy Mayor of Sunderland Cllr Dorothy Trueman, the Deputy Consort Cllr Henry Trueman; local historians and Hetton town councillors.

Cllr Geddis said “Hetton and district communities have long-established cultural and historical ties with the ancient County of Durham. Hetton Town Council has previously agreed to promote the county and it is fitting that County Durham Day is marked to reflect this. The historic counties are an important element of English traditions which support local identity and culture and can help give people a sense of belonging, pride and community spirit.”

Cllr Dave Geddis, Hetton Town Mayor with Cllr Dorothy Trueman, Deputy Mayor of Sunderland City Council at the unfurling of the County Durham flag.

Shaun Newton, Chairman of the Hetton Colliery Railway 200 charity added “There is often confusion about the boundary of County Durham, following local council changes in 1974. However, those changes were purely administrative. The County Durham boundary is the same today as it has been for more than 1,000 years, from the River Tees to the River Tyne. I am very pleased to see Hetton Town Council taking steps to raise awareness of the continued existence of the County.” After the flag-raising, guests were invited to view a small selection of historical artefacts stored at The Hetton Centre – the home of Hetton Town Council.

The County Durham flag will next be flown on Historic County Flag Day on 23 July.