65 years to the day, (Friday 28th June 1948) the first sod was cut to mark the start of the development of the new town of Newton Aycliffe.
Our picture shows the ceremony with Lord Beveridge cutting the first sod with a special chrome plated spade which carried the engraved signatures of all the VIP’s present.
The spade and first sod in a box is on show at the Town Council Offices having being retrieved as “lost” a few years ago. A special cabinet displaying the spade and other artifacts are available to view on request by calling at the offices on School Aycliffe Lane.
The spade and first sod were found in the attic of a former Town Clerk during a police investigation.
