60 Years at Priestgate, Darlington - A Celebration

Anne Elliott, Marketing Partner (2nd left) and the Latimer Ladies

Since 1953 Latimer Hinks has presided at 5-8 Priestgate, Darlington - that's a whopping 60 years in the same offices! We felt it was "necessary" to celebrate this achievement, but how?

Anne Elliott, Marketing Partner at Latimer Hinks recently met a Client where they discussed (amongst other things) the "yet to be planned" celebration. The Client mentioned that there is, in existence a group of ladies who meet once a year and the reason they meet is that at some time in their working life they were part of the team here at Latimer Hinks.

This was the key to our celebrations.....we would invite some of the people who had worked for Latimer Hinks at Priestgate to a celebratory evening and hope that we would have guests from each decade, from the 50's to date.

The challenge was on! Unfortunately a few of the ladies on our list were unable to attend. However we were delighted to welcome 12 ladies along to a tour of our offices so that they could see how things had changed. After having photographs taken for promotional and historical purposes they were then escorted next door to the Kings Hotel where a sumptuous meal awaited.

Amongst the invitees were three longserving current employees - Sylvia Bradding (31 years), Michele Carter (29 years) and Maureen Grainger (27 years) as well as Partners, Anne Elliott (37 years), Neil Stevenson (16 years), Nicola Neilson (13 years) and Elizabeth Armstrong (7 years).

The evening went extremely well. The ladies especially liked to look at the old photographs we have, to try and pick out themselves and who they knew.

We have had many letters and emails thanking us for the evening. Latimer Hinks truly is unique in that the employees like to "stick around" for many years.

One particular lady quoted " I was employed from the summer of 1958 - 1961. Although we were all busy with our individual work, there was a great atmosphere in the office of friendship and helpfulness, and I, for one, thoroughly enjoyed my three years at Latimers. Even though my employment was relatively short, it was the best employment I had before teaching."

Another "Thank you for a really enjoyable evening - it was lovely to see so many old friends once again. Seeing around the office brought back so may memories from over 50 years ago!"