I am replying to Christopher Wardell's letter entitled "Short Measures" which appeared in the Letters Section of the Northern Echo on Friday 4th January.

As webmaster for Darlington CAMRA, Mr Wardell contacted me last week via the website to say the population was 99,000 and "to get in touch with the Council if I did not believe him". However, having reading his letter today the figure quoted is now 100,000 so another 1,000 people have moved to Darlington since last week or is Mr Wardell now not sure of the figures ?. I updated this figure on the website at the beginning of the week so people who now visit the site will be now be somewhat misled by Mr Wardell's comments. I had also hoped that by amending these figures on the site via him contacting me this would be the end of the matter.

Unfortunately, it seems, and rather disappointingly from my point of view that this matter has reached the "Letters Section" of the Northern Echo, plus the fact that his comment about "the odd thing is all of the other information on CAMRA's website is spot on" has not gone down too well with me.

My efforts in creating this site over the 18 months or so along with other CAMRA branch members' help and contributions has not been an easy task. I am sure that everyone within the branch is pleased with what I've done, the fact we have had over 1600 hits in 5 months proves this, so what is so odd about it ?. At the same time, I also welcome any updates from people which are amended duly on the site as in the case of the population figures for Darlington.

In response to Mr Wardell's comments, these will be appearing on the website along with his initial communication with me and hopefully people will respond to his comments and we will have positive feedback of the site in light of this situation.

Ian Jackson
Darlington CAMRA Webmaster

Before your very regular correspondent Mr Wardell next tries to boost his ego with a wisecrack at someone else's expense he should check his own facts.
Darlington borough may have about 100,000 inhabitants but it takes in rural areas including Hurworth, Heighington and Middleton St George.
Darlington town (note that word) has a population of about 86,000 - as CAMRA’s pub guide and website correctly stated.