MIKE HOVINGTON in Darlington uncovered some old negatives recently which show his hometown, and he kindly sent them into Memories.

Although our memories suggest it was always sunny in the past, Mike's pictures show that it was often almost as wet as this winter has been.

But when were the pictures taken? We feel they are from the early 1970s – can anyone give us any clues?

The Northern Echo:
FIREFIGHTERS: Leading fireman Tommy Turton turns water on the Duplex flames, assisted by Terry Murray

The Northern Echo: MAN FROM THE PRU: The bus is turning north onto Darlington's High Row from Tubwell Row. This picture may give our old car spotters the best opportunity of dating Mike Hovington's pictures. It has clearly got a divided grille: one of Memories' old car cons
MAN FROM THE PRU: The bus is turning north onto Darlington's High Row from Tubwell Row. This picture may give our old car spotters the best opportunity of dating Mike Hovington's pictures. It has clearly got a divided grille: one of Memories' old car consultants said it was a Hillman New Minx (built 1967-70) but we think it may be a Vauxhall Viva HB (built 1966-70). And what's the distinctive van behind the "Gentlemen" sign?

The Northern Echo: ON THE MARKET: Younger people today would never believe that Darlington market used to be in the Market Place. In fact, once upon a time, its stalls filled the entire square, and people came from miles around, particularly on a Monday, to do their weekly
ON THE MARKET: Younger people today would never believe that Darlington market used to be in the Market Place. In fact, once upon a time, its stalls filled the entire square, and people came from miles around, particularly on a Monday, to do their weekly shop

To complete our Darlington archive, there are a couple of pictures sent in by fire brigade historian Brett Clayton.

We know precisely when they were taken: July 8, 1967.

As Memories 264 told, Darlington Fire Brigade received the callout to the Duplex Motor and Cycle Company in Grange Road at 4.15pm.

The blaze was said to be the biggest in Darlington for many years, and 50 firemen were called upon to tackle it.

Many of the new cars and motorbikes in the showroom had to be hastily driven out before they caught flames – although many of them had suffered heat damage and had to be sold off cheap.

This was the final straw for Duplex, founded in 1903, as it closed soon after.

It was called Duplex because its founder, Tommy Alton, said: "I always give double value."

If these pictures bring back any memories, or you have any information to add about them, please email chris.lloyd@nne.co.uk or add a comment to this story.

The Northern Echo: IT RAINED: A lady with an umbrella crosses the top of Horsemarket towards Darlington's old town hall
IT RAINED: A lady with an umbrella crosses the top of Horsemarket towards Darlington's old town hall

The Northern Echo: BEFORE THE RING ROAD: Burton’s – now occupied by M&S – was built in 1922 in the middle of Northgate. Now it is beside the dual carriageway of Darlington’s inner ring road
BEFORE THE RING ROAD: Burton’s – now occupied by M&S – was built in 1922 in the middle of Northgate. Now it is beside the dual carriageway of Darlington’s inner ring road

The Northern Echo: FAMOUS NAME: Doggart’s was a Durham institution, a chain of stores founded in 1895 in Bishop Auckland. The 13 shops closed at the end of 1980, and the Northgate branch was sold for £2.15m
FAMOUS NAME: Doggart’s was a Durham institution, a chain of stores founded in 1895 in Bishop Auckland. The 13 shops closed at the end of 1980, and the Northgate branch was sold for £2.15m

The Northern Echo: MILL TOWN: Peases' Mill dominated Darlington for two centuries until it was demolished in the late 1980s. Its site beside the River Skerne is now occupied by TK Maxx
MILL TOWN: Peases' Mill dominated Darlington for two centuries until it was demolished in the late 1980s. Its site beside the River Skerne is now occupied by TK Maxx