VILLAGERS have the chance to go back to the 1950s and have a look at how work is progressing on recreating their old fish and chip shop at one of the region's museums.
Middleton's Fish and Chips, from Middleton St George, near Darlington, is being recreated as part of Beamish Museum's 1950s town, which is under development and is due to open in February.
Visitors will be able to buy fish and chips from the shop, which will be part of Front Street terrace and will include a replica of the 1952 Frank Ford range, which was donated to Beamish by the shop.
The museum is hosting an event in the village at the weekend to give people the chance to find out how the project is progressing.
Natasha Anson, Remaking Beamish project officer, said: “We’re really excited to be working in Middleton St George as we get closer to opening our 1950s fish and chip shop at the museum, which will contain a replica of the 1952 Frank Ford range donated to the museum from Middleton’s Fish and Chips.
“We’d love to involve as many people from the village as possible, whether that’s sharing memories of life in Middleton St George, having a go at our 1950s games, or helping us develop stories for the newsprint that the chips will be wrapped in. There are lots of ways to get involved – we’re looking forward to seeing everyone.”
The £20million Remaking Beamish project includes a 1950s Town, 1950s Farm and expansion of the Georgian landscape.
The original fish and chip shop in Middleton St George was owned and run by Doreen Middleton in the 1950s.
Maria Darling, trustee and secretary of the Middleton St George Community Association, said: “We are thrilled to be a part of this wonderful project at the community centre, bringing back to life a part of our village’s history.”
The event on Saturday takes place at Middleton St George Community Centre, in Station Road, from 11am-3pm.
People can help to create stories that could be used in a 1950s “newspaper” that will wrap the fish and chips, as well as share memories of life in Middleton St George, try on 1950s costume and play games from the decade.
The 1950s terrace will also include recreations of John’s Café, from Wingate, a hairdresser’s shop, from Middlesbrough, and the former home of North East artist Norman Cornish.
The first building in the town, a replica of Leasingthorne Colliery Welfare Hall and Community Centre, is already open.
Middleton’s Fish and Chips will be the second fried fish shop at the museum, with Davy’s Fried Fish Shop in the 1900s pit village showing how the food was served during Edwardian times.
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