Bandstand to be renamed in honour of businessman

A park bandstand will be renamed in honour of a businessman dubbed "Mr Darlington".

Alasdair MacConachie, who got the moniker because of his decades of support for his community, died on Christmas Day following a short illness.

The 78-year-old supported many local initiatives and charities and held a variety of official posts and awards including Freedom of the Borough and Vice Lord Lieutenant of County Durham.

The bandstand in Darlington's South Park, which dates from the 1890s, will be formally renamed after him ahead of the annual Proms in the Park event which takes place later.

Leader of Darlington Borough Council Stephen Harker said they wanted to find another way to commemorate Mr MacConachie, who was also a chair and honorary president of St Teresa's Hospice, chair of Darlington College and Darlington Partnership, honorary chair of The Friends of Darlington Memorial Hospital and president of Darlington Rotary Club.

He said: "Alasdair's contribution to Darlington was immense.

"He was generous with his time and resources beyond compare, a true philanthropist who helped many worthy causes across the town."

The bandstand will also be refurbished following support from Darlington Building Society, Point North and Darlington Rotary Club.

Harker added: "In granting Alasdair Freedom of the Borough in 2012, the council had bestowed on him the highest honour it was able to.

"We wanted to find another way to commemorate him and felt the proposal to rename the bandstand was a fitting tribute."

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