IN CONFIDENCE
The party met Mr Danny Sharpe and Mrs Joyce Rawlings from the Department of Trade and Industry for a briefing on the region and a presentation of a video prepared specifically for companies from the Far East. Although there was very little time available, Mr Sharpe and Mrs Rawlings did an excellent job and were able to provide the journalists with a lot of background information and specific facts and figures.
The dinner was really excellent and though the conversations were slow and formal at first, the party soon relaxed and enjoyed the many and varied topics going around the table. On their return to the hotel they expressed their appreciation of both the excellent meal and the guest list.
Mr Jim Buglass welcomed the party to the Sunday Sun offices and after a short introduction, individual members of the party talked with different staff members.
The party were warmly welcomed at Wynyard Hall by Mr John Hall and Mr V Andropoulos and shown plans for the new development of the estate. The journalists had been invited to join the 300 guests at luncheon prior to the arrival of the cars for the special stage of the RAC Lombard Rally. During his speech Mr Hall again most warmly welcomed the party and delighted them with his enthusiasm not only for the new project but for the whole region.
The journalists thoroughly enjoyed their time in the region, despite bad weather. Their impression of the region had previously been formed largely from the "Coals to Newcastle" image and from the very outset they realised that this was far from correct. They were amazed at the scenery and heritage in the region which they had previously heard very little about and were impressed by the warmth and friendliness of everyone they met. The timing of the visit to Wynyard Hall couldn't have been better as the enthusiasm of Mr Hall for the growth and re- development of the region was still with them along with their own much-changed impression as they boarded the train.
pp. Hosch pay
MRS LYNNE CRAIGHEAD COI Escorting Officer
27 November 1987
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