John Redman

I came to Bishop Auckland during the summer of 1970 to visit my future wife (yes, we are still together, having met the year before!!!) and she took me to see Auckland Castle. As I had been brought up in the shadow of Dover Castle, I said it was more like a big house/French chateau rather than a castle, which made her laugh.
We then visited the Deer Park and what a wonderful revelation that was. Most parks I'd visited before were flat with well-mowed grass. I was hugely impressed by this natural park and loved the deer house. As a Headteacher I took visitors from Ireland, Estonia, Poland, France and Russia to visit the castle and the park as these are great landmarks for Bishop Auckland. Now as a volunteer I have been learning even more about the Castle and the Park.