Personally, my secret place is the Friends Burial Ground, off Skinnergate in Darlington, a tranquil area behind the Friends Meeting House. It might not sound like your first choice for a lunchbreak, but this place is beautiful and not usually busy at all, so plenty of time to draw a deep breath and reflect on what really matters.

Just a few yards from the Echo offices, I can take a coffee or a sandwich there, or just drop by and admire the planting, pathways and peace.

The Darlington Quakers website tells me the land has been used as a burial ground by Darlington’s Quaker population since the 18th century.

Initially, all headstones were banned because marking a person in this way could be seen as elevating them above others, which goes against the testimony of equality. But Quakers came to an agreement that a small, simple stone would be appropriate, marking the name, date of death, and age. The oldest headstone at Darlington is 1789, but the stones were never obligatory, and many burials have no marker.

(Image: Mike Hughes) (Image: Mike Hughes) (Image: Mike Hughes) (Image: Mike Hughes) (Image: Mike Hughes) In the 1950’s full burials ceased, but interment of ashes is still performed and some Quakers also request that ashes are scattered.

So it's a precious place for many people- including this old journalist looking for a quiet seat!