TV show to highlight the best of dale walks

ONE of television’s most famous pets has paid a visit to Teesdale to help shed light on some of the area’s best dog walks.
Former Blue Peter dog Barney, a red setter-dachshund cross, stopped by with owner and former presenter Helen Skelton as part of a new Channel 4 series.
Walks with My Dog, which is aired on More4, follows famous faces as they take a stroll with their canine companions.
Viewers will catch a glimpse of the rural upper dale in this week’s episode, which will be shown today, Thursday, April 13, at 8pm.
Ms Skelton, who is now known for presenting BBC’s Countryfile, started their journey through the Pennines in Woodland, stopping by at Ark on the Edge animal sanctuary.
Sanctuary manager Pat Kingsnorth said: “Helen was very keen on the area and the sanctuary. She loved it.
“It was a surprise when I got the phone call the week before asking if they could come. The whole team was great and Helen was lovely. They filmed the site and the nature trail and they did a scene with the foxes. Quite a lot of filming went on but I don’t know exactly what will be shown on TV.”
Following their visit to the sanctuary, Helen and the team continued along the bridle way, which led them across the fell to Eggleston.
On route, the team bumped into Marcus and Mandy Bainbridge, from Eggleston who were out walking four of their border collies Red, Pip, Twister and Feral. The couple regularly walk their dogs along the route taken by Ms Skelton and Barney on the show.
Mrs Bainbridge said: “We had a chat about the area and how beautiful it is. Helen was lovely. We talked about Cumbria too because that is where we are both from.
“More people will be able to find out about the area after seeing it on TV. It is wild, rugged and quite uninhabited. It is beautiful, wild Teesdale. I think people will enjoy watching the show because of the scenery.”
In Romaldkirk Ms Skelton and Barney stopped by for a special treat as they were welcomed into the home of resident Alison Walton, who is behind the Wellybix dog treat business.
Ms Walton said: “Helen and Barney had a walk round the village and they also had a drone out.
“They came to my house just as I had some biscuits coming out of the oven. Helen was great. It was just like chatting to a friend. My dog Welly wasn’t here to meet them but I gave her dog some treats.
“Romaldkirk is a lovely place. We have got the old railway from which you can follow along to Barnard Castle or Middleton-in-Teesdale. There are some nice walks around here.”
The TV show will also feature actor John Nettles and his family dog Milo as they enjoy a coastal walk on the island of Jersey. Impressionist Jon Culshaw is also shown walking the foothills of Snowdonia with his black Labrador Alfie and visiting a castle where Welsh Princes once ruled.