'The town and this dale has lost one of its characters'

Family and friends gathered in Barnard Castle to mourn the loss of one of the town’s “great characters”.
Photography enthusiast Frederick Parkin Raine died on Thursday, April 13, after a four-year battle with Alzheimer’s aged 82.
A funeral service was held on Wednesday, May 3, at St Mary’s Church, in Barnard Castle, where Mr Raine had been christened and confirmed. He was also a member of the church choir and a member of the guild.
The service was led by Revd Canon Alec Harding who welcomed the congregation to the sound of Wachet Auf by Johann Sebastian Bach.
Revd Harding said: “Thank you for coming. I am sure your presence is much appreciated by Betty, Parkin’s sister, and the wider family.
“Parkin prepared for this day. We had strict instructions. We were told not to spoil the music as we came into church.”
Mr Raine was best known in the dale for his love of photography. His pictorial record of life in Teesdale spans two centuries and includes photographs he took as well as those by 19th century photographer Elijah Yeoman.
The images show how the area’s landscape, environment and people have evolved over the years. His work is now preserved in the Fitzhugh Library in Middleton-in-Teesdale.
Revd John Moore said: “I think Parkin’s greatest talent was his desire to preserve Barnard Castle. That sort of thing is very important.”
Mr Raine’s collection is now also available for people to view on the Facebook page, Ye Olde Teesdale Tales and Pictures, which has helped to reunite Teesdale folk from across the world.
History enthusiast Gary Marshall, who runs the page, also nominated Mr Raine as an Honorary Freeman of the town. Mr Raine was presented with the title in 2015 for his contribution to recording life in Teesdale.
Revd Moore said: “Things change and we have been lucky in Barnard Castle to have a wonderful photographer as part of it. His obsession was to preserve the history of Barnard Castle.”
Born on Vane Road in May 1934, Mr Raine gained a scholarship to Barnard Castle School as a young boy.
Having worked for a Barnard Castle accountancy firm, Mr Raine was also fond of physics and everything to do with technology.
The congregation heard how in May 1955, Mr Raine applied for a job as a radio technician for the BBC.
He visited London for the first time for his interview. His first stop was St Paul’s Cathedral.
Although it wasn’t open, Mr Raine caught sight of some choir boys going in to practise and so he joined them.
Revd Moore said: “Barney still has many characters in it and Parkin was one of them. I often state that we are all human beings and members of the human race. That is true but thank God he made us all individuals. I must then thank the Lord God for Parkin even if he never did stop talking.”
Having landed the job at the BBC, Mr Raine was based in Glasgow for a number of years, where he developed his love for climbing and good whisky. He also had a keen interest in archaeology, music, gardening and cooking.
Mr Raine went on to work at BBC Radio Cleveland and after retiring he took up a course in carpentry.
For the past four years, Mr Raine was resident at the Manor House care home, in Barnard Castle. Staff were praised at the service for the care they had provided.
Revd Moore said: “His health declined and dementia caused his family and friends great sadness. This town and this dale has certainly lost one of its great characters. The Lord God made them all but he only made one Parkin.”
Mr Raine chose the last hymn for his funeral service and requested that the organist should have some fun improvising on the hymn tune, For All The Saints.
Mr Raine is survived by his sister Betty Beadle and her family.