Oyez, oyez! Town crier wins final place on council

THE final place on Barnard Castle Town Council has been decided by the narrowest of margins. 

The 11 sitting town councillors voted 6-5 in favour of Ian Kirkbride filling the one vacant position in Barney’s east ward.

Mr Kirkbride, a retired customs officer and former head of health and safety for the now defunct Comet electrical retailer, is well known as a member of the Castle Players and as the ceremonial town crier. He was one of four people to put their names forward for co-option onto the town council after only five candidates stood for the six available seats in the east ward at May’s local elections.

At last week’s town council meeting Gary Marshall, another of those who expressed an interest, withdrew, while former member David Kinch was unable to attend, although he asked for his name to go forward.

That meant Mr Kirkbride and cafe owner Emma Rowell, another former town councillor, were the only candidates to address members in support of their written expressions of interest.

Mr Kirkbride, 72, said: “I have a particular interest in developing aspects of the arts in general and music in particular and most recently have been pleased to see the encouragement of community related music events embracing many and various local talents.”

Ms Rowell highlighted the work she had undertaken during her year as a town councillor which included campaigning to support health services, introducing monthly open ward surgeries and taking on constituents’ case work.

In the question and answer session which followed, Mr Kirkbride said he had been unable to stand in the recent election as he had been visiting the widow of a close friend in the US, while Ms Rowell outlined her involvement in the Good Ask mental health initiative.

Both were asked whether they would join the council as independents or as members of a political party.

Mr Kirkbride said he was of “no political persuasion whatsoever” while Ms Rowell explained that although she was a member of the Labour Party, politics had no place in the town council. She said she had stated her Labour credentials as part of her aim to be open, accountable and accessible as a councillor.

Town council members then went into private session to discuss the candidates’ presentations further before the vote was held in public.

Town clerk Michael King explained a simple majority was required. Mr Kirkbride received six votes, Ms Rowell five and there were no votes for Mr Kinch.

Barnard Castle pauses to remember fliers

BARNARD Castle mayor Cllr Sandra Moorhouse led the annual commemoration of aviators who have lost their lives in the dale and western Pennines. 

The 22nd Teesdale Aviation Day service was held at the memorial gardens in Galgate on Friday as the prelude to the town’s 1940s weekend.

The RAF was represented by Warrant Officer Simon Fellows, from RAF Leeming, making his first visit to the event.

Other organisations present included the Royal Air Forces Association and Barnard Castle School’s Combined Cadet Force.

The service was led by Revd Canon Alec Harding who told those present: “We are gathered together to remember those men and women who lost their lives whilst serving with the Royal Air Force and Air Transport Auxiliary.

“On the eve of Armed Forces Day, this 22nd Teesdale Aviation Day offers a chance to show our support and solute our forces for all they do”.

He added: “Let us pray for the peace of the world; for those who hold office of state and all rulers that they may have the wisdom to know and the courage to do what is right.”

Tony Galley, who along with former town councillor John Yarker founded the Aviation Day service, said he wished to pay tribute to a long time supporter of the event, Carmel Connolly, from Spennymoor, who had died earlier this year aged 105.

“She attended from the start and continued to come until just a few years ago,” he said.

After wreaths were laid, the Last Post was played by Andrew Nicholson.

Josephine’s dream: Exhibition reveals vision behind Bowes

NEW research shows that Josephine Bowes was the real “spirit” behind The Bowes Museum and its collection. 

PICTURE THIS: Honorary archivist Judith Phillips is
welcoming people to the photo-booth
at the Josephine Bowes Exhibition at The Bowes Museum 

So it is perhaps fitting that an entire exhibition is being dedicated to her as the museum celebrates its 125th anniversary.

The exhibition Josephine Bowes – A Woman of Taste and Influence explores many facets of her life: as John Bowes’ lover and mistress, as an actress, as a woman of fashion, as an artist and as a patron of the arts, as a socialite and as a collector.

Honorary archivist Judith Phillips, who co-curated the display, explained that Josephine has never been given the credit she deserved for coming up with the idea of the museum.

She said: “The majority of the letters and bills were addressed to her, Madame Bowes. It looks like she chose most or the things. I think she was the spirit [behind the museum]. In her will she describes it as her collection.”

On entry to the exhibition visitors are confronted by a large portrait of Josephine, painted in 1850 by Tony Dury. She was 25 at the time.

Ms Phillips said former museum curator, Elizabeth Conran, studied the painting and deduced much about the character of the woman from it.

Her dress, furniture and an Imari vase shows how fashionable she was, while the books on the table shows her passion for culture.

“She was quite cutting edge,” said Ms Phillips.

The exhibition is focussed on Josephine, but a small part is dedicated to John (pictured above). She explained he must have a mention since it was his money that paid for the museum and the collection. There is also a glimpse into the love they shared. A gold and pearl clockwork mouse is on display. The item, which cost £22 in its day, was given to John by his wife for his 60th birthday.

In addition there is the only remaining letter written by Josephine to John in which his affectionate nickname for her, Puss, is mentioned.

Ms Phillips said: “We know there were many more [letters] because of the entries in the diaries.”

A surprise is the collection of paintings produced by Josephine. The museum has 60 of them, mostly landscapes, and none are know to exist anywhere else. She was good enough to have exhibited in the Paris Salon, at the Louvre, for four successive years.

Further along are paintings she bought which show how she was buying paintings from contemporary artists, such as the impressionist Monticelli long before he found fame.

Ms Phillips said: “She bought a lot of stuff that would not have been popular at the time.”

As a patron of the arts, she commissioned items, such as a sweet dish and jug by glass artist Emile Galle. Letters of gratitude from authors she supported are displayed alongside personally inscribed copies of their work.

Ms Phillips added: “They deliberately chose objects to be inspirational and educational, but they were careful in what they bought so they had a wide variety. They were fascinated by Romany, Tuscany and medieval items.”

Among the items is a medieval book of hours and a Roman tear jug.

A final section of the exhibition is the most painful. It describes how Josephine was plagued by ill health. The co-curator points to the many doctors and pharmacist bills as evidence.

It is believed she died suddenly, and unexpectedly, of a chest infection at the age of 48.

In letters, John Bowes described how distraught he was. She never saw the museum completed.

However, her legacy lives on.

And it is her legacy that is confirmed in the words of John Bowes himself: “Thanks only are due to my late wife, as the idea, and prospect, of the museum and park, originated entirely with her.”

The exhibition runs until July 16.

Group’s unusual request to Barnard Castle furniture makers - a dozen wooden swords

A BESPOKE furniture maker was only too happy to help a community group who came up with an unusual order – for a dozen wooden swords.

The request came from Music at the Heart Of Teesdale’s (M@HoT) longsword dance group who were hoping to replace their four-year-old ceremonial weapons which were looking a bit worse for wear.

In stepped Derek Nixon, from Anthony Nixon Furniture, in Barnard Castle.

“It is not unusual to be asked to make individual items,” he said.

“After all that is what we do – make bespoke furniture to customer’s requirements.

“We are very pleased to be able to help. We think it wonderful that Music at the Heart of Teesdale is teaching local youngsters traditional tunes and dances.”

The swords are used to teach local children longsword dancing.

Longsword dance tutor Patrick Langdon added: “I made the first swords four years ago and they have seen quite a lot of use.

“They are getting a bit battered and worn now. I explained to Nixon’s what we needed and Derek very kindly offered to make us some new swords for free, which is great. I asked for a dozen and they have actually made us 23, which is fantastic!"

Anthony Nixon Furniture has also agreed to donate £500 to the M@HoT project to help ensure that the group can continue to revive and teach traditional music and dance in Teesdale.

Director Chris Dauber said: “Music has been a central feature of my family’s life in Teesdale, and we are very pleased to support the inspirational voluntary work that Patrick and his team are doing.”

Young ‘animals’ celebrate Sunday school anniversary

YOUNG members of a dale church donned facepaint to celebrate the anniversary of their Sunday school. 

No-one at Cockfield Methodist Chapel is quite sure exactly how long the Sunday school has been running, but its superintendent Evelyn Humphries said it predates her 77 years.

Mrs Humphries and the school’s assistant Joyce Heddle welcome 16 children along each week.

As well as Sunday school, all the youngsters, aged three to 11, are members of the church’s youth club, which meets weekly on Fridays from 6pm to 8pm.

To celebrate the Sunday school’s anniversary, they took the service in the form of a performance of Noah.

Mrs Humphries said the Sunday school at Cockfield was one of only two remaining in the Bishop Auckland and Shildon circuit.

The anniversary service was chaired by Robin Young, from Barnard Castle, and all the children had their faces painted as animals to tell the story of Noah.

Cockfield parish councillor Jonathan Milroy, whose children are following in his footsteps at the Sunday school, said: “It has been operating for as long as I can remember.

“The recent anniversary performance was fantastic.”

He also praised the efforts of the two Sunday school leaders.

“I think these ladies deserve a lot of credit for the time and effort they put into the Sunday school. Evelyn was my Sunday school teacher 35 years-plus ago – that’s some dedication. We are lucky to have a Sunday school.”

Methodism has existed in Cockfield since the 1820s. The present chapel was opened in October 1888 and extended with the Sunday school building in 1906.

Bombed out – but not forgotten

In the middle of the army’s firing ranges at Battle Hill lies the ruin of East Loups’s – a link to a forgotten way of farming. Editor Trevor Brookes reports

JENNY Braddy’s stepfather used to fume when he heard the explosions at East Loups’s.

The British Army had taken over the land around the time of the Second World War to train troops destined to tackle Hitler on foreign fields.

Germany had been defeated but the MOD was still using the land at Cotherstone Moor as a firing range, just as it does today.

Mrs Braddy was a young girl whose family had in 1947 moved into a remote cottage, Cuckoo Farm, across the moor from East Loups’s.

“My stepfather used to get really cross because the Army used to take pot shots at East Loups’s. He used to say ‘it belongs to someone’. The Army were supposed to give it back but they never did,” she said.

Mrs Braddy is well known to Teesdale Mercury readers through her Looking Back columns under the pen name of Jinny Howlett. She revisited East Loups’s when she joined an excursion organised by history group the Teesdale Record Society.

The chairman, Neville Cross, began explaining the history of the abandoned farmstead when Mrs Braddy, who was with husband Geoff and their dog, revealed her link to the farm’s past.

“It was called ‘old grassland’ back then. The military let the walls go to wrack and ruin so the sheep from the farm used to roam over here because the grass was so good. We used to have to come here to get them,” she said.

“You used to see all the rare Teesdale flowers here. I remember them so well as a child.

“I can still recall the ridge and furrow marks in the heather, which had meant at one point in its history the land had been extended. I think it was a very substantial farmhouse.”

On a wet and wild summer’s evening, nowhere in Teesdale can lay claim to being more atmospheric that East Loups’s, which is perched on a hill with two valleys on each side – one overlooking Battle Hill, the other Booze Wood and behind it Corn Park.

In Queen Victoria’s reign, silence in the house during the winter nights would have been broken only by the humming of the spinning wheel.

The Tinkler family lived at Loups’s for 300 years and may have been the last family to live there.

Oxen did ploughing with a wooden plough in the 19th century, and the crops often weren’t ready for harvesting until quite late in the year, Mr Tinkler once regaled to the Teesdale Mercury. They used to talk about “Brough Hill time” because when Brough Hill fair was over it was time to get ready for winter. A time to get in peat for the fire, which would have roared next to the flickering and spitting light of homemade sheep’s fat candles.

Mrs Braddy says: “At that time, there was always plenty to eat though. Mr Tinkler described the ‘kail pot’ hanging from the ‘rannel balk’ – the beam across the broad open chimney. It was kept simmering over the fire and it would usually be well filled with salted mutton, barley and vegetables.

“Outside, on the farm, the fields were poorly drained and there were no hedges or stone walls. Field boundaries were marked by ditches. There were always plenty of ponies on the farm.”

In the 18th century, there were few wheeled carts so the ponies did all the work. They were far better suited to Teesdale’s terrain at the time because of the atrocious roads and a lack of bridges across becks – even Deepdale Beck had to be crossed by a ford. So why was it called Loups’s?

There is a suggestion that it’s a Scottish word used to describe a place where a beck was so narrow a person could leap across in a single stride, says Mrs Braddy who now lives in Middlesbrough.

Some locals today still call it Leap House. Jenny recalls post-war inhabitants of the dale pronouncing it as “Lowpses”.

Local history enthusiast Neville Cross believes the old quarry nearby was once a place where the Romans worked stone. All that’s left, he says are the giant rocks that were unwanted or unusable. You can see the ladder marks the engineers put in the rocks if you know where to look,” says Mr Cross, who as the owner of a dale quarry company knows a thing or two about stone.

Local legend has it that High Corn Park nearby once had a well in the kitchen and there are suggestions that, due to its isolated nature, East Loups’s would have had one too. Today, little is left of East Loups’s – much of its structure has either been bombed or stolen.

Those intent on exploring Loups’s would be advised to take note that East Loups’s, West Loups’s and Loups’s Hill are part of an area the Army uses for rifle and gun training – including night firing, battle simulation and the use of pyrotechnics. The MoD’s website points out that access to some rights of way are controlled by red flags red lamps.

Well-wishers donate £3,500 to help blaze victim Laura

A campaign to support a woman whose flat was destroyed by fire has raised nearly £3,500.

Laura Shaw’s third floor home in Bouch Way, in Barnard Castle, was devastated by a fierce blaze a fortnight ago.

Her sister, Anneka Shaw, has set up a crowdfunding campaign to help her through the aftermath and dozens of dale folk have rallied around to help.

When the siblings lost their mother to cancer, Ms Shaw moved to Barnard Castle, in 2016 to start her life afresh.

But the fire saw Ms Shaw lose all her precious mementos and keepsakes of her mum. Her sister said Laura had embraced life in the dale, had always looked out for others and had taken on a wide range of charity endeavours. She added: “No one deserves this tragedy – Laura has been through so much, so young and remained selfless and kind.

“It would be such a helping hand to support and lift her if those able to could donate something towards an effort to rebuild her life. Anything will help.”

Ms Shaw’s colleagues at The Witham in Barnard Castle have backed the campaign.

Marketing manager at the arts centre Sarah Gent said the generosity of dale folk had been inspirational.

She added: “We have been inspired by people’s kindness and their reaction to the situation. It’s heartening to live in a community where people respond like this. People have walked in with bags of things for her, as well as offers of bits and pieces to get her life back together which has been wonderful.”

Four fire engines and an aerial ladder were used to tackle the fire, which took several hours to fully extinguish.

Fire service investigators began scouring the scene on June 9 to try to piece together a possible cause. But a trigger for the blaze remains unknown.

In the meantime, more than 100 people have given money to the fund for Ms Shaw since it was started on June 11.

One person who donated said: “Sorry this happened but the community here are great. You will ride out the storm with help from Barnard Castle and the surrounding areas.”

Ms Gent added that recent events in London had made the fundraiser all the more pertinent. “In the face of what happened in London, in worst case scenarios we can see the good of people,” she said.“It’s the one solace really.”

Ms Shaw said any time or services people could give up to help her sister would be greatly appreciated.

To donate to the fund, go to: https://www.gofundme.com/please-help-laura-rebuild-her-life.

Catching up with all things sheep

There was a strong Teesdale presence among the thousands of visitors and hundreds of trade stands at North Sheep. Reporter Stuart Laundy enjoyed a day out among the crowds who flocked to Tow Law

JOHN Stephenson is a veteran of events such as North Sheep and has seen them grow in popularity over the years.

“Everybody that’s here is connected with some part of the agriculture industry,” said the secretary of the Swaledale Sheep Breeders’ Association.

“Everything is targeted at sheep breeders and these events have become increasingly popular.”

While Mr Stephenson, from Eggleston, was flying the flag for the Swaledale, another 35 breed associations were represented at North Sheep.

Organised by the National Sheep Association (NSA), it was held at West Shields Farm, just off the A68 at Tow Law.

In addition to the sheep, the stands and the other attractions, a programme of seminars and workshops was organised to keep sheep farmers abreast of the latest information and industry trends.

Eddie Eastham, chairman of NSA Northern Region, said with so many questions marks over the future of sheep farming, it was important for people to be as well informed as they can.

Thanks to Mrs May, it turned out North Sheep – which had been months in the planning – was staged the day before the general election.

As NSA president the Duke of Montrose said in his opening speech, it is very much a question of wait and see for sheep farmers – which, given the subsequent outcome of the election, very much holds true in continuing uncertain times.

Meanwhile, back on the Swaledale breed stand, Mr Stephenson spent a busy day meeting and greeting.

“We are in our own area and it is a case of see and be seen – if we weren’t here we would be much more obvious by our absence than our presence.

“It has been a good day and a busy day with people coming in before 8am.

“There is always someone wanting to join the society – but it is not about today. It could be six months down the line when someone you meet today might ring up.”

Among the other breed association pens, Peter and Susan Addison, from Hayberries Farm, Mickleton, were flying the flag for zwartbles. They had brought along two of their pure bred sheep for visitors to meet. Also on the stand were zwartble cross breeds, courtesy of another breeder, to show what the resulting lambs look like.

“The zwartbles have been in the country for about 20 years, but during the past five years they have become increasingly popular,” said Mrs Addison.

North Sheep came at the start of a busy period for the Addisons, who last year were crowned national breed champions at the Yorkshire Show with a shearling tup.

They are giving this year’s national competition – being held at the Highland Show, in Ingliston, Edinburgh – a miss, but they are heading to the Three Counties Show at Malvern, where they tasted success 12 months ago, before entering the Yorkshire Show again.

Elsewhere on the North Sheep site, Libby Bell, auctioneer and managing director of Barnard Castle Mart, was wooing visitors with cups of tea and coffee.

The event gave her the chance to promote the mart both locally and further afield.

“We have got Barney mart and St John’s Chapel. We are a little independent dales mart, but we are as good as anybody,” she said.

“When you are selling Mules and Swaledales, you need to be promoting the business locally.

“But there are people here from all over the country who will come and talk to us about buying at breeding sheep sales.”

Supporting the mart’s efforts was Marwood farmer David Buck and his son Thomas, who had brought along Mule hoggs and lambs as an example of the breeds which are regularly seen in the ring.

“We regularly buy and sell at Barney mart. Being local is important. The quality is probably better,” said David.

For the first time at a North Sheep event, a festival of British lamb was organised to highlight to farmers changing consumer habits.

This included a demonstration by chef Simon Hicks, of the Lord Crewe Arms, Blanchland, Northumberland, showing there was much more to lamb than a simple roasted joint. He produced such tongue ticklers as grilled rolled lamb shoulder and BBQ ribs.
There was a butchery demonstration by Northumberland farmer Jimmy “the lamb man” Bell, during which he highlighted a number of cuts which would not necessarily be the usual top choice for consumers.
Educating the next generation of farmers encouraged staff from East Durham College to North Sheep, where they spent the day extolling the virtues of the new-look Houghall campus.
A £12.75million redevelopment has resulted in a new small animal care centre, agriculture centre, equine centre, science labs and IT suites.
The new agriculture centre includes pig and cattle units to complement the existing sheep facilities while the equine centre boasts stable block for 28 horses, tack room and international standard indoor arena.
Principal Suzanne Duncan described the new facilities as “a real milestone for land-based education in the North East”.
Highlighting the range of support, services and training available closer to home were members of Utass (Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services). Project manager Diane Spark said it had been a worthwhile day.
“A lot of people have been surprised that we exist, but they have taken away literature on training, the monthly socials and we had one lady from Northumberland who is keen to see something similar within Northumberland,” she said.
Ms Spark said it was the first time Utass had taken part in North Sheep and the event had given the organisation the chance to raise awareness of what it does and how it fits in with the communities it serves.”

Child's play as Gill passes on a love of riding

GILL Sims’ love of animals is evident to all visitors to her riding school on a five-acre property near Melsonby.

The two resident goats, the pot-bellied pig, Hank, as well as assorted dogs and cats roam freely, while horses and ponies of all shapes and sizes graze the paddocks. However, it is Gill’s love of children and her delight in watching them develop their riding skills that is her enduring passion.

The curious name of the business, Miniature World Riding Academy, is a legacy of times gone by. Until 2000, Gill ran Miniature World Farm Visitor Centre, which was the home of miniature versions of animals of all types, including sheep, goats and pigs, as well as more exotic species. It was primarily established to fufill the demand for school children in urban areas to learn more about the countryside and Gill, a former children’s nurse, would borrow pet lambs from farmers in springtime for her young visitors to bottlefeed.

It soon became evident that there was a shortage of riding schools in the area and as Gill already kept four horses and ponies for herself and her family, she started giving riding lessons, mainly to young children. Simply through word of mouth, the riding school became popular and it now offers a choice of 16 horses and ponies, ranging from 11.2hh (hands high) to 17hh.

“Due to the high insurance premiums, most riding schools will not take very young children, but I am happy to start them as young as two years old – at that age they have no fear and many will have a natural seat,” said Ms Sims. “I like to think that I run a traditional riding school, which offers the opportunity of riding to children who may never have the chance to own a pony. But there are also some adult riders, who are mostly mothers who bring their children and then decide they would like to join in. But I also have a more mature clientele, many of whom book a course of lessons because they have always wanted to ride and say that it has been on their bucket list for a long time.

“I always meant to take some riding instruction qualifications, but as the school grew busier, there never seemed to be enough time and I am content now to be a ‘happy hacker.’ Over the years, I have developed my own teaching style and I believe that my empathy with children helps me to communicate with them. It is often easier when the parents are not present as children tend to listen more closely to instructions when mum and dad are out of the picture.”

Outside trainers are brought in for the more competitive pupils and local event rider Tanya Buckingham holds regular clinics at the academy. Weekends and evenings during term-time are taken up with riding lessons that are held throughout the year, making use of the indoor manege in the winter. However, the atmosphere is very different during the school holidays, when there is a full schedule of activities, including in-house show jumping competitions and the chance to tackle the cross-country jumps. The children can also attend overnight camps, where they have the same horse for the duration.

“The children become very fond of their charges and when one girl had a hoodie featuring her name and the name of ‘her’ pony, others followed suit and now they all wear them,” said Gill.

“I organise all sorts of games and a gymkhana and I also have some Western saddles, which are used for barrel racing. Learning to ride is a discipline, but it should also be about having fun and it is important to me that the children do not get bored.”

One of Gill’s favourite days of the week is Thursday, when she hosts the Riding for the Disabled group. Each disabled rider requires a volunteer to lead his or her mount, plus one or two more, to provide support from the ground. “We are desperately short of volunteers,” said Gill. “It is very rewarding work, because the riders get so much out of it. Once they get on their horse, they are equal to everyone else and for those who have been confined to a wheelchair; it also offers a degree of freedom of movement. My godson has special needs and I witnessed how much he looked forward to his riding sessions.”

Gill’s own horse riding ambitions may be modest, but the same cannot be said of her son, Paul, a talented three-day event competitor who is now based in Cheshire. Paul initially focused on show jumping and moved up as far as Grand Prix level, also representing England before switching to three-day eventing. He recently achieved seven consecutive four stars; four at Badminton and three at Burghley, in partnership with Glengarnock.

If you would like to become a volunteer for the Riding for the Disabled group call Gill Sims on 07870 204396.

The latest on the early morning high-street disturbance... and Barney's Dunkirk spirit - this week's TM

The early morning brawl in Barnard Castle on Sunday features on our front page, along with the police statement.

This week’s TM also comes with a free glossy lifestyle magazine packed with features.

Here are a few of the other headlines:

Dunkirk spirit helps 1940s festival – picture special.

Council promises fresh HGV surveys after latest smash.

Club fan snaps up rare cup medal for £4,000.

Family help others who have lost loved ones in car crashes after sharing their tragic experience.

OAP pledges that vandals won’t defeat the community project he is involved with.

Town resident had to pull down a garage but is told an unsightly shipping container can stay – we get his take on things.

Housing tenants may end up paying £1,200 more a year in the dale.

Anger over school staff pay deal.

‘We watched aghast as flytippers targeted Startforth’.

Hidden garden gems open up for charity in Barney.

‘Bash in the barn’ for causes close to farming family’s heart.

Plus letters, community news, arts, remember when, and of course a complete sports round-up in Teesdale.

Patients will be charged for hospital driver scheme

A volunteer driver scheme used by patients across the dale is to be replaced by a countywide service with the introduction of charges for passengers.

The Barnard Castle-based service, which enables those who are less mobile to attend medical appointments, was left hanging in limbo in March. Durham County Council ceased funding and although a generous donation of £3,000 was received from the Friends of Richardson Hospital, a more centralised approach is now being taken to deliver the service for the next three years.

Charities Volunteering Matters and Supportive will operate the new Help to Health service from July 3 covering Teesdale, Weardale, Easington, Sedgefield, Derwentside, Chester-le-Street and Durh-am City.

NHS Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield and NHS North Durham Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) have worked with Durham County Council to arrange the new service.

Durham County Council’s director of public health, Amanda Healy, said there are a number of similar services across the area.

She added: “It is just no longer viable to support such a fragmented approach.

“Instead, a new single volunteer driver service which will support people across the whole county by providing transport for healthcare appointments is being created.

“We have also worked hard to ensure information is available to people who use the existing services, staff and anyone else affected by these changes.”

In light of the changes which includes charging patients a fare, volunteer driver and organiser Trevor Goodge, of Startforth, has stepped down from his role after three and a half years.

Mr Goodge said: “This decision has not come lightly but I cannot support something that I don’t believe in because the changes will be detrimental to the people of Teesdale.”

Patients will now have to pay 45p a mile as well as any car parking charges. Donations are no longer enough to cover the costs and Volunteering Matters is no longer in a position to be able to support the shortfall, health chiefs say.

But Mr Goodge said: “I have taken one lady for years and she was in tears about it.

“I think the whole system is ill-conceived. Not one call or meeting was set up to discuss this with volunteers.

“It has gone from a donation run thing to a taxi. It is infringing on a taxi service. A trip from Barnard Castle to Darlington is going to cost £18 rather than a £10 donation which is what it was before.

“For a trip to James Cook it was a donation of £25 but at 45p per mile you are looking at £36 for a journey. This is something the patient should not have to worry about.”

The Help to Health phone booking line will be open Monday to Friday except bank holidays. Transport will be available from 8.30am to 5.30pm weekdays.

Mr Goodge said: “I have taken people on a Saturday and a Sunday. I have brought people back late on a night when they have been discharged. The surgery has even rang me last minute asking if I can take someone to hospital. What happens when people need to get there?

“We have had one missed journey out of 3,000. It has worked from day one.”

Transport can be booked up to four weeks before the appointment date but the patient must give a minimum of 48 hours’ notice. Same day requests cannot be accepted.

Mr Goodge thanked his group of 14 volunteer drivers for their support. He said: “We all went that extra mile for our community.”

For more information about the service call 0300 330 9424.

Council blasts Evenwood pizza shop over 'gunge and mess'

THE owners of a pizza shop have been blasted for leaving mess, gunge and food waste outside their premises – just months after the business was given a zero food hygiene rating under its previous management.

Pizza Central, in Evenwood, was awarded the worst possible hygiene rating in January and told that urgent improvements were needed.

It is understood the takeaway is now under new management and a food inspector is due to carry out another inspection to see if the issues raised earlier this year have been addressed. In January, inspectors said Pizza Central had “bad” food hygiene and safety and “bad” structural compliance. The council’s team also noted that they had “little” confidence in the management.

Despite a takeover at the business, residents say are still disgusted by the state of the shop. Recent photos supplied by Evenwood Parish Council show food waste dripping from the drains, building debris and a substance claimed to be cooking fat on the ground outside.

The matter was brought before parish councillors last week. Parish chairwoman Cllr Barbara Nicholson said: “The whole area is filthy. They have a bin but they don’t use it. I’ve taken photos and there is gunge coming out of the drain. There is sauce. There are pizza boxes. There is oil every morning. It’s not the customers, it’s them.”

She has complained to Durham County Council but has grown frustrated by a lack of action, councillors were told.

“I’ve come to the end of my tether about it,” added Cllr Nicholson, who said she often takes it upon her self to tidy the area around the shop.

A spokesman for the business confirmed it was under new management but declined to comment further.

Durham County Council says it isn’t able to reveal its last food hygiene report until another inspection has been carried out. 

"However, its basic report from January said major improvement was necessary at Pizza Central in hygienic handling of food including preparation, cooking, re-heating, cooling and storage. Major improvement was also called for in cleanliness and condition of facilities and checks to ensure that food sold is safe to eat."

Evenwood football star does the honours at mum's workplace

A TEESDALE football star dropped in on his mum’s work to help raise money for a good cause.

Bradford City defender Tony McMahon cut the ribbon at Beaconsfield Care Home, in Barnard Castle, last Friday to mark its annual open day.

The right-back, who lives near Cockfield, was only too happy to come along when asked by his mum, Tracy, who works at the care home.

Dozens of cakes, a tombola and a “guess how many balloons are in the car” challenge raised money for the care home as part of a national campaign.

Town mayor Cllr Sandra Moorhouse visited the home and there were turns from dale entertainer Mark Carter as well as performances by a Doris Day impersonator.

Deputy manager Laura Langridge said the day had gone really well.

Resident Dora Smith, 90, added: “It’s fabulous – I never expected anything like this. They have excelled themselves.”

Having just returned from a holiday in Dubai, Mr McMahon said it was the first time he’d come to the home’s open day. The 31-year-old, who made 119 appearances for Middlesbrough, has played at Bradford City for the past two seasons.

His side endured cup heartbreak at Wembley, in May, narrowly losing the League One play-off final to an 85th minute goal against Millwall.

“We’d done really well – just to lose at Wembley is the worst way to lose,” said Mr McMahon.

“It was just a horrible day. We deserved to win but it just didn’t happen on the day.”

Mr McMahon’s family all made the journey to watch the final and he said it had been a “good year” on the back of his sister having a baby.

When it came to next season, he revealed he had “a few options” available.

“We’ve been in the play-offs twice and I enjoy it at the club – hopefully it will be third time lucky,” he said.

“The fans are brilliant and it’s a big club. I’ve just got back from holiday so I’ll sit down with my agent and see what happens.”

Teesdale charity needs YOUR vote to secure vital cash

A DALE charity needs people’s votes to secure a pot of cash.

Teesdale Disability Access Forum is guaranteed to get at least £4,000 from the Masonic Charitably Foundation(MCF), but with support the charity could get as much as £25,000.

As part of Freemasonry’s 300th anniversary, the MCF is distributing £3million to 300 charities across the country and Teesdale Disability Access Forum is one of those selected.

The charity made it through two rounds of selection before being one of four charities in County Durham to make it through to the final 300. Each of the nominated charities will receive a grant, but the public vote will determine how much they receive ranging from £4,000 to £25,000.

Anne Henderson, chief officer for the forum, said: “A grant of £25,000 would make a huge difference to our work.

“We don’t receive statutory funding and rely solely on funding from the Big Lottery and the generosity of charities, trusts and foundations so that we can keep on providing services for the benefit of disabled people, older people, their families and carers.

“I would ask anyone who has used our services, or knows of the good work we do, to go online and vote for us. Every vote counts, so please vote for us and get your family and friends to vote too.” The MCF obtains all of its funding from Freemasons and their families. It is estimated that half of Freemasonry’s total charitable expenditure of more than £33million goes to charities to help people in communities.

Provincial Grand Master Eric Heaviside, from the Province of Durham Freemasons, said: “We are proud to be able to support many charities across County Durham, but in the 300th anniversary year we want to involve the public, as we well as local Freemasons in deciding which of the nominated charities should benefit the most. I urge everyone to visit the website and vote.”

To vote for Teesdale Disability Access Forum to win up to £25,00 visit mcf.org.uk/vote.

Anyone who has an email address but does not have access to a computer can visit the forum at 5 Market Place, Barnard Castle.

Teesdale farmers to the rescue after hikers get into difficulties

A dale farmer went the extra mile for two exhausted hikers who got into difficulties in the remote upper dale.

Reuben Atkinson was out working on Widdybank Fell on Sunday evening (June 11) when he was acknowledged by a walker not too far away.

Not suspecting anything was wrong, Mr Atkinson waved back – but seconds later he realised it was a plea for help.

Mr Atkinson said: “He waved at me so I acknowledged him as you do.

“When I next turned round he was flat on his back. I rushed over to him. It is just what you do. You don’t think of anything else. He was in a distressed state. He was soaked through and frozen.

“He was upset because he’d had to leave his friend sheltered behind a rock to go and get help. They were both exhausted. The weather would have been a contributing factor because it was bitterly cold. I’m not out there everyday. If the sheep had not got off the fell I would not have gone to look at the gate and I wouldn’t have seen the man.”

The pair had been walking from Cow Green Reservoir, downstream and past Cauldron Snout when one of them became unwell.

Mr Atkinson was on his quad bike and took the first man, who was in his sixties, to the nearby Langdon Beck Hotel at around 5.30pm. Landlady Sue Matthews said: “Reuben was on his quad bike and brought him here because we are the closest place for help.

“It was a really windy day. It would have been up there with some of the worst days we have had. When I am out walking the dogs, it just takes your breath away.

“It can be a lot worse up here sometimes than in other places. It was raining heavily at times too.”

Police were called to the area at 6pm to help locate the second man. Members of the Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team were also called by the North East Ambulance Service.

In the meantime, Mr Atkinson set off on his quad bike in search of the walker.

He said: “It did not take long to find him. It was a matter of following the footpath up from where I had initially seen the first chap. There is nowhere else you can go really up there so I knew if I kept going I would find him.

“He was happy to see me. I was quite concerned that he was going to get colder. I had my waterproofs on which I gave him and I had an empty feed bag. I cut it open and tried to keep him warm.”

Mr Atkinson stayed with the man while they waited for the emergency services to arrive.

Local farmers Daniel Bell, 20, from Forest-in-Teesdale, and James Scott, 19, from Newbiggin, had been in the Langdon Beck Hotel when they heard what was going on. Wanting to do something to help, they used their local knowledge of the area to guide the emergency services to where the second man was likely to be.

Mr Bell said: “The police came in and did not know the area. Being local I said I would go up with them and help. James was here too so he said he would come aswell.”

The man, who was also in his sixties, was located near to Widdybank Farm. He was stretchered into an ambulance at about 9.30pm and taken to the University Hospital of North Durham to be assessed.

Ms Matthews added: “We are always happy to help where we can. As far as I am aware they are both okay. It is a feel-good story and we don’t get many of them these days.”

Police left money behind the bar to buy a drink for the three farmers as a thank you for their help. Both men are from Darlington and are believed to have made a full recovery

'Feuding' travellers abandon trashed caravan at Bowes

A RUMOURED feud between travellers has left villagers with a dilapidated motor home dumped on their doorsteps.

A smashed-up caravan was left abandoned at Guide Post Corner, in Bowes, last week and portable toilets provided by the county council were upended. Human waste was also deposited in buildings at the Old Armoury camp site overlooking the village.

Guide Post Corner was designated a stop over area for travellers by Durham County Council ahead of Appleby Horse Fair and will remain so until this Friday (June 23).

But villager Yvonne Mulley couldn’t understand the mess left behind. She said: “Why do they turn the toilets over when they leave? I think it’s time the police stopped the caravans – they should just have the old horses and carriages.”

Mrs Mulley said the first set of gypsies to come through hadn’t posed any problems but reserved harsh words for travellers who left the corner a “tip”.

She added: “The proper Romanies do not leave a mess because they worry about their reputation.

“It will be down to the council to clean it up which will mean we have to pay. Everyone is frightened of doing anything because they have matches.”

Another angry villager, who did not wish to be named, said a possible feud involving baseball bats on last Monday night into Tuesday had resulted in the “eyesore”.

He added: “It’s absolutely trashed and there’s obviously been some sort of feud – it’s another eyesore for the Teesdale countryside.

“We should not be left in this state – we bend over backwards for these people and provide them with toilets.

“It’s disgraceful and a disgrace to the dale – they’re not a nice set of people at all.”

Durham County Council have worked in partnership with Durham Police and a traveller liaison group to establish stop-over sites and facilitate a smooth passage to Appleby.

“Target hardening” measures including bollards and fencing have been erected to encourage use of these sites.

Mrs Mulley has lived in Bowes for 21 years but said problems associated with travellers had got worse lately.

She added: “We once stopped our car because we could see someone trying to get into a field – he was the one shouting at us and we felt like we were the ones in the wrong.

“I think everyone is frightened of being strict with them – it’s laughable. If we took our daughter’s caravan and put it in a lay by there would not be a water bowser or a toilet there and we would be moved on by the police. It’s one law for one and one for another.”

Farmers in Bowes have resorted to their own “target hardening” methods – putting big stones in front of farm gates during the migration period.

Bowes parish councillor Cliff Brown said the damage was “quite unusual”.

He added: “I was on the committee for quite a long time and the measures over the last ten years have made quite a difference.

“Compared to 20-odd years ago we’ve taken quite a few measures to reduce problems.”

Ian Hoult, the county council's neighbourhood protection manager, said the stop-over areas had been used by a “large number” of gypsies and travellers, adding that the mess at Guide Post Corner would be dealt with by a neighbourhood warden team.

He said: “The Teesdale Residents and Travellers Forum has planned a debrief to review how the collective actions have gone over the Appleby migration period in order to learn from each year and adapt where necessary for future years.”

Cockfield school wins award for giving children a voice

COCKFIELD Primary School has once again been recognised for the way it promotes the rights of children and young people.

The school recently had its Investing in Children membership renewed after impressing during a visit which saw project worker Chloe Brown meet the pupils. She was also given a tour of the school.

She said: “Throughout my visits to Cockfield Primary School I saw many examples of all the children having opportunities to have discussions and things being changed because of this, both small and big.”

She added that since her last evaluation, the pupils had won a £10,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund to buy more outdoor equipment and had come up with creative ideas to raise cash for charity.

Ms Brown said: “In March the school held a day to raise money for Book Aid International and also help the school buy more books. The children helped plan the activities of the day and decided to ask everyone to dress up as their favourite book character for a small donation, held a raffle, tombola, guess the name of the dog, guess how many sweets are in a jar and held a second hand book stall.

“The children decided the prices of activities and set up and ran all the stalls. Everyone from the local community was then invited to the event and in total they raised over £400.” Another initiative that impressed her saw the children starting a gardening club with the school caretaker after noticing that their allotment was overgrown.

The pupils also developed and ran an outdoor classroom which they use during break time and lunch time.

Ms Brown said: “The outdoor classroom can be used for activities such as reading, arts and crafts, and air hockey.

“The children told me to make it fair and to give everyone a chance to use this space. Children can use it for a maximum of 15 minutes and use the air hockey table for five minutes.

“The children have also worked together to create some ground-rules and create a feedback wall so they can continue to develop this space.”

Class three is creating a Little Red Wood wooded area in the school grounds with trees donated by the Woodland Trust, while one of the pupils is looking at running educational games to make playtime more fun after noticing lots of children standing talking during breaktime.

Other events led by children in the school are a “Fiver Business Challenge” – a programme to raise awareness about online safety.

They are also building relationships with a school in Bangladesh and working

with the village’s parish council.

Barnard Castle pupils tie the knot in mock wedding

DRESSES and bouquets were the order of the day at a dale school’s mock wedding.

Year one and two pupils at St Mary’s RC Primary School, in Barnard Castle, donned suits and dresses for their own wedding party.

Pupils and staff got into their finery after being inspired by the book Katie Morag goes to a Wedding, which they’d read for their studies. 

Headteacher Jane Weatherall said: “The teachers try to do lots of activities around the texts. They have been doing invitations, cards, orders of service and all the writing around a wedding. It just brings the books to life for them when you do it that way. They were all very excited to bring their finery in.”

Joan Kemp-Ambler, from St Mary’s Parish Hall, also visited the school to show children how to arrange flowers and assemble bouquets. Class teacher Lesley Box added: “It’s been a fabulous year and this is in full swing with the creative curriculum. Texts like this can allow you to do more to give their learning a purpose.”

UPDATE: Arrests made after man is seriously injured during major disturbance in Barnard Castle town centre

A LARGE scale disturbance in the early hours of Sunday morning ended with a number of arrests and a man being taken to hospital.

The incident happened shortly after 4am in Horsemarket, Barnard Castle.

A spokesman for Durham police said: "Police responded to a disturbance involving a large number of people.

"Upon the arrival, officers discovered a male who had a serious in injury. This is not life threatening and the victim has been treated and released from hospital. 

"A number of people were arrested at the scene and they are currently being held in police custody."

The incident resulted in the closure of a section of the A67 from the bottom of Galgate to the traffic lights opposite the Co-op store, during which time forensic offers were at the scene.

During the road closure, traffic was diverted through the public car park near Morrisons and along Queen Street, Birch Road and Victoria Road.

The A67 was reopened at about lunch time.

Barnard Castle Town Council's 1940s weekend continued, with events planned for the cobbles taking place on Scar Top.

Officers are appealing for any witnesses who were present at the time of the incident to contact Durham Police quoting the incident number DHM25062017-0099.

Barnard Castle town centre cordoned off – 1940s weekend events WILL go ahead

The scene in Barnard Castle town centre this morning

Part of Barnard Castle town centre has been cordoned off by police.

No vehicles or pedestrians are being allowed through from the bottom of Galgate to the pedestrian crossing opposite the Co-op store.

Traffic is being diverted through the public car park next to Morrisons and along Queen Street, Victoria Road and Birch Road.

No one is currently available at Durham Police to give details.

However, organisers of Barnard Castle Town Council's 1940s weekend say today's events will go ahead.

Activities planned for the cobbles, in Market Place, will now take place on Scar Top.

This includes the display of vintage vehicles and the chance to see an air gunner get dressed for work.

An event on refugees scheduled for 1pm at The Bowes Museum will go ahead as planned, as will the classic coach tours around the town.

Due to the closure of the town centre, organisers are urging those planning to attend to park at Teesdale School where a minibus will be available to bring people into town.

The park and ride service will run from 10am.

All 1940s events scheduled for Scar Top will go ahead as planned.

Top Teesdale restaurant's £400,000 makeover

THE two-Michelin starred Raby Hunt restaurant has undergone a £400,000 revamp to allow diners to watch star chef James Close at work.

The eatery, at Summerhouse, has reopened after being given an extended and redeveloped kitchen, as well as the building of a new restaurant entrance.

There are also glass walls allowing diners to view chef and owner James Close and his team prepare their food.

The Raby Hunt made culinary history last autumn when Michelin awarded the former 200-year-old drovers’ inn a second prestigious star, a first for either a North East-based chef or restaurant.

Mr Close, 37, said: “This is the first time The Raby Hunt has been closed since taking it on seven years ago.

“Having gained a second Michelin star last autumn, the time was right to invest and put The Raby Hunt on not just the UK’s good food map, but the world’s.”

He added: “We want to make The Raby Hunt more unique than it already is, and ensure our guests experience an even greater ‘wow’ factor when they dine with us.

“This has been a major investment for us, but I am confident it has moved The Raby Hunt up another step.”

Mr Close is the current Good Food Guide Chef of the Year and has recently been nominated in the Chefs’ Chef of the Year category in the Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards 2017.

King Stephen takes his place alongside Queen Amber for Staindrop Carnival

ONE of the dale’s largest summer carnivals boasts a new king alongside the traditional queen.

New king Stephen Nair will join carnival queen Amber Nair to lead the carnival fancy dress parade on Saturday, July 8. The pair were crowned during a King and Queen Night at Scarth Memorial Hall on Thursday, June 8.

They will be joined by princes Jamie Horsely and Miles McCracken, and princesses Josephine Waldron and Keira Gregory.

The evening kicked off the lead up to Staindrop Carnival and the newly formed and re-named Carnival Events team has been working hard to ensure this year's carnival is bigger and better than ever.

New for this year is a wheel barrow race, tug-of-war, Black Sheep Morris Dancers, live singers and groups, tractors and a duck race.

Staindrop Young Farmers will be putting on an animal petting section while a classic vehicle show and steam train provides interest across age groups. Staindrop’s village green will be home to market, bric-a-brac, tombola and a host of other stalls.

Tony Smith of the carnival events team, said: “Why not come and join us for Staindrop’s Got Talent on Wednesday, July 5, and sing and dance all night long?”

Medieval matrons drum up support for Kynren spectacular

A COUPLE of medieval ladies turned heads when they stepped out among shoppers at Barnard Castle's weekly charter market.

Claire Robinson and Wendy Wilshere donned period costume to raise awareness of this year's epic Kynren show at Bishop Auckland.

Both are members of the volunteer cast of the huge outdoor show, which traces 2,000 years of English history, taking on several roles in this year’s production.

This year's run of performances begins on Saturday, July 1, with shows continuing until mid-September.

In all, it was be staged 17 times this summer to audiences of up to 8,000 people at each.

The show features a number of tweaks and alterations compared to last year’s inaugural production, including actor Kevin Whately, of Auf Wiedersehen Pet and Lewis fame, recording one of the voice over parts.

Both Ms Robinson and Ms Wilshere performed in all 14 shows last summer and said they were looking forward to opening night this year.

“There are more scenes, more characters and more volunteers taking part this time,” said Ms Robinson, from Cotherstone, who is well known for helping to organise the village’s popular Club Cotherstone music night.

Ms Wilshere added: “As we go around raising awareness, we are finding that people know a lot more about Kynren this year compared to last.”

Neither are trained actors and both said Kynren offered a unique opportunity.

Ms Robinson said: “For me the big thing is making lots of new friends. Everyone is in the same boat.

“When would you get the chance to perform in front of 8,000 people. We are all volunteers, not actors.”

Ms Wilshere added: “Getting a standing ovation at the end of the show is pretty cool.”

For dates and ticket details of this year's Kynren shows, go to www.elevenarches.org

If it's a feel good movie you're after, look no further...

MOVIEGOERS are being invited to discover how to find inner peace through an inspiring film which is to be shown at The Witham, in Barnard Castle.

The film, A Mindful Choice, shows the impact that meditation has had on people’s lives across the world.

It has been brought to The Witham by meditation coaches Diana Marks, from Barnard Castle, and Kate Schott, from Darlington.

Ms Schott said: “It was made by friends of ours based in New Zealand.

“They spent quite a lot of time talking to people all over the world, people in prisons in South America, schools and even mums in Yorkshire. It is looking at the impact of meditation globally.”

She added that the film crew went to places where there is no peace at all, but people have been able to find it within themselves.

“Peace is an inside job,” she said.

Ms Marks turned to meditation in 1998 and believes it has turned her life around.

She said: “I had in the past had mental health issues which I can honestly say no longer exist. Hopefully I am a lot nicer person.”

The feature length documentary shows a diverse range of people from ballet dancers and writers to stressed businesspeople and a cancer patient making a choice for a better life through meditation. It will be screened on Thursday, June 29, at 7.30pm.

Ms Schott said: “It is quite a powerful film. Come and see it and be uplifted.”

For more information visit choicethefilm.com or therightpath.com.

Andy looks to Teesdale for future art project

A TEN year effort to produce intricate images of the Lake District is already reaping rewards for a Teesdale artist.

Andy Beck, from Bowes, spent countless hours walking the fells of the Lakes to compile a 360-page limited edition book inspired by doyen of fell walking Alfred Wainwright.

His illustrated bound book has already sold 1,300 copies since its launch in May.

“It’s gone brilliantly. A lot of them have been shipped all over the world – some have gone to Texas and California, others have gone to Europe, Australia and New Zealand.”

Mr Beck was inspired by the quality and style of Wainwright. He said: “He wrote the book – it was not mass produced, they were very cleverly done. There was no editor or publisher. It took him 13 years and he did it within two weeks of his timetable.

“In some ways I felt I understood where he was coming from as it took me ten years to do this.”

A self-confessed perfectionist, Mr Beck has had his 5,000 printing run bound by specialists in Dorking and has been pleased by the positive reviews. When it came to the future, he revealed he had a couple of other projects in the pipeline.

He added: “One is linked to Wainwright – looking into fells not on his list – and I am looking at doing a photographic and painted study of Teesdale.

“I think Teesdale has plenty of potential for that.”

Mr Beck will give a talk at The Witham, in Barnard Castle, on June 27 about The Wainwrights in Colour, alongside a 17 minute video as well as a question and answer session.

It will take place at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £7.50. For more information contact The Witham box office on 01833 631107.

Outstanding dales pony making history

A NINE-year-old dales pony mare bred in County Durham is making history after winning three major shows in just eight days.

Nipna Flora has qualified for The London International Horse Show, Olympia, in December, as well as the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) at the NEC, in Birmingham, in October and Hickstead, in July.

The pony swept aside some of the best in the country from all of the British native breeds to stand supreme mountain and moorland ridden pony at the Royal Bath and West Show on June 2, followed by taking the same title and beating more than 140 ponies at Midland Counties three days later, ridden by Tayla Lewis. Nipna Flora is owned and bred by the Pennell family, of Redworth, near Heighington. She was the first pony bred on the farm after the Pennells moved from Lincolnshire ten years ago.

Having finished third at the HOYS last year, this will be Nipna Flora’s first trip to London this autumn, where she will contest the final among the 30 best ridden native ponies in the UK.

Anna Pennell said the family were very proud of her.

She said: “We don’t believe any pony – dales or otherwise – has achieved so much in just a week at the very highest level.”

Double success for local riders at Festival of Horse 100 Challenge

Darlington & District Riding Club proved that perseverance pays off when finally winning The British Riding Club’s Horslyx Festival of Horse Senior 100 Challenge Championships at Aston le Walls, Northamptonshire.

The championships saw teams from across the UK and Ireland take part.

The local team, consisting of Penny Thompson on Miracle Pie, Jill Horseman on Double You Aramis, Emma Louise Coverdale on Harleyquinn and Emma Gibbon on Plimsols Line secured their spot at Alnwick Ford last October.

They then made use of good ground conditions to secure the win at Aston le Walls.

The 100 Challenge involved the unique format of a twisty show jumping course, which included unusual obstacles such as doubles of planks, followed immediately by a championship level cross country course, which unlike British Eventing could not be tackled with the aid of a stopwatch.

The team success was accompanied by legal secretary Penny Thompson winning the individual competition finishing with a double clear and only being one second outside the optimum time.

Furthermore Emma Gibbon and Plimsols Line, who led for the first half of the class, finished seventh with a strong double clear.

As always the club enjoyed great camaraderie at the championships and excellent support from other members who were at home on this occasion. Looking to the future, the club hopes to experience further success with summer qualifiers in the next few weeks.

Dads and dens at Middleton-in-Teesdale

Youngsters in Middleton-in-Teesdale took time out from the classroom to learn how to build dens.

To celebrate Father’s Day, reception and nursery pupils at Middleton-in-Teesdale Primary School enjoyed an afternoon in the woods with their dads and granddads.

Early years lead Lauren Dominick said: “We do outdoor learning in the forest every Friday afternoon. We have done things like cooking on the fire. We are den building today and with it being Father’s Day, we thought we would invite dads and granddads too.”

Using manmade and natural materials found in the woods, the children and their elders created their own dens. They then enjoyed toasting marshmallows.

Raby Castle CC overcome Barningham to claim Darlington and District Cricket League A Division KO Cup

RABY Castle CC proved too strong for dale rivals Barningham to claim this year's district league A division knock-out cup.

The final was played at Darlington RA and after being put into bat in the 20-over a side final, an excellent unbeaten 46 from David Scaife, along with 33 from Peter Forster and Ben Goodfellow's 28 – aided by 16 Barningham wides – saw Raby post a challenging 155-6.

Shane Rowley and Steven Walker each picked up two wickets and there was one apiece for Rob Stanwix and Peter Stanwix.

In reply, Ben Goodfellow bowled an excellent opening spell for Raby. Although wicketless, his five overs went for only 18 runs.

Rob Stanwix, Gary Walker and Steven Walker all made 20s, but with the Lees, Dan and Simon, taking five wickets between them, the game was up for Barningham and Raby – 18 points clear in the league – ran out deserved winners.

Full report and more pictures in next week's paper

Evenwood 'risks losing sports club' over CCTV dispute

A SPORTS club has reacted with frustration after a council delayed a decision on whether CCTV can be installed to protect thousands of pounds of equipment from vandals.

Evenwood Cricket Club say they won’t be able to develop the ground and the club any further without the security system. Players fear the club, which has about 80 members and a vibrant junior section, will fall victim to vandals and could end up folding.

The club has been targeted by yobs in the past who have trashed equipment, while thieves have stolen cutters and strimmers.

The parish council manages the cricket field at the Welfare Ground and says it is not yet in a position to decide whether CCTV is appropriate for the area.

Cricketers have secured a grant to buy the cameras but have until the end of the month to get permission from the council – otherwise the money will go to another community group.

The cricket team has been at loggerheads with the parish council previously over the rent of the building along with other issues.

Groundsman and player Luke Banninster said: “If they’re umming and ahhing about some cameras, are we ever going to improve facilities? We can’t go on like this. We just can’t move forward.

“We’ve just got new covers for the pitch and new nets – just those two alone cost £6,200. It’s an isolated field. If it’s vandalised or our cutters are stolen again, we have no money available.

“I’m speechless about the whole thing. The village is in danger of just having an empty field. Evenwood has already lost its Northern League football team. Is it going to lose its cricket team as well?”

Even the possibility of trying to find a new site elsewhere has been mooted, Mr Bannister said.

He said other clubs such as Barnard Castle Cricket Club, which recently opened a £300,000 clubhouse, were thriving because they get the chance to grow. Mr Bannister said Evenwood had a good team but had to make do with basic facilities. The cricket club’s CCTV request was discussed by Evenwood Parish Council last week.

Parish clerk Martin Clark said the council did not have a CCTV policy, while other councillors raised possible issues with the electricity supply, maintenance costs and increased insurance premiums. Mr Clark said: “We have not got a policy for cameras but we would need to have one because it’s a public space. The responsibility ultimately falls with the parish council, not a user group, which means we would have to monitor it.”

Cllr Mary Prince said the CCTV system would be welcome but said any concerns had to be addressed first.

However, Cllr Paul Townsend warned: “If you don’t work with them, you will lose them. We can’t afford to lose a cricket club because the village does not have much. It’s hugely successful but they will leave.”

Cllr Anne Lyons replied: “We are not trying to be awkward but if we bend the rules, we get in trouble.”

Mr Clark added: “That building does not belong to them. It is not theirs. We have been trying to work with them to make them understand that for so many years. They rent the building but behave like they own it. They have put signs up to say ‘Evenwood Cricket Club’ but they should not do that. I have been on the sharp end and I’m not going to repeat what they have said to me.”

Evenwood Cricket Club say the CCTV system would also benefit the community by protecting the whole of the Welfare Ground. But councillors asked whether the parish council would have to undergo training to monitor the CCTV coverage because of sensitive issues such as footage of children and data protection. Cllr Mike English said: “There is a lot of ambiguity. Until we know the answers, we can’t make a decision. We might be getting a noose around the neck of the council.”

Parish councillors said they needed to see the cricket club’s funding application to get more information. A special meeting will be called to discuss the issue.

A decision would be made before the funding deadline cut off, councillors promised.

What do you think? Take part in our online poll

Phew... what a scorcher at Cotherstone carnival

A good day was had by all at Cothersone’s annual village carnival.

Colourful costumes filled the street as the procession was led through the village by carnival queen Lydia Swinburn and her attendants Libby Forsyth and Josie Green.

Fancy dress results

Ages five and under boys: 1, James Pinkney; 2, Thomas Gill; 3, Joseph Coulston.

Ages five and under girls: 1, Lydia Hobson; 2, Scarlett Nellis; 3, Summer Vasey.

Ages six to eight years: 1, Amy Hobson; 2, Sam Tarpey; 3, The Watson clan.

Ages nine to 12 years: 1, Lauren Hepburn; 2, Robyn Hall; 3, Freddie Baker.

Pairs: 1, Robert Whiting and Will Whitburn; 2, Jasmine Blakeman and Bethy Smith; 3, Ben and Nathan Williams.

Groups: 1, Emily Lamb, Hatty Whitburn and Alice Whiting; 2, The Green family.

More photos in this week's Mercury

Pupils get their own back on school head at Gainford Fun Day

FAMILIES in Gainford had fun in the sun at the weekend.

The village’s annual fancy dress parade took place on Saturday. This was followed by performances from Teesdale Longsword Dance Team and Scherzo Gainford Community Choir. Events on the village green also included races for the children and an egg-throwing competition.

Fancy dress results: Under fives: 1, Elizabeth Divers; 2, Lily Shearn; 3, Bethany Maughan. Ages five to eight: 1, Archie Mennell and Ava Gallagher. Ages nine to 12: 1, Ella Wallace; 2, Isla Wibberley.

More pictures in this week's Mercury

Traditional fun and games at Eggleston Carnival

RELENTLESS rain didn’t dampen all spirits at two annual dale carnivals.

Eggleston Carnival and Ingleton Fayre defied the weather to play host to stalls, games and festivities on Saturday, June 10.

Reeth Brass Band made the journey over to Eggleston for the day while Middleton and Teesdale Silver Band moved down the dale to Ingleton.

There were some impressive entries in the Eggleston fancy dress – all looked over by villagers Jack and Jean Oliver who celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary this year. Carnival secretary Suzanne Herbert said: “They have always been helpful at the carnival – the pair of them have been fantastic.”

Meanwhile, Ingleton welcomed a bumper entry in their increasingly popular dog show with displays from Walworth Castle Birds of Prey, exhibitions in dog agility and free dog healthcare checks.

Organiser Ian Kirkbride said this year’s fancy dress had been abandoned due to a lack of entries but the rain hadn’t stopped everything.

He added: “There weren’t enough children this year for the fancy dress which was a shame but we have a lot of dogs. You don’t have to be registered with a kennel club. It’s very low key and that’s been the attraction.”

For many more pictures, see this week's Mercury

Barnard Castle Masons to show what goes on behind the big blue doors

IF you have ever wondered what goes on behind the doors of the Masonic Hall, in Barnard Castle, local masons are offering the chance to find out as part of national celebrations.

Freemasonry – one of the world’s oldest, best known and still most mysterious charitable organisations – is officially 300 years old in 2017. Its ruling body, the United Grand Lodge of England, officially came into being in 1717 when previously fragmented groups agreed to amalgamate under a standard code of practice.

Its “secret society” tag is, these days, being gradually eroded as the modern generation seeks to promote its contributions to local, national and worldwide good causes.

In addition to the organisation’s public-spirited objectives, it also seeks to make “good men better” through bonds of fraternal friendship.

In its heyday and before the many and various modern distractions that have both dampened enthusiasm and reduced membership, every town – and often village – had its own local masonic hall.

But what goes on inside?

If you’ve always wondered and would like to know more, Barnard Castle’s Masonic Hall, in Newgate, is open to the public as part of the national tercentenary celebrations on Saturday, June 24, from 10am to 4pm.

The town’s masons are inviting anyone interested to call in, have a look round and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit.

Unlike those in Staindrop and Middleton-in-Teesdale, Barney’s Masonic Hall was purpose built – the work of Joseph Kyle – at a cost of £720, of which museum founder John Bowes contributed £100.

The Barnard Lodge, the oldest surviving lodge in the town, was formed in 1868 and initially met at various venues around the town until the hall was opened in 1877.

Although Barnard Lodge is the oldest surviving in the town, it was not the first.

Masons can be traced back more than 250 years to the Lodge of Concord in 1760.

Today, three lodges meet in the hall. In addition to Barnard, there is the Strathmore Lodge, which was consecrated in 1946, and the Old Barnardian Lodge, formed in 1990.

Once inside, visitors can view the lodge room, where boards naming those who have served as masters of Strathmore and Old Barnardians are hung on the walls. Barnard Lodge keeps pictures of its former masters adorning the walls of the dining room, including a signed print of John Bowes.

The lodge room is also home to the three lodge banners. June’s event will be the second time in recent months that local masons have thrown open their doors to offer a look behind the scenes. Last November, they welcomed those who had taken part in Barney’s Remembrance Sunday service and parade.

To find out more about local freemasonry go

online www.durham

freemasons.org.