A true daleswoman remembered

TEESDALE has lost a true daleswoman who was an oracle of local history and an expert in the district’s dialect.
Kathleen Teward, who died last week aged 94 at Beaconsfield Care Home, will be remembered fondly for her two books – Teisdal’ and how it twas spok’n and its follow up, Sum mar about Teisdal’ and how twas spok’n.
She wrote them in a bid to keep the dialect of upper Teesdale alive after warning that the unique words were fading from people’s memory.
She was an authority in local history and could count Prince Charles as one of her fans – she gave him one of her books when he visited Middleton-in-Teesdale.
Daughter Irene said: “She knew so much about local history and was passionate about Middleton, Newbiggin and the upper dale ­– she ran the chrysanthemum show, was heavily involved in Newbiggin WI and entered all the competitions at the shows like baking and photography.
“Even when she was in a care home, she was making traditional proddy mats and teaching the other residents how to do it. She was the salt of the earth.”
Mrs Teward was born on her parent’s farm in Newbiggin. Her memories of growing up in the remote village stayed with her all her life and several years ago she decided to put everything down in her first book. It was an instant hit, with people worldwide wanting to buy a copy. In 2012, she documented more memories of bygone life in a second book.
At the time, she said: “We just don’t use the dialect these days and memories of it are going quickly and unless we get it down on paper it will be lost.” She once recalled: “I remember one day, opening the window and saying, ‘It’s a snaisley morning’, meaning it was damp and wet.
“My husband was local but he had never heard of it – it was surprising how different the dialect was, even between nearby villages.”
She moved to Middleton-in-Teesdale, along with her parents who had retired in the late 1940s. She later married Jim, who she met when they were both 16. Together they had two children. Mrs Teward looked after hearth and home as a traditional housewife.
Her passion for local history led her to keep extensive archives of old photos and newspaper clippings. Mrs Teward was a regular contributor to the pages of the Teesdale Mercury. She was a good friend of former Mercury editor Jim McTaggart who often rang her up.
“She loved it. When he retired, he phoned to say he couldn’t have done it without her,” Irene said. Her kind-natured spirit helped Utass secure a base in Middleton.
Mrs Teward’s daughter said: “She owned a house and Utass wanted to buy it for their base but were applying for grants. Mam could have sold it but she waited until they were ready.”
Prince Charles, a supporter of the charity’s work with upland farmers, said a personal thank you when he visited Utass office. In 2012, Mrs Teward led a successful campaign to honour more than a dozen young men from Newbiggin who fought in the Second World War.
“Before long they’ll be forgotten forever and they should never be forgotten,” said Mrs Teward, whose wish was granted when a plaque was erected in the village hall.
Mrs Teward leaves two daughters, Irene and Jean, five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
l See page four for the family announcements.