Review of the year: July-September

July

BED cuts and lost jobs were feared at the Richardson Hospital amid plans to downsize the site.

Healthcare assistants were told they’d either have to find another hospital, retire or be reinterviewed for their jobs as proposals to cut the number of beds on the Starling Ward from 24 to 16 beds were unveiled.

Staindrop Academy was told it was improving but “coasting” in its latest Ofsted inspection.

The report judged the school to “require improvement” following a tumultuous year when its headteacher left unexpectedly.

Meanwhile, The Bowes Museum celebrated a £1.5million boost in its 125th anniversary year.

The Arts Council of England awarded five years’ worth of money to provide an “exciting exhibitions programme”.

Relations between Evenwood Cricket Club and the parish council were stretched over the summer over a bid to install CCTV at the Randolph Welfare Ground.

The camera had been lined up to overlook the ground as a security measure but the council stepped in to halt the move – sparking anger from some club members.

A brave trio of lifesavers were rewarded for their actions in saving the life of a domestic violence victim.

Jamie Campbell, Mark Apsinall and Tommy Lowther received the Police Public Bravery Award after breaking into the home of a dale woman who believed she would die at the hands of her partner.

“We just did what I hope anyone else would do,” said Mr Aspinall. “Our instincts just kicked in – we could not walk away and leave her.”




August

INSPECTORS gave a Teesdale care firm their backing after a complete restructure put it back on track.

Castle Care had been put in special measures by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) but turned its fortunes around in just six months.

Registered manager Tracy Elliott said: “It is all positive compared to the previous report – it just needs to be continued.”

There was dismay over the sudden closure of Middleton-in-Teesdale’s post office.

Upper dale county councillor Ted Henderson feared the village faced doom if it could not find a solution.

The ramifications of the closure are still being felt today.

A father and son team saw their second major bronze age haul declared treasure after digging near Bowes.

Metal detectorists David and Kevin Hopper found 21 separate artefacts dating from more than 2,800 years ago.

A dale home beset by leaks, damp and repair delays triggered a Middleton-in-Teesdale social housing tenant to hit out.

Vet receptionist Jill Hirst chronicled a litany of leaks and problems at her North Star property for years including water running down one of the four-bedroom house’s walls.

North Star apologised and said it continues to work closely with its tenants.

Kindhearted Joan Drewe left £24,000 to UTASS in her will after passing away in May.

Mrs Drewe held many open gardens from her Snaisgill home for more than 20 years including after her husband John passed away in 1995.

Raby Castle Cricket Club secured the Darlington and District League title after beating Cockerton.

All-rounder David Scaife smashed a hundred to secure the A Division before the month was out.




September

A BARNARD Castle couple who have endured more than their fair share of heartache enjoyed the wedding of their dreams.

James Layton and Lisa Clement walked down the aisle at Lartington Hall after success in the Mercury’s £10,000 Win a Wedding competition.

Before they married, the couple endured a difficult time, which included miscarriages, Mr Layton fighting for his life in a coma and the sudden loss of Ms Clement’s brother.

Parents were left angered by the quality of school uniforms as the dale returned to school.

Blazers with the new logo of Staindrop Academy were branded sub-par with the uniform maker accused of sticking new labels on old clothes.

Staindrop’s Dave Spires ordered a girl’s jacket for his daughter and received a boy’s.

Clothing company Emblematic Ltd did not comment on the complaints.

Big changes were promised at Teesdale School as its headteacher vowed to drive forward a radical overhaul.

Dr Janice Gorlach said: “There is not a shadow of doubt that this will be the best school in the north east.”

Changes were unveiled to one of the region’s quirkiest pubs. A revamp of the Milbank Arms, in Barningham, was proposed by Barningham and Holgate Estate to try and save it.

A wedding venue across the road in the walled garden was also earmarked with internal changes at the 19th century pub with no bar.

September’s Eggleston Show was held at West Barnley Farm for the last time following a disagreement with the field owner.

The show had been held on the outskirts of the village since 2012.

Uproar was sparked in a Barnard Castle care home when a pooch beloved by residents was barred from entry.

Archie, the Dandy Dinmont belonged to the manager of the Bowes Lyon/Dunelm Court manager Paul Smurthwaite and was banished from the complex by officials who said he “undermined working practices”.

Archie was never let back in.