Well not a Pontiff in sight. First the billowing black smoke came heading heavens high and then was it black or was it white, neither really, the black smoke came as the first sign that someone was burning tyres and the final ‘white’ smoke came not as the result of a Cardinal being elevated but merely Durham and Darlington’s finest putting out the fire, not in the midst of the Vatican, but more northward in Tindale.

Now we have that cleared that up, our thanks to EON for helping Mrs Q out, having received a letter explaining her new ‘simpler’ tariff Mrs Q asked if they could make the differences more clear; EON to the rescue and by return of post they had sent her a copy of the original letter not on A4 paper but on A2, not so much a clearer explanation but at four times the original size definitely larger print. Explanation of the new tariff even at four times the size was still no clearer to understand.

Someone who still doesn’t get the ‘clear’ message is Harry, the regulars regular at the Royal George, not that he has always been a regular here, his first local was the Flag and Whistle.

The Landlord decided to move to The George, Harry went with him.

He also tried to become a regular at Booze Buster, Shildon People’s Centre and Hancock’s Chemist.

He was not made welcome at the latter three establishments.

It had nothing to do with colour, Harry is black, it had a lot to do with the fact that Harry is a cat, who adopted mine host and moved home when his landlord did.

He is a somewhat perplexing character, one moment friendly and loveable and in the turn of a whisker he can be as vicious as a fully grown tiger.

He is known locally as Harry the B, a name which means he hasn’t got a dad.

Now that spring is nearly here, and we are going to spring forward to summer time at the end of the month, we look forward to spring and glorious summer days.

The long term weather states Shildon will experience a long heatwave this summer or as one other weather website says it will be cold and wet; my money is on the latter.

Shortly after springing forward we will be electing amongst others a new Town Council, if the referendum proponents don’t get their way first.

Some only want to see a group elected to push forward the town whilst others are getting a tad more vocal and demanding the question be put ‘do we need a Town Council?’

The writer dare not voice his opinion, but agrees that if we do have a Town Council then surely out of a population of 11,000, we can find seventeen people who have the town at heart, we at least must remain optimistic.

Traversing Surtees Avenue at the bottom of the recreation ground along the pedestrianised path is quickly becoming a dangerous place, pot holes abound and each new frost deepens the problem.

Perhaps if the Town Council vehicles didn’t use it as a short cut it may last much longer, it is only a matter of time until someone hurts themselves and who will pass the buck then, or more pertinent who will pay the piper?