RETIRED teacher Ken Gorman, keen all his life to become a writer, has just had his first book published - at the age of 78.

He has sent off a long succession of stories over the years without success, so was highly delighted when an acceptance letter finally dropped onto his doormat in Startforth.

This week, he received the first copy of his paperback novel, Stranger in the Storm, a murder mystery involving three A-level boys. They are just like many he dealt with in his 40 years as an art teacher. He had long spells in Newcastle and Suffolk, before finishing his career with 13 years at Barnard Castle School.

The tale is a gripping one about the trio setting off by car for a camping holiday. Along the way, they give a lift to a stranger. But the next day they find his body in a stream near their tent.

"That is only the start of their troubles," Mr Gorman told me, before recalling his previous, less-than-glowing writing career.

"Even when I was a schoolboy, I was interested in making up stories,"

he said.

"Later on, I wrote novels, sent them off, got them back, changed them and sent them off again.

But all I've got to show for all my efforts until now is a boxful of rejection slips. This just shows that writers should keep on trying."

One boy in the story is a boarder who turns out to be on the wrong side of the law. But neither this nor any of the other characters are based on pupils he knew.

"They are all made up, though I suppose all experiences in your life go into your imagination and help with any writing you do," he said.

Mr Gorman also produced ten pen-and-ink drawings for the book, which is published by Author House at £5.80.

Anyone who would like a copy - and surely his friends, former pupils and colleagues must be among the would-be readers - can find full details on www.authorhouse.

co.uk DAREDEVIL Rebecca Turner, 20, is getting ready to leap out of an aeroplane at 10,000ft and freefall before her parachute opens.

The psychology student told me, at her home in Barnard Castle, that she is looking forward to the experience, though naturally she's also rather nervous.

She'll jump in tandem with an experienced skydiver to ensure nothing goes amiss.

She'll also have company, as her boyfriend, Kelsham Buckman- Drage, will be jumping with another skydiver.

But even so, it must take a fair ration of courage for any young woman to step into mid-air at that great height.

The couple are students at Sheffield University and will make the dive at Nottingham on August 28.

They hope to raise a handy sum for the Royal National Institute for the Blind and epilepsy research.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Rebecca, a former pupil of Teesdale School, who worked in Ecuador during a gap year, can ring her on 07709-812863, or contact her at 32 Bouch Way, Barnard Castle.

WHO fancies getting dressed up and stepping along to the Last Night of the Proms?

Quite a number of revellers from this area will be doing just that, but they won't have to travel to London.

All they need to do is turn up at Hutton Magna village hall, which is a lot smaller than the Royal Albert Hall, but can still generate a whole lot of merriment.

A large-screen television will be switched on so everyone can enjoy the BBC broadcast, and if they wish, they can act just like the audience at the live event.

"We will wave flags and sing along loudly with Land of Hope and Glory, as well as some of the other tunes," said Marian Lewis, one of the organisers.

"Some folk will wear Union Jack hats and old-style clothes to make it a really memorable occasion."

Then there will be a treat that would make most Londoners envious - a Best of British supper, with roast beef, pickles, salad and summer pudding.

"It will all be good local produce,"

said Mrs Lewis, who can be contacted on 01833-627281 for £10- a-time tickets.

The Proms night was tried for the first time last year and was a success, so they expect more to join in the energetic festivities at the second one on Saturday, September 8, starting at 7pm.

By the way, the hall has to pay for a television licence just like the rest of us so it can switch on during events like this.

LUCY NIXON, who has been raising money for worthy causes for more years than she cares to remember, is still going strong.

Her main effort now is running a popular domino drive four times a year at the Masonic Hall in Middleton-in-Teesdale, but she finds time to assist a string of other projects too.

She says she is grateful to a "wonderful" team of supporters at the domino nights - her daughter, Denise Fisher, Moss Anderson, Elsie Pinkney, Enid Coll and Gillian Cook.

Profits from the latest one went to Zoe's Place, the children's hospice on Teesside, and takings from the next, on September 7, will help Tilly Lockey, a Consett toddler who lost her hands to meningitis and needs a prosthetic pair.

Mrs Nixon, a widow, who used to run the cafe at Middleton mart, told me: "As soon as I read about Tilly in The Northern Echo, I wanted to help.

"I prefer to support smaller causes rather than major charities."