THREE volunteers who have been hosts to Chernobyl children for holidays in Teesdale are visiting the nuclear disaster victims at their homes in Russia.

Music teacher John Lowles, of Mickleton, who is chairman of the dale vacation project, flew to Lithuania on Wednesday, with his daughter, Mix, and friend, Jean Henderson, of Middleton-in-Teesdale.

They travelled by train to Minsk, capital of Belarus, where many children suffer from cancer caused by the nuclear disaster in 1986, many years before some of them had been born.

"We've had a lot of these children and their mothers in our homes for holidays over the years, and felt it would be interesting to go over there to see what life is like," Mr Lowles said.

He has learned some Russian from his guests in the past, but has been improving his language skills with the help of Nadya Wilkinson, from Ukrania, who lives in Mickleton.

He said: "I hope I can say enough to get by over there when there is no interpreter."

The group will get home just before the next party of children and mothers arrive in the dale on June 27.

The visitors will be in the dale for three weeks, during which time the fresh air and good food will help to build their strength and give them more chance of beating the disease.

Some of the finest quoits players from the North-East will be competing for the Stonebank Memorial Trophy at the Smallways Inn, near Barningham, on Sunday, July 24.

It is the 25th anniversary of the event, launched in tribute to a young player who died in a car crash. The first prize has been raised to £150 compared with £40 last year.

The runner-up will get £100 and there will be other prizes. "They must be the best prizes ever for a quoits contest in the area," said organiser Derek Kidd, of Cotherstone. "We want to make it a big occasion to mark the quarter century."

Mark Mendelson, of Whitby, will be trying to make it three victories in a row. But Richard Watson, lately of Whorlton Lido, is one of the favourites.

Mr Kidd, a butcher, is hoping to find a few more sponsors to pay £25 apiece for a pitch end. Anyone willing to help can call him on 07759 605054.

MANY music lovers would be delighted if John Wise decided to sing again in Teesdale instead of organising first-class shows by Northern Opera.

The funeral director is remembered for his performances on stage with the Mad Mads, when his rich tenor voice, combined with his skill as an actor, made him one of the local shining stars.

Since joining the Tyneside-based opera company, he has appeared in its chorus several times, but he has also become one of its directors, so now concentrates on the business side. "I haven't much time for singing nowadays," he told me.

However, it is thanks to him that the company makes regular visits to the dale. He said tonight's performance of La Traviata in Mickleton Village Hall, will be the area's best-ever operatic event. It looks like a sell-out, but he can be contacted on (01833) 637227 for last-minute ticket inquiries.

Some lively times lie ahead for the residents of Bowes Lyon House and Dunelm Court, in Barnard Castle, because a social club has been launched.

Its chairman, John Mutum, said the plan was to have a jolly event each month.

The first will be on Friday, at 7pm, when Les and Sylvia will set feet tapping with an accordion concert. Then, two days later, at 2pm, Estelle Harle will give a talk about aloe vera.

People living nearby are welcome, but they should contact the manager, Clare Mudd, on (01833) 638239, before arriving.

* I'll be glad to see anyone who calls with snippets of news at The Northern Echo office at 36 Horsemarket, Barnard Castle, on Mondays and Tuesdays, telephone (01833) 638628.