A long letter written by William Pinkney, of Eggleston, in 1877, which I came across this week, refers to the plans that were being debated around that time for a hydropathic clinic in Barnard Castle.

This well-off gentleman, who apparently had some connections with the lead industry, was interested in the proposal to build the large establishment near the Bowes Museum to provide water treatments for up to 120 patients.

But, instead of just waiting in the hope that it would go ahead, he travelled by train to Matlock, in Derbyshire, to get first-hand experience of a clinic that was already in business. His letter gives a glowing description of the baths, showers and country walks he enjoyed.

One man who had been bed-ridden for ages was able to walk again after a number of visits.

Pinkney wrote that the Matlock clinic could take 200 patients. He described them as "the more wealthy class of visitor" so they could well-afford the fees of upwards of £2 15s a week, which was more than the average wage in this part of the world.

The future must have looked bright for the Reverend Thomas Witham and others who were backing the project, the only one of its kind in the North-East. But, as yet, there is no definite indication of why it did not go ahead.

Some crazy headgear is being designed at Charles Dickens Lodge, a home for senior citizens in Barnard Castle, in readiness for a Mad Hatter's Day that will be held during a week of activities starting on Sunday, June 5.

Organiser Penelope Harrison has a version of the Mad Hatter's topper, complete with 2/6d price tag, from the Alice story.

The 39 men and women who live there are busy on their own creations, and the staff are working on eye-catching works of art as well. The hope is that friends and relatives will sponsor all the wearers and raise money for St Teresa's Hospice. Everyone is invited to enjoy the fun, which includes music, games, teas and a music hall concert. It will also be a chance to admire the inside of the lodge.

Many friends will be delighted to see Ghita Harbour given the honour of opening the Mickleton carnival next Saturday. This busy lady does a remarkable amount of work around the village for all sorts of organisations.

She seems to be on the go all the time, dealing with parish council matters, driving residents to medical appointments, and adding her knowledge to various efforts. After the official ceremony at 1.30pm, at which she'll welcome all the visitors, she'll muck in with all the other volunteers to ensure that the event, which has a nautical theme this time, is enjoyed by everyone.

Jane Atkinson, one of the organisers, told me, "Ghita does an awful lot for the village, so she deserves to be the centre of attention at the opening."

Hardly a week goes by these days without some artist, or groups of them, putting their versions of Teesdale scenery on display. Some are offered at fairly high, and optimistic, prices. But none can match one described in a faded cutting from the 1870s I was shown this week.

At that time, when lead miners and other workers were striving to keep families on about £1 a week, they must have gasped at news that a watercolour painting of Wynch Bridge had been sold in London for more than £1,400.

It was by the great and prolific landscape artist JMW Turner, who also produced pictures of various other features, such as High Force and Egglestone Abbey, during a tour of the dale. The amount paid for his Wynch Bridge work would have set up a whole street of families for life.

* 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.