A glowing report has reached this quarter about a genial fellow, in a red suit and with white whiskers, who handed out presents and spread good cheer among patients in the Richardson Hospital over the festive period.

When an impressed visitor asked the name of the portly chap he replied modestly, "Santa Claus," leaving the inquirer no wiser. But his other name, I can report, is John Hinchcliffe, cafe owner, property tycoon, councillor, and a staunch member of the friends of the hospital for 36 years. He is now vice-chairman of the organisation and has been standing in as Father Christmas for umpteen winters. "I like doing my bit to make things pleasant for the patients, but when I put on the cloak and whiskers some don't realise who I am," he chuckled. "When I'm on Christmas duty I'd rather just be known as Santa." He did, however, take the chance to give thanks to other members of the friends and a large number of Teesdale people who regularly donate to assist their work. "Their support is greatly appreciated by us and all the patients," he said. "It makes a lot of difference to everyone who has to stay in hospital for a while."

A request has come in for information about Lady Emily Augusta Fitzgerald, who made a vivid impression with her gushing manner and array of expensive outfits after she arrived in Teesdale on a stagecoach from London. She and her husband, William O'Brien Fitzgerald, were heavily suntanned. Their new neighbours in Whorlton noted that their luggage trunks bore labels from the French Riviera, where the couple said they had just spent the summer of 1851 in exclusive hotels. The newcomers didn't say much about their past, but dropped hints about their adventures at the gaming tables, their meetings with royalty and their attendance at glittering balls and banquets in Monte Carlo. However, records show they were arrested at Whorlton in April 1852 and revealed as notorious fraudsters, William and Emily Strothers. They were marched in front of Archdeacon Headlam at Wycliffe, and he ruled they should be taken to Dover to stand trial. William Strothers was eventually transported to Australia and Emily spent some time in prison. Some shopkeepers in the village and Barnard Castle were furious about the couple's departure as they left behind a pile of unpaid bills.

A pavement artist has been producing a reprimand for thoughtless dog owners in Gainford. Two examples of his or her handiwork were attracting attention on footpaths near the village hall when I was walking around this week. At each spot a neat circle had been chalked around dog droppings. Beside them was the message, "Put it in the bin," with an arrow pointing to the nearest waste holders. Will the campaign work? Will it shame pet owners into doing the right thing? That remains to be seen. If it does the artist will earn a lot of praise because complaints about dog dirt have been made in Gainford, and other parts of the dale, for more than 20 years.

* 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.