There has been sadness among music fans in Teesdale this week, over the death of radio presenter John Dunn, 70, who impressed many people with his good humour during his visits to the area to compere brass band concerts.

Although he was a national star on the radio and was named Radio Personality of the Year three times, he was extremely modest and always anxious to hear about local events rather than talk about himself.

Jacqueline Beere, who with her husband, Paul, organises the annual Brass in Concert event, has many fond memories of his visits to Barnard Castle.

She said: "He was a really nice man who was well liked by everyone. He had a large number of fans, especially among the ladies. A lot of them loved watching him on stage and always looked forward to his appearances."

I once got Mr Dunn into a tangle when I took a photograph of him with a tuba in a narrow space at the Glaxo Club. It was a daft idea on my part. He just about seized up with cramp as he tried to bend into position. But he took it in his usual amiable manner and even thanked me!

PE lessons are always enjoyed by the 12 pupils at Forest in Teesdale School, but this week it was more lively, memorable and entertaining than usual.

The lesson was conducted in the playground by Petty Officer Tom O'Malley.

He is more used to putting the Royal Marines through their paces on board HMS Bulwark, one of the Royal Navy's biggest ships, with which the school, the smallest in the North-East, has just forged a friendship link.

But he looked perfectly at ease as he went into action on his first visit to the upper dale.

"This is really good fun," he said, after the session ended with a penalty shoot-out in which the boys and girls tried to kick a football past the ship's skipper, Captain Jerry Stanford, and crew member Sarah Lemin.

The pupils and headteacher, Carole Connolly, are now looking forward to visiting the 20,000-tonne Bulwark next time she sails into the North-East.

RAYMOND Gibson, a long serving member of Teesdale District Council, paid a tribute to two sadly departed friends, Bill Cowie and Dr John Neville.

Councillor Gibson gave the tribute after the Christmas lights were switched on in Evenwood.

He said: "This village looked really bleak every Christmas until about ten years ago. I always felt ashamed when I got back here after passing through other villages, such as Staindrop, which were all sparkling."

The change started when Mr Cowie, clerk of Evenwood and Barony Parish Council, supplied the lights for the tree. When it was vandalised, the doctor paid for a replacement, which survived and was the start of a new trend.

Coun Gibson said: "The place now looks bright and beautiful with a large array of festive lights, thanks to superb work by a team which has been working hard and raising funds. It gladdens my heart to walk round now. We really have the Christmas spirit.

"I only wish Bill Cowie and John Neville, who both did so much to encourage the new thinking, could be here to see the wonderful display."

A DELIGHTFUL time is promised for the people who turn up at a coffee and carols service in Newbiggin Methodist Chapel, on Tuesday, December 14.

June Luckhurst, who with Mary Lowes regularly welcomes visitors to this intriguing church, said there will be plenty of home made cakes and biscuits as well as coffee and carols.

The Middleton Worship Group will provide music and Lorne Tallentire will give festive readings. The service starts at 10.30am.

* 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.