Stories about the remarkable Tommy Todd are being brought back to mind now that the Talbot Inn in Middleton, where he was once landlord, is being converted into five houses.

The mighty fellow was also a blacksmith, a dance promoter and, by his own reckoning, the wiliest poacher ever to prowl the local fells and riverbanks.

He was the scourge of gamekeepers and bobbies in the early 1900s as he snaffled rabbits, grouse, trout, salmon and the occasional deer. Some ended up in the pot at the Talbot and others he donated, Robin Hood-style, to hard-up families.

Tommy's daring exploits were related in a slim book many years ago and a play about him, The Impeccable Poacher, set in the Talbot, was staged in various venues by the Mad Mads in modern times.

The five new tenants of the Endeavour Housing Association may well think of the rascal in future any time they brew tea and mention "one for the pot".

It sounds hard on poor pensioners; posters say you can attend a course in Upper Teesdale free if aged up to 58, but may have to pay if you are older.

The ten-week teach-in called Women and Health is just getting under way at Newbiggin Village Hall. Tutor Madeleine Sutcliffe said: "The Workers' Educational Association made the fee rule based on European Social Fund requirements."

But she said that other rules will allow some older women in free and a subsidy means those who do pay will be charged only a nominal sum.

The sessions, on Wednesdays from 1.30pm to 3.30pm, deal with food, body image, the NHS, complementary treatments and other issues.

There can hardly be a more inspiring place for artists than Teesdale, which is probably why the area has so many. "We're spoilt for choice," said Andy Beck, right, when I came across him sketching a bluebell scene beside the Tees.

It is one of 12 works he is producing for Newgate Gallery, his Barnard Castle shop. Andy said: "I can go out any day and find 50 scenes worth depicting. I can't say that about any other area I know."

Mention has been made this week of the times Prince Charles stayed at Middleton House, in Middleton, during the grouse season. I remember them well, especially one bleak morning he came out and peered at the black clouds.

He murmured that it didn't look promising for his day on the moors. Backed by local knowledge, I assured him it would soon clear and be a lovely day. Of course, it rained for hours.

I was there again next morning, hanging around as hacks do, when he emerged and wondered aloud what the weather would do this time. Then he noticed me, put on one of his comical expressions and said: "I'm not going to ask you."

Who can remember the air raid shelters made in Teesdale during World War Two? They were felt by many to be sturdier than the widely used Andersons. A query has come from a friend whose grandparents had one. He thinks it was sold by a Barnard Castle firm. It would be interesting to hear from anyone who helped produce them or bought one.

Congratulations to Arnold Makepeace who is to be made an honorary alderman of Teesdale after stepping down following 31 years as a district councillor. It couldn't happened to a worthier person. He always had a quiet, dignified manner in the chamber, even when putting up a forceful argument - a man of sound commonsense who did sterling work without shouting about it. It is an award not given lightly. There have been only six so far, so Arnold, of Cockfield, will make it a magnificent seven.

* Having received some gifts and many cards on leaving Teesdale, I feel a fraud turning up again like a bad penny. But it is pleasing to be invited back to my favourite area to do a task I enjoy, albeit on a part-time basis. I can be contacted with news or gossip at The Northern Echo office, 36 Horsemarket, Barnard Castle, telephone (01833) 638628 or 07816 422927.