Jean Henderson, a sprightly senior citizen who lives in Middleton-in-Teesdale, was given plenty of farewell hugs and kisses this week by grateful friends who all know her as Babushka, which is Russian for grandmother.

Children and mothers from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster area had tears in their eyes as they ended a happy holiday in the dale and started a long journey home to Belarus.

Mrs Henderson has been welcoming visitors from Russia for the past eight summers and is one of a number of generous hosts, who ensure the guests enjoy wholesome food and fresh air to help build up their strength.

Earlier this year, Mrs Henderson travelled to Belarus with John Lowles, of Mickleton, and his daughter, Mix, to meet some of the families who have visited Teesdale in the past.

"We were given a wonderful welcome, and I loved the way they all referred to me as Babushka,"she said.

"They cooked lovely meals and sang for us, and some men took a day off work to prepare a special barbecue for us."

Mr Lowles, chairman of the holiday-arranging team, hopes to return to Belarus next year.

Plans are already in hand for next year's visit from the Russians. Anyone who would like to offer a home to visitors, or would like to give a donation to help the project, can call Mr Lowles on (01833) 640190.

There was a round of applause from a 70-strong audience after a documentary film about the Bowes Museum was screened there this week.

The film is expected to attract at least 500,000 viewers when it is broadcast on Channel Five on Tuesday, at 7.15pm. It is due to be repeated later in the year.

That makes a million people from around the country, many of whom may be tempted to visit.

It is the sort of publicity money can't buy, and it seems certain to give a boost to attendances, as well as to the dale economy.

The show is presented by Tim Marlow, who admitted he was hugely impressed by the museum.

Having seen the preview, I can say it is well worth watching. If it persuades some people from this area to call into the remarkable building, so much the better.

A request has come from officials at Witham Hall for a mention here about a light-hearted talk on Friday, at 8pm. They say it will appeal to local folk and visitors, though I'm not so sure.

Why? The talk, called Fun Behind the Headlines, is to be delivered by some fellow called Jim McTaggart, who is said to have many anecdotes about newspapers.

Admission is £3 - none of it, of course, coming to me. I'm just hoping the refreshments, which are included in the ticket price, make it worthwhile. Tickets can be booked by calling (01833) 631107.

I made an appearance on Channel Television during my holiday in Jersey this month, just by chance.

I happened to be walking from a beach in St Helier, when a camera crew asked what I thought about a local controversy, the charging of parking fees on a long stretch of seafront.

I replied that I had parked my hire car for four hours at a total cost of 94p, which I didn't think unreasonable. But a lot of well-heeled folk disagreed with me.

Every time I go there, I bump into someone from the dale. This time, it was Janet Tunstall, of Startforth, who is fondly remembered from her years as a sister at Richardson Hospital. She was enjoying the sunshine with her cousin, Joan.

* 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.