Teesdale Talk: Burns' night has songs and poetry

The Reverend W Fryar, vicar of Forest, trudged over fields from the vicarage to take his dip every morning, even in the middle of winter, when he had to crack ice before plunging into the water.

What amused the boys was that he discarded all his clothes before entering the river.

Ronnie Walton, of Middleton-in-Teesdale, called me to report this early example of skinny-dipping.

When he lived at Kirk House Folds, in Forest, as a boy, the prank of peeping at the vicar from behind bushes was a source of fun for lots of children.

"He never missed a day, even when it was freezing hard," recalled Mr Walton.

The vicar was a familiar sight at other times as he cycled round the parish wearing a wide-brimmed hat and flowing coat.

"He used to fall off his bike at times," added Mr Walton.

"When I was a pupil at Forest School, he sometimes came to talk to us, and all the children referred to him by his nickname of Friar Tuck."

GRACE Wallace has quickly found a new job after being made redundant from the Meet the Middletons heritage centre, where she has been manager since it opened 19 months ago

She has been appointed as heritage project officer for Groundwork West Durham, and will take up that role after the centre closes next Monday.

"I'm delighted to have found something that interests me so soon," Ms Wallace told me, adding that she hopes the five part-time staff will also secure other positions before long.

The centre's closure is sad, but there are hopes that it will open again this summer.

It is an enjoyable place to spend an hour or two, and deserves much better support than it has had so far.

Thought is now being given to improving the displays and it may be combined with Middleton tourist information office, which would make a lot of sense.

There must be many Teesdale residents who haven't been inside the centre.

They can be assured it is well worth a visit.

JOHN Lowles has returned home to Mickleton after a holiday in Belarus, meeting some of the Chernobyl-afflicted families who have enjoyed holidays in Teesdale in recent years.

"I was given a warm welcome by parents and children who are all grateful for what people here have done for them," said Mr Lowles, a music teacher, who is chairman of the dale support group which helps victims of the nuclear disaster.

He had a few days in Minsk before moving on to Pruzhany, where he stayed with Tanya Koralyuk and her family, who have been guests in the dale.

He was there for New Year, when gifts are exchanged, and also for Christmas, which is celebrated quietly by families on January 7.

This June, four children and their mothers will be coming for a holiday in which good food and fresh air will help to build up their strength.

Anyone who would like to assist in making them welcome, or even taking any of them into their home, can contact Mr Lowles on (01833) 640190.

MEN who served in the Home Guard with the aim of protecting the upper dale in the First World War came under the spotlight this week at a Burns lunch, organised by the Craft Works group in Mickleton village hall.

A large photograph of the Dads' Army platoon was used by Tony Noble, as he showed how to draw face likenesses before a tasty haggis was marched in for 40 diners.

The delicacy was addressed by Euan MacFarlane, who also gave a toast to the lassies before Christine Rushmore responded with one for the laddies.

Jennifer Mudd and Fred Rudkin sang one of Burns' favourite works, My Love is Like a Red Red Rose, before songs and poems were performed by Margaret Wilson, Ethel Bainbridge and Bill Bartle.

But before they all took partners for Highland dancing, the roof was raised by a song composed long after the Bard's time.

Led by Andrea Simpson, everyone joined in choruses of Donald Where's Yer Troosers?

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