This is Allendale, after all, and tonight the ‘guisers will be out in full force, marching away from the Lych Gate in front of the Golden Lion and the King’s Head, and down around the Dale, turning left at the…
Will Stonehouse, Moles & Rabbits
The snowflakes were falling heavy and wet a couple weeks ago, so I think Will was glad to take a break with us in a warm kitchen and a cup of coffee, to chat about his outdoor pursuits, after a…
Marlene Kinver, Shepherd
Long ago, when The Dale was still offering horse-riding weekends, Marlene Kinver was drawn northwards from the West Country. She’s been here ever since. Now responsible for some 240 head of rare breed sheep (Jacob and Rylands) that are distributed…
Pennines Wildlife Rescue
I think that Tony has had a passion for wild animals for a long time, but certainly after his various tours of duty with the armed forces, this devotion to care for suffering animals has become an obsession. Together with…
Old Man Bottom
I suppose in every language, there are idiosyncrasies that will trip just about everyone up. Things like that verse in the carol ‘Ding-dong merrily on high’ where the line ‘And i-o, i-o, i-o, by priests and people sungen’, and you’re…
Boxing Day: the sales, a run, or a rest maybe?
For families throughout this patch, today is probably something of a let-up from the pressure to be nice over Christmas Day itself. Back to normality then?! Shopping, anyone? Some of us will be resting after the excesses of the day…
Christmas Day Feast
This year for a change, we’ll join the ranks of the ‘waifs and strays’ who are often welcomed at the traditional family feast. Everyone must play their part in the annual Christmas pageant, of course, and this year it’s our…
Allendale’s Evacuee Stories
And Linda Beck promised one from her daughter Anja as well. Allendale Primary School Year 6 class have been studying the local history of evacuation to the rural countryside during WWII. The diary has also featured another evacuee story which…
Last-minute shopping
Today somehow feels like the last convenient opportunity to get out to the local shops and snap up the critical stocking stuffers that you know will be especially appreciated by your beloved on Christmas morning. At least, that’s what I’ve…
Nine Lessons and Carols
It may not quite be up to the musical standard of the choristers at King’s College, Cambridge, but the annual carol service at St. Cuthbert’s this evening at 6pm is still a delightful highlight of this festive season. The church…