Wednesday, 18th May, 2005 THE TEESDALE MERCURY 9 Planning Jinny Howlett LIST of planning applications Teesdale through the ages received by Teesdale District Council in the week ending May 6: D ale People Field No 8758, Toft Hill; creation of hard standing. History of a village 1 AREAS COVERcn 15 Teesdale Road, ; ‘W ELCOM E to the land of the Prince Bishops’ it says whenever you drive into . retransfers ^ 0 garage extension. What on earth does that mean and who were Conifer Lodge, ; first floor these Bishops that were also princes? When you extension to existing dormer investigate our history you realise that at one time bungalow and extension to provide Jill’s passion for the stage these men had almost unimaginable wealth and utility room. power. Som e of the earlier bishops lived risky and ssS T Hilton Grange, Gainford; above dangerous lives surrounded by enemies, others ground farm slurry store. were corrupt and misused their power and a few made the Palatinate a better place. 18 Victoria Terrace, Cockfield; Their story goes back a long way, to the Viking iacksoh,I extension to create garage and invasions of the 9th Century, to a small band of additional accommodation. men who protected the remains of a great northern 01833 660367 Field west of Barningham Park; helps rising young stars saint from those pirates. This group of men, with additional car parking and their wives and families, came to be known as the realignment of stone wall. ‘Companions of Saint Cuthbert’. by Sophie Doughty They wandered about the countryside carrying Bourn Villa, Morley; ground and with them Cuthbert’s remains and such treasures 1 J O B S s f f first floor extension. A WEEKEND in turned into as they had managed to rescue from the raiders, 30 Kirk View, ; 15 years in Teesdale for Jill Cole, who including incidentally, the Lindisfame Gospels. The erection of private garage. Companions stayed at a number of places simply had to find an excuse to stay in including Ripon and Chester-le-Street. the dale. Finally in 995AD, with Aldhun their bishop The drama teacher, who is now a director of Jack leading them, they settled at Durham and built a B B C w a n t s Drum Arts, admits that she first joined Barnard church there. The Companions and Cuthberfs Castle theatre group the Castle Players so that she shrine became the focal point of the north. People looked to them for stability and they began to v o lu n t e e r s would have a reason to stay in the Teesdale. attract gifts of land. King Canute went as a pilgrim Jill escaped to Romaldkirk after the breakdown of to Durham bearing gifts of land and treasures. The THE BBC is looking for her marriage and quickly found that nowhere villages he gave to the Companions included volunteers to help with one of compares to Teesdale. , Ingleton, Hilton, Wackerfield and She was bom in Surrey, but proudly declares that Evenw ood. the most ambitious After the Conquest, William the Conqueror investigations ever into people’s she has never been back to her birthplace since she brought feudalism to the north - the king at the top stories from World War Two. left for university. and the barons carrying out his commands. He People of all ages and “My parents moved to Shropshire while I was a chose his own man, Walcher of Loraine, as Bishop backgrounds are being sought to student and I had no real desire to go back once I of Durham . had discovered other pastures,” she said. Then, after Waltheof, Earl of Northumberland act as ‘story gatherers’ to collect! was beheaded, he made Walcher the new Earl. people’s stories and pictures and Jill’s interest in the theatre began at an early age, Walcher then proceeded to begin replacing the submit them to the BBC when she got involved in productions at school. Companions of Cuthbert with a convent of monks website. “I didn’t have drama as an option in the brought from the south. The website - bbc.co.uk/ww2 curriculum, but I was always involved in the school You can just imagine what people thought about - is a new, massive archive of plays,” she said. “But I always had to play the boy’s all this - and you are right! Walcher was set upon World War Two experiences part because I was the only one with short hair at by the mob and had rafter a bloody end. The main from the perspective of ordinary my all-girl school.” perpetrators fled to Scotland before reinforcements 'Atodandlaitafe arrived from London. The top and bottom of it was people. After gaining a degree is English Literature, Jill that Durham was too far away to be ruled from Volunteers to The People’s decided to train to be a teacher, choosing to London. Have I heard that argument voiced quite War project will need some specialise in English and Drama, but this career recently? Mined m? Tel: 01325® computer skills and the time never came into fruition. From then on the Bishop of Durham was given mkenP more and more powers by the Crown. He was able and patience to listen, but full “I did my teaching practice at a very rough all­ to raise an army and a navy and exact taxes to iels Mob: 07762 U1| training will be given and boys school in Tooting and having survived that I pay for them. He could mint his own money, hold expenses paid. felt I could survive anything,” she said. “But that T e a m w o rk : Jill Cole (sixth from left) with members of the Turrets theatre company his own courts, choose his barons, build castles and take control of waste areas and forests. He JEW For more information, call put me off teaching.” just feed off their energy and it’s great watching working together in a team,” she said. became in effect like a king. However although he 01642 340 612. Luckily Jill was given the opportunity to teach them.” “I’m not strict, but I won’t have prima-donnas.” was primarily, at least in name, a spiritual leader English to Vietnamese refugees in the Far East. A year later, Jill got a job with Jack Drums Arts, But Jill admits that she does get a buzz from he also had also to be seen to be part of the 8234 “I did that for nine months and just loved it,” said and finally became an employee of a professional feudal system. He had to be a baron as well. It O r g a n is e r seeing members develop into talented writers and went with the job. So the Bishop of Durham was 187497 Jill who ended up living in the region on and off for theatre company. performers. “My youngest group are a great bunch also automatically Baron of - wait for it - five years. At the time, Jill’s friend Simon Pell was working and I can’t wait to watch them develop. They’re Evenwood! There you are - a moment of glory for re tire s In those five years Jill married and became a as a stage manager with the company and Jill met clever and they’re funny. They do things I know I Evenwood. Part of Evenwood parish is still known mother. its founders, who happened to be looking for an wouldn’t be able to do.” as ‘the Barony’, a reminder of earlier times. AFTER 25 years as organiser of When Jill’s husband’s work took him to Aberdeen, administrator. The Bishop certainly fully exercised his rights the Bamingham District poppy But Jill does admit that watching the youngsters until 1539 when Henry VIII clipped his wings. appeal for the Royal British she followed, although she now describes this period “I was looking for a job but I was a bit on stage can be a bit of an ordeal. However some of his regalian powers remained Legion, Doreen Railton has of her life as “the wilderness years”. apprehensive, because I didn’t know much about “It is absolute torture to watch them,” she until the 19th century. The Companions of decided to retire. “I lasted three years and then I ran away and got running a theatre company,” said Jill, but she laughed. “But I wouldn’t want to do anything else Cuthbert were dispersed in 1083 to Norton, as far as Romaldkirk,” she said. “By then I had two accepted the position eagerly. but watch.” and St. Andrew Auckland - on the Fenholme Anyone able to carry on the principle of divide and rule. However the children and we came down for a weekend and I Meanwhile, Jill was also offered the chance to do And although the group is going from strength to Building Servka cause is asked to contact Doreen Benedictine Priory established in their place w as to on 01833 621377. decided it would be a good place to stay. maternity cover for Teesdale District Council’s arts strength, Jill still dreams of bringing a real theatre prove nearly as much a threat to the Bishop as the coordinator Rosie Cross, and quickly became Companions were thought to be. And this gave AU types if mfMrtM Initially though, Jill did not intend to stay any to Teesdale, as so far the group has been longer than a year. But Teesdale worked its magic familiar with everybody on the North East arts improvising with various venues including the Evenwood its second moment of fame - but more Plastering: Rendenc on her immediately, and she fell in love with the circuit. castle ruins and auction mart. of that later. Traditional Porting: Pafcsi £1,000 raised The Bishop moved round his estates like a dale. Jill worked from home, an old farmhouse in “I think it’s really hard in Teesdale. I believe monarch and owned many castles and palaces. Prompt attention it M b THE parishes of Barningham, “When I arrived a lot of things happened really Baldersdale. children need to go to the theatre,” she said. “But Most but not all were in the land between Tyne ■ f i d F R EE ESTIMATES , Wycliffe and quickly,” said Jill. “I somehow felt I was meant to be “I was running the company and trying to be very we have become quite imaginative, and we have and Tees that we call Durham. He had castles at Tel: 01833 627160 Scargill have raised more than here and I felt so much at home. Everyone was just professional,” she said. “It did mean we were a little never staged two productions in the same type of Northallerton, Crayke and Howden in Yorkshire £1,000 for the Asian tsunami so welcoming and it was really easy to get to know bit out of the loop though.” plus a palace at Wheel Hall near York and a house Mobile: 07779 854076 space.” in London. In Durham itself there were palaces or appeal. people.” Jack Drum Arts is a community theatre company Jill ran the Turrets as a volunteer for around castles at Stockton, , Norham, Through a combination of And the seed for her future was sown when she with two roles. Its members work with freelance eight years before she finally secured funding last , , Durham City, Darlington parties, book sales, sponsored went to see the Castle Players’ production of The practitioners to stage small-scale touring year, but she still doesn’t see it as a job. and ... Evenwood. Tail, Hopei walks and numerous other Comedy of Errors. productions, and they provide programmes of “It is working with the young people that I love Where, I hear you ask, is there a castle at events, the parishes raised a Evenwood? Well it isn’t there now. It lasted until “I was so impressed I thought that if I joined the participatory arts activities for community groups most because it is never just a job,” she said. “They 1828 but was then pulled down. There is a farm B o w m a n LH grand total of £1,118.75 which group, it would give me a reason to stay,” she in the area. where it once stood, next to Evenwood School. A C will initially be used to provide just have so much to offer and you don’t have to ENGINEERS remembered. The Turrets, however, remained Jill’s first love, provide them with much, you just need to channel bit of the moat can still be seen, over the road homes and counselling for those from the Parish Church. Maybe the castle was a •O i Burner “So I committed myself to the next production, and she dreams of bringing a real venue to the dale their energies.” C orgi registered Gas In# whose lives were devastated in just so that I could stay in lovely Teesdale.” for the youngsters. Pele Tower like at Mortham. And what about Tanks the disaster. And Jill is determined to do this work in Evenwood’s second claim to fame? Well that ficales • Bathroom Suites. aU (( Jill threw herself into her role in the players and “It is becoming so big now. We have 60 members Teesdale. happened in 1300 when Bishop Bek met King quickly became one of the family. and a waiting list,” she said. “We’ve become more Edward I at the bishop’s castle at Evenwood. The i * o f heating, boiler serves “Teesdale is very much the right environment,” W in n e r “It was a real lifeline,” she said. “The group is like and more ambitious in the kinds of productions we king was passing by on his way to fight the Scots. Tel: 01833 660712 j a large family.” have done” she said. “We are very committed to the rural There at Evenwood a dispute was settled between THE winner of last week’s Prize In 1996 Jill took over the Castle Players* junior Although Jill has found some real talent among communities because we have all brought up our Bishop Bek and Prior Hoton of Durham. It was 01833 660962 | the dale’s youngsters, the Turrets is not about children here. known as the ‘Evenwood Agreement’. So those of Crossword is Mrs Connie theatre group, the Turrets, when its previous leader “The quality of life in Teesdale is unique. If you you who thought that Evenwood was nothing more 01833660636 | Sinclair of Watson Court, left and it looked like the group might fold. becoming a star. “It is not that I think they are all than an industrial village bom in the 19th century, Barnard Castle, who wins a “The Turrets is now my favourite thing to do,” she going to become great actors, it just gives them a could bottle it and sell it, we would all be think on. copy of Bloomsbury’s Dictionary. said “I really enjoy working with the young people I feeling of being comfortable with themselves, and millionaires.” JINNY HOWLETT Mark Peacoct GAS Jp Teesdale Mercury Prize Crossword in association with Bloomsbury HOOMSBURY SERVICES ■ ■ i 1 2 3 5 8 7 Cryptic Clues Complete the crossword and the coupon G a s : Caravans:lf Easy Clues below, cut out the whole panel and send it 8 a m mr ACROSS DOWN ACROSS Installation, Servict to Prize Crossword, The Teesdale Mercury, 4) Malicious gossip and ensuing 1) Remove individually and point 4) Public outrage (7) and Repair 24 Market Place, Barnard Castle, DL12 m m public anger (7) out each example (4, 3) 8) Hinterland (6) 8NB to reach us by first post next Tuesday. 8) Revenue of the national kind 2) Passage above ceremonial of 9) Guide (7) 10 m a planes honouring the occasion (3- 10) Smoked herring (6) The winning entry drawn from the hat will m ( ) L 6 4) 11) Proscribe (6) receive a copy of Bloomsbury’s English irs ■ tl m 9) Rule for the lawful demand of 3) Could be specially designed to 12) Tennis player Dictionary, worth £30 a levy of rates (7) take a hotel’s overflow (6) unpositioned (8) 12 13 18) Below average (5, 3) m a 10) Big tie with a fishy 5) Eaten away and destroyed by connection (6) chemical action (8) 20) Talented (6) r ■ mu m15 11) Gangster, brigand, fugitive 21) Old lamb (6) p lu m b in g from arrest (6) 6) Subtle distinction with 22) Embarrassed by tfetfbale @ M t n n x p ■ ■17 18 ■ ■ exactness and precision (6) dishonour (7) Specialist B d h m J ■ i i r 12) Field left fallow, possibly, but 7) Suddenly arrive and seem to 23) Hit (6) M ay 18 Prize Crossword Also Generali ■20 ■ I also a player uncategorized (8) become visible (6) 24) Sleep (4-3) & Joiners 18) Score below the normal (5, 3) 13) Unskilled, boring, hard and DOWN Name: H m 21 a 1) Select (4, 3) Tel: M * ’ ^ m repetitive toil (8) Address: 20) Able and intelligent, 2) Ceremonial flight (3-4) Solid ■ is sagacious, inventive and adept 14) Travelling body from Russia, 3) Added building (6) |6) one of the first in orbit (7) 5) Decayed (8) C ° l 21) Can be dressed as its iN23 m m 15) Marked permanently with 6) Subtle detail (6) y Q Plumbing. daughter (6) heat (7) 7) Manifest (6) ■ m m m 22) Abashed and less than proud 16) Liqueur of cloying sweetness, 13) Menial work (8) SB#*** of one’s thoughts or deeds (7) irresistible cherry brandy (6) >8 i■ 14) Early satelbte (7) O x i X * ® 1* * 23) General withdrawal of 17) Restrictive waterway just 15) Trade marked (7) Last week’s answers labour following dispute (6) enough for a boat’s passage (6) 16) Sweet liqueur (6) Postcode: 17) Narrow channel (6) ACROSS: 7) Minuet, 8) Denims, 9) I DOWN: 1) Minute, 2) Bud, 3) Atlas, 24) During forty winks you lower 19) Regard as equal to a similar Daytime Telephone: ** 2 * 2 Tub, 10) Lapse, 11) Tow, 14) Medal, 4) Odyssey, 5) Ink, 6) Smooth, 12) the lid and snatch a doze (4-3) situation perhaps (6) 19) See as equivalent (6) 15) Healthy, 17) Journal, 19) Azure, Sabre, 13) Plaza, 16) Vampire, 18) 22) Wit, 23) Epoch, 24) Use, 27) Origin, 20) Resign, 21) Scale, 25) Rigour, 28) Lounge. Bow, 26) Pun. Two sets of clues, one set of answers. Solution and winner next week