Sarah Walker

I have had some responses following the column that I wrote about the controversial subject of assisted dying.

I saw a sign hanging in a wooded area that read: ‘As you are so confident in the biodegradability of your used dog poo bag, please take it home to your own garden and hang it in your own tree. Thank you. From the wildlife.’

I love it when my columns jolt memories that are then shared with me, and which in turn spark debates concerning the attitudes that surround them.

I was struck by something a friend said the other day about how we open up to strangers about things we might not mention to our nearest and dearest.

Reader Neil McBride raised an interesting point after having read my piece about the Methodist preacher Joseph Pilmoor, who was raised in the tiny village of Fadmoor on the North York Moors.

My column about festive birthdays sparked some interesting feedback, with most declaring that they would prefer to have a birthday at a different time of year.

It surprises me when I browse Facebook, which celebrates its 20th birthday next Sunday, that some people are still taken in by posts that are clearly hoaxes.

Sarah Walker looks at how children - and adults - with birthdays around Christmas manage to celebrate - or not.

I was disappointed that readers didn’t come forward following my column about unromantic Christmas gifts. I’m dying to learn what rubbish items you’ve received.

Today, Saturday, January 13, is St Hilary’s Day and it is said to be the coldest day of the year. But what is St Hilary's connection to Picton, near Yarm.