Countryman's Diary | Darlington & Stockton Times

Recalling the days when ‘tyke’ was an insult – and not a compliment

11:23am Friday 8th January 2010

ONE of the regular queries I receive is why Yorkshire men are often known as tykes. This name does not seem to apply to Yorkshire women and it can be spelt as both tyke and tike.

Who will be your first foot?

12:09pm Thursday 31st December 2009

IN parts of this region, some ancient New Year’s Day customs continue to be honoured and, perhaps the most popular, is the lucky bird, otherwise known as the first foot.

Christmas, but not as we know it

9:20am Thursday 24th December 2009

THE FEAST of Christmas means different things to different people.

Fending off enemies of Christmas

11:33am Friday 18th December 2009

EARLIER this year, I was in Poole, in Dorset, but never expected this coastal town to lead the way in revealing the stupidity of some of our health and safety regulations.

Mapping the history of our A1

11:33am Friday 11th December 2009

A RECENT visit to Darlington reminded me of the continuing changes that affect the Great North Road, now more widely known as, or perhaps largely substituted by, either the A1 or the A1(M).

Future is bleak for hen harriers

12:41pm Friday 4th December 2009

I WAS sorting through some old files this week when I came across a note I had made about 30 years ago.

Peculiar names for days of old

11:43am Friday 27th November 2009

SOME of the days around this time of year have – or used to have – rather peculiar names.

Medieval works of art give today’s craftsmen a run for their money

12:06pm Friday 20th November 2009

ONE of the most striking images in this region is the ruin of Byland Abbey with its spectacular west front and main entrance dominated by the space for a missing circular window of giant proportions.

Passing the time with sundials

1:51pm Friday 13th November 2009

PART of the fun of being an author is overhearing inane comments and conversations in public places.

Sacred yews are still going strong

11:51am Friday 6th November 2009

WHICH came first, the yew tree or the church? This question is prompted by a more common question that asks: why are there so many yew trees in British churchyards?