A mysterious garment, found under layers of ivy and nettles in a graveyard, has inspired a new play.

The Kirkby Fleetham Local history group had been transcribing gravestones at St Andrew’s churchyard, Great Fencote, and, towards the bottom of one of the slabs, they came across a piece of material that turned out to be an old garment which had clearly lain there for many years.

This planted the seed for “The Nettle Bed”, a new play by local writer, Helen Mason, which imagines the doomed relationship of servant Ivy Forge and the son of the manor, Thomas Marshall. The action moves back and forth between 1913 and the present day as their story moves towards its tragic conclusion.

Darlington and Stockton Times: The garment found in the graveyard that inspired the writing of The Nettle Bed

The Nettle Bed, an eerie ghost story, has been premiered to sell-out audiences by the Kirkby Fleetham Players, with Laura Wright and James Pitcher taking the lead roles. Nicky Lloyd and Amanda Peirson played the local historians, while Kath Burgin and Dave Tarleton-Hodgson represented the class-bound views of a century ago as the Lord and Lady of the Manor. Richard Mann was the narrator and the unsuspecting dog walker was played by Philippa Mann.

Darlington and Stockton Times: Writer and Director Helen Mason, and Producer Sue Gell with the cas

Special effects by Mike Dillon, and Kath Mackenzie’s scenery emphasised the play’s supernatural atmosphere, supported by the production team’s lighting, sound, film, costumes and make-up. Front of house and prompting duties were also provided by the team as the village hall was transformed for a theatrical production.

Darlington and Stockton Times: One of the special effects, designed and made by Mike Dillon

Since the Fleetham Players formed in 2007, with Helen as director and Sue Gell as producer, they have performed numerous pantomimes and murder mysteries. "This was a departure for us all," said Helen. "And I’ve been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm with which the cast and crew tackled the play. I must also thank the local history group for sharing the fruits of their research: it’s a very rich seam to mine."

Profits are being shared between Parkinson’s UK and the Kirkby Fleetham Local History Group.