Countryman's Daughter

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

I’m convinced the Hungarian Vizsla dogs I looked after punished me for going away by digging holes in the garden

Countryman's Daughter

The sulking cats and naughty dogs who punish their owners for going away

Former nurse Janet Pearce’s husband Mike who died in pain three and half years ago. She believes in medically assisted dying to avoid putting people through the awful experience suffered by Mike

Former nurse Janet Pearce’s husband Mike who died in pain three and half years ago. She believes in medically assisted dying to avoid putting people through the awful experience suffered by Mike

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Readers' responses on the controversial subject of assisted dying

They may look adorable, but what they leave behind is causing a big problem

They may look adorable, but what they leave behind is causing a big problem

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

To bag or not to bag: What's the answer to our dog poo problem

Clare Proctor’s home, pictured when it was still a working farm in around 1945. The farm is long gone, but it is still called Ivy House Farm today

Clare Proctor’s home, pictured when it was still a working farm in around 1945. The farm is long gone, but it is still called Ivy House Farm today

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

When renaming a house can be tougher than deciding what to call a baby

Dame Esther Rantzen

Dame Esther Rantzen

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Countryman's Daughter: Why I am a supporter of assisted dying

Janet Pearce with her newborn baby Ben in 1981. Because she was an unmarried mother, she was put in a room by herself, deliberately kept separate from the married mums

Janet Pearce with her newborn baby Ben in 1981. Because she was an unmarried mother, she was put in a room by herself, deliberately kept separate from the married mums

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

When single mums were segregated from the marrieds on maternity wards

Reader Paul Ireson on one of his horses in Newton-on-Rawcliffe in about 1987. He owned and named Old Pond House which featured in my columns about witch posts in January 2023

Reader Paul Ireson on one of his horses in Newton-on-Rawcliffe in about 1987. He owned and named Old Pond House which featured in my columns about witch posts in January 2023

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Pondering on the past: Were we hardy, or foolhardy in bad weather?

Hair and beauty salons are where we feel safe to speak about innermost secrets, knowing it won’t get back to the people we know

Hair and beauty salons are where we feel safe to speak about innermost secrets, knowing it won’t get back to the people we know

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

The comfort of strangers - and dealing with unusual confessions

John Wesley, the founder of Methodism

John Wesley, the founder of Methodism

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

An illegitimate prejudice: Early Methodists and children born out of wedlock

Bella B and her daughter Heidi, who both have New Year birthdays

Bella B and her daughter Heidi, who both have New Year birthdays

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

'It's rubbish': Does anyone love a festive birthday?

A memorial plaque dedicated to North Yorkshire-born Joseph Pilmoor in North Carolina

A memorial plaque dedicated to North Yorkshire-born Joseph Pilmoor in North Carolina

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

The North Yorkshire village boy who has plaques in his memory across America

Facebook celebrates its 20th birthday on February 4

Facebook celebrates its 20th birthday on February 4

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Facebook at 20: Don't fall for the social media hoaxers

My sister’s father-in-law Fred, whose birthday was on December 25. The family celebrated his birthday in the morning before beginning the Christmas celebrations

My sister’s father-in-law Fred, whose birthday was on December 25. The family celebrated his birthday in the morning before beginning the Christmas celebrations

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Party or no party? Birthday dilemmas for Christmas babies

Goathland Plough Stots on their Day of Dance in January 2008

Goathland Plough Stots on their Day of Dance in January 2008

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Sword dancing and plough play traditions to boost harvest

The now disused St Hilary’s Church, Picton

The now disused St Hilary’s Church, Picton

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

The French connections of this North Yorkshire village and its historic church

Services to mark Plough Sunday still take place

Services to mark Plough Sunday still take place

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Why we celebrate Plough Sunday (or Monday) in January

I like to end the year with a New Year’s Eve shindig with friends

I like to end the year with a New Year’s Eve shindig with friends

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

New Year customs of first footing - and not wearing black

If you want to impress your other half this Christmas, avoid buying their gifts from the supermarket

If you want to impress your other half this Christmas, avoid buying their gifts from the supermarket

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

What you should and shouldn't buy your other half for Christmas

Trainers come from as far away as Darlington to use the top of the range facilities at Langton Gallops near Malton

Trainers come from as far away as Darlington to use the top of the range facilities at Langton Gallops near Malton

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

The dedication that means these gallops are sought out by racehorse trainers

Me in our ‘posh’ room with my brother Andrew in 1970 celebrating his 18th birthday. We were allowed in the room on special occasions, or sometimes to play our records too loudly on the radiogram

Me in our ‘posh’ room with my brother Andrew in 1970 celebrating his 18th birthday. We were allowed in the room on special occasions, or sometimes to play our records too loudly on the radiogram

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Giving us an earful: The changing way youngsters listen to the music they love

Recent storms have been battering the towns and villages along the east coast, including Staithes, seen here Picture: Alastair Smith

Recent storms have been battering the towns and villages along the east coast, including Staithes, seen here Picture: Alastair Smith

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

How naming storms helps raise awareness of their impending arrival

Will beautiful coastal towns like Scarborough rediscover the glory and status they once enjoyed?

Will beautiful coastal towns like Scarborough rediscover the glory and status they once enjoyed?

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Can our seaside towns rediscover their lost glory days?

Wensleydale Creamery, home to Yorkshire’s most famous cheese

Wensleydale Creamery, home to Yorkshire’s most famous cheese

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

The story of cheesemaking in Wensleydale - and beyond

The effects of Storm Babet in Scarborough

The effects of Storm Babet in Scarborough

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

The absolute mayhem of this seaside town during Storm Babet

The reward for climbing Wansfell Pike in the Lake District is the spectacular view from the top

The reward for climbing Wansfell Pike in the Lake District is the spectacular view from the top

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Hike, walk or saunter – what do you call it?

Twins Minnie and Fanny Benson, who were notable and well-loved characters from my home village

Twins Minnie and Fanny Benson, who were notable and well-loved characters from my home village

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Fond recollections of well-loved twins from home village

The outline of one of Joseph Foord’s water races can still be seen at Newgate Bank on the Helmsley to Stokesley Road

The outline of one of Joseph Foord’s water races can still be seen at Newgate Bank on the Helmsley to Stokesley Road

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

The North Yorkshire engineer who seemingly made water run uphill

Brompton by Sawdon near Scarborough claims to be the 'Birthplace of Aviation'

Brompton by Sawdon near Scarborough claims to be the 'Birthplace of Aviation'

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

This North Yorkshire village the birthplace of aviation? More than a flight of fancy

Minnie Benson, with one of her many Lassies

Minnie Benson, with one of her many Lassies

COUNTRYMAN'S DUAGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Dogs called Lassie, super-sleuth mums, and what to do with dad's archive

Visitors to the ancient settlement of Skara Brae in the Orkneys have been throwing coins into what they thought was a well and making wishes. Turns out it is actually a sewage drain

Visitors to the ancient settlement of Skara Brae in the Orkneys have been throwing coins into what they thought was a well and making wishes. Turns out it is actually a sewage drain

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Why visitors to this remote area are throwing lucky coins into a sewage drain

Brompton by Sawdon near Scarborough claims to be the 'Birthplace of Aviation'

Brompton by Sawdon near Scarborough claims to be the 'Birthplace of Aviation'

COUNTRYMAN's DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Is the 'birthplace of aviation' really this North Yorkshire village?

Steve was attacked in the face by angry wasps after running over their nest with his ride-on mower (Picture )

Steve was attacked in the face by angry wasps after running over their nest with his ride-on mower (Picture )

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

The painful consequences of when wasps attack

According to readers, one reason dimpled pint pots with handles disappeared was because when broken, the handles could be used as offensive weapons in a pub brawl!

According to readers, one reason dimpled pint pots with handles disappeared was because when broken, the handles could be used as offensive weapons in a pub brawl!

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

A pot full of opinions: The perils and positives of the dimpled pint glass

The Gypsey Race just about visible in the centre of this picture, near the village of Duggleby on the Yorkshire Wolds. The word ‘Gypsey’ refers to the fact that it ‘comes and goes’, flowing intermittently above and below ground

The Gypsey Race just about visible in the centre of this picture, near the village of Duggleby on the Yorkshire Wolds. The word ‘Gypsey’ refers to the fact that it ‘comes and goes’, flowing intermittently above and below ground

COUNTRYMAN's DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

The Yorkshire stream which runs an 'eerie course' above and below ground

Wasps can become a nuisance at this time of year

Wasps can become a nuisance at this time of year

Countryman's Daughter

Countryman's Daughter: Is the wasp really a pest?

Jack Suggitt’s cobbler’s workshop recreated at the Ryedale Folk Museum. I remember Mr Suggitt cutting my hair

Jack Suggitt’s cobbler’s workshop recreated at the Ryedale Folk Museum. I remember Mr Suggitt cutting my hair

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

A hair-raising experience: Why this cobbler cut my hair when I was aged just two

The ‘tulip’, left, and the ‘Nonic’, right, glasses that superseded the dimpled pint jug once lager became more popular

The ‘tulip’, left, and the ‘Nonic’, right, glasses that superseded the dimpled pint jug once lager became more popular

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Where have all the dimples gone in our pub pint pots?

The village of Thixendale, in the Yorkshire Wolds

The village of Thixendale, in the Yorkshire Wolds

Countryman's Daughter

Just how did the ancient residents of this dry valley get their water?

The beautiful village of Thixendale nestles in one of the dales typical of the Yorkshire Wolds

The beautiful village of Thixendale nestles in one of the dales typical of the Yorkshire Wolds

Countryman's Daughter

Why do Yorkshire Wolds play bridesmaid to the Moors and Dales?

The three strips of darker green in the middle of this picture are evidence of the ancient ploughing method, ridge and furrow

The three strips of darker green in the middle of this picture are evidence of the ancient ploughing method, ridge and furrow

Countryman's Daughter

The easy clues to centuries-old evidence of farmers' hard graft

The ever-patient Heartbeat actors Tricia Penrose, Vanessa Hehir and David Lonsdale, who spent hours signing autographs for fans

The ever-patient Heartbeat actors Tricia Penrose, Vanessa Hehir and David Lonsdale, who spent hours signing autographs for fans

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

13 years on from last episode of Heartbeat, its popularity is undiminished

This detail in my dad's mass book threw up some amazing details

This detail in my dad's mass book threw up some amazing details

Countryman's Daughter

How this little 17th Century mass book hides a big history

The Black Swan Hotel, Helmsley

The Black Swan Hotel, Helmsley

Countryman's Daughter

Can tea, dinner and supper really all be the same meal?

The small mass book dating from 1688 that was in my dad’s study

The small mass book dating from 1688 that was in my dad’s study

Countryman's Daughter

Little book of mystery: Why carrying this could have proved highly dangerous

My ‘posh’ best friend Rhi enjoying an afternoon tea

My ‘posh’ best friend Rhi enjoying an afternoon tea

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

How posh are you? The difference between high tea, low tea and afternoon tea

We think the final resting place of my mum’s grandmother, Mary ‘Polly’ Lacy, is where the clump of dead daffodils is, just to the left of the gravestone of Mary Ann Dale and her husband Martin. John Cook’s headstone is just beyond the clump of

We think the final resting place of my mum’s grandmother, Mary ‘Polly’ Lacy, is where the clump of dead daffodils is, just to the left of the gravestone of Mary Ann Dale and her husband Martin. John Cook’s headstone is just beyond the clump of

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Have we found Polly? My quest to find resting place of mum's grandparents

Duncombe Park Country Fair showcases many aspects of traditional rural life

Duncombe Park Country Fair showcases many aspects of traditional rural life

Countryman's Daughter

Putting on a right good show to celebrate rural life

For obvious reasons, beacons were placed in spots with extensive views for miles around, just like this at the top of Beacon Bank in my home village

For obvious reasons, beacons were placed in spots with extensive views for miles around, just like this at the top of Beacon Bank in my home village

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Beacon of light: The hills which helped provide our forebears with urgent signals

The Easingwold parish coffin

The Easingwold parish coffin

Countryman's Daughter

The parish coffins with special hinged bottoms used for paupers' funerals

The church in Crayke

The church in Crayke

Countryman's Daughter

Tragedy of triplets buried in unmarked grave

A lucky horseshoe hung on the outside of a building Picture: Mick Gisbourne

A lucky horseshoe hung on the outside of a building Picture: Mick Gisbourne

Countryman's Daughter

Shoe the bad luck away: The origins of the lucky horseshoe

Dandelions have one of the most effective ways of spreading their seeds

Dandelions have one of the most effective ways of spreading their seeds

Countryman's Daughter

A tasty kind of dandy: How the reputation of the dandelion has been transformed

As well as being incredibly nutritious, parsley has many superstitions associated with it.

As well as being incredibly nutritious, parsley has many superstitions associated with it.

Countryman's Daughter

Little green superstitions: Parsley, contraception, and the devil's curse

The view from Church Hill, Crayke, overlooking the Vale of York

The view from Church Hill, Crayke, overlooking the Vale of York

Countryman's Daughter

Is this the hill where the Grand Old Duke of York marched his 10,000 men up and down?

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