A LOT of work has been done over the centuries to keep the walls of Raby Castle in the best possible condition, but one task on the stonework ended in tragedy.

Two masons were using a cradle system to lower large blocks of stone to the ground from a window opening in Clifford's Tower when it gave way and crashed down, fatally wounding one of the pair, 27-year-old Edward Taylor.

He was described as one of the most promising young men in Staindrop when it happened in 1867. He was married but had no children.

He was a leading member of the Congregational church and a notable Sunday school teacher. He was a founder member of Staindrop YMCA and took an active role in many organisations in the village.

He was a particularly good speaker, so when he got on stage at public events everyone paid attention. He was so popular that two special services were held to pay tribute to him, and the church was filled to overflowing for both of them.

For some time there was an air of intense sorrow around the whole village. An inquest returned a verdict of accidental death.

The second man using the cradle, foreman Willam Raine, was unhurt, as was a porter, Tom Grant, who was standing nearby.

The stronghold, which dates from the 14th century, was owned at the time of the tragedy by Harry, fourth and last Duke of Cleveland, who had succeeded his brother William in 1864.

When Harry died in 1891 the Dukedom of Cleveland became extinct as he had no heir. Raby passed to the ninth Baron Barnard. The present Lord Barnard, who was born in 1923, is the 11th baron.

Another dale postman's service in the First World War has just come to light.

Until now he was recorded simply as H. Hall, with no personal details. But It has emerged that he was Harold Hall, a hero who rose through the ranks during the conflict.

He was born in 1893 to Frances Hall but was brought up by his grandparents, John and Sarah Hall, at Pinner's Farm, Cotherstone. He was a postman for several years before joining the Territorial Force in 1912 and going into the 6th DLI.

After the war started he transferred to the Signal Company and became a sapper.

He married Caroline Margaret Parker, an assistant at Cotherstone post office, in March 1915 shortly before being sent to France.

He was promoted to sergeant in March 1916 and that year was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in action. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1917.

After the war he lived in Heaton, Newcastle. He and Caroline had three sons and a daughter - Geoffrey, Kathleen, William and Derek -between 1918 and 1931. But sadly Caroline died in 1936 at the age of 45.

He married his second wife, May Irene Creigh, in 1940. They had two daughters, Margaret and Patricia. Harold died on Armistice Day, November 11, in 1952 at the age of 59.

We know all this thanks to Andy Denholm of West Cornforth, who does brilliant detective work to track down family records. He is a county council co-ordinator but spends hours doing this sort of research at home as a hobby.

I am grateful to him - and so is postal historian David Charlesworth, who can now ensure that Second Lieutenant Harold Hall MM is given his full rightful place in the story of dale postmen who went to war.

After this success and that of Tom Stoddart a few weeks ago, there is now only one postman left of the three named recently as still to have their war records uncovered. The one remaining is S.J. Clarkson, and we hope to have news about him soon.

Fatal accidents seemed to be accepted without much investigation in the early years of the railways.

But an inquest lasted longer than usual after the death of Thomas Parker, a train driver, at Simpasture junction near Shildon in May 1867.

He worked for around 11 years as an engine fitter for the North Eastern Railway Company and had been a driver for only a month when he lost his life.

He was driving a mineral train from Shildon to Stockton when he stopped at the junction to have more wagons attached. He got down and went under the locomotive to do some oiling. He was there when the boiler exploded, giving him no chance of surviving.

Chunks of metal were blown in all directions, causing considerable damage.

The inquest was held at the Commercial Inn, New Shildon, where John Huitson was landlord. The main question was whether Parker had been given enough instruction. Drivers had often served years as firemen before taking charge, but he had worked on the mechanics rather than the footplate.

The jury was taken by special train to the scene of the explosion to inspect the damage. It also had the unpleasant task of viewing the poor man's body in a local house, where it had been laid out.

Various witnesses gave evidence back at the hostelry, but there was nothing to indicate what caused the blast or how much training the driver had received.

The jury debated it for an hour before returning a verdict of accidental death. It added: "We beg to state to the railway company that we think the deceased was inexperienced in the use of a locomotive engine, and we recommend, both for the safety of persons employed on the line and the public in general, that more experienced persons should be engaged."

The company later stated that Parker's years of working on locomotives as a fitter meant he was capable of driving them safely, and there was nothing to show that inexperience caused the tragedy.

Some folk admit to feeling peckish as soon as they call at the Country Market in the parish hall at Barnard Castle on Wednesday mornings. This is because of the enticing aroma from batches of cakes and scones as well as displays of fresh vegetables.

Ladies who tend the stalls enjoy chatting to their regular customers who have been supporting the project for years.

"We always have good quality produce," said Lois Ruffle, who offers plants reared at her home in Chilton.

She is also county chairman of the markets, so she also attends those at Sedgefield (second Friday each month), Lanchester (third Saturday monthly) and a new one at Consett, where the days are being arranged.

Molly Orton of Winston, who knits a colourful selection of elegant socks, gloves and hats, has been selling them at the Wednesday event for a long time.

"I like coming here because there is always a pleasant atmosphere," she stated. "It's good to have a chat with each other and the people who come in week after week."

As well as bakery and garden produce, there is always a fine array of jams, chutneys, greetings cards, knitted toys, babywear, ornaments and other goods. Mrs Ruffle's son Timothy sells a series of pictures which always receive close attention.