IT'S 50 years ago this month that a gallant chestnut thoroughbred called Red Alligator cruised home by 20 lengths in the Grand National to send County Durham, and Bishop Auckland in particular, into raptures.

Liverpool was bathed in sunshine and the going was perfect on March 30, 1968, when the bonny nine-year-old soared over those mighty Aintree fences to win the 122nd running of the world's greatest horse race.

So how fitting that, half a century on from that grandest of victories, the village pub named after the old horse is being reborn.

Property developer Chris Conner, Dundee-born but happily settled in the North-East, has bought the South Church pub from Punch Taverns and is busy giving it a well-deserved facelift ahead of a grand re-opening towards the end of April.

"Bishop Auckland is on the up, with Kyren and everything, and the Red Alligator is going to be one of the best eating houses for miles around," says Chris, who also co-owns The Merry Monk in Bishop market-place.

"I'd often driven past and think that it could do with a bit of TLC. That's what it's going to get – some kerb appeal to make people stop and come in."

There'll be a new roof, replacement windows, renewed seating, fresh carpets, and a general make-over that represents a £70,000 gamble, with Andy Appleby – son of current landlord Dave – taking over as the main man.

For the past four years, Andy, 34, has been behind the scenes, developing his skills as the chef, while his dad manned the bar. Andy will still be cooking, and Dave will still be pulling pints, but the son will replace the dad as gaffer.

Andy learned his trade in the Royal Navy, having initially joined up with the intention of being a mine clearance diver.

"I discovered that there weren't many mines to be cleared and the Navy was crying out for chefs. I'd always enjoyed cooking so it seemed a better bet," says Andy.

He's delighted the Red Alligator is being renovated and looking forward to the challenge of taking over. "The aim is to keep serving traditional, freshly-prepared food but make it a bit more contemporary," he says.

Dad Dave was an 11-year-old lad on the day Red Alligator – trained by Denys Smith, ridden by Cockfield lad Brian Fletcher, and owned by local farmer John Manners – was given a hero's reception as he paraded up Bishop Auckland main street to the Town Hall.

"You just had to be there to see it because it was such a cause of local pride," says Dave. "A horse trained up the road had won the world's greatest race and it was an unforgettable atmosphere."

So, while the Red Alligator will be getting a smart new look, there's no danger that its links with sporting history will be forgotten. The pub was renamed in 1973, having been the Crown and Anchor, and that's not going to change. Paintings and pictures of the legendary horse will still adorn the walls and one corner of the pub will continue to be dedicated to the memory of his much-loved trainer.

Denys Smith died, aged 92, a couple of years ago and he was a regular at his local right up to his death. The sign on the wall says "Denys' Corner" and no-one's going to be taking it down any time soon. Indeed, members of the trainer's family will be guests of honour at the re-opening at a date to be confirmed.

In the meantime, this year's Grand National takes place on April 14 and one of the favourites is likely to be top-weighted Definitly Red, trained by Brian Ellison at Malton, in North Yorkshire.

Fifty years on from Red Alligator's triumph, might another Red bring the great prize back to the north? Now, wouldn't that be timely.

HOSTING two prestigious awards events was a pleasure and privilege last week.

First came the High Sheriff's Youth Awards in the magnificent setting of Wynyard Hall and that was followed by the Making A Difference Awards, for the Tees, Esk and Wear Valley's NHS Foundation Trust, at Scotch Corner Hotel.

One rewarded some magnificent organisations supporting young people in the North-East. The other shone the spotlight on some of the unsung heroes of the NHS.

Both had been rip-roaring successes – until the final moments of the Making A Difference Awards. I attempted to stand on a chair to take a photo of the winners and my suit trousers split from crotch to ankle.

The room was full of people who'd been honoured for the care and compassion they show every day.

All I could hear was laughter.