ANNE ROBINSON often makes withering remarks about the outfits worn by contestants on The Weakest Link.

But Wendy Withers, of Gainford, whose victory on the TV show was reported in the Northern Echo a few weeks ago, has revealed that those taking part don't have much choice about what to wear.

In this month's issue of Gainford Parish News, Wendy said that she and fellow contestants were told to take three lots of clothing, but no stripes, spots, checks, black, dark blue, red or white, and nothing displaying logos or designer names. And no jeans.

Ms Withers had difficulty sticking to these rules from her existing outfits, so she bought a new selection of tops. Before the recording she was told by one of the wardrobe staff to put on a fuchsia T-shirt, which was not her first choice.

She loved the experience of taking part in the programme, which is filmed at Pinewood Studios, and was glad to pick up the winner's cheque. But next time the steely-eyed presenter rasps on about the shirt or dress a contestant is wearing, remember that the poor soul probably had no say in the matter.

Apart from that, Ms Withers' advice to anyone thinking about having a go is to apply right away, and if chosen to take part, to make up their mind to enjoy it.

ROGER Redfearn, a retired farmer and keen historian of the upper dale and its families, has made a plea for information following last week's tale about storyteller Jane Redford, of Seivey Hill, near Langdon Beck.

He said that though Redford was always quoted under her married name, she was really Jane Redfearn, as she married Peter Redfearn at Middleton in Teesdale on July 8, 1809.

In those days, a lot of people couldn't read or write, so spelling didn't matter and in the local dialect, over time, one surname could easily be transformed into another.

But he is baffled about who the bridegroom was and where he came from. A family of Redfearns came from Derbyshire in 1758 to work in the dale lead mines and Roger is descended from them.

"I've traced details of all the generations of the family since then, but this Peter Redfearn isn't one of them," he said. "He just seems to have appeared from nowhere and married Jane.

"I would love it if somebody could tell me who he was, where he came from and why. But I doubt if anyone can now solve the mystery as I've tried hard and failed."

What he does know is that Peter died on November 22, 1849, at the age of 66. Jane, who was an Allinson before her marriage, died on May 24, 1857, aged 78.

AMONG the comical poems recited many years ago at gatherings in the dale was one I was shown the other day about Willie Stabler, a cobbler who lived at Cotherstone.

It tells how he saw Squire Hutchinson of Eggleston Hall being driven in his opulent horse drawn carriage and decided to sneak a free ride by climbing aboard.

He perched on the high rear bench, unseen by the squire, a proud fellow who sat inside in his finery, and by the coachman, who was concentrating on the road ahead.

Willie, wearing a new long coat, was pleased to see his friends pointing at him, no doubt admiring his boldness.

But then his coat tails got caught in the carriage wheels. The garment tightened around him until he could hardly breathe. He yelled to the coachman to stop. The squire heard the commotion and leaned out, then gave Willie a lashing with his whip. The poor fellow managed to wriggle out of his coat but had to leave it behind as he ran away.

The last verse of the poem, by another cobbler called John Hutchinson, is: His heart, no doubt, within him burned/That he in such a plight was turned/Without his coat to roam/To ride in chaise folks fondly talk/Those who have strength had better walk/Or be content at home.

* I'll be glad to see anyone who calls with snippets of news at The Northern Echo office at 36 Horsemarket, Barnard Castle, on Mondays and Tuesdays, telephone (01833) 638628.