Jennifer Priestley, a former teacher who lives in Staindrop, has unearthed an unsavoury wrangle that seems to have caused an unholy uproar behind the scenes at the village's Congregational Church nearly a century ago.
The minister, the Reverend Cuthbert Atkin, threatened to resign during a stormy period in 1909, protesting angrily that he had been publicly charged with trying to break up the church, ruling it with priestcraft and using its money indiscreetly.
He felt so insulted, he declared, that he realised he must be a stumbling block to any future peace and it was best for him to move right away from the village.
The upset caused by his outburst can be imagined, but amazingly things were patched up and he stayed on. And when he did eventually leave he was presented with a purse of money by members grateful for his efforts.
All this has emerged from minute books of the church, which was built in 1868 beside North Green but demolished 26 years ago.
Mrs Priestley was given them by the family of the late Nellie Ostler, of Cleatlam, along with the 1841 will of Richard Bearpark and documents of the Independent Chapel which stood in Queen's Head Wynd, Staindrop, but has been converted into a house.
"They make fascinating reading, adding up to an intriguing slice of village history," said Mrs Priestley.
To ensure they can be available to everyone in future she has given them to the Durham Records Office at County Hall, where they can be shown to callers on request.
Trevor Atkinson, of Mickleton, whose landscaping firm was praised in this column last Friday after gaining an award for outstanding work, died three days later at the age of 64.
He was an amiable, highly-regarded gentleman who will be hugely missed around the dale. Sympathy will be felt by many for his wife Mary, sons Richard and Andrew, and daughters Kathleen and Elaine.
Just about every time Kathleen Teward sits down she gets out her knitting needles and clicks away busily, even when it is her turn to do duty at a colourful craft shop in Chapel Row, Middleton. She was there when I called this week but took time off from her wool to explain who produces all the attractive goods.
Her own jumpers, cardigans and baby clothes are displayed along with cushions by Elsie Bainbridge, of Eggleston, decorated glassware by Judy May, of Cassell Bank, painted goose eggs by Margaret Alderson, of Barnard Castle, fancy coat hangers by Doreen Heyes, of Middleton and a host of other artistic items created by 14 men and women in their own homes.
"We have some really talented people," said Mrs Teward, who also has her admired book of dialect words on sale.
"We get a lot of visitors as well as local people, and they are always amazed at the range and quality of the things our members produce."
The team of 14 pay a share of the rent and take turns at serving in the shop, part of the old Cosy Cinema, ensuring it is open from 10.30am to 4pm every day except Monday. It has become quite a tourist attraction.
* 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.
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