During his years as a bank manager in Teesdale Trevor Wood had a crinkly smile for one and all, even when handing out harsh words about accounts that had crept too far into the red.

And now that he has retired he seems more bouncingly cheerful than ever.

He certainly makes plenty of people gleeful as he travels round WIs and clubs for the elderly with his keyboard to play foot-tapping tunes, sing chirpy songs, relate comic tales and spread a feel-good glow.

He also used to produce pantomimes, but a few years ago switched to old time music hall shows that have become annual highlights in Winston, where he lives. The first, in the village hall, was meant to run three nights but he had to add an extra one to meet demand.

The next was planned for four nights but ended with five. The following year was billed as five nights but ran to six. Now fans are already trying to book tickets for the next show, which doesn't open until March. "We've pencilled in a run of six nights but will probably have to go to seven," Trevor told me with his customary chuckle.

The cast is made up of his friends and neighbours. "We take the mickey out of ourselves." he went on. "We tell everyone it will be the worst show they've ever seen but they always go away happy and smiling."

The last show made a profit of £3,800, which was shared between the village hall, parish church and local playing field. The three cheques made more villagers even happier.

A report in The Northern Echo last week about the dale's new highland line-up, the Rowan Pipe Band, has caused some controversy in Scotland.

The story about the band buying its kilts and other equipment from Pakistan to save money was picked up quickly by a paper north of the border, where it has led to a wailing lament. The protestors insist a traditional Scottish supplier should have been given the order.

Pipe Major Barry Waldron, who lives in Staindrop, has bought lots of items up there in the past, but says the new band had to turn to Pakistan when it discovered a complete rigout from there cost about £450, half the Scottish price. They've been much admired by all who've seen them.

Cockfield or Evenwood . . . which of them had most hostelries in the days when men and ale both seemed much stronger than today?

I've been asked to find out to settle a bet for which the stake is, fittingly, a few pints of beer.

It was thirsty work leafing through some old records to trace the names of publicans who ran the bars a little over 100 years ago. At that time, hundreds of men from both places toiled long hours in coal mines and stone quarries so they needed mighty supplies of the amber stuff to clear the dust from parched throats.

In Cockfield, which was home to 1,570 souls, there were five public houses. They were the King's Head (landlord, Thomas Million), Queen's Head (Joseph Maughan), Royal Inn (Elias Place), Raby Moor (William Robson) and Greyhound (Adam Thompson).

But Evenwood, with a population of more than 3,500, was the winner with eight. Drinkers could choose from the Waterloo Inn (Robert Lamb), Bay Horse (Warcap White), Drovers Arms (Thomas Sutton), Evenwood Bridge (James Lynas), Queen's Head (Mary Burnie), Swan Inn (William Neasham), Brown Jug (Joseph Hopper) and Trotters Arms (George Proud).

There's no guarantee this is the full list, but perhaps it's enough to keep the discussion bubbling along for a while.

Everyone who had tough gym teachers barking out orders about vaulting boxes and roll-overs in the past may imagine how they would shudder at the thought of special PE lessons arranged for pupils of Teesdale School and Staindrop Comprehensive later this month. They involve hip hop and street dancing to the blast of whang-bang music. But this is now nationally accepted as part of PE, and I suppose the youngsters will exert more energy, and gain more enjoyment, than old timers did with their knee bending and arm stretching.

* 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.