Its name my suggest immorality, but Rev Robert Cooper found Thorpe Thewles the ideal setting for writing a religious book.

THE Rev Robert Cooper has moved to Thorpe Thewles, which might be neither here nor there - a couple of miles north of Stockton, actually - but for the unexpected meaning of the place name.

"It's old English for the place of the immoral," Mr Cooper reports cheerfully. "Another version calls it the village of weaklings, but I always tell people the first one."

From Abberwick to Yetlington, a book by Ian Robinson on North-East place names, wantonly goes along with the immoral option, but admits it is worrying.

Our own David Simpson, a leading place names expert, confirms that "thew-less" simply meant without thews, or virtue. "Unfortunately," adds David, "there is no specific record of whatever was going on."

Mr Cooper, for 16 years priest in charge of Sadberge, near Darlington, is now a part time arts chaplain and highly accomplished photographer, many of his pictures taken on Holy Island and featured in books produced with Canon David Adam, the island's recently retired Vicar.

On Monday in Stockton, he was promoting A World of Wonders, a children's book of "prayers and pictures" which like all good children's books, will appeal hugely to grown ups. It's dedicated to his wife and children - "the four greatest wonders of my world."

The book was launched by the Rt Rev John Pritchard, Bishop of Jarrow and owner of a wise old cat called Amos, who arrived rather anxiously with about 30 seconds to go.

Had he murmured about ears and whiskers, as did the White Rabbit, it would not have been altogether surprising.

The bishop said that he took photographs but that his colleague's were "just stunning" - and so they are. The prayers are memorably vivid, too.

The children of Stillington junior school sang Shine Jesus Shine and a song which rhymed harvest festivals with fruit and vegetables, the adults drank wine and stuff, Mr Cooper announced that his next book - on Holy Island - will appear next month.

Then he was off back to Thorpe Thewles. "I am happy to report," said the reverend gentleman, "that it does not appear to live down to its name."

They will just have to suffer Thewles gladly.

l A World of Wonders is published by the SPCK at £8.99 and available from the SPCK in Durham or any good book shop.

THE following lunchtime to Staindrop, where an information board on the ancient village green records that in 1856, there were nine pubs - open all day - and that in 1885, a "public drinking fountain" was erected. The downside, probably, was that it only dispensed water.

At June Dent's invitation, we were at Teesdale Day Club's weekly gathering in the village, and nothing stronger than coffee there, either. It was a heady occasion, for all that.

There are nine day clubs for the elderly in Teesdale's towns and villages, sheltered beneath one charitable umbrella and anything but end-of-the-day clubs.

This lot, three in their nineties and almost entirely female because of the ageing inequality of the sexes, are so vibrant and so vigorous they even joked about a day club calendar, like the WI's.

"We'd need soft lighting," said Madeleine Walton, one of the leaders.

"You'd need a few soft women as well," said Doris Richardson, who's 86.

It was Victorian day, as it has been in all the clubs this week, and they'd dressed historically for the occasion. "I'm rozzled in this," someone said. It's a Staindrop term, presumably.

Ken Hodgson, chairman of Teesdale council, resembled the Not So Fat Controller; Judy Alder, another helper, looked a bit like Anne Boleyn but said she felt like Lizzie Borden.

"They hanged her," someone said though Anne Boleyn, come to think, didn't have a very happy ending, either.

The column, to its shame, was almost alone in Marks & Spencer mufti.

They are much more than lunch clubs, though the meal - with thanks to Tracey Dale - was terrific. They've had talks from polliss, pension people and about osteoporosis - "very cheering," said the nice lady in the next seat - have regular outings and a thoroughly good time.

"It's just so important to get out of the house," said Madeleine. "It sometimes mightn't be very easy, but that's no reason for not trying. People are treated with dignity here."

The members had been up in their attics, the hall magnificently and nostalgically decorated. It was a most enjoyable couple of hours - a Good Old Day club, undoubtedly.

HOW do you entertain 1,000 conjurors at their convention - employ a ventriloquist, of course.

When the British ring of the International Brotherhood of Magicians meets in Southport on Saturday, cabaret will be by our old friend Ward Allen - from Littletown, near Durham - who knows a trick or two himself.

Ward's chiefly assisted by Roger the Dog. Amos the blackbird is unfortunately no more.

REFERENCES in last week's column to British West Hartlepool - originator Jimmy Edwards, or possibly Tony Hancock - stirred musical memories for Eric Smallwood in Middlesbrough.

"There's a Benny Hill record which also mentions British West Hartlepool," he insists, "something about his baby having a transistor radio and taking it everywhere.

"British West Hartlepool is mentioned in the background. Perhaps it was Benny Hill, after all?"

THAT Hartlepudlian reverie also recalled 50s characters like Jimmy the Murderer, Captain Cutlass and Walter "Ducky" Merryweather. Ron Hails remembers them well.

Walter was indeed a ducky, says Ron, but the best paper hanger in town.

Jimmy visited the pubs doing his Charge of the Light Brigade act, which may or may not have had anything to do with the valley of death.

"He had a couple of accomplices, one to switch the lights on and off and the other to bang two beer trays together."

The result, Ron insists, was hilarious. Jimmy the Murderer slew 'em.