SPECTATOR'S oldest colleague sat with a shorthand notebook in the days when urban and rural district councils ran their business unbedevilled by councillors' party politics. That was left to the larger towns and counties.

Last week saw the death of a man who served his fellow townspeople on two of the more bedevilled councils in the area: Darlington Borough and Durham County.

Most unusually, he was also a man who put his principles before his party.

Jimmy Whelan was a Labour councillor until his principles came first and he was no longer welcome. He then served as an Independent for some years before being taken back into the fold, but continued to be independent, with a small letter. Even those who didn't agree with his views had to respect his hold on them.

And his death prompted another thought - how can Teesdale and Richmondshire district councils have "Independent groups"?

Cover up

A pair of attractive town signs have appeared on the Stokesley Road entrance to Northallerton recently. One of them is pictured below.

The York stone is no doubt of the best quality and the workmanship excellent - with the exception of the placing of the nameplate. Thanks to Spectator's spy with the camera, Mike Hughes of Kirkby Fleetham.