Q: BOLLIHOPE, Burnhope, Harehope, Ireshope, Middlehope, Reahope, Rookhope, Snowhope, Stanhope, Swinhope and Thornhope all appear in a small area of upper Weardale. What is the significance of the word hope? - I Wade, Darlington.

A: HOPE is an Anglo-Saxon word pronounced up and signifies a side valley adjoining a main dale. It is especially common in the place names of Northumberland and Durham. Bollihope probably belonged to someone called Bol while Burnhope is named from the stream or burn. Reahope may mean boundary valley, as may Harehope, from the old words har and hray, which both mean boundary. Harehope could also mean grey valley from an old word hara, meaning grey. Stanhope means the stony valley and Thornhope was probably noted for its thorny trees or bushes. Snowhope is named because of its weather and Rookhope may have belonged to a person called Rook or Roca or was perhaps frequented by rooks and crows. Swinhope was frequented by wild boars or swine while Ireshope is named from a mixed race of Irish-Viking settlers.

Q: CAN you tell me what exactly is a Honey Badger? I think it has some connection with a bird that helps it find honey. - J Anderson, Houghton-le-Spring.

A: THE Honey Badger is a badger-like member of the weasel family. Found in Africa, the Middle East and India, it is also known as a ratel or sometimes by its Latin name, mellivora capensis. The resemblance to true badgers is in its reputation for being fierce when cornered and in its colouring. However, the creature also resembles its distant relative, the skunk, in both appearance and in having an anal scent gland. True badgers, such as the familiar European badger (meles-meles) that we find in Britain, can be included amongst the Honey Badger's relatives as both belong to the weasel family, but its nearest relatives are martens, ferrets and a larger, bear-like creature called the wolverine. Honey Badgers are named for their liking for honey for which they have formed an alliance with a species of bird called the Honeyguide. The best known of the Honeyguides is the Black-Throated Honeyguide whose calls indicate the presence of beehives. The Honey Badger can then easily rip open a beehive, as its thickened skin protects it from stings. Once the Honey Badger has eaten the honey in the hive, the Honeyguide will take what remains, but will also eat the honeycomb, the bee larvae and even the bees themselves.

Published: Monday, August 9, 2001

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