Talented teenage actors, who already have a reputation for superb productions in Teesdale, are preparing to put on their version of Othello at the Edinburgh Festival next summer.

There is great excitement among the Turrets group about this chance to take part in what is regarded as the finest drama event in Britain.

Their artistic director, Jill Cole, told me this week that she has booked a church hall and hopes to fix up accommodation at the university.

The theatre group has now been in action for ten years as a youthful branch of the renowned Castle Players.

It is just about bursting at the seams at the moment with 64 members aged ten to 18 and there is a waiting list of 35 eager to join the ranks.

"We can't take on any more just now, but we hope to get two more helpers soon so we should be able to accept some others," said Ms Cole, who has been highly praised for her acting in the Castle Players' popular annual open air Shakespeare productions.

The Turrets are split into three sections: ten to 12, 13 to 15 and 16 to 18. It is the older ones who will be heading north of the border, and they will be starting rehearsals soon.

No doubt a large number of parents and friends will be travelling up to see them.

Like others on the festival fringe, the cast will have to attract attention to sell tickets.

The Turrets group has equal numbers of boys and girls. Anyone wishing to join the waiting list for the Thursday night get-togethers can call Ms Cole on (01833) 631838.

Further calls have come this week about clothes seller Johnny Foster, with memories of the rush that started as soon as he was seen arriving in Upper Teesdale in his pony and trap, with cases of garments stacked on it. As soon as he stopped at his regular points, a crowd gathered.

The late John Robinson mentioned the hard working businessman in his book about life in the Harwood area.

He told how he could remember Johnny turning up two or three times a year from Wearhead with his large collection of second-hand clothes for children and adults.

"He used to stand at the end of Raby Terrace houses," wrote Mr Robinson.

"Many families bought from him what was very often considered a bargain. I also remember people walking over to his shop, where he had a much larger display of clothes than he was able to bring with him."

I wonder if any item bought from Johnny in the 1930s is still in a wardrobe or drawer in the upper dale, and is it possible that one of them is still being worn occasionally?

James Coates, a young schoolmaster whose journal caused much interest when quoted here some time ago, showing what a sad life he led while working at Newsham, did at least allow himself a tipple in the festive season.

This was despite his constant complaints about rowdy drinkers.

His entry for Christmas Day in 1784 states that after church he went to two premises, downing what he called "a cheerer" at one and a little ale at the other.

Then on Boxing Day he wrote: "Rather not well with the liquor we got yesterday, not being used to it."

But the hangover did not put him off as, three days later, he mentioned having too much liquor again before spending a shilling on punch.

The alcohol may have made him careless, as he then lost a few shillings through a hole in his breeches pocket.

Poor Mr Coates was a tortured soul who wrote longingly about the young ladies he admired, though he never got close to any of them.

His sad life ended in April 1788 when he was only 27.

Many folk who enjoy the Teesdale twang of decades gone by still like reading the verses of William Langstaff of Mickleton, who used to write in local dialect about characters, events and scenery.

One admirer of his has sent me a long poem called Teeasdale which he composed in 1930.

It was often recited at gatherings in the days when the twang was more commonly used than it is now.

One verse which is easily understood runs: Thar's bonny valleys far away/Et tourists talk about/But nut like ours, so they say/Whar t'Teeas winds in and out.

Elsewhere, there are some words, such as crammel, yaupen, cushat and throssels, which take a spot of puzzling over when singled out but can be guessed at when read as part of a line.

Another of the verses runs: Nea birds can sing as ours sing/Nea hills er just like ours/Nea flowers spring as ours spring/Weel douked wi' Teeasdale showers.

* 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.