There was delight among skiers and boarders on Thursday when enough snow fell in their corner of Upper Teesdale to let them zoom down the 300-yard piste.

They were desperate for this bit of luck, after being able to enjoy their sport for only two days at weekends since November.

Members of Harwood Ski Federation used to be sure of 30 or 40 days of snow every winter.

"But now we get hardly any," treasurer Peter Neate told me. "We put it down to global warming."

The organisation has a hotline - (01748) 850415 - that enthusiasts can ring to hear a regularly updated recorded report on slope conditions.

In recent weeks, the message has usually been to stay away. But good news on Thursday had people heading up the dale and using drag lines to reach the summit.

The phone service is needed because some members live as far away as Doncaster, Preston, Tyneside and Teesside, as well as the dale itself, and there would be many long wasted journeys if they could not check before setting off from home.

Officials hope there will be a reasonable covering of snow in coming weekends to round off the winter.

"There seems to be plenty in other parts of the country, but too little where we need it," said Mr Neate, who can also be contacted on (01748) 822880.

More details have come in about Evenwood Castle, which was mentioned briefly here last week.

Raymond Gibson, who lives in the village, told me that his mother was born and brought up at Church Farm. This was built on the site of the castle, using stone from the ancient stronghold.

It was called Castle Farm at first, said Mr Gibson, but its name was changed after St Paul's Parish Church was erected in Evenwood in about 1866.

"My mother told me there was supposed to be connection between the farm and Raby Castle, perhaps underground," he added. "Nearly everyone in Evenwood believed that at the time.

"There is a wall at the farm with three turrets facing north-west. These could have been used for firing arrows."

One local theory is that a large hole in a field in front of the farm was part of a moat.

It is supposed that the Prince Bishops stayed at the castle while hunting wild boar, which were plentiful in the area.

Sylvia McNay, a lively senior citizen, told me this week that she had just enjoyed one of the most exhilarating experiences of her life - walking over Wynch Bridge.

But she was also terrified as the structure wobbled and swayed as she glanced down into the swirling currents of the River Tees.

Many a visitor must have felt just as fearful as they crossed this landmark in the upper dale but, as far as I know, nobody has ever plunged the 60ft into the fast-flowing torrent - at least not from this present bridge, the second to be placed at the picturesque spot, near Newbiggin.

The original one, strung up in 1704, was reckoned to be the earliest suspension bridge anywhere. Its main users were lead miners, who trekked over its 70ft length to and from pits in the area.

It saved them and other local residents from long detours to the next crossing places.

But, in 1802, one of the chains snapped as a party of haymakers were going home to the Durham side from Holwick. Three men crashed into the river.

One called Bainbridge was swept to his death but the other two were rescued.

The bridge was repaired but many people were too frightened to use it.

It was taken down in 1830 and replaced by the present more substantial suspension structure.

Thoughtful tips on how to feed birds in wintry weather are in a hand-produced booklet by Janet McCrickard which I came across this week.

It was one of a number of interesting publications by this author, who lived in Gainford for many years.

Among her hints about what not to put out for feathered friends are salty items, which can kill them, products such as dried peas and uncooked rice that swell up, and mouldy food, which can inflict lethal poisoning. Sticky, spicy and curried scraps are also on her banned list.

Acorns, apples, bacon rind, boiled barley, berries, soft biscuits and wholemeal bread, on the other hand, are favourites, which can save lives in the garden during freezing conditions.

Ms McCrickard, whose late father, Wilf, was a Teesdale councillor, also produced an excellent history of Gainford some years ago.

All her works have the text calligraphed and illustrations drawn by herself.

It would be interesting to hear if she is still turning out this type of book in some other part of the country.

* 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 (01388) 638628.