Cotherstone: Betty Hutton 6.7.29 – 11.1.06

Cotherstone is an attractive village just a few miles from Barnard Castle.  Named after Anglo-Saxon settlers the village is on a ford of the river Tees and in the 11th century a castle was built here of which only earthworks remain today.  In 1868 the railway came, three local reservoirs were built and the village of Cotherstone grew.  The railway served the local quarries and the disused route winds up the valley and the Teesdale Railway Path makes a great linear walk or cycle route between Barnard Castle and Middleton-in-Teesdale.

THIS SEAT IS PLACED HERE IN LOVING MEMORY OF BETTY HUTTON 6.7.29 – 11.1.06 please enjoy a rest here as you climb the hill as Betty often did

In this green and pleasant spot near to our campsite this lovely bench invites walkers to sit and rest in memory of Betty Hutton who lived until she was 76-years old.  Her friends and / or relatives chose to remember Betty Hutton with a memorial bench, ensuring her connection with Cotherstone continues and is part of community life beyond the graveyard.  A memorial bench is a great way to recognise a link someone had with a place and preserve that association, as well as to pay tribute to the person.

The bench on the hillside near Cotherstone

Eggleston: Bert West 24.5.1920 – 16.12.2009 & Rene West 3.12.1921 – 20.5.2015

Camping near the lovely village of Cotherstone we walked along the beautiful river Tees to Eggleston Hall.  This is a fantastic walk through peaceful countryside that took us above the trees and gave us panoramic views over Teesdale.  At Eggleston Hall we visited the walled gardens, under separate ownership to the hall where there is a nursery and a walk around the walled gardens to the charming ruined chapel.  We left our fee in the honesty box and followed the numbered stones around the garden at a leisurely pace.  This is a garden for plant lovers, there are so many to enjoy here you could visit in every season and have a different experience.

The walled garden at Eggleston Hall Gardens

In the productive fruit and vegetable garden with fruit trees around the walls and rows of vegetables I found this memorial bench with two separate plaques, one to Bert West and one to Rene West.  This bench is in a great position to sit and relax and enjoy watching people strolling around the garden.  I can only assume Bert and Rene were a couple, Rene surviving Bert by more than five years and re-united on this bench.

In loving memory of Bert West 24.05.1920 – 16.12.2009 & In loving memory of Rene West 3.12.1921 – 20.5.2015

You can buy many of the plants you see growing in the garden and there is also a cafe at Eggleston Hall Gardens that serves good food so there’s no excuse not to spend an hour or more at this lovely spot.

 

Preston Park, Stockton-on-Tees: Norman Hutchinson and his beloved dog Robin Feb 2014

We spent a few days travelling the length of the beautiful River Tees from the impressive waterfalls of the upper Tees in the Pennines to the estuary in to the North Sea.  After heavy rain we were lucky enough to enjoy some sunny days in the north-east.

Preston Park is on the outskirts of Stockton-on-Tees and runs down to the banks of the River Tees.  Within the park is Preston Hall, a 19th century Victorian house that now houses a museum.  The grounds of the hall include an adventure playground, a butterfly house, walled gardens and lovely woodland paths and it is a popular place for young and old on a sunny morning.

This memorial bench has views over the River Tees and has a moving dedication to both Norman Hutchinson and his dog Robin, suggesting a man and dog partnership that was inseparable.  The plaque tells those who walk by or stop and rest that the two of them are both missed by their family and friends.  I sat on the bench taking in the view and for a few moments imagined Norman Hutchinson walking by accompanied by his faithful friend Robin.

The river Tees at Preston Park near Stockton-On-Tees

In loving memory of Norman Hutchinson and his beloved dog Robin. Dearly missed by family and friends. Feb 2014