Visitors can enjoy a trip through Teesdale this month as Darlington Libraries’ Centre for Local Studies puts the focus on the County Durham valley for its latest display.
‘A trip through Teesdale’ is a small display that takes visitors on a journey through Teesdale using photographs, art, poetry and books from the Local Studies collection.
From the picturesque market town of Barnard Castle to pretty villages such as Cotherstone, Romaldkirk and Lartington, the display includes castles, waterfalls, an abbey and even a hermit!
The hermit is also the subject of a special talk – A bit of a historian and a philosopher: The Teesdale Hermit – by David Butler to be held at the Centre for Local Studies on Thursday 28 March, from 2pm.
It will tell the story of Frank Shields, ‘The Teesdale Hermit’. Born in 1815, he occupied the ruins of Barnard Castle and acted as a self-appointed guide, guardian of the castle and restorer of the buildings. After leaving the castle, he spent a period in the workhouse before resuming his eccentric lifestyle at Egglestone Abbey.
Mandy Fay, Senior Library Officer at Darlington Libraries, explained:
“Frank Shields was one of the area’s more colourful characters and the talk promises to give a fascinating insight into what was an eccentric life.
“Meanwhile visitors can explore one of our neighbouring dales and find out more about some of the villages and landmarks around us.”
Tickets for the talk are £2 each and need to be booked in advance from the Centre for Local Studies at Darlington Library or by telephone on 01325 349630 and ‘A trip through Teesdale’ will be on show until Tuesday 2 April.
For more information about Darlington Libraries log onto the website at www2.darlington.gov.uk or call 01325 349630 you can also follow us on Facebook @DarlingtonLibraries or on Twitter @DarlLibs