Christmas Special 2025

Why doesn't Santa eat junk food?  Because it's bad for your elf!

It's back... At least 3 people have asked when the festive edition of Birtley News is online.  So relax readers - here it is.

Your correspondent (YC) and Emma have been on their travels this year, as well as welcoming folk to Braithwaite.  May saw us dodging the showers in Poolewe (north-west Scotland) and enjoying several dips in the sea and lochs.  No eagle sightings this year, but we did see a pair of black-throated divers at Firemore Beach.  

In October we headed 'down south' to Oxfordshire.  We found some (gentle) hills to run up in the Blenheim Estate and caught up with friends including Andy Angel (last visited 20 years ago).  

YC has been keeping up his fellrunning.  He returned for an 11th completion of the Old County Tops race (37 mile epic), enjoyed a low key Buttermere Sailbeck race, and finished 3rd with Keswick V50s at the national fell relays (podium finish - crumbs).  

In church news, here are 2 stories to brighten your day - a sell-out traditional carol service at St John's, Keswick; and inclusivity in the Newcastle diocese through the work of the LGBTQI+ chaplaincy and their lead chaplain Emma Duff.

YC rounded off the year by running the Simonside Cairns race in Northumberland, then heading to Tynemouth for 'beer and carols' - a splendid occasion.  It did exactly what it said on the tin, with much enthusiastic carol singing washed down with real ale in a local pub.  The locals thanked 'the opera singers in the corner' - otherwise known as YC, sister Emma, and Luke from the Salvation Army - as we ran through our repertoire of harmonies and descants. 

Altogether now...

O Holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;

Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.

We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;

O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.

Happy Christmas!

Emma on Baosbheinn (near Poolewe)

At home with The Smiths

Keswick V50s at the fell relays in Wales

With The Angels in Oxfordshire

the opera singers in the corner

Christmas Special 2024

How much does Santa pay to park his sleigh?  Nothing - it's on the house.

It's back!  Birtley News makes its annual festive appearance with merry japes to keep you rolling in the aisles with mirth (possibly).

We both work mainly from home, with the odd foray to London and the office for Your Correspondent (YC).  This permits morning and lunchtime runs, with YC's regular grassy route being up Stile End and Barrow Little Man.  YC has joined Keswick AC and runs for their V50 team.  He hastens to add he is still a member of his beloved Northumberland Fell Runners. 

YC managed 1st V50 at Dalehead Race (a minor detail that there were only 15 runners).  He introduced Aussie relatives Tristan & Julia to the delights of fellrunning at the tough Grisedale Horseshoe Fell Race.  

Urged on by Emma, YC has bought a bike that is rather quicker than his previous beat-up version.  This allows environmentally friendly rides into Keswick.  The bikes made it to north-west Scotland and cut the walk-in time to several remote Munros.  

Further afield, we visited Emily (Emma's eldest) in Hong Kong at Easter and were inducted into the art/fun of scrambling up creek-beds and enjoying a cooling swim in the pools.

We attend St John's Church in Keswick.  YC occasionally deputises on the piano when the organist is away.  The recent carol service was a sell-out, though YC was disappointed to note that there were no ponies singing the Christmas carols.  The reason?  They were all a little hoarse. 

And with that bon mot, YC will sign off and wish you a Joyful & Peaceful Christmas.

Grisedale Horseshoe Race with Tristan & Julia

Cycling in to which Munro?

With NFR at the Simonside Cairns Race

Hong Kong waterfall pool swimming

Christmas Special 2023

It's back - by huge popular demand.  At least 3 readers have asked when BN will be making its annual appearance.  One reader even asked when 'Birtley Times' would be online - BN must be going up in the world.  

Time and tide wait for no man.  Your Correspondent (YC) now wears varifocals to allow him to read his crossword clues.  But on the plus side a new V55 fell running category allowed him some extra hours to complete the Joss Naylor Challenge in September - a mere 48 miles and 16,000 ft of climbing - across the Lake District.  He's currently headline news if you want to read all about it on the Joss blog (click here).

The weather looked kindly on us in May as we rediscovered the hills in NW Scotland including Beinn Dearg (Torridon) - a near-vertical ascent, exciting ridge scramble and height of 2,999 ft keep this Corbett very quiet.

Other places visited this year include Berkeley (California) for Emma's eldest's graduation and closer to home the Norfolk Broads for YC.  

At home we're endeavouring to do our bit for the environment with the installation of an air source heat pump and new central heating system.  YC (ever the forward thinker) was naturally sceptical of such new-fangled technology.  But happily Emma saw the potential.  The upshot is a toasty house that doesn't cost a fortune to heat and is powered by a renewable electricity tarriff.

YC sang in St John's Keswick Christmas choir for the carol service which included a fun rendition of Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day by John Gardner.  A combination of first bass & second tenor suited YC though he was sorely tempted to join in his favourite descant of "O Little Town of Bethlehem".  So all together now...

"O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray...

O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel."

Happy Christmas!

Nearly there - descending Seatallan at the end of the Joss Naylor Challenge;
 Scafell Pike & Scafell in the distance

Emma enjoys the views from Suilven

In Norfolk sailing on Mimosa with 3 reefs down

A rare foray to Northumberland for the Simonside Cairns Fell Race

Christmas Special 2022

What hides in the cupboard at Christmas?  A mince spy!

Birtley News is back by popular demand for its review of the year.  Your Correspondent (YC) has been contacted by at least 2 folk wanting an update.  And he knows there's lots of other readers who are too shy to ask.

We've clocked up a year in Braithwaite - how time flies when you are enjoying yourself.  With the fells on our doorstep, it won't surprise readers that we have accrued many hours on the hill.  YC has notched up numerous fell races.  These range from a 3.5 mile dash around Sale Fell to a 37 mile day out on the Old County Tops - where YC and John T reached the lofty heights of 2nd old gadgies (V110) team.

Our carbon footprint has reduced.  We have cut down to one car, and YC has acquired a recycled bike for trips into Keswick.  This year we made it to the Dolomites by public transport - ferry to Amsterdam and sleeper to Innsbruck.  If it's more than 30 minutes drive to the fell, we think twice about it.  We mainly work from home.  YC takes the train for occasional trips to the office or London for work.

The mundane but necessary task of slaking the raging fellrunner's thirst is usually fulfilled by The Royal Oak - a short walk away - which serves an acceptable pint of Cumberland.

A week's walking in north-west Scotland at Poolewe allowed us to look up old haunts and find some new ones.  Can any sharp-eyed reader identify the Munro in the photo below? It's a lonnng walk in.  We've been there twice now.

It isn't all blinking marvellous.  We have our ups and downs like everyone else.  It's not hard to spot inequality and injustice in the world.  YC had the novel experience of joining a union this year which brought the current strike action into sharp focus.

But there is some good news.  Check out Isaiah 9:6 - Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

So on that jolly note, the must-read magazine "Fellrunner" recently arrived.  YC turned straight to his favourite page - the Junior Wordsearch.  But crumbs!  He was dismayed to find he didn't feature in the list of famous fellrunners appearing in this edition's search.  So to put matters right, YC ends with a merry puzzle of his own for readers.

B L H A P P PY M N S A M T S I R H C P N R E A D E R S Q A M O R F D G Y C 

Racing on our local fells at Buttermere Sailbeck

Debrief on the Fell Relays navigation leg - "you need a go-faster Chevy Chase buff, lads"

Via Ferrata with Emma in The Dolomites

The view from which remote Munro?

New Year Special

Happy New Year readers.

Birtley News is back for its annual resume of the year.  It would now be more accurate to call the blog "Braithwaite News", as we've moved to Cumbria.  Crumbs!  Fed up with being locked down in Durham, we've moved lock stock and barrel to Braithwaite (couple of miles west of Keswick).  It's now a 5 minute stroll from our front door to the Coledale Horseshoe and fell runs up Barrow & Outerside.  The house has a fine view of Skiddaw - we're very fortunate to live here.

Your Correspondent has a new job with the VOA (government property agency) and is mainly working from home.  Emma is still doing the same job in Bishop Auckland, but with a fair dollop of home working.  We've applied to change our house's name, and will circulate new address details once that's done.

Away from Cumbria, there's still time for some sailing on the Norfolk Broads on the fine craft Mimosa courtesy of Andy & Lois, a walking holiday in Scotland following Ralph Storer's routes, and running 18 miles at the Two Breweries Race for a free beer at the end.  

For those on Instagram who feel the need for more regular updates, look up Birtley News.

And finally, did you hear about the 2 burglars who stole a battery and a firework?  Police charged the first one, but let the other off.  They don't get any better...

Emma looks out over the NW Highlands

Mimosa moored on The Waveney river

at Traquair House for the Two Breweries Race

view from Rowling End - a fell run now on our doorstep

Christmas Special 2020

Audi! - as the cowboy said when he walked into a German garage.

It's back by popular demand - the Birtley News Christmas special.  No reports of fellracing or sailing this year - strictly off limits.  And no reports of any beer for Old Cheviot (OC) this month - a recent gout attack has put paid to that.  Crumbs!  But despite all this, BN is here to bring you some Christmas cheer.

In the news this year:

OC takes dress down to a new level with a bracing October dip in Hethpool Linn.  Decorum is restored as he sports his recently acquired "Duff buff" - thanks to Rev E for supplying the family tartan buffs and swimmer Barry for suggesting them.

The Lakes became Mr & Mrs OC's summer destination of choice.  The banner photo (also shown below) was our regular route to escape the madding crowd.  Can any sharp-eyed reader identify it?

Windy Gyle in The Cheviots - still as windy as when OC was last there 6 years ago.  With James & co, he enjoyed a wind-blasting along the ridge.

Readers can claim an extra bonus-point if anyone can identify the 2,000 ft hilltop on which the welly boots sit - as seen earlier this month.

Instagram - for more regular updates, follow Birtley News on instagram.

And finally, why are Santa's reindeer allowed to travel on Christmas Eve?  They have herd immunity.

Unto us a son is a born, unto us a child is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulders.

So at least that's some cheery news.

Happy Christmas!

Christmas Special 2019

Christmas comes but once a year - which means it's time for - The BN Christmas Special!  Already readers are pausing mid last-minute shop to find out the latest news that really interests them.  Possibly.

In the news this year:

• An Teallach (see banner photo) - climbed again by Old Cheviot (and Mrs OC) in April after a night at the Dundonnell Hotel in NW Scotland.  
• The Dolomites - for some more via ferrata (protected scrambling) in North Italy with Mrs OC and Alison in the summer.  We traveled by train (no flying) which was a great way to get there.
• The Norfolk Broads - wind (and quant) powered on the fine yacht Mimosa (with Andy & Lois) - seen below quanting through Potter Heigham Bridge
• Fellrunning - adopting the retro-chic look of cut-down Ronhills on the fellrunning scene at the Edale Skyline in The Peak District.
• Real ale - walking to The Station House in Durham for a pint of real ale to slake the raging fellrunner's thirst
• Swimming - at King Edward's Bay in Tynemouth, endeavouring to be as hardy as Rev T who swims all year round eschewing such minor matters as a wetsuit (photo withheld on grounds of public decency)
• crosswords - including a rare enjoyable foray into a rainbow-themed offering in yesterday's Guardian
• instagram - for more regular updates, BN is now on instagram with a highly select band of followers (ie not many).  For further details, e-mail OC.

And in case readers think life is absolutely blinking-marvelous all the time, spare a thought for those less fortunate for whom there is 'no room at the inn'.  Alison is volunteering in Greece, helping with the refugee crisis there.  She and a group of friends have started a kitchen offering meals, and are once again raising money for reusuable nappies.

Click here for details of her crowdfunding page.

Happy Christmas one and all.  As Santa says when he's gardening....hoe hoe hoe.

Christmas Special

How does Good King Wenceslas like his pizza?  Deep pan crisp and even.    BN is back by popular demand.  It's the fourth Sunday of Advent (and Christmas Eve).  Today Old Cheviot (OC) and Mrs OC have been to the 8 45 communion service at St John's Church.  OC has been out for a leisurely run at The Woodland Trust site in Durham while Mrs OC has been to the bouldering wall at Langley Moor.  Later today we will split our time between St John's Carol Service and dinner with Emma's son Cameron.  After Christmas, we are off to the Peak District to stay with Mike & Julia (Dark Peak Fell Runners and Wedding Cake Bakers)  and hope to recce a fell race route.

This year, highlights have been:

• Munros - 2 holidays in Scotland, climbing peaks in Kintail (The 5 Sisters and the Forcan Ridge - photos above and below) and Glen Affric/Strathfarrar where we saw a golden eagle
• Dolomites - more via ferrata, with Emma's daughter Alison for company, gradually trying tougher routes and with a couple of overnight stays in rifugios.  Photo below.
• Fellrunning - numerous fellraces for OC including The 2 Breweries near Peebles which we ran together.   The race had free beer at the end - fantastic.
• Sailing - on the Norfolk Broads for OC, on Mimosa with Andy & Lois and on Modwena with sister Emma
• Whatsapp - the Duff family has embraced social media, allowing Rev T to send selfies of himself grimacing despite thinking he was smiling [photo not supplied for the sanity of BN readers]
• Real ale - an ever changing selection at The Station House Durham (a must if you have never been) and Adnams & Wherry in Norfolk
• Cycling & Baking  - Mrs OC has re-discovered her love of Pennine cycling and baking cakes.  If readers hear a sonic boom near Stanhope, it will be Mrs OC descending Crawleyside Bank a toute vitesse.  And if readers wonder why the local shops have run out of coffee - it's simply that it's all in the delicious coffee-cakes that Mrs OC is perfecting.

And finally, what happened to the man who stole an Advent Calendar?  He got 24 days.

That's all folks.  Happy Christmas!

Christmas greetings

Audi! (as the cowboy said when he went into the German garage).  Birtley News is back for a Christmas special by popular demand.  

The time has flown by since OC (Old Cheviot) & Mrs OC tied the knot.  We celebrated our first wedding anniversary in November with a weekend at Threlkeld under the shadows of Blencathra with Mike & Julia (baker of our wedding cake).  

OC is still fellrunning, sailing, and birdwatching.  Fellraces have included the Chevy Chase and Borrowdale.  Sadly Stella Genesta has been sold (a tough but correct decision), but OC intends to keep sailing on the Broads.   The birding ranges from goldfinches on the back garden feeder to a hen harrier at Chevington.  

Holidays have included a fantastic week of walking at Ullapool in May (with a fab day on An Teallach shown below), and 10 days on the via ferrata in the Dolomites in September (pictured above).

Over the Christmas period we will be attending services at St John's Church (where we were married), having the odd beer or two in The Station House micropub (at least OC will be), then heading off to Ullapool YHA with friends for New Year.

And for specific news about Mrs OC - see the post above.

And finally:

What hides in the cupboard at Christmas?  A mince spy.

As Santa says when he's gardening - hoe hoe hoe!

OC & Mrs OC wish all their friends and family a Happy Christmas. 

Birtley News - 18 years on - time to pause

Birtley News has been running in one shape or form for nearly 18 years now.  It started off in print, before moving on to the internet.   YC's life has changed somewhat in the last year - marriage, a move to Durham, other priorities etc.  So this seems a natural time to pause, take a break, and reflect.  BN hasn't necessarily disappeared.  But there will be no more posts for a while.  

But don't despair readers!  YC can still be contacted by e-mail, mobile (on his whizzo i-phone), Royal Mail, and carrier pigeon (possibly).

A week on The Broads with The Green Wyvern

It was a tad windy at times - with Storm Katie making her presence felt in no uncertain times.  For the first 3 days, Stella had 3 reefs in plus the storm jib.  But gradually the weather improved, with blue skies and a  gentle breeze.  Haunts visited included Surlingham Ferry, Beccles, and Oulton Broad.  A kingfisher, barn owl, and numerous marsh harriers were on view.  Plus just the half or two of excellent ale (top marks were awarded to The Adnams at The Waveney, Oulton Broad).

Photos (clockwise from top left) - Stella at North Cove, Puck with 3 reefs at North Cove, Peter & Will on the Waveney leaving Beccles, and the crew of Puck (Andy, Dave, Tim & Theresa).

a weekend in the lakes

It was a beautiful sunny spring weekend in the lakes.  Mr & Mrs OC tackled the Causey Pike Fell Race on Saturday.  This steep affair heads straight up the nose of Rowling End/Causey Pike, before hurtling down the side of the hill back to the finish.   After a night of rest and refreshment in Derwentwater Independent Hostel (highly rated) on the shores of Derwentwater, it was round 2 on Sunday. 

OC ran the new Carrock Fell Race (a 5 miler in the fells to the north of Blencathra) whilst Mrs OC meandered along the Pennine Roads by bicycle.  A rendezvous at Rookhope in Weardale outside the Rookhope Inn seemed an appropriate moment for a refreshing pint of Pennine Pale Ale.

OC's quads are now feeling the strain after 2 races.  Mrs OC simply sails serenely on...

Skiddaw from Derwentwater

Carrock Fell Race finish

jigsaw completion

Please sir, can I have some more [jigsaws]?  Mrs OC shows off the completed 1,000 piece Charles Dickens jigsaw.  Next up is a jigsaw of Australia.  Maybe it will contain a picture of the Lions' test rugby victory in 2013.  That's probably a tad unlikely; especially, as Mrs OC points out, as the jigsaw was bought some years ago.  

photo competition

Another training run, another photo competition.   Can any reader name: 1) the hill on which the trig-point sits and 2) the burn in the second photo.   They are both landmarks on a local fell race.  The photos were taken today (Sunday 14th Feb).  A drink of your choice (which must be claimed at the NFR annual dinner) awaits the correct entry drawn out of the hat.

Susan & Vince's wedding

Congratulations to Susan & Vince who were married at Cape Point Winery near Cape Town. Susan Miller is OC's cousin, and has been living and working in South Africa for a number of years now.  There was a full turnout from the Miller clan who came from all points of the globe to be there. Mr & Mrs OC and Mr & Mrs Rev T were the UK family representatives.  

Mr & Mrs OC enjoyed numerous good walks including Table Mountain, Silvermine Nature Reserve, and Fernkloof Nature Reserve in Hermanus.  There was also time to run on the beach, and swim in the Atlantic Ocean (chilly) and the Indian Ocean (rather warmer).  Fortunately OC avoided the fate of the man who drowned in a bowl of muesli - he was pulled under by a strong currant [joke provided for Natalie by special request!]

Below - 3 photos from the wedding, and Mrs OC on Assvoelkop summit in Fernkloof.

A Christmas sunrise swim

As reported in The Guardian.  Click on this link and scroll down to the second photo.

Mr & Mrs Rev T enjoy their customary morning swim.  Don't all rush at once to join them tomorrow!

Christmas round up

Your Correspondent continues his part-time working life, spending time to go fellrunning, sailing, and sampling the odd half or two of real ale (of which the most recently discovered venue is The Station House micropub in Durham - highly recommended).  

"So what's new?" he hears readers cry.  Well something is new:  YC got married.  Crumbs! 

YC has moved to Durham and is now living with his wife Emma (aka Mrs OC), a fellow member of Northumberland Fell Runners.  Birtley News did carry a report for those who missed the big event.  More details available on request.

For those who still have the strength to read on after this news, there's also reports of Emma Duff's priesting, another family wedding, and a picture of James and family skiing.

In the meantime, Happy Advent and Happy Christmas when it comes.

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given,
And the government shall be upon His shoulder;
And his name shall be called:
Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God,
The Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

St Andrews Day Send Off

Nina is off to St Andrews in the new year for a new job.  So she celebrated the event with an impromptu gathering in Percy Gardens.  As there was oat cakes & salmon, single malt whisky, and Deuchars (hurrah!), YC thought it was politic to attend.  And a very good decision that was too, as the occasion was most convivial.  Nina is pictured below with Mrs OC.

Just Married

Mr & Mrs OC with their friends from NFR.  Wedding cake by Julia.  Photo from Steph. Marriage in St John's Church Durham by Nicky.  Reception at The Garden House.  Saturday 7th November - a great day!