Talking Thirsk...

We had some interesting visitors to the village recently, in the shape of metal detectorists working over the old school field adjacent to the parochial hall.

They had a modest success, with a small handful of diverse coins, reflecting the possible wartime presence of servicemen from across the allies, bits of insignia from uniforms, and a “sweetheart brooch” in the shape of RAF wings, the loss of which must have caused bitter tears.

My pet gripe about metal detectors is that they will dig holes in field and footpaths, and then leave them to twist and rick and ankle.

I am delighted to report that the couple, the Darrowby Diggers, were well behaved in this respect.

Their finds can be viewed on their Facebook pages.

I had a pleasant surprise in one of the local teashops in Thirsk, when my order of a pot of earl grey came accompanied not only by a jug of hot water, but by a small egg timer calibrated for three minutes of brewing time.

An excellent and fragrant refreshment. I won't reveal which one, you will just have to try them all to find the right one.

(To read the rest of this article go along to your nearest stockist and buy a copy of the paper)