D is for Doddington and Duddo
How many Parliamentary Candidates can say they have two villages with three Ds in their name?
Our election campaign trail today took in Dunstanburgh castle, yet another ancient castle whose foundations go back to an iron age fort, but its present ruins are from the 1380s tenure by Johm of Gaunt who subdued Scottish threats. It seems that the Scots have now given up on their acquisitive cravings to take Berwick, at least!
From coastal castle to the village of Doddington, which has had a fascinating history, having been larger than Wooler in its heyday, then shrinking to a small rural farmholding - but as we chatted to residents it became clear that local landowner commitment to their community is leading to wonderful new housebuilding and a new energy is in the village. Perhaps that is fuelled by the world famous Doddington cheeses and ice cream now made there with the milk from the Maxwell dairy farm.
From Doddington up to Milfield where I held an open air politics lesson with six young men (aged 7-11) on their bikes keen to know what I was doing and what my rosette was for. On looking at my leaflet one of them suddenly said he had seen the PM on Newsround and he had heard about the election. They thought she looked very friendly and would vote for her if they were old enough. They then escorted me to their own homes to meet their mums! Early engagement with future voters ... some of the most pleasurable parts of the campaign! I also had the honour of discovering Dennis Brown, an elderly gentleman who won a caring award from our local newspaper a few years ago, and who seems to look after everyone in the village, as well as his wife at home with Alzheimers. I am constantly humbled by the wonderful, generous and selfless people that make up our world. Good will always conquer evil, because quiet goodness lives everywhere.
Our last stop of the day took us up to Duddo, my dog of the day (a very attitude filled Dachsund!) and the Duddo Stones. This is Northumberland's version of Stonehenge, sitting atop a hillside looking south to the Cheviot Hills, north to the Lammermuir Hills in Scotland and East out to sea. Very good for the soul to sit for a few minutes and watch the sun set over the horizon.
Amidst the mayhem and madness of election campaigns its no bad thing to stop for a moment and remember that the sun rises and sets every day regardless of manifesto pledges or financial literacy, that nature feeds and waters us and that our rural landscape is actually the cradle of our lives with its food production. To protect and love it continues to be a pleasure and an honour.
Tomorrow: E is for... excitement!
If you have any issues you would like to discuss please don't hesitate to contact me anytime on 01665 478188 or [email protected]