Columnists

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

The Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, photographed one starry night from my back garden using my smart phone. Seeing them was one my bucket-list items

Countryman's Daughter

From darkness comes light: Ticking off a bucket list item - in my back garden

Rishi Sunak with volunteers at Leyburn’s new Community Shed

Rishi Sunak with volunteers at Leyburn’s new Community Shed

Rishi Sunak column: Leyburn's new Community Shed takes shape

Fireworks are just as impressive without the loud bangs, and thus are much kinder to our furry friends

Fireworks are just as impressive without the loud bangs, and thus are much kinder to our furry friends

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Why low noise fireworks are the way forward to help our terrified pets

Rishi Sunak has called on the Prime Minister for the coast-to-coast route in Yorkshire to become a National Trail in what was his last PMQ's

Rishi Sunak has called on the Prime Minister for the coast-to-coast route in Yorkshire to become a National Trail in what was his last PMQ's

Rishi Sunak uses final PMQs as Tory leader to highlight Coast-to-Coast walk

Knossos Palace in Crete is like a three-acre-sized maze, with dozens of walls and staircases

Knossos Palace in Crete is like a three-acre-sized maze, with dozens of walls and staircases

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Digging deep into the myths and legends of this destroyed palace

Rishi Sunak with HHH chief executive Tony Collins at the Lambert in Thirsk

Rishi Sunak with HHH chief executive Tony Collins at the Lambert in Thirsk

Rishi Sunak column: Hospice 'a wonderful new facility for our area'

The Yorkshire Archaeological Aerial Mapping Image of Fort D (left) and Camp C (right) at Cawthorn Roman Camp near Pickering. The image shows clearly the unusual line of three ‘clavicula’ gates along the far right boundary

The Yorkshire Archaeological Aerial Mapping Image of Fort D (left) and Camp C (right) at Cawthorn Roman Camp near Pickering. The image shows clearly the unusual line of three ‘clavicula’ gates along the far right boundary

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Going underground with the Romans at a North Yorkshire camp

If a money spider lands on you then ‘gold will rain down from heaven’. They build horizontal webs, like these, which look like silky hammocks

If a money spider lands on you then ‘gold will rain down from heaven’. They build horizontal webs, like these, which look like silky hammocks

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Money spiders and the chances of '‘gold raining down from heaven’

A ‘daisy-chain’ of padlocks at a BT site. Each contractor will have their own lock and key so they can gain access at any time

A ‘daisy-chain’ of padlocks at a BT site. Each contractor will have their own lock and key so they can gain access at any time

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

An air of mystery: Love locks, the Dambusters, and a curious gatepost

The daddy longlegs spider loves to make its home in neglected corners of your house. But don’t dust it away if you want help to get rid of the scarier house spider

The daddy longlegs spider loves to make its home in neglected corners of your house. But don’t dust it away if you want help to get rid of the scarier house spider

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Why the daddy longlegs is a friend to all housework-shy humans

Rishi Sunak at Hawes Auction Mart on Monday

Rishi Sunak at Hawes Auction Mart on Monday

Rishi Sunak column: The vital importance of national food security

Greenpeace UK activists climb onto the roof of the then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's house

Greenpeace UK activists climb onto the roof of the then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's house

Judge throws out charges against four protestors who scaled Rishi Sunak's house

My son Jasper used his mobile phone to reach a spider at the top of a curtain, which he then thought hilarious to wave at me before depositing safely outside

My son Jasper used his mobile phone to reach a spider at the top of a curtain, which he then thought hilarious to wave at me before depositing safely outside

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Along came two spiders: Panicking in a corner while my son rescues me

Chris Brown, left, and Bryan Johnston, CEO and chair respectively, of the Richmond Building Preservation Trust, brief Rishi Sunak on the project to revive the Old Grammar School

Chris Brown, left, and Bryan Johnston, CEO and chair respectively, of the Richmond Building Preservation Trust, brief Rishi Sunak on the project to revive the Old Grammar School

RISHI SUNAK COLUMN

Exploring options for future of landmark grammar school buildings

Padlocks of love on Otley Bridge

Padlocks of love on Otley Bridge

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Locked in love: Why people attach padlocks to this Yorkshire bridge

Great Britain’s Amber Rutter with her son Tommy after winning a silver medal in the women’s skeet

Great Britain’s Amber Rutter with her son Tommy after winning a silver medal in the women’s skeet

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Mother of all battles for female Olympic athletes with families

If you look carefully you can see just see the flying ant poking its head out of its nest. This is a ‘princess”, a virgin queen ant who will soon leave the nest to find a mate and establish a new colony

If you look carefully you can see just see the flying ant poking its head out of its nest. This is a ‘princess”, a virgin queen ant who will soon leave the nest to find a mate and establish a new colony

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Flying by seat of our ants: The nuisance creatures that play vital role in ecology

The back of my earring that turned up a week after I had dropped it, in the very same spot I thought it had landed in the first place.

The back of my earring that turned up a week after I had dropped it, in the very same spot I thought it had landed in the first place.

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Finding the faith: The mystery of how our lost possessions just turn up

A clock face made by reader David Severs’ ancestor Hugh Pannell with the herringbone pattern around the outer edge of the dial and around the name boss, along with the rare 'Clock & Watchmaker' inscription

A clock face made by reader David Severs’ ancestor Hugh Pannell with the herringbone pattern around the outer edge of the dial and around the name boss, along with the rare 'Clock & Watchmaker' inscription

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

The legacy of lost things and herringbone happenings

St Anthony of Padua

St Anthony of Padua

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Praying for a Tony award: the patron saint of finding lost things

I have a stash on lone earrings in my jewellery box after losing their partners. But what shall I do with them?

I have a stash on lone earrings in my jewellery box after losing their partners. But what shall I do with them?

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Lost and found: What to do with missing earrings' other half

Rishi Sunak with the team at Spencers Cafe and Tearoom

Rishi Sunak with the team at Spencers Cafe and Tearoom

Rishi Sunak column: Visiting communities now in my changed constituency

Photographs in the book Life in the Moorlands of North-East Yorkshire’ written in 1972 by Marie Hartley and Joan Ingilby, showing the herringbone pattern on moorland masonry. The more time-consuming ‘rib’ pattern was reserved for higher-status

Photographs in the book Life in the Moorlands of North-East Yorkshire’ written in 1972 by Marie Hartley and Joan Ingilby, showing the herringbone pattern on moorland masonry. The more time-consuming ‘rib’ pattern was reserved for higher-status

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Tradition carved in stone: Why buildings have these marks scored into their bricks

Priya the Standard Poodle was lethargic and not her usual bouncy self before she was diagnosed with Addison’s Disease

Priya the Standard Poodle was lethargic and not her usual bouncy self before she was diagnosed with Addison’s Disease

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Doggy drama that turned out to be a common - but potentially-fatal - condition

Do you have any stories about a special ring in your life?

Do you have any stories about a special ring in your life?

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Wedding ring stories of love and loss - and thankfully found

Rishi Sunak speaks in Downing Street

Rishi Sunak speaks in Downing Street

GENERAL ELECTION 2024

'This is a difficult day' - Rishi Sunak gives final Downing Street statement as PM

Campbell Nicholson and Oliver Kitson of Kitsons Butchers in Northallerton

Campbell Nicholson and Oliver Kitson of Kitsons Butchers in Northallerton

General Election 2024

6

'I think it's his lucky charm' - Sunak's 'election tradition' pie fresh out the oven

Rishi Sunak and wife Akshata Murty arrive at Kirby Sigston Village Hall to vote.

Rishi Sunak and wife Akshata Murty arrive at Kirby Sigston Village Hall to vote.

General Election 2024

49

Rishi Sunak waves to reporters as he votes in General Election alongside his wife

I love it when work takes me to beautiful places like Bilsdale

I love it when work takes me to beautiful places like Bilsdale

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Why King Henry’s Night would be one to remember

Rishi Sunak's home in Kirby Sigston

Rishi Sunak's home in Kirby Sigston

North Yorkshire Police

Four arrested over 'aggravated trespass' at Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's home

The box tree caterpillar can decimate a tree in days

The box tree caterpillar can decimate a tree in days

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

The very hungry caterpillars that can kill a shrub almost overnight

Count Binface is running for election in Richmond and Northallerton against PM Rishi Sunak

Count Binface is running for election in Richmond and Northallerton against PM Rishi Sunak

General Election 2024

General Election 2024

Count Binface talks about his election pledges as he stands against Rishi Sunak

I now have a nice stand for my teapot made by National Products England from a material called Silveroid. I’d like to find out more about it

I now have a nice stand for my teapot made by National Products England from a material called Silveroid. I’d like to find out more about it

COUNTRYMAN's DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

The mysteries of King Henry’s Night tradition and the material Silveroid

Wedding bands have been worn by both sexes since the time of the ancient Egyptians, 5,000 years ago

Wedding bands have been worn by both sexes since the time of the ancient Egyptians, 5,000 years ago

COUNTRYMAN'S DUAGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Band on the hand: The tradition of wedding rings and why we wear them

Rishi Sunak on a visit to Bishop Auckland.

Rishi Sunak on a visit to Bishop Auckland.

Rishi Sunak apologises to 'disgusted' constituents at Catterick Garrison over D-Day

Keeping dogs cool on hot days can be a challenge

Keeping dogs cool on hot days can be a challenge

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Nobody wants a hot dog: The importance of keeping pets cool in the summer

Anna Kitching, who lives beside the northbound carriageway of the A19 near Kirby Sigston, Northallerton, has said that her family has had to endure years of 'traumatic' scenes of serious and fatal crashes

Anna Kitching, who lives beside the northbound carriageway of the A19 near Kirby Sigston, Northallerton, has said that her family has had to endure years of 'traumatic' scenes of serious and fatal crashes

Mum of two calls for A19 crossing closure after witnessing fatal crashes

Should we compost our dog waste like Sarah Tyson from Australia?

Should we compost our dog waste like Sarah Tyson from Australia?

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Debate about dog poo disposal resonates Down Under

Rishi Sunak met veterans for a breakfast at Wetherspoons while campaigning in his Richmond constituency.

Rishi Sunak met veterans for a breakfast at Wetherspoons while campaigning in his Richmond constituency.

Sunak ‘not taking day off’ as he has spoons breakfast with veterans in Northallerton

Rishi Sunak announces a July 4 election

Rishi Sunak announces a July 4 election

General Election 2024

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announces July 4th date for general election

Mr Nosey Parker was a term in common use from the late 19th century onwards. This postcard is from a series published in 1907

Mr Nosey Parker was a term in common use from the late 19th century onwards. This postcard is from a series published in 1907

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Led by the nose to the origins of the phrase 'Nosey Parker'

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Baffled by blind faith in all all-powerful Christian god

The average British garden is home to thousands of snails

The average British garden is home to thousands of snails

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Just how are snail shells formed, and how do they gain their patterns

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has told young paratroopers “you have stepped forward to serve your country at a dangerous time”,

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has told young paratroopers “you have stepped forward to serve your country at a dangerous time”,

Rishi Sunak congratulates young Paras for serving the country at a ‘dangerous time’

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was asked about a general election during a visit to North Yorkshire on Friday (May 3)

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was asked about a general election during a visit to North Yorkshire on Friday (May 3)

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak asked about general election on North Yorkshire visit

While looking after my niece’s huskies, I noticed few houses had net curtains at the windows

While looking after my niece’s huskies, I noticed few houses had net curtains at the windows

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Drawing a curtain over the issue of dog poo bags - and trusty nets

I’m convinced the Hungarian Vizsla dogs I looked after punished me for going away by digging holes in the garden

I’m convinced the Hungarian Vizsla dogs I looked after punished me for going away by digging holes in the garden

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

The sulking cats and naughty dogs who punish their owners for going away

Former nurse Janet Pearce’s husband Mike who died in pain three and half years ago. She believes in medically assisted dying to avoid putting people through the awful experience suffered by Mike

Former nurse Janet Pearce’s husband Mike who died in pain three and half years ago. She believes in medically assisted dying to avoid putting people through the awful experience suffered by Mike

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Readers' responses on the controversial subject of assisted dying

Rishi Sunak brick laying at the Friarage Hospital's new surgical hub

Rishi Sunak brick laying at the Friarage Hospital's new surgical hub

Rishi Sunak column: Why surgical hub is the game changer for the Friarage

They may look adorable, but what they leave behind is causing a big problem

They may look adorable, but what they leave behind is causing a big problem

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

To bag or not to bag: What's the answer to our dog poo problem

Clare Proctor’s home, pictured when it was still a working farm in around 1945. The farm is long gone, but it is still called Ivy House Farm today

Clare Proctor’s home, pictured when it was still a working farm in around 1945. The farm is long gone, but it is still called Ivy House Farm today

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

When renaming a house can be tougher than deciding what to call a baby

Dame Esther Rantzen

Dame Esther Rantzen

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

Countryman's Daughter: Why I am a supporter of assisted dying

Mr Sunak also praised the Princess of Wales’s “tremendous bravery” after she announced she was undergoing treatment for cancer.

Mr Sunak also praised the Princess of Wales’s “tremendous bravery” after she announced she was undergoing treatment for cancer.

Rishi Sunak shares 'love and support' to Princess of Wales after cancer statement

Janet Pearce with her newborn baby Ben in 1981. Because she was an unmarried mother, she was put in a room by herself, deliberately kept separate from the married mums

Janet Pearce with her newborn baby Ben in 1981. Because she was an unmarried mother, she was put in a room by herself, deliberately kept separate from the married mums

COUNTRYMAN'S DAUGHTER

Countryman's Daughter

When single mums were segregated from the marrieds on maternity wards