THAT’LL DO NICELY: Pauline Connelly hands over the £300 cheque to Iris Hillery, from the Friends of the Richardson Hospital. The money was raised by sale of poetry books inspired by Denis Hodgson’s childhood in Barney
THAT’LL DO NICELY: Pauline Connelly hands over the £300 cheque to Iris Hillery, from the Friends of the Richardson Hospital. The money was raised by sale of poetry books inspired by Denis Hodgson’s childhood in Barney

POEMS inspired by childhood days in Barnard Castle, have raised another £300 for charity.

During lockdown Denis Hodgson, who grew up in Barnard Castle but now lives with his wife Hilda in Gloucestershire, published his first book of poetry, Down by the Green Bridge, inspired by his “magical” childhood in and around the town.

He donated the profits from the book to the TCR Hub food parcel scheme. The book, sold at Connelly’s Toyshop, proved very popular with £450 raised for the charity.

Following the success of his first volume, Mr Hodgson penned a follow-up book, Down by the Green Bridge 2 last year, offering to donate the profits of this volume and a reprint of the first, to the Friends of the Richardson Hospital.

Pauline Connelly, from Connelly’s Toyshop, handed over £300 cheque to Iris Hillery, from the Friends of the Richardson Hospital.

Speaking from his home in Yate, Mr Hodgson said: “It’s something that I think is important to the town. Both my parents were in there, most of Barney of my age have been.

“It’s probably one of the best assets in town.”