8 An old-time reminiscence. 



the Yorkshire side of the water, and it was customary for the 

 keenest sportsmen living thereabouts to walk thither after dinner 

 and watch the cubs playing about. When the water is low, the 

 river is very narrow here, and, on one occasion, Mr. Parrington 

 and old Mr. John Colling (grandfather of Mr. Bob Colling, of 

 Middleham racing fame) had had dinner with Dr. Cockcroft (a 

 brother of the present Middleham doctor, and a very able 

 physician), and afterwards walked on to Eyreholme Scarr to 

 see the cubs. None were seen about, however, and it was 

 thought the earth had been tampered with. The doctor said 

 he would swim across and give his diagnosis, so walked into the 

 gravelly bed of the river, " peeled," and swam over the narrow 

 bit. Whilst he was making his examination, "a fresh" suddenly 

 came down and carried off the medico's clothes, leaving him on 

 the opposite side as naked as when he was born. Those on the 

 further bank saw the humour of the situation, but they also saw 

 that something would have to be done. So Mr. Colling went 

 to Hurworth, and told Col. Scurfield of their friend's predica- 

 ment. A boat and some clothes were procured, and the doctor, 

 who, by the way, was a great otter-hunter, was brought safely, 

 if shivering, to his friends again. 



On another occasion, when Mr. Parrington wanted to cross 

 the Tees at Worsall (where Marmaduke Theakston,* son of the 

 then Rector of Hurworth, was drowned, on December 26th, 1823), 

 his great friend, Mr. Maughan, who lived at Worsall, and was 

 one of the best friends the hunt had amongst the farmers, said 

 he would pilot him. There was already a bit of flood, and, as 



*There is a mural monument on the east side of the south transept of Hurworth Church 

 bearing the following inscription : 



"A.D. 1831. This monument is erected by the Rev. John Theakston to the memory of 

 his beloved wife, Dorothy Theakston, and of their two sons, Marmaduke and John. John 

 Theakston died Octr. 8th, 1799, aged 4 years. Marmaduke Theakston, A.M., died Deer. 

 26th, 1823, aged 32 years. Dorothy Theakston departed this life Jany. 2nd. 1826, aged 71 

 years. The Rev. John Theakston, B.A., departed this life the ist day of Aug., 1832, in the 

 88th year of his age, having been rector of this parish 48 years." 



