BRENDA Blethyn waved a sad farewell to the north east when her alter-ego, Vera Stanhope waved
goodbye in the final episode of the popular TV detective series.
For many years, the character has kept audiences around the world glued to their TV sets watching
as the popular detective solved murders in in her own inimitable way. The Vera books were
originally written by north-east writer, Ann Cleeves, who lives in Whitley Bay.
Although the series is set in Northumberland, many of the scenes over the years have been filmed in
Weardale where Ms Blethyn has interacted with local people. And one Weardale lass has worked on
some of the programmes – Ruth Sabrosa, a script supervisor from Harperley Hall who attended
Wolsingham School.
Ruth had nothing but praise for the actress, saying she was the consummate professional and a joy
to work with.
Gaynor Irwin, the landlady of the Cross Keys at Eastgate also had the pleasure of meeting Brenda
Blethyn when she was filming the series a few years ago near Crawleyside. Gaynor too said what an
approachable lady she was.
Audiences in the Dale as well as around the world wept as the series reached its finale on Thursday
evening and Vera walked off our screens for the very last time. Claire Meador, originally from
Stanhope but who has lived in the USA for many years was one of the international viewers.
She said, “I absolutely love Vera!! It’s been so nice to have a little home in my life every now and
then.”
And one lady who lives for most of the year in Westgate even immortalised Vera in a doll she
knitted. Victoria Taylor entered the doll into the Weardale Agricultural Show at St John’s Chapel last
year and won first prize. She managed to have the doll sent to Brenda Blethyn who was absolutely
delighted with it.
And so, the final farewell has been screened, arguably the best and most watched programme of the
Christmas and New Year offerings.
Bye Vera, pet – you’ll be sadly missed.
