A Craven Diary

Back in 1964, the film attracting crowds to Skipton’s Odeon Cinema was Goldfinger, starring Sean Connery as 007 James Bond. And for one Skipton couple, it had special relevance, as they were old friends of Connery’s parents and had known him as a child. Mr and Mrs McLeish, of Aireview Terrace, had moved to Skipton from Scotland some years earlier, but still visited their old home, where they would meet up with the Connery family. Mr and Mrs McLeish were invited to a special matinee performance of Goldfinger by the manager of the cinema, Mr Cockburn. Mr McLeish, who was almost 80 years old, told the Craven Herald that Connery was quite unspoiled by his success as a film actor.

Yorkshire Water is on the hunt for private sewage pumping stations - and it wants our help in tracking them down. In two years’ time, under new government legislation, many private stations will automatically come under the ownership of the water company. It could mean current owners potentially saving up to £1,200 per year in shared energy and maintenance costs. The company reckons there are more than 700 of the stations and, although it has identified some 500, it wants to make sure none are missed out. “We estimate that there are 720 private pumping stations in our region and currently we have identified around 560 sites,” said Dave Wilson, Yorkshire Water transfer manager. “It’s really important that we locate and survey all the pumping stations in our area. That’s why we’re asking for customers right across the region to help us find them and potentially save themselves a lot of money at the same time.” The pumping stations could be anywhere - in gardens, on land next to homes or businesses, or on the side of the road. “Normally you will only see the steel access covers and a metal kiosk, usually green, which contains the electrical control equipment for the pumps,” he said. “However, many of the controls are located in customers’ properties.” Yorkshire Water has a handy guide to understanding more about pumping stations, and how to identify them. Go to its website, at yorkshirewater.com or by phone 0345 1 24 24 24 for more information.

It was good to see Gordale Scar, near Malham, feature in a list of top walks for the autumn in the Saturday Times this week. A circular seven-and-a-half mile walk taking in Gordale Scar was one of several walks across the country, but the only one in our area. Described as ‘moderate to hard’, with slippery sections and many steps, it set off from the Buck Inn at Malham and was described as ‘sheer Yorkshire heaven’. No walking experience was believed necessary, but it was a ‘challenging walk’.

A coffee morning is being held at Steeton on Saturday to raise funds for Martin House children’s hospice. The event is the latest in a series staged by villager Lynda Corser, her family and friends. Proceeds go to Martin House at Boston Spa in tribute to the care received there by Mrs Corser’s late nephew, Andrew Pratt, who died in 1998 at the age of 12. The coffee morning – at St Stephen’s Church hall, from 10am to noon – will include refreshments, a cake stall, raffle, tombola, crafts and knitted items. Martin House Christmas cards will be on sale and Lesley Jackson will be selling hand-crafted cards and gifts, with all proceeds to the cause. Mrs Corser has helped raise thousands of pounds over the years through the coffee mornings and other activities. Last year she and her husband, Clive, raised about £1,000 by asking for donations in lieu of gifts for their silver wedding anniversary. “We have a brilliant team of supporters behind our events who are very generous,” said Mrs Corser. “Everybody is invited to come along on Saturday and donations of cakes or other items would be welcome.”

Residents of Skipton’s Horse Close and Greatwood estates are being asked to show what’s special about their community. To be in with a chance of winning an iPad computer - or £300 in shopping vouchers - they are being asked to put into words and pictures to show what’s “great” about Greatwood and Horse Close. The winning entry will be used to come up with a new, fresh and positive image for the estates. Community development advisor, Karen McIntyre, based at the Greatwood and Horse Close Community Centre, said the competition was part of a project to create a sense of pride in the community. “We are looking to put the great in Greatwood and Horse Close,” she said. She added it was hoped the incentive of an iPad or shopping vouchers would encourage people to take part. “We are designing a new identity using words and pictures to create a fresh positive image for the community, and the winning entry will be used widely to promote the area,” she said. Pat Haygarth, chairman of the residents association, said: “We hope many people will submit their ideas about the area. It will help bring about a new vision and fresh future perspective. There is already a lot to be proud of here, so it shouldn’t be hard to receive lots of entries and chance to win an iPad.” The competition is open to all ages, but entries must be received by Sunday, November 30. To find out more, telephone Karen on 01756 701386.

WILDLIFE is returning to previously overgrown verges in Stainforth following action by members of the village environmental group. The most recent day of action saw members tackle a steeply sloping grassy verge, a few hundred yards outside the village centre, on Goat Lane, which leads over to Halton Gill. Members were delighted to see evidence of a healthy population of small mammals and passers-by expressed delight at the display of wildflowers which had been visible during the summer. The group, led by Carole and Bryan Beattie, has been advised by Mark Hewitt, the Yorkshire Dales National Park’s parish wildlife project officer.