A Craven Diary

A Thornton-in-Craven man reacted with disbelief after witnessing what he described as something ‘out of science fiction film’ on Friday evening. Tom Whitehead, of Rectory Cottage, was taking his dog for a walk on Church Road at around 11.30pm when he witnessed the phenomenon. “It was like Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” said Mr Whitehead. “I could see this bright ball in the sky. It was changing colour, but was stationary when seven or eight lights came out from the side of it. They formed two perfect lines and headed southeast across the sky,” he said. “To see these lights spewing out of the side of this thing was absolutely unbelieveable. You could almost hear the sound of engines - they sounded like piston engines. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing,” he added. “It was quite close and looked to be a few hundred feet away.” When Mr Whitehead called to his wife, he said she was ‘gobsmacked’ by what she saw. Now Mr Whitehead would like to know if any other local residents might have witnessed the lights on Friday evening. If so, please ring him on 01282 842812.

One sure sign of Christmas is the screening of the classic film, It’s A Wonderful Life. And, this year, you can see it on the big screen at the Plaza Cinema, Skipton. The film, which was nominated for five Oscars, will be shown next Sunday, December 21, at 1.30pm. Made in 1946, it stars James Stewart, Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore and tells the tale of a small-town philanthropist whose loan company has gone bust. He is saved from suicide by an elderly angel, who shows him what a hell-hole his home town would have been without him. “It’s the perfect film for Christmas,” says Plaza proprietor Charles Morris. “Hopefully people will have a bit of time before the final big rush starts; it certainly is the film to put you in the mood for Christmas.” If anyone can’t make it at that time, there is another showing at the Picture House, Keighley, on Christmas Eve at 5pm. Homemade mince pies will be available at both cinemas.

Airedale Hospital bosses are cooking up funds for the Emergency Department Appeal. Executive and non-executive directors are taking part in a bake-off before today’s meeting at Steeton Hall. Their Christmas cup cakes will be judged by Digby Smith, of Skipton-based Craven Bakery, and Pauline Sharp, a stakeholder governor for Bradford Council. A similar bake-off challenge last year was won by David Adam, with an apple and cinnamon cake. Sally Houghton, a non-executive director with Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The challenge is part of a social event we have every year just before the board-to-council meeting. The idea is to thank governors for all their hard work during the year by having a bit of festive fun – but we do expect it to get competitive!” The board meets with the council of governors twice a year to discuss the trust’s annual plan.

Do you fancy testing your Christmas knowledge and winning a prize? Then, why not go along to Salterforth Village Hall next Thursday, December 18, for its festive-themed quiz and a buffet supper. Starting at 8pm, it’s a light-hearted opportunity for everyone to see just what they do or don’t know about the festive season while supporting a valuable community facility. The lucky winners will receive a voucher towards the cost of a meal kindly donated by the Fountain Inn, Barnoldswick, together with a bottle of wine. Fun quizzes have been held at the hall on the last Thursday of the month for the past few years, with teams of around four people competing with each other. This time there’s also a jackpot prize up for grabs, with the chance of winning a little extra spending money just in time for Christmas. Soft drinks will be on sale but anyone wanting beer, wine or any other alcoholic tipple should bring their own. Glasses will be provided. Entry costs £5 each, which includes supper, and proceeds will go towards the refurbishment and maintenance of the village hall.

As part of its Christmas celebrations, Bolton Priory invites you to exercise your lungs and your legs at its annual Roaming Carols event on Sunday. The singers will meet at 3pm at Bolton Abbey Post Office and walk down to the Priory Church, singing as they go and finishing around the Christmas tree. The reward is Christmas refreshments for all! The walking is not strenuous and the event, which lasts around 45 minutes, is ideal for children.

Shoppers at Tesco in Skipton can look forward to some festive artwork in the entrance to the store - courtesy of art students from Skipton Academy formerly Aireville School. The Year Nine students have been designing and printing seasonal two and three colour repeat patterns using the collagraph printing process. They have also added their own black silhouette papercut stencil and a sparkling kraft paper border. Principal Wendy Hamilton said the students had done very well. “We have a reputation for delivering an outstanding display, and this year is no exception. I have seen the students working hard over a number of lessons to complete their own complex designs, and it has all come together beautifully.”

Comedian Sarah Millican, pictured above, paid a secret visit to the Mart Theatre on Sunday. She tried out some of her new gags for her upcoming tour to fans, who applied for tickets via a secret link. They sold out within 10 minutes of going on sale.”It was a fantastic night,” said the Mart’s artistic director Andy Lynan. “The house was packed and everyone left with a smile on their faces. Sarah did around one hour of new material and she brought three up and coming comedians who had everyone crying with laughter.” The Mart is now gearing up for its pantomime, Cinderella, which runs from next Friday, December 19, to next Sunday, December 21.

Farming can be hungry work - and that is what beef and sheep farmer Georgina Snow and her friend Barbara Clarkson were counting on when they held a charity cake stall at Gisburn Auction Marts. They were raising money for Epilepsy Action and made a very impressive £620 towards Mrs Snow’s target of £10,000 before the end of 2015.

As part of the Forest of Bowland’s 50th anniversary celebrations, proceeds from a raffle will go towards enhancing the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Champion Bowland organised the raffle that raised nearly £1,000 and the group now wants to offer the money as a one-off Jubilee award to a project in the area that will have a lasting environmental or landscape impact. To apply, download an application form at championbowland.org.uk and submit it by February 10, 2015.