MEET Tommy, pictured and his wife Tilly Tarn and their offspring. They are the creations of Skipton couple John and Sue Haywood, who were inspired by Settle’s Flowerpot Festival, which is running at the moment. Sue tells me: “After visiting Settle last year, which was fabulous, we decided to do our own flowerpot family for our garden at Tarn House. We hope you like them as much as we enjoyed making them.”

Singers and dancers in Craven are being invited to spend their winter on a cruise ship. They can audition for a place on a show team with leading holiday firm Thomson Cruises. PEEL Talent, which based at Broughton, is holding try-outs at its Keighley town centre studio. PEEL was set up by mother-and-daughter duo Mollie and Susannah Daley and made its mark providing performers for cruise ships, historic hotels and museums. Alan Cutler, PEEL Talent’s deputy managing directors and Agents’ Association president, said the auditions aimed to find the most talented singers and dancers in the area. He said: “As we’re from the area, we know there is a wealth of talent in Yorkshire and that’s why we hold as many auditions here as possible. This is a great opportunity for any performer wanting to break into the industry. Anyone interested in auditioning should call PEEL Talent team on 01756 692506 or 796176, as soon as possible.

People are being invited to acquire a whole new wardrobe at a charity event where clothes can be swapped. Sonia Knight, founder of Skipton Young Carers, is arranging the Swishing 4 Young Carers event on Wednesday, July 22, at Skipton Academy starting at 7pm. Sonia, who recently was named Volunteer of the Year at the Stray FM Local Hero event, said: “Swishing is something of a new phenomenon where people can bring good quality clothes along they no longer want and exchange them for others. It’s a fantastic opportunity to change you wardrobe.” Admission is £5 and people wishing to join the exchange can bring clothing along between 4pm and 6pm on the night. Skipton Young Carers has been going for about three years and was set up by Sonia as a way of giving young people, who care for loved ones, a chance to get together and have fun. They meet twice a month at Skipton Youth Centre and once a month at the Cake’Ole cafe in Craven Court, Skipton.

Cider lovers will be in their element at Skipton’s Devonshire Inn over the next few days. The Newmarket Street pub is holding a cider festival, starting tomorrow and running until Sunday, July 26. On offer will be a range of draught ciders from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – and there will be some rather unusual flavours, including whisky, marmalade and bourbon. Tasting notes will be available.

Although Craven no longer has its own Race for Life event, participants don’t have to go far to find an alternative venue for this vital fundraiser. Cancer Research UK is staging a five-kilometre Race for Life event at East Holmes Field, Ilkley, on Sunday – and 800 women have already signed up. But there are still places left, with entries due to close tomorrow. Sarah Threadgall, event manager for Race for Life, tells me: “Race for Life is not competitive and it’s not about being fit or fast. You can walk, jog, or run around the course if you like. These events are all about the feel-good factor that comes from being part of the ‘pink army’ as thousands of women come together to defeat cancer.” Last year, 1,300 women took part in Ilkley’s Race for Life and raised a fantastic £55,000. All the money raised goes towards helping Cancer Research UK’s doctors, nurses and scientists make advances in research that will enable more men, women and children survive cancer. To enter Race for Life, visit raceforlife.org.

I have never known anything like it – one minute I am roasting and the next I am being battered by hailstones, the size of golf balls. Yes, I am talking about the British weather – and, in particular, the storm overnight last Wednesday. It seems most of Craven was treated to a lightning show which lasted for about an hour, followed by torrential rain. But, in parts of the district, the rain was preceded by giant hailstones. It was an amazing sight – huge chunks of ice being flung at the ground – but what I couldn’t get over was the noise. It was as though you were in a battle zone, being attacked from all sides.

A partially-sighted man has succeeded in his quest to walk an 80-mile trail without sleep. Laurie Manley was joined by family and friends at various points as he hiked the entire Dales Way – which passes through Craven – in just over 30 hours. His three-year-old guide dog Umber went along for the first few hours of the walk and rejoined him for the final six miles. Laurie, who lives in Braithwaite, near Keighley, began from Bowness-in-Windermere and walked through the Yorkshire Dales in the dark before heading for the finish point at Ilkley. Laurie’s ‘Dales Way Dawdle’ has raised more than £600 and will be donated to the Leeds Mobility branch of the Guide Dogs for the Blind to pay for the training of local guide dogs. Anyone who wishes to donate should visit just giving.com/lawrence-manley.

Retired Irene Constantine from Long Preston has just penned her second book – at the age of 85. Last year, Irene published her mini-biography, This Old Biddy, and in April followed it up with her first children’s book, Gregory LM. Irene, who also illustrated the book which is about the adventures of a Large Monster, came up with the idea while working as a laboratory assistant at Johnsons and Johnsons – now Systagenix – in Gargrave. “Gregory is a large, lazy and lovable monster, who only wants a playmate, he lives in a volcano with other monsters and takes a child on a fantastic adventure,” she said. “I’ve never been married and not had children of my own, but I’ve got nieces and nephews and children are my favourite people,” said Irene, who added that she had always been young at heart. Both books are self-published by AuthorHouse in the United States, and are available to buy on Amazon.