ONE of Bill Bryson’s best selling memoirs is being turned into a film. And Bill – who used to live in Kirkby Malham – will be played by none other than Hollywood legend Robert Redford. A Walk in the Woods details Bill’s bid to find a way to reconnect with his homeland after returning to the States following two decades in the UK. Impulsively he decides to hike a section of the longest continuous footpath in the world, The Appalachian Trail, 1,000 arduous miles stretching from Maine to Georgia, an expedition men half his age struggle to complete. Fearing for his life, his wife Cathy (played by Emma Thompson) refuses to allow him to do a solo trek but is unsuccessful in persuading any of his friends to accompany him. When his old buddy Katz (Nick Nolte), a crude, overweight, recovering alcoholic, calls him out of the blue and offers to accompany him, Bryson has no choice other than to accept. Thus begins an adventure as they encounter weird and wonderful characters and face hilarious trials and tribulations along the way. The men gamely persevere and together they learn that some roads are better left untravelled. Directed by Ken Kwapis and featuring a stellar cast, the film is due to be released on September 18. Meanwhile, a trailer is available at youtu.be/KOl3Un2zWS8.

SKIPTON'S Craven Pool has been a great success right from its opening in 1964. A year later, there were so many people wanting to use it that the council had to extend the car park. Interestingly, the foundations of the extension came from a large demolition site in Keighley Road, Skipton. It seems the firm demolishing the large block of shops and offices near to the bus station had wanted somewhere to tip the rubble – and was more than happy to take it the short distance to Gargrave Road. A council spokesman said at the time that it meant that they were getting a car park “very cheaply”. The Keighley Road building was one of the tallest in Skipton at five storeys and the last to occupy it was wine and spirits firm, Andertons.

THE Chronicles of Ermysted’s – an annual report of the accomplishments and activities of the Skipton school’s pupils – has gone digital and been published on the school’s website. Entirely written and put together by boys in years 12 and 13, this year’s “bumper” edition covers the accomplishments of a lengthier than usual time – from 2012 to 2015. It includes reports on trips to far flung places, such as Iceland, trips to the Battlefields while the Tour de France was going on, as well as success on the sports fields, and at debating and maths competitions.

AGE UK is appealing to the nation to show their support for the huge numbers of older people facing later life alone. Age UK shops across the country will be offering customers pledge cards, which people can sign to make their own promise to the charity, helping it to continue providing much-needed support and services to older people who feel they have no one else to turn to. People will be asked to show their support by pledging to donate their unwanted items to the store, signing up to volunteer in one of the charity’s shops or donating £3 to help Age UK to continue the vital work of providing companionship, support and advice. Diane Kozlow, shop manager at the Age UK shop in Grassington, tells me: “Sadly, far too many older people feel that they have no one to turn to, which is why we are calling on people to pledge their support. By pledging your unwanted items, time as a volunteer or a donation of £3, you will be helping Age UK raise much needed funds to provide companionship, advice and support for older people across the country. Please visit the shop to make your pledge soon!” Age UK also has shops in Skipton, Settle, Silsden and Barnoldswick.

NO matter where you call home, if you are in Yorkshire on August 1 then you really should celebrate the county’s special day. And where better than in Settle’s 17th century mansion, The Folly? Enjoy the traditional supper of homemade meat and potato pie with mushy peas. There is also a vegetarian pie available and even garden peas for those not brave enough to swallow Yorkshire “caviar”. Desserts will be from the popular book Recipes Down The Line which celebrates good food available at venues along the Settle-Carlisle line. An accompanying glass of wine will be supplied by Robert Bagot, of Buon Vino. Guests will also meet Andy Swinscoe, the famous Yorkshire cheesemonger, who will bring along a selection of award-winning cheeses. There will also be a chance to rattle The Folly’s famous windows with a chorus or two of the Battle of Sowerby Bridge and, of course, Ilkley Moor. The number of tickets is limited so it is essential to book your place, by tomorrow, by visiting The Folly during opening hours or by telephoning 01729 822893. Tickets cost £15 a head and proceeds will go towards the Folly’s upkeep. For more details, visit ncbpt.org.uk/folly.

CALENDAR Girls Angela Knowles, Lynda Logan and Beryl Bamford dropped in on the Welcome to Yorkshire stand at the Great Yorkshire Show, Harrogate. The three were at the show, which enjoyed lovely sunshine, to promote the up and coming musical of their exploits by Take That star Gary Barlow and Tim Firth. The members of Rylstone WI shot to national and international fame in 1999 when they came up with the original idea of stripping off for a fundraising calender to raise money for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research. Their story was made into a film, starring Helen Mirren and Julie Walters, and is now set to delight a whole new audience through Barlow’s musical, The Girls.

DEALING with the public can be stressful – we can all get tetchy from time to time – but staff at Craven District Council can be proud of being recognised as national leaders in customer service. The teams, from customer services, revenues and benefits and business support, have retained their Customer Service Excellence Recognition Award. Barbara Gilman, the council’s customer liaison officer, said of the honour: “We are delighted with this award and the fact that we have achieved ‘fully compliant’ in all 57 elements. “We would like to thank everybody who helped us to achieve this. Our staff work very hard to deal with enquiries in a friendly, helpful and courteous manner, treating everyone equally and respecting confidentiality. It’s really great for them to be appreciated in this way.” In order to receive the accreditation, organisations need to be efficient, effective, excellent and equitable, with the customer at the heart of everything they do.