READER Tim Quantrill came across this rock carving on Embsay Moor last year and took a picture. He retraced his footsteps last week to have another look at it but couldn’t find it. "It’s almost mystical," he tells me. "It’s on the hillside above the reservoir among a large area of stones and rocky outcrops. I don’t know whether it is modern, medieval, Roman or ancient. I can find no reference to it anywhere and so was hoping one of the Craven Herald readers knew more about it." If you can help, email news@cravenherald.co.uk

SPECSAVERS is urging people in Skipton to dig out their old, unwanted glasses so they can be used to improve the eye health of those less fortunate in the developing world. Last year, Skipton Specsavers collected 320 old frames from local customers and donated them to Vision Aid Overseas. The glasses are recycled and the money raised is used to fund the charity’s work in developing countries. This includes giving people those all-important eye tests and treatment by training up local optometrists. Justine Sturtivant at Skipton Specsavers, tells me: "Professional eye care is available to the whole of Britain. So why should we let others in poorer countries suffer? I can’t stress enough the importance of recycling your old glasses; it’s for a good cause and can result in improving eye health for everyone in Zambia."

A COLLEAGUE out visiting a livery yard in the area for an equestrian feature was told of an interesting side effect of all the mild weather we've been having. Apparently, all the mares - the female horses - on the yard have come into season much earlier than usual, which is causing all sorts of havoc. Not only are the mares being difficult, the geldings - the lads - are just running around, all confused. Just like people then.

CRAVEN no longer has its own Race for Life - but you don't have to go far to join in the fun. There is a Race for Life event planned in Ilkley on Sunday, May 22 - and entries are being invited. Event manager Katie Mathers tells me: “Signing up to take part in Race for Life is a great way for women to commit to get a little more active. The atmosphere is incredibly supportive. Planning to raise money for life-saving research could prove more of an incentive to get up and get moving than the usual New Year’s resolution.” It is a sobering fact that one in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some stage in their lives, but the good news is more people are surviving the disease now than ever before. Survival rates have doubled since the early 1970s. To enter, visit raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.

THE appearance of the Flying Scotsman in Craven, including its hugely photogenic crossing of the also iconic Ribblehead Viaduct, has created much interest - both at home and abroad. So, it was interesting to read more about its background. The iconic steam locomotive was originally built in the early 1920s and, in 1973, was bought by Sir William McAlpine, a former director of his family's construction company, who lives just outside Henley-on-Thames. Sir William, a huge rail enthusiast who has his own railway track and station on his estate, bought the locomotive back from America, where it was about to be consigned to a museum. He paid $72,500 for it - about £25,000 - shipped it from San Francisco to Liverpool, via the Panama Canal, to Derby where it was repaired and repainted. Sir William had the engine for 23 years, during which time it made many excursions, carrying, amongst others, the late Queen Mother and actor, Kenneth More. In the 90s, the Flying Scotsman was sold to a private consortium, before being bought by the National Railway Museum which spearheaded a ten-year, £4.2 million restoration programme. Sir William told his local paper, he was delighted to see it running again and still felt a great attachment.

READERS of the Craven Herald, including soldiers and mothers of army men, no doubt, were being encouraged to buy Tiz a hundred years ago. Tiz promised to 'gladden' sore and tired feet. Even 'chilblainy' feet would feel 'fine and comfy' after a treatment. According to the advert, Tiz drew out all the nasty acids and poisons that puffed up the feet, leaving them happy and tingling for joy. And all that for just 1s and 1d a box.

I WAS interested to see that Skipton's newly-formed Temperance Spirit Company has adopted a logo featuring Victorian temperance activist Carrie Nation. She was a formidable American woman - standing at 6ft 4ins tall, she was noted for smashing up taverns with an axe! The company has been formed by businessmen Brendan Duckworth, Ian Jowett and Ian Ackroyd and has just launched its first product - Teetotal G ‘n' T.

SETTLE Hydro - is looking for volunteers to help remove debris (leaves, twigs, branches, plastic bags and the occasional dead sheep!) which clogs up its inlet screen and reduces the output. The screen has to be cleared at least once a day while the hydro is operating. The task is organised on a flexible rota basis so the more team members there are then the fewer times each individual is required. Training will be given and equipment provided. Volunteers need to have access to the internet. The hydro was built in 2009 by the weir at Bridge End Mill and generates electricity for the mill building, which now houses a number of apartments. Electricity that is not needed by the apartments is fed into the National Grid. For more information, contact 01729 824431 or email steve@settlehydro.org.uk