A COLLEAGUE out walking in the Dales was surprised to see a group of lads, including one dressed in a banana suit, walking towards her. The teenagers were all from The Leys School in Cambridge and were walking 25k as part of their work towards the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. To make it more interesting one of them was dressed as a banana, as part of Fairtrade Fortnight. They asked her to take a picture of them and post it on Twitter, adding #bananaarmy. Once done, and posted, they headed off up the hill towards Threshfield, while my colleague continued on her way to Kilnsey. And although she kept an eye out, she failed to spot anyone else dressed as a piece of fruit, or vegetable.

SKIPTON'S famous Sheep Festival has "bleaten-off" some stiff competition to come high up in a poll of the nation’s best-loved festivals. The traditional fair that sees crowds flock to the centre of Skipton to see the town taken over with sheep shearing, goose herding, dry stonewalling, and vintage tractors - has been voted the UK’s fifth favourite festival in a survey by National Express. The festival, which takes place in July, came fifth in a poll of the nation’s favourite festivals organised by the UK’s largest coach operator. National Express surveyed 1,000 people to create a definitive list of Britain’s best-loved quirky festivals. Topping the polls were the cheese rolling festival in Stilton, the Jorvik Viking Festival, the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
and the International Birdman Competition in Bognor Regis.

WITH its stunning surroundings, Malham is, unsurprisingly, a magnet for film and TV crews. It has "starred" in everything from movie blockbuster Harry Potter to TV programme Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell. And, as we reported last week, the area's walking potential will be extolled tomorrow evening in ITV's Walks with a View. Presenter Julia Bradbury has used her knowledge of Britain’s best haunts to pick a selection of family walks that offer great views, local history, colourful characters and a perfect pub lunch or picnic. The Malham walk - which will filmed last September - takes in the magical Janet’s Foss waterfall, the awe-inspiring Gordale Scar and the amazing limestone pavement at Malham Cove. The programme can be seen at 8pm.

MARTIN House Hospice has joined forces with Settle solicitors Coles for its Make a Will Month. The initiative will take place in May and offers members of the public the chance to have a basic will written for £60 or a pair of basic matching wills for £110 – a considerable discount on the usual price. Jodie Shepherd, director of fundraising at the children's hospice, explains: “Whilst we don’t always like to think about what might happen when we die, making a will is a vital step in ensuring the people and things we care about are taken care of after we are gone. Many people consider themselves too young to make a will, or think they have nothing to leave, but this important process can protect your assets, avoid disputes, save on inheritance tax, and, most importantly, ensure that your property and savings go to the people and causes you care about." To take part, make an appointment with Coles and complete an entitlement voucher. Further information can also be found at martinhouse.org.uk

VOLUNTEERS are needed to help the good folk at Skipton Community Hub. The self-funding group has a shop on Belmont Bridge, where it sells bric-a-brac, handmade items and I Love Skipton products. It also provides information on community groups, events, clubs and organisations, and has a meeting room, for which it charges a small fee. Anyone able to help can contact the group through its Facebook page, or email skipton.communityhub@gmail.com

GENTLEMAN readers of the Craven Herald of 1916, were given pointers on "the art of choosing a wife". Unlike other crafts and arts, there was no school for it, explained the writer. Worse was he who may have chosen in a hurry and then repented for ever after. The writer went on to describe a judge who had been driving along, had seen a woman at a window and had been so taken, he had rushed into the house and asked the lady to marry him on the spot. The lady had accepted and they had lived happily together ever since.

PROFESSIONAL adventurer Alastair Humphreys is helping people follow in his footsteps. Alastair, who grew up in Airton, has undertaken numerous challenges over the past ten years - from cycling round the world (it took him four years) to rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic. Now, he has published his latest book, Grand Adventures, designed to help people "dream big, plan quick, then go explore". He says he wants those who read about his adventures to realise that they can enjoy similar experiences. "Why settle for reading about adventures when you could be out in the wild yourself doing them?" he asks. For more information, visit alastairhumphreys.com

FANCY learning a new skill? Settle Women's Institute might have the answer as it is organising two craft workshops on Wednesday, April 27. Annie Austen-Meek will demonstrate how to make a "softpot" garden container, which is not only beautiful to look at but is better for your plants than a traditional pot. And, Sue Amphlett, from the town's Cottontail Crafts, will give an introduction to needlefelting - sculpting wool into figures and forms using a barbed felting needle. Each course costs £20 and includes all materials and tuition. There will be two sessions for each craft: 10am to noon and 1pm to 3pm so it is possible to do both courses in the day. They will take place at the Catholic Church Hall, on Craven Terrace, and everyone is welcome. Tea and coffee will be provided but please bring a packed lunch if you are staying all day. To book, contact Sue Sellars on 01729 825145 or email suemsellars@yahoo.com