KEEN quizzers from far and wide made their way to the Rendezvous Hotel, Skipton to take part in the Big Annual Skipton Quiz. Well over a hundred people pitted their wits against each other in a night that raised more than £1,000 for the Skipton based children's charity, The Principle Trust. Skipton Library, which has won the quiz for the last four years, were pipped to the post by Hope Springs Eternal, (pictured) headed by David Buckroyd. Others who took part were: Moblis, Skipton; Skipton Rotary Club; Cubed Resourcing; Principle Healthcare; Sutcliffe Construction; LS29 Charity; Oakbank School; North Yorkshire County Council, and Windle and Bowker Accountants, Skipton. No doubt all the teams will be back again next year to raise more money for a very worthy cause.

MEANWHILE, all the libraries in Skipton and Craven will be taking part in Get Online Week, which runs from October 2 to October 8. The aim will be to get those unfamiliar with the internet to 'try one thing' at the library - and it will be taking place at libraries in Skipton, South Craven, Bentham, Ingleton and Settle. North Yorkshire County Councillor Greg White, executive member for libraries, said getting the most out of the internet could be easy and fun. "Whether you’re new to the internet, or you want help in getting more out of being online, libraries around the county will be there to help you take the next step. This year, the campaign is asking everyone to use the internet to do just one thing they would usually do in a shop or bank, a doctor’s surgery or chemist, or over the phone.”Events and displays will be happening in many libraries to encourage everyone to use the internet and help will be on hand from staff.

AND, while on the subject of libraries, Skipton Library was keen to 'cash in' on the issuing of the new plastic ten pound note (pictured) which features Pride and Prejudice author, Jane Austen. The new note has raised dots to help blind and partially sighted people, and went into circulation almost a year to the date that the first plastic five pound note went into circulation. The old tenners, which feature Charles Darwin, will be withdrawn from circulation by the Bank of England next spring, while a date up to which they will still be in use has yet to be announced, although the Bank of England has said it will give people three month's notice.

NOW that the nights are starting to draw in, what better way to liven things up with an evening of live entertainment at Kirkby Malham Parish Hall. Returning by popular demand tomorrow night (Friday) will be Haley Storm and the Twisters. Doors open at 7.30pm, tickets including supper £10 from Jacqui Newby 01729 830740. Muriel 01729 830277.

A FUN festival of drawing and animation will be held at the North Yorkshire County Record Office, Malpas Road, Northallerton, on Saturday, October 7 as part of the national Big Draw Festival. This year’s event, called Living Lines, will take as its inspiration the theme of family trees. People will be able to go along and create their family tree, design a family shield and learn how to bring them to life through drawn and digital animation. Examples of pedigrees and heraldic imagery (pictured) dating back to the 14th century will be on show to inspire and the record office archivist will offer guidance in how to represent a family tree. County Councillor Greg White, executive member for the County Record Office, said: “The Big Draw is for everyone, whether you love to draw or think you can’t. Everyone can draw, of course, and the event at the County Record Office will enable people to have fun with drawing while creating something personal by exploring their family tree. It’s also a chance to glimpse some of the amazing records housed in the county’s archives.” In order to take part, people should take along the names of three generations to create their family tree. All drawing materials will be provided and the event is open to all ages and abilities. It will be a free event, but booking is essential. Workshops will be held on Saturday, 7 October, from 10.30am to 12.30pm and from 2.30pm to 4.30pm. Call 01609 777585 or email archives@northyorks.gov.uk to book your place.

AND, while on the subject of crests, I am told the old Skipton Town Crest (pictured) recently revealed during re-decoration of the grand staircase at Skipton Town Hall, will not remain floating in the middle of the newly painted wall as it currently is. It is destined to be given a frame, and preserved in all its glory.

SEEING as we have just got through another one of those Craven summers, in that it wasn't really a summer at all, more of a slightly warmer version of winter, it amused me to come across a description of how German prisoners of war, back in 1917, viewed the weather. In Geoffrey Rowley's Book of Skipton, he describes how in January, 2018, the Raikes Road camp, Skipton, became home to German prisoners of war, comprising 546 officers and 137 men. During their stay, one man wrote there was little sunshine, the cloud cover which normally enveloped him was very dark and inhospitable and 'it rained and rained without stopping'. With the armistice in 1918, the guards were withdrawn and the prisoners put on their honour not to escape. They left on October 24, 1919.