BANCROFT Mill at Barnoldswick will hold a special steaming on Tuesday, August 2. It is being been arranged to coincide with a visit to the UK from Australia by one of James Nutter's great-granddaughters, who is keen to discover something of her family history. James, an experienced weaver, was the driving force behind the construction of the Gillians Lane mill, but, sadly, died before it opened in 1920. Now, the trust which runs the mill museum is extending an invitation to other descendants of James to get in touch if they want to come along too. For more information, email info@bancroftmill.org.uk

A VISIT to RAF Menwith Hill was one of the highlights of the year for outgoing Craven District Council chairman, Robert Mason. "I've been inside one of the domes, it wasn't very interesting, but I can say I've been in one," he told the annual council meeting. Cllr Mason told his fellow councillors he had enjoyed his year as Craven's first citizen enormously and had done many things he would never have thought possible. "I nearly met the Queen, and I was on the telly. I've done many things I'd never done before and will never do again," he said. "I'm a bit sad about giving it up, but I'm very honoured to have done it," he said.

I SEEM to spend my life looking for my glasses - so I could totally sympathise with sports legend Roger Ingham when he misplaced his specs on a recent visit to Skipton. He retraced his steps to no avail. Just when he thought he had seen the last of his glasses (excuse the pun), he received a phone call from an apologetic lady from Cross Hills. It appears that she had picked up his glasses case, along with her potatoes etc, when she shopped at the fruit and veg stall outside Dorothy Perkins in Skipton High Street.

THE Steeton-based Girder Fork and Classic Motorcycle Club will hold its charity Big Bike Sunday show later this month, with funds going to Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice and the Association for Riders with a Disability. But it has a problem. It lost its store of raffle and tombola prizes when its Dalton Mill workshop fell victim to the Boxing Day floods. "We need to make up somehow," said member Brian Sanderson. The club is now appealing for prizes or donations, no matter how small. They can be sent to Mr Sanderson at 2 The Coppice, Sutton-in-Craven, Keighley, BD20 8BT or call 07931 312579. The show will take place at Skipton Auction Mart on Sunday, June 26.

ALL sorts of interesting snippets are found in the old Craven Heralds. In 1916, it was reported that the Long Preston maypole had been taken down, after being condemned by the then parish council. The 40ft pole had been originally put up on October 19, 1891. Half the cost had been paid for by Alderman Lister, and the remainder by 39 other subscribers. It was the third maypole to be erected on the same spot. At 12ft from the ground, a ring and hooks had been placed, to which the scholars of the village danced and plaited the maypole. At the time it was put up in1891, the name of the nearby hotel reverted to its original name of The Maypole, it having for a time been known by the autocratic name of The Eagle.

LOCAL footballers are being challenged to put their skills to the test. Football Runner - which designs and runs football obstacle courses throughout the UK - is putting on an event at Thornton Hall Farm, Thornton-in-Craven, on Sunday, June 26. The course will test skill, fitness and mental strength and will include a zorb gauntlet, football catchers, tyre strike and the hay bale tower. "It's great for teamwork and boosting morale before the new season," says a Football Runner spokesman. "We urge football teams to raise money for their clubs to buy new kit and equipment, but if you're not part of a team, you can raise money for Diversions or MND." The event is aimed at amateur semi-professional and professional football teams as well as five, six and seven-a-side teams. Players can also sign up as an individual or create a team of 11 or more. There will be courses for youths (11 to 16 year olds) and adults. For more information, visit footballrunner.co.uk

OUT walking across the Lancashire border in the beautiful Sabden Valley, my colleague came across this vaccary wall. The wall, close to Ratten Clough Farm, and not far from Churn Clough Reservoir, is believed to be the oldest in the valley. Vaccary originally meant 'cow pasture' and the walls appear in grazing land across Yorkshire and Lancashire. In the 13th century, many vaccaries were created and the stone slabs were put in place to keep the cattle in the pastures.

SPECSAVERS has issued a final call for entries in its the Spectacle Wearer of the Year Awards. By sharing a selfie before the July 3 deadline, glasses wearers in Craven could be in with a chance of winning a trip to New York and £10,000. Now in its 21st year, the competition raises valuable funds for anti-bullying charity Kidscape. Justine Sturtivant, store director at Specsavers in Skipton, says: "This is the last chance for people in Skipton to showcase their specs appeal to the whole country. We’re encouraging glasses wearers to upload a selfie at loveglasses.specsavers.co.uk today, it couldn’t be easier." The competition has five age categories – 16 to 24, 25 to 34, 35 to 44, 45 to 59 and over 60s plus a Facebook favourite voted for by the public. A winner from each category will win a VIP makeover and will mingle with celebrities at an awards ceremony in London in October.