Friendship Club: June Martin gave a talk on the Mpika Relief Fund, a charity set up by two friends which works for the relief of hunger and suffering in Africa. The charity has two shops in Denholme and Keighley. More information can be found at mpika.org

Craven Walkers: Members of the Skipton-based Craven Walkers had a guided walk around the lanes and historic buildings of Addingham, using information provided by Addingham Civic Society. The walking for health group holds short walks around Skipton on Monday afternoons and members go further afield on mid-week walks of between three and five miles. On Tuesday, they will be walking at Kettlewell. For more information, call 07984 781350.

Retired Men’s Forum: Derek Proctor entertained members with slides of picturesque villages of North Yorkshire, including Foxup, Yockenthwaite and Grassington. Next week will be the last meeting before the Christmas break, when John Hobson’s topic is Lakeland Heritage.

Lacemakers: Eleven members attended the November meeting of the Craven Guild of Lacemakers. Five women from Ashfield residential home visited for some “hands-on” tuition and were shown a small display of lace. There will be no December meeting at the Swadford Centre. The ladies will be meeting instead at Kilnsey Park for their Christmas lunch. The next ordinary meeting will be on Wednesday, January 16. For more information, contact (01535) 656637.

International Club: Mrs E Toome gave a talk on a holiday in the Holy Land. The Christmas party is on Tuesday, with a Jacob’s Join supper. Members should bring a small present and a raffle prize.

Naturalists: At a well-attended meeting of Craven Naturalists and Scientific Association, Jamie Gilmore gave an illustrated talk on the origin of the solar system. The next meeting on Monday is a talk by Alan Speight on New Cave Exploration in the Yorkshire Dales. It takes place at 7.30pm in the Swadford Centre and visitors are welcome at a charge of £2.

Soroptimists: Members prepared for Christmas when Peta Jennings gave a demonstration of Christmas decorations. Peta, who has a florist business in Hellifield, showed simple arrangements which could be created easily. Jane Chilton, from the Himali Village Care Project, gave a personal view of the life of women in rural Nepal. She has trekked in remote parts of the country and is now raising funds to help complete a school in a village called Mattay. Money for the project was raised by a raffle.

Camera club: On Thursday, some members travelled to Lancashire for a competition with Colne Camera Club. The result was a defeat for Skipton, who lost in both digital projection and prints. Peter Holt, a Skipton member, gave an audio visual presentation on a visit to India and Nepal. A variety of slides were shown of people, ornate buildings and wildlife.