CRAVEN Herald readers are being offered the chance to enjoy a bank holiday visit to one of Craven’s most historic buildings - for free.

On Sunday and Monday, visitors can enjoy free admission to The Folly in Settle using a voucher found in this week's Craven Herald, which is on sale throughout the district.

Children aged 16 and under are admitted free of charge at all times.

The Folly was built in 1679 by Richard Preston, a wealthy lawyer. His new house, standing by the old main road into the town, formed the centrepiece of his estate in Settle and was undoubtedly built to make an impact.

Historian Nikolaus Pevsner, best known for his 46-volume series of county guides, described the building as "exotic", "capricious" and "wilful".

Today, in recognition of its outstanding architectural importance, it has grade one listed status and is home to the Museum of North Craven Life, with its temporary and permanent exhibitions telling the story of North Craven, its landscape and people.

Its current exhibitions are hugely contrasting - one is about World War One and the other has been inspired by the modern phenomenon, Facebook!

1916: Chronicles of Courage is the third in the series of World War One exhibitions, held in association with the Heritage Lottery-funded Craven and the First World War project.

It was the year conscription was introduced where conscientious objectors stood up for their beliefs and it was the year in which terrible battles were fought off Jutland and on the Somme.

The exhibition tells the stories of local men and women who served their country in many different ways: in the medical services and ambulance units

as well as fighting in the trenches and at sea. Visitors can experience graphic reconstructions of life on the battlefield through installations of a section of trench and a first-aid post fitted out with medical and surgical equipment of the period.

The companion exhibition, Back in Settle, was inspired by a Facebook group set up around three years ago by local man Mick Harrison to share stories and old photographs from the Settle area. He sprung into action after realising how many memories were disappearing into skips as families moved away and was determined to do something about it.

Now, there are now almost 1,600 people involved from all over the world and thanks to his enthusiasm some amazing pictures are seeing the light of day. Museum administrator Glen Preston said: "The best thing about our exhibition is that it has been curated by a team from the group who add in their own memories and stories? it's about people: old friends, workmates, local characters – maybe even a photo of you you haven't seen before! It's also about places and how they've changed or maybe even disappeared.

"We want people to come in and enjoy the results and then go away and dig out their own photos to share. That way we'll get to know more and more about our area."

The Folly's opening hours are: Tuesday, 10.30am to 4.30pm and Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays, 12.30pm to 4.30pm. Group visits are welcome by appointment. Normal admission prices are £2.70 for adults, £2.20 for concessions and free for youngsters aged 16 and under. A new annual ticket is available for £7.

For more information, visit ncbpt.org.uk/folly