Embsay churches: Sunday will see St Mary’s celebrating a Parish Communion at 9.30am, with the 10.30am Methodist service led by Mrs J Jolly. On Tuesday, St Mary’s holds a Holy Communion service at 10.30am and between 2pm and 4pm the church is open for tea, coffee, home baking and conversation. Today, the Methodist Guild will meet at noon for lunch followed by a talk from Christine Thistlewaite entitled Farming in Great Grandad’s Day.

Police surgery: PCSO Ruth Pearson’s next drop-in surgery at the village hall will be on Monday between 6pm and 7pm.

Over-50s Forum: The February meeting of the Over-50s Forum will be at the village hall next Thursday, February 27, when the doors will open at 2pm. There is a small charge to cover costs, but tea and scones will be served. The guest speaker will be David Joy and his illustrated talk will be about The Changing Dales. If you would like a lift to the village hall, ring Wilf Chatwin on 793308.

Parish council: At the February meeting of the parish council, the 2014-2015 annual budget and precept demand were formally confirmed at levels lower than last year. The final Financial Monitoring Statement of the year was reviewed and special action was taken on a number of budget items to ensure expenditure takes place by the end of the financial year on March 31. The formal appointment of the internal auditor was approved and grants were awarded to Craven Citizens Advice Bureau, Embsay with Eastby Fifties Forum, Embsay with Eastby Allotment Association and Embsay Juniors Football Club. Quotes from specialist contractors for cleaning and restoring Embsay war memorial in time for the centenary of the start of World War One in August are now being reviewed. The work will be funded from a number of sources including grants from The War Memorials Trust and Craven District Council. A site survey of the Nature Reserve by a professional surveyor is being organised. The survey will be undertaken in the spring and once the results are known, consideration will be given to the future development and management of this popular local attraction. Members were informed about the outcome of the parish council-sponsored public meeting which addressed the impact of the Tour de France on the two villages and interest in a proposed community event. Details of the implications of the Grand Depart weekend on the villages will not be known until March or April and villagers will be informed about key issues through a leaflet. Recent improvements to the recreation ground are being monitored so that necessary action when appropriate and timely (weather permitting) can be implemented. This includes the removal of the perimeter fencing around the new play facility, organising a grand opening family event and starting work to extend the perimeter path. Various village maintenance matters were considered, including the rolling programme of renovation work on public benches and a malfunctioning light on a public footpath between West Lane and Dalacres Crescent. Members also considered early action to organise the annual parish meeting on May 20. The next meeting of the parish council will take place on Thursday, March 13, at 7.30pm in Embsay Village Hall. The meeting will consider a number of important council matters including the impact of the Tour de France on the two villages and local land development issues.

Cricket Club: The Cricket Club will hold its annual general meeting tonight at 7.30pm at the Cavendish Arms. Old and new members will be welcome. A pie and peas supper will follow.