Naturalists: David Tomkins, of the RSPB and Bird Life International, gave an illustrated talk entitled Save the Albatros to the Craven Naturalists’ and Scientific Association last Monday. Long line fishing for tuna kills many thousands of albatros each year as the birds, attracted to the baited hooks, are caught and drown as the line sinks. Various methods of prevention are being tried and seem to be having some success. If you buy tinned tuna you can help by looking for tins bearing the MCS (Marine Conservation Society) symbol. The next meeting, on Monday, is the AGM after which there will be an illustrated talk on fracking by Paul Kabrna. It will take place in the Swadford Centre at 7.30pm. Visitors are welcome. For details, contact the secretary on 01535 642180.
Camera Club: Chris Parker gave members a varied show, starting with spring flowers in Swaledale, with its barns, followed by a cruise around the Mediterranean. Local scenes were well portrayed both in autumn and winter and close up shots of hoar frost were particularly impressive.
Oddfellows: The next open house session will be on Tuesday from 10am to 2pm. Friendship, activities and a light lunch will be available. The next Live Act at the Three Links will be Savannah next Saturday, March 29 from 8pm. Visitors and non-members are welcome at a nominal charge of £2. The club will hold a series of fundraising events during Easter Week in aid of Yorkshire Air Ambulance. The annual general meeting will be held on Saturday, March 29 at 11am. All members are welcome.
International Club: The next meeting will be on Tuesday when Eric Mitchell will give a talk on The History of Fairgrounds. The meeting starts at 7.30pm in the Soroptimists Rooms, Otley Street. Visitors are welcome.
Retired Men’s Forum: Angela Henson spoke about the volcanoes of Europe, including those of the Azores, Canary Islands and Iceland as well as Vesuvius, Etna and Stromboli in the Mediterranean. Next week, the forum will hold its annual general meeting, which will be followed by lunch at the Craven Heifer when the speaker will be Geoff Queen.
History Society: On Thursday Janet Niepokojczycka gave an illustrated talk on Woodlands and Timber Usage. Trees returned after the Ice Age and early humans gradually realised how to make wooden tools for farming or as weapons. Wood has been important throughout history and even Stonehenge was constructed utilising the principles of woodworking joints. Building techniques developed due to the strength and flexibility of timber and there are still many fine examples of early timber frame houses and tithe barns. The extensive burning of coppiced trees to produce charcoal was important for early iron foundries and charcoal burners tended to live on site in small hides. The next meeting is in the Swadford Centre next Thursday, March 27 at 7.30pm when Maureen Stopworth will give a talk entitled Living with Pendle Witches.