Neighbourhood news from around Craven

Austwick Derek and Celia Coultherd, 015242 51215 Church news: On Sunday, there will be a service of Holy Communion at Austwick at 9.30am. The Afternoon Church fellowship will meet on Wednesday at 1.30pm and the talk will be given by Catharine Menday about her experiences as a volunteer at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Women’s Institute: Diane Allen gave an interesting talk to the Austwick WI about her life, her work and her writing. She was brought up at Crummack Farm before joining Magna large print books where she is now general manager. She gave an insight into writing novels and read a short story. The next meeting takes place on Thursday, December 11, and will be an open meeting. There will be entertainment from Happi Butterflies.

Parish walk: The monthly walk, next Saturday, November 29, will be led by the vicar, the Rev Ian Greenhalgh. It will follow the Clapham Loop with a coffee break at the Bunkhouse in Clapham before returning over the fields to Austwick.

Barnoldswick Probus Club: Forty eight members of West Craven Probus listened to Heather Slater tell her story of 12 months in Jakarta, Indonesia. She had a contract to look after a seven-year-old boy, who was initially spoilt to the extreme. After rigid rules were put in place, he started to enjoy his time with Heather. Chairman John Dodd gave the vote of thanks.

Rotary Club: Victor Giannandrea, business coach and mentor, told Barnoldswick and Earby Rotarians about his career at their weekly meeting. The speaker said he began his career at Silentnight and moved on to work in a smaller family business. On retirement, he became a “guardian angel”, advising firms on the best way of running their businesses. He also lectures on the subject, covering funding and marketing with the object of increasing the area’s entrepreneurial base.

History Society: Barnoldswick History Society will meet next Thursday, November 27, when Alan Hemsworth will give a talk on The History of Inn Signs. This will take place in the town library, from 7.30pm. Admission for non-members is £3 and under 18s, £1.50. Please note that will be no meeting in December.

Bentham Christmas coffee: Bentham and District Pet Rescue will hold its annual Christmas coffee morning at the town hall on Wednesday, December 3, between 9.30am and 12.30pm. There will be a range of stalls, a Christmas hamper raffle, tombola and refreshments.

Bolton Abbey Priory Church: The services this Sunday are 8am Communion (said), 10.30am Sung Eucharist, with guest preacher Canon Philip Gray, vicar of St Margaret’s, Ilkley, and 4.30pm Evening Prayer. Each Wednesday, there is a communion service at 10am. The Advent carol service will be held next Sunday, November 30, at 4.30pm.

Wednesday Nighters: The Wednesday Nighters will hold their Christmas dinner on December 3 in the village hall. Tickets are £12 each from Barbara Pickersgill on 01756 710630.

Advent sessions: A series of sessions, under the banner Painting, Poetry and Prophecy, will explore some of the great Advent themes, with the help of art and poetry. They will start with the Kingdom of God, on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by A Voice Cries in the Wilderness on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 2 and 3, and Heaven on Earth and God in Man, Tuesday and Wednesday, December 9 and10. The Tuesday sessions will take place at 7.30pm in Ilkley and the Wednesday sessions, at 11am at the Rectory. For full details, ring the Church Office 01756 710238.

Mince pie bazaar: Twenty charities will take part in this year’s bazaar in the village hall on Saturday from noon to 3pm. There will be plenty of ideas for Christmas gifts, cakes, books and cards. All the money taken from each table will go to benefit the chosen charities. Bolton Abbey WI will provide refreshments. Entrance is free.

Wreath workshop: A wreath workshop will be held in the Priory Church Room on Wednesday. Vanessa Wellock will show how to make a traditional Christmas wreath from Bolton Abbey foliage, cones and berries. She will also speak about the history and symbolism associated with the Christmas wreath. The cost is £30 per person to include mulled wine and mince pies. The sessions are either 9.30am or 1.30pm. To book, ring 01756 718009.

Choir concert: Honley Male Voice Choir will give a Christmas concert in the Priory on Friday, December 5, at 7.15pm. This will be a joyful evening of Christmas music led by musical director Stephen Roberts. Tickets are £10 and are available from 01756 718155 or the Church Office 01756 710238.

Bradley Liz Zieboll, 01535 636369 Autumn fair: St Mary’s Church will hold an autumn fair in Skipton Town Hall on Saturday, from 10am to 3pm. Refreshments will be served and attractions will include a tombola. Entry to the town hall will be via the side entrance, due to building work taking place.

Family Day: There will be a Family Day meeting at 7.30pm next Thursday in the village hall meeting room. If any local organisations would like to request funds from this year’s proceeds, email asymonds2013@gmail.com Neighbourhood Plan: Bradley residents should by now have received a short questionnaire asking for views and comments on the draft Neighbourhood Plan. Completed questionnaires should be posted in the sealed box in Bradley village shop by the end of Monday, December 1.

School news: The school raised £150 for Children in Need, by having a non-uniform day. The school also supported Rays of Sunshine by donating gifts for the charity’s children’s party in Manchester. Pupils took part in a Lego workshop on Monday and created a fairground. Class three were winners of Walk to School for the second week in a row, with 96 per cent of children either walking or parking and striding to school.

Remembrance Day: Thanks go to everyone who contributed to the Remembrance Day service in the village hall, which was well attended. The retiring collection for The Royal British Legion came to £234.

Quiz night: The Slaters Arms will hold its next quiz night on Wednesday.

Broughton Women’s Institute: Heather Slater was guest speaker at last week’s meeting of Broughton with Elslack WI. She spoke about her life with the Saudi Arabia Royal Family and a vote of thanks was by Marjorie Lord. The Craven Group of WI’s carol service will be held at All Saints’ Church, Earby, on December 11, at 7pm.

Burnsall Ed Williams, 01756 720335 War exhibition: By popular demand, the First World War exhibition in Burnsall Church is to remain in place until the end of December.

Seasonal cards: Christmas cards are now on sale in aid of the restoration of the medieval alabaster panel in St Wilfrid’s Church. The cards are based on a photograph of the panel which shows the visit of the Three Kings to Bethlehem. They are available from: Appletreewick - Peter Weatherhead on 720208; Burnsall - Katie’s Kiosk, Burnsall Village Store or John Clark on 720635; Thorpe - John Townend on 720460.

Village ceilidh: A ceilidh will be held at Burnsall Village Hall on Saturday from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £8 and accompanied children will be admitted free of charge. Proceeds will be split between Burnsall Village Hall and the Roots Alive African Music Project. For more information, contact 01756 751920.

Carleton Raymond Bone, 01756 790587 Tree planting: Tomorrow at 2.30pm at Carleton School, there will be a ceremony at which a tree will be planted in memory of all the men from Carleton who fought in the First World War. Parents and relatives of children in the school and villagers are invited to attend. Tea and coffee will be available in Carleton Church afterwards.

Chapel-le-Dale St Leonard’s Church: The church held a successful jumble sale at Ingleborough Community Centre, raising £682. The next events will be a Christmas domino drive on December 7 and carol singing at the Hill Inn on December 11.

Clapham Rory-Joe Daniels, 015242 51135 School news: Kendal Community Theatre will visit Clapham School tomorrow to work with the children on a drama project that aims to challenge and provoke the children through workshops and discussion. The group will perform part of its tour of Lady Anne Clifford, which features stunning Stuart costumes designed and made by Kate Reid.

Hospice fundraiser: More than £350 was raised for Derian House children’s hospice at a coffee morning and afternoon tea at Park View Cottage last Saturday. Rosie Hull and friends thank anyone who helped to make the day so successful.

Church news: St James’ Church invites you to a Christmas Coffee Morning and Big Brunch in the village hall on Saturday from 10am to noon.

Animal fundraiser: Bentham Pet Rescue and Craven Cat Rescue raised £421.35 at their recent coffee morning in Clapham Village Hall. They thank everyone for their support.

Photo talk: Following on from their successful exhibition at Settle’sGallery on The Green, local wildlife photographers Tony and Carol Dilger will be give a talk at Clapham Village Hall on Saturday. The event starts at 7pm and admission is £2.50, including light refreshments.

Coniston Cold Young Farmers: Coniston Cold Young Farmers joined Rathmell, Burton and Lawkland for the Settle District YFC darts competition at Settle Social Club. Five senior teams and two junior teams took part. Coniston juniors were second and, in the seniors, Coniston A came second and Coniston B fourth. District president Ruth Dugdale presented the trophies and district chairman James Bolland gave a vote of thanks. Last Tuesday, Coniston met at Slack Farm Newsholme, where members were given a glimpse into the future of dairy farming with a tour of the farm, dairy unit and robot milking machines. A business meeting and supper followed. A vote of thanks was given by Tom Saxby. Next week’s meeting is the Settle District public speaking competition at Rathmell School.

St Peter’s: There will be Holy Communion service at St Peter’s on Sunday from 9.30am.

Cononley Joan Nicholson, 01535 630872 St John’s: On Sunday, the 11am service in St John’s Church will be Holy Communion, led by the vicar, the Rev John Peet. On Saturday, the congregation is encouraged to support St Mary’s (Bradley) fair in the town hall.

Arts and crafts: Don’t forget to call in at the village institute on Sunday between 10am and 4pm. There will be stalls selling mostly locally produced items, Elsie Clarke’s tips for making Christmas present wrappings and decorations (2pm to 4pm) and refreshments.

Draughton Jane Markham, 01756 711305 St Augustine’s: A morning prayer service will be held on Sunday at 9.30am.

Curry and quiz: There will be a curry and quiz night hosted by Boyle and Petyt School in the village hall tomorrow, from 8pm. Details are available from Vanessa on 01756 711224.

Earby David Hartley, 01282 842617 Churches Together: Churches Together thank Rosemary Biggin and all who prepared for and helped with the very successful Malcolm King Dinner and Dance which was attended by 80 people. Entertainment was provided by Sonia King and friends and dancing facilitated by Mr and Mrs Squire Firth. The Earby to Bethlehem nativity play will take place on Sunday, December 14, at 5pm on The Green at the top of Aspin Lane.

St Peter’s: The preacher at 10.30am on Sunday is Frances Oliver. In the afternoon, there will have a Songs of Praise service at 4pm, followed by a sandwich tea. There is no charge, but there will be a plate for donations. A Christmas afternoon tea is planned on Tuesday, December 9. Come at 2.30pm for chat, with the food being served at 3pm.

Eldroth Swing concert: Next Sunday, November 30, Eldroth Parish Hall will present Tricia Liedl and the Swing Time Trio from the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra with special guest Ellie Turner. The performance will feature a singalong from World War One. The concert starts at 7.30pm and admission is £18 per person, which includes a pie and peas supper. Tickets are available by ringing 015242 51270.

Embsay with Eastby Andrew Wilson, 01756 790197 Embsay churches: Sunday’s service at the Methodist Chapel will be at 10.30am and will be led by the Rev R Atkinson while at St Mary’s, communion will be celebrated at 9.30am. On Tuesday, St Mary’s will hold a service of Holy Communion at 10.30am and, from 2pm to 4pm, the church will be open for tea, coffee, home baking and conversation. Also on Tuesday morning, the Methodist Church Hall will host a variety of table-top games as well as fellowship and refreshments. The Methodist Chapel is open every Monday between 2pm and 3.30pm for anyone seeking a time of peace and quiet.

Methodist Guild: This afternoon the Methodist Guild will enjoy a lunch in the school room at 12.30pm and this will be followed by an illustrated talk on Japan by Glennis Hobbs.

Over 50s: The final meeting of the autumn will be today in the village hall. Frances Powell will give a demonstration, with participation, of Tai Chi. The doors will open at 2pm for tea and scones with the talk starting around 2.30pm. If anyone requires a lift, contact Shelagh Marshall or Wilf Chatwin.

Pre-school playgroup: The pre-school playgroup will hold its annual Christmas shopping evening on Tuesday in the village hall from 6pm to 9pm. There will be lots of stalls with festive gifts. Admission will be £1.50, which includes a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie.

Steam railway: The Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway begins its Santa Steam Specials next Sunday, November 30, and they will then run on Saturdays and Sundays up to Christmas. It is essential to pre-book.

Film night: The next film to be shown in Embsay-with-Eastby Village Hall will be on Wednesday at 7.30pm when Joyeux Noel will be screened. Set in the First World War, it depicts a moment of humanity and understanding amidst the mayhem and carnage. The film is subtitled but the dialogue in many instances is in English. Admission at the door is £4 and includes tea and biscuits.

Parish council: Members considered the first draft of the 2015-2016 annual budget and confirmed there was a need for a considerable increase in the budget and local precept. This is the result of a number of new and essential services and activities required in anticipation of a new parish council and clerk in May 2015. Final consideration of the budget will be made at the December meeting. Members considered a presentation from Christine Blakely, of the Yorkshire Ambulance Service, on various aspects of a community defibrillator including installation, use, location, training and estimated costs. It was agreed that further information was required before a final decision could be taken. Members were informed that the parish council’s views on the draft Craven Local Plan had been submitted in late October. This included the professional comments of the planning consultant as well as views registered by residents at an open drop-in surgery organised by the parish council last month. Members were informed about progress to fill two casual vacancies on the council and considered action to recruit a new parish clerk. Suggestions for further enhancing communication with residents and the future management of the website were discussed. The parish council considered the Craven District Council 2015-2016 budget consultation exercise and agreed members should submit individual responses to the survey. A number of village maintenance and road safety matters were addressed. These included the installation of a generic memorial plaque at the Embsay War Memorial, improved measures for emptying the litter bins at the recreation ground and a proposal to install a “speed table” along East Lane. The next meeting will be held on December 11 at 7.30pm in the village hall.

Farnhill and Kildwick Joyce Wood, 01535 635880 St Andrew’s Church: On Sunday, there will be services of Holy Communion at 8.15am and 10am. The St Andrew’s Fair will take place next Saturday, November 29, from 10am to noon in the church and parish rooms.

Village Pump: The over 50s group meets in the lower hall at Farnhill Methodist Church on Wednesday from 2pm to 3.30pm. Visitors and new members are welcome.

Trust talk: There will be a talk about the work of the The Gambian Schools Trust in the lower hall at Farnhill Methodist Church on Thursday, December 4, from 7pm. It will be given by Linda and David Gunn who regularly visit the Gambia to see the projects. The talk will be followed by supper.

Party evening: A Christmas Party Evening is being held in the Kildwick and Farnhill Institute on Friday, December 5, beginning with a pie and peas supper at 7pm. There will be music from Jim on the organ, a singalong and party dances. Tickets are £7.50 from Joyce on 01535 635880 or Jill on 01535 633620. Proceeds will go to institute funds.

Gargrave Sally Jennings, 01756 748098 Sale of work: Gargrave Christian Mission coffee morning and Christmas sale of work will be held on Saturday between 10am and noon in the village hall and proceeds will be donated to Manorlands Hospice. There will be the usual stalls with the popular chocolate tombolas. Donations of jams, cakes, books and mince pies will be welcome.

Sequence dance: The monthly dance will take place from 7.30pm in the village hall on Saturday. Entry is £4, which includes tea and biscuits.

St Andrew’s: On Sunday there will be BCP Communion from 8am followed at 10.45am by Holy Communion.

Bingo: The next session will be held in the village hall annex at 7.30pm on Wednesday.

Quiz night: A quiz night will take place next Saturday, November 29, from 8pm in the village hall. Quizmaster Steve has compiled a fun quiz covering almost every subject. Each team can be up to four people and children are welcome to attend. The entry fee is £5 per person which will include a pie and peas supper. The quiz begins at 8pm and anyone wishing to enter a team should contact Caroline on 01756 749235.

Giggleswick Gill O’Donnell, 01729 825639 Parish council: North Yorkshire County Council has agreed to divert bus service 11 to and from Settle along Raines Road, Bankwell Road and Church Street. NYCC is also introducing an additional journey from Giggleswick to Settle at 9.20am. The changes will start on December 8. This year, the parish Christmas tree will be installed at the junction of Church Street and Tems Beck next Friday, November 28. The council is grateful for the Women Institute’s donation towards the installation and festive lighting. The next meeting will be held on December 9 at 7.30pm in the parish room.

Primary school: Congratulations go to all year four pupils who participated in the recent cluster schools’ orienteering event in Gisburn Forest. Next Friday, November 28, there will be a chance to wear clothes of own choice to school, in return for chocolate donation for tombola. In the evening, at 6pm, there will be a bingo session and chocolate tombola costing £1 per book - payable on door. Thanks go to everyone who has volunteered to participate in community-based Christmas events – pupils will take part in the Christmas lights switch-on next Saturday, November 29, by singing on stage between 3.30pm and 3.45pm and will also take part in the nativity play at St Alkelda’s Church on December 24 at 6.30pm.

Gisburn Young Farmers: Gisburn Young Farmers met for a fun night of laser combat at Clitheroe. Next week’s meeting will be beef judging at Bob Lancaster’s farm.

Grassington Sheila Denby, 01756 752605 Museum Society: Upper Wharfedale Museum Society met at Church House for its annual general meeting. Chairman of the trustees Ian Appleyard described changes in the charitable status of the society during the past year. It has now become a charitable incorporated organisation. Under the changes, the trustees offered themselves up for election. Ian Appleyard, Elaine Clare, Mac Geldard and Peter Wright were elected as trustees. Visitor numbers have continued to increase and currently stand at 6,200 people this year, with the Dickensian Festival still to come. Treasurer Richard Clare reported that the museum was still on a sound footing.

Helping Hands: Grassington and District Helping Hands needs more volunteer drivers. Anyone who can help once or twice a month should contact Janet Penny on 01756 753823.

Friendship Club: Members are taking a trip to the White Rose Centre, Leeds, for Christmas shopping this afternoon. Sheila Bloomfield is guest speaker at the club’s meeting in Church House next Thursday from 2.15pm. She will talk about Travelling in Pakistan.

Dickensian Festival: The first of the three Saturday events will take place on November 29, followed by December 6 and December 13, from 11am to 5pm. The Congregational Church, in Garrs Lane, will provide a space where local organisations can provide and dress their own Christmas trees. For more information, contact the Rev Peter Thomas, on 01756 753848.

Bloom stall: The Grassington in Bloom will run a Christmas chocolate tombola stall in Main Street on Saturday, December 6, next to Cafe Maison. Donations of chocolate can be left at The Flower Loft.

Christmas bingo: A Christmas bingo event will take place at The Foresters Inn from 8.30pm on Sunday, December 7.

Coffee morning: Burnsall Village Green Committee will hold a coffee morning in Church House on Saturday from 9.30am.

Field Society: The Upper Wharfedale Field Society will present a joint talk by Margaret Moseley and Melanie Smith on the historic background to Ox Close Wood on Monday at 7.30pm. It will take place in the Octagon Theatre and, at the end, refreshments will be available and there will be an opportunity to talk to Margaret and Melanie about Ox Close Wood and the work of the East Keswick Wildlife Trust.

Hellifield Ken Leak, 01729 850845 Age Concern: Tomorrow’s meeting of Age Concern will include a talk on Malawi with Janice Lindsay, in Hellifield House from 10am.

Coffee morning: Saturday’s coffee morning in the institute will be held by the North Craven Flower Club. It will start at 10am.

Defibrillator session: There will be a familiarisation session in the Black Horse tonight from 7pm. First responders will lead the informal evening and attendees will be shown how to deal with cardiac arrest, using a defibrillator and CPR. For more information, contact Jeff Perris on 851389.

Lights switch-on: The Christmas lights will be switched on next Friday, November 28, at 6.30pm. Refreshments available at the institute afterwards.

Institute concert: The institute will host a Christmas concert with a Christmas flavour on Friday, December 5, at 7.30pm. The concert starts at 8pm and includes seasonal music for all ages from singing duo Ian and Jane, plus a specially adapted Christmas Carol. There will be a Christmas style buffet, a Christmas quiz and a raffle. Tickets are £7.50 for adults and £5 for under 16s.

Women’s Institute: Jo Brooks will give a talk on Hearing Dogs at tonight’s WI meeting. This month’s competitions are a thimble and a single flower/foliage from your garden. The meeting will start at 7.15pm in the village institute.

Horton-in-Ribblesdale Caroline Thompson, 01756 749235 St Oswald’s: On Sunday, St Oswald’s Church will hold a Holy Communion at 10.30am.

Golden Age: The Golden Age Committee will hold a Christmas fair in the village hall next Saturday, November 29, from 1pm. Admission is £2 (free for children). There will be lots of stocking fillers to purchase, along with cards and wrapping paper. A soft toy tombola will also be held. Proceeds will fund the annual trip in the summer.

Whist drive: The monthly whist drive was held at the Golden Lion. Winners were: ladies - J Welch, M Davis, D Pullen and A Humphrey; gents - V Jones (sub), M Davis, A Palmer (sub) and H Jackson. The next whist drive will be held on Tuesday, December 9, at 7.30pm.

Gun Club: Members of Penyghent Gun Club had a members’ shoot in Ring Pot Pasture by kind invitation of Mr and Mrs Wilson and family. P Fox was the winner, second was R Carr and in joint third position were A McLernon and E Sharpe. A ten bird pool shoot was won by R Carr. The next event was the first round of the Douk Ghyll tankard shoot which was held at Douk Ghyll Scar by kind invitation of the Jackson family. R.Carr won the round with S Bamber in second position and E Sharpe was third. The second and final round of the shoot was held the following week. The overall winner of the tankard was R Carr with 50 kills, second was K Humphrey with 36 kills and third was S Bamber with 35 kills. A ten-bird pool shoot was won by R Bold. The next shoot will be held on Sunday, December 7, at High Birkwith Farm at 1pm.

Ingleton Sue Brown, 015242 41835 Women’s Institute: Ingleborough Women’s Institute welcomed back Chandra Law, who spoke about the Customs and Culture of Malaysia where she was born. In Chandra’s day, everyone slept on the floor and shared meals sitting on the floor, making members all feel very grateful for their comfortable beds, chairs and fresh water and sanitation. Carol Mann thanked the speaker who then judged the competition for a sewing needle case. The winner was Doreen Wells, second was Grace McGonnigal and third Marilyn Shaw. An evening of retail therapy has been arranged at the Watershed Mill, Settle, next Friday, November 28. Beryl Morphet sent a letter of thanks for providing gala teas and donating the £300 profit to gala funds. Marilyn Shaw has arranged a day out on Saturday to Gretna Green and Haughton Hall. The annual meeting will be held on December 8, followed by festive fun and food. Ingleborough Group WI carol service will take place at Austwick Church on Sunday, December 7, at 2pm.

Kelbrook St Mary’s: On Sunday, St Mary’s will hold a communion service at 11am. Art and craft activities will be available for children.

Langcliffe Helen Jarvis, 01729 825303 Concert date: Langcliffe Institute Committee plan to host an evening with musical duo howdenjones on March 27. Tickets will be £8.50 and for more information, call 01729 822114.

Church bookstall: There is a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction books in the back of the church. If anyone has books they wish to donate please give them to Ken Atkinson or leave them at the back of the church.

Whist drive: At the recent whist drive in aid of church funds, winners were: ladies - 1 M Wellock, 2 M Davies, 3 E Morphet, booby prize RM Middleton; men - 1 V Jones, 2 S Hogg, 3 J Jebson, booby prize H Barker. The pre-Christmas whist drive will be held next Friday, November 28, at 7pm. Admission is £2.

Lawkland Young Farmers: Members met at Settle Rugby Club for programme and public speaking practice. Results were: junior girls - 1 Addy Adnett, 2 Georgia Mason-Thornton, 3 Molly Taylor; junior boys - 1 Luke Harrison, 2 Angus Ogden, 3 James Mason-Thornton; inter boys -1 Robert Ogden, 2 Will Booth, 3 Joe Harrison; senior girls - 1 Helen Lawson, 2 Laura Moorby; senior boys - 1 Chris Taylor. Next week’s meeting is district public speaking.

Rathmell Elaine Illingworth, 01729 840087 Young Farmers: Twenty members met at Rathmell Primary School for an enjoyable evening of judging flapjack. Results were: junior girls - 1 Amber Healing, 2 Ella Caton, 3 Anna Booth and Abi Parsons; junior boys - 1 Jonathan Booth, 2 Harris Dinsdale, 3 Liam Halliday. A vote of thanks was given by James Bradley. Members were reminded that a whist and domino drive will be held at Wigglesworth Community Centre on Monday, December 1, at 7.30pm. Next week’s meeting is Settle District public speaking at Rathmell Primary School at 6.30pm.

Thursday Club: The Thursday Club will share cars and meet up for lunch at 12.30pm today at the Craven Arms.

Salterforth Women’s Institute: Volunteers were required to look after the cake stall for the cancer fair in Skipton next Saturday, November 29. Elsie Barnes and Sue Hornsby offered their services. The diaries and calendars were distributed and money for the Christmas meal at Rolls Royce was collected. President Janette Pate introduced member Megan Sunley, of Lotus Flowers, Skipton, who gave a wonderful demonstration of flower arranging. Norma Bell gave the vote of thanks. Her arrangement was raffled and the winner was Cynthia Alderson. The competition for a Christmas bauble was won Norma Bell with Janette Pate second and Sylvia Bowden, third. The first meeting of the New Year will be in the village hall on January 8 at 7.30pm when regular visitors, Gordon and Ann Sharp, will entertain with their Spellbound film show. The competition will be A Foreign Postcard. Members are reminded that subscriptions are due in January and will be £36.

Settle Gill O’Donnell, 01729 825639 Christmas lunch: Planning is under way for Christmas Day in Settle where once again there will be a community Christmas lunch and tea at St John’s Hall. The event will run from 11.45am to 4.45pm and is open to all ages at the cost of £10. To reserve a place, contact 01729 822138. Volunteers are sought to help with food preparation, cooking and serving and arranging transport to and from the event.

Poppy coffee: Many thanks go to everyone who supported the coffee morning on Saturday at Lowe Maintenance Training. It raised £76 for The Royal British Legion.

Victoria Hall: Tomorrow, using a real magic lantern projector, poet and broadcaster Ian McMillan and documentary photographer Ian Beesley will tell the story of the First World War from the point of view of those who survived into old age and the role of women. Sunday sees a visit by Skerryvore, a band from Tiree who blend traditional Celtic music with rock and funk. The month ends with a concert by Martyn Joseph, The Welsh Springsteen, next Friday, November 28.

Kwezana link: Following on from recent posts from Kwezana pupils about some of their country’s traditional foods, pupils in Settle have been sharing details of their favourite meals and highlighting the after-school cookery club. They also shared their experiences of the judo club, which was visited by Ms Mveni on her recent stay in Settle.

Women’s Institute: Members will enjoy a coach trip to Harrogate today, leaving Whitefriars at 9.30am. The next meeting - Bags of Difference - will be held in the Catholic Church Hall on Wednesday, December 3. There will be a raffle for a Christmas hamper.

Folk Club: The Three Peaks Folk Club will meet in the social club on Saturday from 9pm. There will be a range of floor singers and musicians and all are welcome to come along.

Settle Orchestra: Settle Orchestra’s autumn concerts will take place at Settle College on Saturday and Christ Church, Skipton, next Saturday, November 29. Both concerts will start at 7.30pm. The soloist will be mezzo soprano Rachel Maby. Tickets costing £10 are available from Cave and Crag, Settle, High Bentham Post Office, Settle Music, Skipton Camera Centre or by phoning 01729 825806.

Gardening Club: Settle and District Gardening Club will hold its annual general meeting at Townhead Court on Wednesday at 2pm. It will be followed by a talk entitled Christmas is Coming.

TRAMPS: There will be a showing of the German film, Lore, at Victoria Hall on Wednesday at 7.45pm. Doors open at 7.15pm and admission is £5. The film is in German with English subtitles and follows the story of Lore, who, at the end of the war, leads her siblings across the country to her grandparents’ home in the north of Germany. In conjunction with Victoria Hall, a meal is being offered for combined price of £13.

November fair: The Friends of Settle Primary School will hold its annual November Fair on next Friday between 6.30pm and 8pm. Admission is free.

The Folly: To coincide with Settle’s lights switch-on next Saturday, November 29, the Folly will run a free family activity session from 1.30pm to 4pm where visitors will be able to design a game. There will also be Christmas-card making, a “golden” tree for visitors to decorate and a prize draw.

Palestine fundraiser: The Three Peaks for Palestine group will hold a fundraiser for Medical Aid for Palestine next Saturday, November 29, from 10am to 3.30pm at the Quaker Meeting House. Morning coffee, light lunches and afternoon teas will be available, along with Palestinian products, hand-printed Christmas cards and jewellery.

All sorts market: There will be an all sorts market in Victoria Hall next Saturday, November 29, from 9.30am to 4pm. To reserve a stall, call 017239 823867.

Band concert: The annual concert by Giggleswick and Settle Brass Band at Holy Ascension Church will take place next Sunday, November 30, at 7.30pm.

Debut show: Settle’s newest amateur dramatics group, Take Two, will perform The Witch That Nicked Christmas at Victoria Hall from December 3 to 5 at 7.30pm. Penned by comedian and raconteur Mike Harding, it provides true family fun with custard pie fights, singing and dancing and a very wicked witch. Tickets are available from the Victoria Hall box office on 01729 825718.

Charity dance: This year’s Christmas charity dance will take place on December 6 at St Mary and St Michael Parish Hall. The dance will run from 8pm to 11.30pm. There will be a Jacob’s Join supper and all proceeds will go to Macmillan Cancer Care. The annual New Year’s Eve charity dance will take place at the Victoria Hall on December 31 from 8pm. Again, there will be a Jacob’s Join supper and all proceeds will go to support Victoria Hall.

Settle Sessions: On December 5, there will be a seasonal Settle sessions at The Folly with guest Ann Pilling. The prize winning children’s author and poet will explain how she came to create an anthology of happy poems to aid the Hawes Church Restoration Fund. The evening will also encompass the AGM at 6.30pm followed by the entertainment at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £6 (£5.50 for members) and are available from 01729 823305 Silsden Linda Berry, 01535 654643 Autumn fair: St James’ autumn fair will take place on Saturday from 9.30am to 1.30pm in the Church Hall. Admission is 20p and there will be numerous stalls and children’s activities. There will also be bacon sandwiches.

Sports Club: Silsden Sports Club will hold its annual general meeting on Thursday, December 4, at 7pm in the club’s function room. Anyone wishing to add anything to the agenda must notify the secretary, Peter Hanson, by next Thursday, November 27. He can be contacted at 9 Windgate, Silsden, BD20 0LG, or email peter.hanson12@hotmail.co.uk Camera Club: Silsden Camera Club held its annual chairman’s evening in St. James Church Hall last Wednesday. Rodney and Helen Smith presented an interesting digital display of their travels during the year. They then presented the 2014 trophies. Winners were: colour section - 1 N Bland, 2 G Pickering, 3 B Whittingham; black and white - 1 N Bland, 2 G Pickering, 3 A Bland; overall winner - N Bland. The competition was Bridges and the winner was J Metcalfe. The next meeting will be Photoshop presented by Steve Rayner and will be held in St James Church Hall at 7.30pm on Wednesday. For further information, contact 01535 653528.

Skipton Italian Circle: The Skipton Italian Circle will meet next Thursday, November 27, at 7.30pm in the Soroptimists’ Room in Otley Street. The meeting will include an illustrated talk from Ian Adams on The Piazza San Marco and the Building of Venice.

Retired Men’s Forum: David Alred described the wildlife to be found in the national parks of Tanzania and Kenya when he spoke to Skipton Retired Men’s Forum. His excellent photographs enabled him to identify different species of giraffe and antelope, lion and cheetah. Next week, K Geddes will speak about steam and mines in the Harz mountains of Germany.

Camera Club: Last Tuesday’s meeting gave members a chance to bring along their best prints and digital images for a selection night for the forthcoming competition at Colne Camera Club. Eventually ten prints and 15 digital images were selected, with each member having at least one print and one digital image.

International Club: Richard Breare is guest speaker at Tuesday’s meeting of the International Club. He will speak about the talking newspaper, Craven Cassette, at 7.30pm in the Soroptimists Rooms.

Fine arts: Because work at Skipton Town Hall, the November meeting of the Skipton and Wharfedale Decorative and Fine Arts Society was moved to Christ Church. The speaker, Matthew Williams, spoke about Highclere Castle, where Downton Abbey is filmed, and its owner, Lord Carnarvon. Highclere has many parallels with Downton, including marrying for money to pay for the upkeep of the buildings and the use of the house as a hospital during the Great War. The December meeting will be back in Skipton Town Hall.

Naturalists: Dr Slater, of Langcliffe, gave an illustrated talk on Ancient Walls to Craven Naturalists and Scientific Association. He told how the age of walls could be worked out by examining their deviation caused by uneven freezing and thawing. The next meeting in the Swadford Centre, Skipton, at 7.30pm, on Monday, is a talk, Limestone Ribble, by J Spees, of Clitheroe, on behalf of the River Ribble Trust.

Steeton Methodist Church: Deacon Jean Stephenson presented the Junior Church children with their prizes at the annual prizegiving. There is a Junior Church every week at the same time as the service. This Sunday’s service will take place at 10.30am and will be taken by the Rev Alan Raine. The Evening Fellowship will meet on Wednesday at 7.30pm when the Rev Rosemary Nash will entertain with a presentation of Gospel Magic.

Sutton-in-Craven Upper Wharfedale Sheila Denby, 01756 752605 Piano for Pudsey: Piano pupils from Cracoe and surrounding villages will raise cash for Children in Need with a concert at Hetton Methodist Chapel tonight at 7pm. Tickets costing £7.50 adults, £3.50 children are available from Joyce Milner on 730313.

Cricket Club: Cracoe Cricket Club will hold its annual coffee morning next Saturday, November 29, from 10am in the village hall.

Christmas show: Rehearsals are under way for the performances, on December 5 and 6, in Cracoe Village Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10.

Embroiderers’ Guild: Gillian Travis will speak on Fabric Flowers at Wharfedale Rugby Club, Wharfeside Avenue, on December 3, from 10am to 3.30pm. Further information is available from Yvonne Whiteoak on 01535 653825.

Women’s Institure: Kettlewell and District WI welcomed guest Trevor Kent, who told some highly amusing anecdotes about the time he was employed to read meters by the Yorkshire Electricity Board in the 1970s and 1980s. The evening was rounded off with a Jacob’s Join supper, with members presenting their signature bakes. The competition for The Last Rose of Summer was won by Barbara Lambert, with Sheila Foster second and Patsy Campbell third.

Wigglesworth Community centre: The craft group ladies had a brilliant evening with Rosemary inspiring them to do more with a bunch of flowers than sticking them in a vase. The results were spectacular. On Monday, members should bring along a quilted square and a sewing machine if at all possible. The squares will be incorporated into either a tote bag or cushion cover. Whist and dominoes fans have a choice of three sessions - on Wednesday, next Saturday, November 29, and Monday, December 1 (which will by run by young farmers). All start at 7.30pm. The Village Christmas Party will take place on Sunday, December 21. Just bring a plate of something to share and soft drinks will be available. It will start at 4pm and will include fun and games, followed by carol singing through the village. Song sheets will be provided - just bring your torches or lanterns and a bit of enthusiasm! The singers will end up at the Plough.