Neighbourhood news

Women’s Institute: Austwick WI will meet next Thursday, December 11, at 7.30pm in the parish hall for an open meeting. There will be festive refreshments and entertainment by Happy Butterflies.

Santa visits: Santa will bring his sleigh to Austwick on Monday at 5.30pm.

Church news: Carols and mulled wine will be on offer at Harden Coach House, Austwick, tomorrow from 6.30pm. On Sunday, Holy Communion will be celebrated at Austwick and Eldroth at 9.30am and the WI carol service will take place at Austwick at 2pm. Next Thursday, December 11, will see Austwick School stage its Christmas production in church at 1.30pm and the Afternoon Fellowship will meet for lunch in the village hall at noon for 12.30pm. The meal will be followed by a presentation from Sheila Gooch.

Wreath-making: Melanie Greenhaigh will lead a wreath-making workshop in Austwick Parish Hall. For dates and times, contact Melanie on 51313.

Barnoldswick Probus Club: West Craven Probus members watched a series of three local films from Pendle Film Makers, presented by John Morgan. The first film was of the cutting of the first land for the M65 motorway in 1976; the second was of the World War One remembrance parade in Colne this year; and the third film was the construction in 1968 of the Arndale Centre in Nelson.

History Society: Alan Hemsworth was the speaker at Barnoldswick History Society’s November meeting, giving an illustrated talk on the History of Inn Signs. He explained that the designs on such signs often reflected religious, military, industrial and social developments from the Middle Ages to the present day. Military victories brought characters such as Lord Nelson and the Duke of Wellington to the fore. More recently political correctness was shown by one inn sign Fox and Hounds becoming simply The Fox! Today, said the speaker, many interesting signs were being replaced by bland restaurant, bistro or wine bar signs in order to attract a new breed of customers.

Bentham History Society: John Kerr, chairman of the Ewecross Historical Society, welcomed guest speaker Graham Kemp. Mr Kemp, senior guide at Lancaster Castle, gave an exciting and enthusiastic insight into the Love Life of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. One of the nine children of Edward III and his wife, Philippa, John fell in love with and married Blanch the beautiful 15-year-old heiress to the Duke of Lancaster. They had six children. Their eldest son became Henry IV and their younger daughter married the King of Portugal. After Blanch died. he made a diplomatic marriage to Constance of Castile, which produced one daughter who became Queen of Castile. During this joyless marriage John took a mistress, Katharine Swynford, and their four children, the Beauforts, were made legitimate by Richard II. The eldest, John Beaufort, was great-great-grandfather of Henry VIII. The chairman thanked Mr Kemp. The January meeting will be held in the Methodist Church when Oliver Wilkinson will speak on British PoWs in World War One.

Bolton Abbey Priory Church: The services on Sunday are 8am Communion (said), 10.30am Sung Eucharist with guest preacher the Rev Hannah Smith, curate and pioneer minister of the Riverside Church, Leeds, and 4.30pm Evening Prayer. As this is the first Sunday of the month, there will also be a Liquid Family Service at 9.15am. The theme is Preparing for Christmas. Each Wednesday there is a Communion service at 10am.

Choir concert: Honley Male Voice Choir will give a Christmas concert in the Priory tomorrow at 7.15pm. It will be led by musical director Stephen Roberts. Tickets are £10 and are available from 01756 718155 or on the door.

Bradley Liz Zieboll, 01535 636369 St Mary’s: On Sunday, St Mary’s Church will hold its annual toy service at 9.30am. The congregation is asked to bring toys which are new or in very good condition for distribution by the Keighley Salvation Army.

Christmas Post: Bradley School Christmas post is now being delivered. Stamps cost 10 pence and are available from the school office and the village shop. Cards can be posted either in the shop or in the postbox outside school. The post will be sorted by the older children and delivered by parents and their children. All money raised will go towards FOBS (Friends of Bradley School).

Coffee morning: Everyone is welcome at the Methodist Church coffee morning on Saturday. It takes place in the church hall between 10am and 11.30am and includes home baking.

School news: Class four enjoyed a Greek afternoon with music, theatre and delicious Greek food. They have also been designing Grecian urns. Class five were last week’s winners of Walk to School, with 92 per cent of children either walking or parking and striding to school.

Burnsall Ed Williams, 01756 720335 Christmas fair: St Wilfrid’s will hold its Christmas fair in the village hall on Saturday from 10am to 3pm. There will be many stalls including home-baked cakes, jams and preserves, white elephant, good as new, books, CDs, DVDs and videos, toys and games, jewellery, glass decorations, Christmas stockings and beauty gifts. Donations would be appreciated and these can be taken to Rectory Cottage or to Burnsall Village Hall between 6pm and 9pm tomorrow or on Saturday no later than 9.30am. There will also be a raffle for a hamper, a tombola and refreshments. Proceeds will go to St Wilfrid’s Church Fabric Fund. Anyone willing to help should contact Ed and Brenda on 07793 408910.

Clapham Rory-Joe Daniels, 015242 51135 Santa visits: Santa will bring his sleigh to Clapham on Monday, from about 6.30pm.

Coffee morning: St Matthew’s Church, Keasden, invites you to a Christmas coffee morning next Saturday, December 13, between 10.30am and noon. Visitors can enjoy coffee while listening to carols.

Christingle: A Children’s Society Christingle service took place at Clapham Primary School on Thursday afternoon, raising funds for vulnerable children across the country.

Christmas fair: The Friends of Clapham School Parents’ Teacher Association will hold their Christmas fair in school on Saturday from 10am to noon. The event will include a bacon and sausage butty stand and Santa will arrive at 11am.

Vintage fair: There will be a Very Vintage Christmas A’fayre in the village hall on Sunday between 10am and 4pm. The event will also feature a vintage tea room. Admission is £1.

Coniston Cold Young Farmers: Coniston Cold joined Rathmell, Lawkland and Burton for the Settle District public speaking competition at Rathmell. Coniston members took part in all competitions with Cameron Walton and Aimee and Kate Beresford winning the intermediate debate team, James Bolland, Megan Schofield and Charlotte Lancaster coming second and Jodie Bolland winning the chairman section. In the junior section, Paddy Capstick and Thomas Beresford came first and third in the speaking section and Gemma Darwen and Robin Schofield came third and fourth in the chairman category. Megan Schofield and Charlotte Lancaster came second and third in the ten minute speech and Georgiana Foster, Millie Brennand and Gemma Darwen came second in the junior reading. Ellie Saxby and Joe Hudson came second and third in the vote of thanks. Coniston Cold won the trophy for most points. Club chairman Cameron Walton collected the trophy and gave the vote of thanks. Next week’s meeting is practice night for the annual whist drive to be held at The Richard Tottie Memorial Hall on Tuesday, December 16, at 7.30pm .

Cononley Joan Nicholson, 01535 630872 St John’s: The church will hold its annual toy service on Sunday at 11am, to which the congregation is asked to bring toys which are new or in very good condition for distribution by the Keighley Salvation Army. The service will be led by the Rev Barbara Walls. On Monday, Toddlers Praise will be in St John’s Church from 2pm. Next Saturday, December 13, St John’s will hold a coffee morning in the village institute from 10.30am to 1pm and next Sunday, Cononley Singers will take part in a service of music and readings at the church from 2.30pm.

Brewing festival: A Festival of Brewing will be held in the village institute on Saturday. Doors open at 7pm and visitors will be able to sample a variety of home brews and beers and if you want to enter your own home-brew, ring Steve on 07809 716073. Tickets cost £5 which includes six drinks, food and live music.

Cowling Carol service: The Cowling Hill Baptist Chapel carol service will be held on Sunday at 2.30pm. It will be led by the Rev Tony Taylor.

St Andrew’s: On Sunday at 10.30am St Andrew’s will hold its annual toy service. Toys will be distributed through the Salvation Army and should be unwrapped. Gifts can be for children up to the age of 16. Next Sunday, December 14, at 6pm, St Andrew’s will hold a Christmas Praise service led by Glenda and Tony’s group.

Charity awards: The James Wm Dawson Charity will make awards to residents who are 70 years and over at St Andrew’s Methodist Church on Saturday, December 20, from 10am to noon. This year will probably be the last time this charity will be administered.

Draughton Jane Markham, 01756 711305 St Augustine’s Church: The service on Sunday, starting at 9.30am, will be Holy Communion.

Earby David Hartley, 01282 842617 St Peter’s: The preacher at 10.30am service on Sunday is Pat George. There will be a Christmas Afternoon Tea on Tuesday from 2.30pm. There is no charge, but there will be a plate for donations. Please contact David and Hazel Edmondson on 843064 if you would like to come. The next games evening will be on Monday, December 15, at 7pm.

Christian Aid Group: There will be a service of Advent Hope at St Andrew’s, Barnoldswick, at 6pm on Sunday. It is part of Christian Aid’s Christmas appeal, so there will be an offering for the work of the charity.

Eastburn Carol service: Eastburn Methodist Church will hold a carol service at 6pm next Sunday, December 14. It will be led by the Rev Saidu Kanu and there will be songs by Eastburn School Choir as well as readings by different members of the community.

Embsay with Eastby Andrew Wilson, 01756 790197 Embsay churches: St Mary’s Church will hold its annual Christmas fair in the village hall on Saturday from 11am to 2pm. There will be stalls selling Christmas gifts and cakes and refreshments will be available. Proceeds will go to church funds. On Sunday, the church will hold two services - a 9.30am All Age Worship for Advent and a 11.15am Book of Common Prayer communion service. On Tuesday there will be a service of Holy Communion at 10.30am. The Methodist Chapel’s 10.30am service on Sunday will be led by Eileen Appleby. Don’t forget Smiley Faces toddler praise on Friday between 1.45pm and 3.15pm.

Methodist Guild: The first of the Methodist Guild’s December meetings will be held today at 2pm when John Tomlinson will speak about Beamsley.

Women’s Institute: At the end of the last meeting, the village hall was full of beautiful little angels ready to take their places in the Christmas festivities. These were the result of a bead workshop led by Pat Dunnill and her friend Gloria from the Goldsborough WI. It was a very enjoyable evening. The next meeting will be on Tuesday at 7pm. This will include the annual general meeting and will be followed by the Christmas Party.

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

Village Agent: Embsay-with-Eastby’s village agent Maxine Bentley will be holding her next drop-in surgery in the village hall tomorrow between 2pm and 3pm.

Music night: Tomorrow, local band The Badgers will play at the Cavendish Arms, starting at 9pm.

Farnhill and Kildwick Joyce Wood, 01535 635880 St Andrew’s: On Sunday, there will be services of Holy Communion at 8.15am and 10am. Next Sunday, December 14, at 4pm the Cross Hills and District Fellowship of Churches will present a Christmas nativity pageant in Sutton village and park.

Trust talk: There will be a talk about the work of the Gambian Schools Trust in the lower hall at Farnhill Methodist Church tonight at 7pm. The talk and slide show will be given by Linda and David Gunn, who regularly visit the Gambia, and will be followed by supper.

Village Pump: Village Pump members will enjoy a Christmas lunch at Craven College on Wednesday.

Annual meeting: Kildwick and Farnhill Institute will hold its annual general meeting on Tuesday at 7.30pm.

Party evening: The Christmas Party Evening with Jim on the organ will be held in the Kildwick and Farnhill Institute tomorrow from 7pm. It will start with a pie and peas supper. Admission is by ticket only.

Gargrave Sally Jennings, 01756 748098 Christmas bingo: A Christmas bingo session will be held at Neville House from 7pm tonight (doors open at 6.30pm). Admission is £1.50 and bingo books are 50p each. There will also be a tombola and raffle.

Craft fair: There will be a Christmas craft fair in the village hall on Saturday and Sunday. It will be an ideal opportunity to purchase Christmas gifts. Admission is free and homemade refreshments will be available. Many of the stallholders will be working on their creations. There will be some fantastic items to purchase, ranging from knitted garments to crystals. Tarot readings will also be given. The event will be open from 10am to 4pm each day.

St Andrew’s: On Sunday, there will be BCP Communion at 8am and a Sung Eucharist at 10.45am.

School news: Gargrave School will give its Christmas performance in the village hall on Wednesday. There will be two shows at 2pm and 6pm. All are welcome to attend.

Women’s Institute: The WI will meet on Wednesday at 7.30pm in the village hall annex. This will be a Christmas Social Evening.

Christian Mission: A big thank you goes to everyone who supported, donated and attended the coffee morning, which raised £874 for Manorlands Hospice.

Community Cafe: The initial meeting will take place between 2pm and 4.30pm on Monday in the village hall annex. It is envisaged that this will become a regular monthly event taking place on the second Monday afternoon of every month. There will be a range of daytime activities.

Giggleswick Gill O’Donnell, 01729 825639 Festive Fantasia: Octameron and Phoenix Strings will come together at Richard Whiteley Theatre on Saturday to perform a Festive Fantasia. Tickets cost £10 and are available from Cave and Crag and Settle Music Langcliffe Singers: The group will hold Christmas with Langcliffe Singers at St Alkelda’s Church next Saturday, December 13, at 7.30pm. There will be readings and carols along with mince pies and mulled wine. Tickets cost £10 and are available from Settle Music, Bentham Post Office and Cave and Crag.

Theatre events: Tonight, the Richard Whiteley Theatre will show a live broadcast of the Old Vic’s production of The Crucible at 7.30pm. The Gigg Lecture series continues tomorrow at 7pm when Alex Hibbert tells of his time Living With Eskimos. On Sunday, Community Cinema will show the U-rated film, Boxtrolls, starting at 3.30pm.

Primary school: Thanks go to everyone who voted for the Friends of Giggleswick Primary School in the Skipton Building Society Grassroots giving scheme. A total of 161 schools, including Giggleswick, was given £500. A number of pupils took part in the St Alkelda’s Church picture competition on the theme of Away in a Manger. The winners were Phoebe Oliver, Cerys Jones and Tom Birkett-Bentley. Thanks go to Edie and Connie Eccleston, Melissa Tither, Dylan and Oliver Sampson for helping at the church’s Christmas fair. Year six pupils joined their counterparts from Rathmell, Hellifield and Long Preston for lunch and an afternoon walk around Long Preston. Meanwhile all reception and year one pupils enjoyed a visit from Sita Brand and Settle Stories staff and some puppets. Thanks go to all pupils and parents who supported the school at the Settle Lights switch-on at the weekend.

Gisburn Young Farmers: Gisburn Young Farmers met for a night of bingo. Next week members will be at Mr Wrathall’s farm for a night of dairy judging.

Grassington Sheila Denby, 01756 752605 Garden talk: Maureen Little, garden designer, beekeeper, herb enthusiast and writer, will be speaker at tonight’s meeting of Grassington and District Horticultural Society in the Octagon Theatre at 7.30pm. She will talk about growing and using herbs.

Friendship Club: Charles and Angela Knowles will be guests at this afternoon’s meeting of the Friendship Club. Members will hear how Charles and Angela prepare for Christmas. Next Thursday, the guest speaker will be Chris Mason, correspondent for BBC News. The club meets in Church House at 2.15pm.

Coffee mornings: St Michael’s Parish Church, Linton, will offer coffee, tea and mince pies in Church House over the next two Dickensian Saturdays. Funds will be split three ways - Martin House Children’s Hospice, the Ebola Crisis Appeal and St Michael’s Church.

Gills Top: A Christmas coffee morning, with a bumper raffle, will be held at Gills Top tomorrow from 10am. This is the last coffee evening before Christmas and there will be seasonal refreshments.

Dickensian show: Grassington Players will present their Dickensian show, Old Time Music Hall, in Grassington Town Hall on Saturday from 8pm. They will repeat it at a “locals” night on Thursday, December 18. Tickets are available from the Hub on 752222.

Christmas concert: Grassington Singers will give their Christmas concert in Grassington Town Hall next Saturday, December 13, from 8pm. Advanced tickets costing £5 are available from the Hub on 752222 or tickets on the door cost £7.

Hellifield Ken Leak, 01729 850845 Methodist news: Saturday’s coffee morning will be in the Wesley Centre, Haw Grove, from 10.30 to 3pm. Proceeds will go to the Methodists and Ebola Fund. The next Guild meeting will be on Wednesday at 7.30pm. Margaret Smith will talk on Trains, Boats, Planes and, more topically, Nativity Scenes.

Institute coffee: There will be no coffee morning in the institute this Saturday. The next one will be the Church coffee morning next Saturday, December 13, from 10.30am.

Age Concern: Age Concern members will enjoy a lunch outing to Sycamore Farm tomorrow. Next Friday, December 12, there will be entertainment from singers Stan and Jane. The meeting on the 19th will include Surprise, Surprise!

Institute concert: A Christmas Concert will be held tomorrow from 7.30pm. It has a Christmas flavour with a specially adapted Hellifield Christmas Carol. Tickets are available from 01729 851660.

Railway talk: There will be a presentation at the Station Tearooms tomorrow from 7.30pm entitled BR Steam from 1962.

Book Club: The next meeting of the Book Club is in the social club next Thursday, December 11, at 7.30pm. The book for discussion will be A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Contact Yvonne Crabtree on 851806 to order. The January 8 meeting will include Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen.

Carol service: St Aidan’s will hold its carol service next Sunday, December 14, at 6.30pm.

Flower Club: North Craven Flower Club will meet at the institute next Thursday, December 11, at 7.30pm when Mildred Stafford will demonstrate Christmas in the Air. New members and visitors are welcome. For further information, call 01729 822558.

Horton-in-Ribblesdale Caroline Thompson, 01756 749235 Parish party: The festive season will soon be under way in Horton-in Ribblesdale. The annual Christmas Parish Party will take place in the village hall next Friday, December 12. The doors will open at 7pm. Admission is £5 for adults and £2.50 for children. Entertainment will be provided by Kelly and the Buskers and Sharon Selman.

Ingleton Sue Brown, 015242 41835 Best guy: The winner of the best guy in the Ingleton Guy Fawkes Festival was Jackson’s of Springs Cottage. The People’s Choice winner was Sue Fitzsimmons and Hugh and Linda Redhead came second. The trail winner was Ian Hughes from Ingleton. There were 30 guys. Next year, the festival will run in the October holidays and the theme will be Heroes and Villains.

Kelbrook St Mary’s: St Mary’s Church will hold a Communion service on Sunday at 11am.

Langcliffe Helen Jarvis, 01729 825303 Santa visits: Santa will bring his sleigh, accompanied by his elves from Settle Rotary Club, to Langcliffe next Thursday, December 11, at 5pm.

Lawkland Young Farmers: Lawkland Young Farmers met at Rathmell School for the district public speaking competition. Next week’s meeting is Christmas crafts at Austwick Parish Hall at 7.30pm.

Long Preston Heather Thomas-Smith, 01729 840113 Coffee morning: A coffee morning with mince pies will be held in the village hall on Saturday from 10am to noon. There will also be a cake stall and hamper raffle draw. Proceeds will go to the Over 70s Group.

War project: On Saturday, there will be two World War One events in the village hall. At 6.45pm, Stewart Robertshaw will unveil the photos of the men who died during the Great War. These will be permanently displayed in the village hall. At 7.30pm there will be a screening of War Horse . Tickets are £4.50 in advance from 01729 840770.

Women’s Institute: Long Preston WI’s busy year will culminate in the Christmas Party on Wednesday in the village hall. Pat Osborne will give a talk on the life and works of Agatha Christie followed by a Christmas buffet.

Lothersdale Over 60s: Ann and Gordon Sharp paid a return visit to Lothersdale over 60s last Wednesday when they showed a film entitled Kenya and the Masi. Members were reminded that the next meeting will be the Christmas party on Wednesday when there will be entertainment by the Cobbydale Singers and there will be a charge of £6. The Christmas party will be the last meeting of the year and sessions will restart on Wednesday, April 1.

Young Farmers: Lothersdale Young Farmers will meet at the clubhouse on Monday at 7.30pm for a talk by Rachel Gilder from Dunbar on cattle selection. On Monday, December 15, all members, their families and advisory members are invited to the Christmas quiz in the village hall at 7.30pm.

Discussion Group: Lothersdale Agricultural Discussion Group will meet at the Tempest Arms, Elslack, on Wednesday at 8pm. The speaker will be dairy consultant Colin Orr.

Rathmell Elaine Illingworth, 01729 840087 Santa visits: With the help of Settle Rotary Club, Santa will bring his sleigh to Rathmell on Tuesday at 5.30pm.

Thursday Club: Members of Rathmell Thursday Club will meet for lunch in the Reading Room today at 12.30pm. The meal will be followed by music from folk duo Sean and Steve of Clitheroe.

Rimington Salem Chapel: There was a good gathering for the annual Songs of Praise evening at Salem Congregational Chapel, Martin Top. Organist was Don Carson from Barnoldswick who has just celebrated his 90th birthday.

Settle Gill O’Donnell, 01729 825639 Christmas lunch: Volunteers are needed to help with this year’s Christmas Day lunch and tea event. It will take place in St John’s Hall from 11.45am to 4.45pm and is open to all ages. To volunteer or reserve a place, contact 01729 822138.

Victoria Hall: Local group Take 2 will stage The Witch that Nicked Christmas tonight and tomorrow. This is a family show featuring local young people. The First Sunday Folk on Sunday will be introduced by Mike Harding and the guest for the evening will be Bernard Wrigley, the Bolton Bullfrog, who is also known as Barry Clegg from Emmerdale. Next Sunday, December 14, Chorus Natus Est will hold a come and sing workshop of Handel’s Messiah. The workshop runs from noon to 6pm with an evening performance at 7pm. Jazz singer Clare Teal spreads seasonal appeal with a Festive Fiesta Jing- Jing-a-ling on December 19. On December 20, Chris Newman and Maire Ni bring a celtic feel to Christmas with their Christmas music show, Celtic Christmas Strings. Pendle Productions will perform a matinee performance of their pantomime Dick Whittington at 2.30pm on December 21.

The Folly: On Saturday, a Yuletide event is being held from 10am to noon with mulled wine and mince pies being served. This will provide a final opportunity to see this year’s exhibitions.

Settle Sessions: Tomorrow, there will be a seasonal Settle Sessions at The Folly with guest Ann Pilling. The prizewinning 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 annual meeting and reception to which all are welcome. The reception with wine and nibbles begins at 6.30pm followed by the entertainment at 7.30pm.

Charity dance: This year’s Christmas charity dance will take place on Saturday 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 from 8pm to midnight. Again, there will be a Jacob’s Join supper and all proceeds from this event will go to support Victoria Hall. For further information, contact 01729 823259 or 824038.

Parish Church: The parish church is hosting a Christmas Tree Festival. Local businesses, charities and clubs have been invited to place a decorated tree in the church. It is hoped that the decorations will be themed to reflect the donors’ interests. The festival will run on Saturday from 10am to 3pm, Sunday from noon and 3pm and the following weekend at the same times. Next Sunday, December 14, at 6.30pm, the church will host a service of Nine Lessons and Carols with Cantores Salicium and a choir from Settle Primary School.

Community carols: This year’s community carol concert will take place at Settle Parish Church on Sunday at 6.30pm. The programme will contain items by Settle Amateur Operatic Society, Settle Voices, Settle College, Settle Primary School, Langcliffe Singers, Octameron, Giggleswick and Settle Junior Band and organists Graham Toft and Paul Fisher.

Coffee morning: Settle Amateur Operatic Society is holding a Christmas coffee morning at The Old Court House on Station Road next Saturday, December 13, between 10am and 12.30pm.

Santa visits: Santa will be in Settle Co-op between 10am and 4pm on Saturday and in Booth’s store on Saturdays, December 13 and 20. On weekday evenings from 5.30pm, Santa’s sleigh will be visiting the surrounding villages. He will be visiting Upper Settle and Langdale Avenue tonight, Hellifield tomorrow, Austwick and Clapham on Monday, Rathmell and Wigglesworth on Tuesday, Giggleswick on Wednesday and Langcliffe on Thursday.

Mindfulness taster: There will be a mindfulness taster session at St Mary and St Michael Church Hall on December 15 at 6.30pm. The two-hour session will look at ways of exploring simple mindfulness practices. For further details, contact 07803 721135. A new series of courses will start in January.

Christmas crafts: The National Trust will hold a Christmas Craft session at Friends’ Meeting House on December 16 between 1.30pm and 4pm. There will be an opportunity to make a Christmas wreath or a table centre decoration. For further details or to reserve a place, contact 01729 830416 Settle Stories: The Settle Stories team invites you to its offices in the town hall on December 17 for mince pies and punch. Drop in between 2pm and 5pm to share your festival highlights and find out more about future plans.

Tearoom concert: On December 20, Poppies Tearooms will welcome The Sessionistas. The audience can expect a varied repertoire from folk and pop classics to bluegrass and psychedelia. December 27 sees the welcome return of Ben Avison, playing alongside Sam Laurence. This music night is in aid of Bentham Pet Rescue. Tickets are priced at £7 and are available from Poppies Tea Room.The concerts start at 7.30pm.

Silsden Linda Berry, 01535 654643 Coffee and cakes: Coffee, Cakes and Camaraderie will hold a Christmas coffee morning at the Methodist Church on Saturday with a Christmas stall giving lots of options for presents. It will run from 9.30am to 11.30am.

Amnesty thanks: Silsden Amnesty group thanks everyone who took cards and sent supportive messages to those wrongly imprisoned. The answers to the flower quiz are on the noticeboard in the Methodist Church where the next meeting will be held on Monday at 7.30pm.

Local History: More than 70 people heard a talk on the history of the Silsden stretch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal at the recent meeting of the Local History Group. The event followed extensive research into the canal story by chairman David Mason. He described how the many “navvies” who flocked to Silsden in 1871 to build the waterway were over-charged and exploited by some of the local innkeepers. The group’s history archive, currently housed at the town hall, is also proving of huge interest in the town, with significant contributions of material arriving every week. One of the latest acquisitions is a journal written by Joseph Pickard, an 18th century maltster and innkeeper, who recorded local life. The group’s next meeting, which is open to all, will be on Monday, December 22. This will be an informal get-together on a Christmas theme.

Tenants sought: The committee of the Smith Teal Homes for the Aged at Silsden are inviting applications from prospective tenants for one of their bungalows. The accommodation, which is suitable for either a single person or a couple, was opened in 1965, as a result of a bequest by local benefactor Smith Teal. Letters of application should be sent to the Smith Teal Trust secretary, Eastburn House Farm, Green Lane, Eastburn, Keighley BD20 8PT to arrive no later than December 17.

Ladies Circle: The Ladies Circle held a Pamper Night where members were able to enjoy an Indian head massage, nail painting and makeup advice. The next meeting will be on Tuesday at 7.30pm in Silsden Methodist Church and will include a talk on the work of the Bradford Street Angels.

Camera Club: Silsden Camera Club met in St James’ Hall when Steve Raynor did a session on image manipulation. The next meeting will be held in St. James’ Church Hall at 7.30pm on January 7 and this will be a practical evening. For more information, contact 01535 653528.

Civic Society: The next meeting of the Civic Society will take place in the Methodist Church tonight when Dr George Ingle will give an illustrated talk entitled Trouble at’ Mill. Doors open at 7pm.

Sports Club: Silsden Sports Club will hold its annual general meeting tonight at 7pm in the function room at the sports club.

Young Farmers: Silsden with Skipton YFC met at Morrisons where members were shown around each department, learning how fish, baking and fruit and veg were prepared.

Skipton Naturalists: At the last meeting of Craven Naturalists and Scientific Association, Mr J Spees, of the River Ribble Trust, explained how they were working with farmers and fishermen to improve the quality of the river water. To do so meant reducing the run-off of silt and chemicals from farmland and the provision of sheltered areas of deep water for the salmon and trout. The talk led to a detailed question and answer session. The next meeting is on Monday when Gillian Hovell will talk on Trekking to Petra. It will take place in the Swadford Centre at 7.30pm. Visitors are welcome for a £2 admission fee. For details, contact the secretary on 01535 642180.

Advanced Motorists: The Skipton and Craven Group of the Institute of Advanced Motorists held its November meeting at the Three Links Club last Tuesday. The speaker was Barry Walton from Colin Appleyard Motorbikes in Keighley, who showed a selection of films on extreme motorbiking and gave an interesting account of some of his marathon rides. The next meeting will be on January 27 and will be an Any Questions evening. For more information, contact 07553 965227.

Retired Men’s Forum: Ken Geddes spoke about steam trains and mines in the Harz mountains in West Germany. He had also visited Wuppertal, the site of the world’s first suspended monorail, built around 1901. Next week, Patricia Henny will describe St Petersburg.

Women’s Institute: At the November meeting of the Skipton with Stirton and Thorlby WI members were entertained by Chris Bibby. It was fascinating to hear about the workings of a travel company particularly so for the many members who had travelled with Bibbys coaches. Chris “illustrated” his talk with musical interludes. The next meeting takes place at the Soroptimists Rooms, Otley Street, at 7.30pm on December 16. This is the Christmas party with a Jacob’s Join meal. Members are reminded to bring a present.

Camera Club: Dorothy Burrows from Shipley visited the club with a nostalgic slide show titled A to Z of the Lake District. The area was well covered with some excellent pictures. Thursday saw some members travelling over to Colne Camera Club for a competition. It was a poor night for Skipton with a defeat in digital and in the prints.

Steeton Methodist Church: The Wednesday Evening Fellowship group enjoyed an entertaining talk by the Rev Rosemary Nash. She is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Magicians UK and uses magic tricks to help to spread the Gospel message. There will be no meeting in December and the January meeting will be a lunch at Steeton Hall on the 26th. There will be a Christmas coffee morning at the Methodist Church next Saturday, December 13, from 10am to noon. On Sunday, the 10.30am service will be led by Ann O’Shaughnessy. There is a Junior Church every week at the same time as the service.

Flower Club: A near capacity audience of Steeton Flower Club members and friends were entertained by national demonstrator Craig Bullock. His title, Winter, was interpreted in many ways using flowers, greenery and containers to create a dazzling display. The vote of thanks was given by club president Janet Smithies. The next meeting will be on Thursday, December 18, at Sutton Village Hall at 7.30pm when members can choose to make a door wreath or garland ready for the Christmas season. For more information, call 07713 070235.

Thornton-in-Lonsdale Paula Kendall and Rosemary Hartley, 015242 42207 Christingle service: There will be a Christingle service in aid of the Children’s Society at St Oswald’s Church on Sunday at 4pm.

Christmas dominoes: All are welcome at the Christmas family dominoes next Friday, December 12, at 7.30pm at Westhouse Village Hall. Tickets cost £2.

Crafty crackers: St Oswald’s Church invites all to its Crafty Christmas Crackers next Saturday, December 13 from 10.30am to noon. Mid-morning coffee and a light lunch will be available. All children must be supervised.

Christmas services: The Christmas Services at St Oswald’s include a carol service on Sunday, December 21 at 4pm and a Christmas Day communion service at 9.30am.

Tosside Whist and dominoes: There were 13 tables in play at the recent whist and dominoes. Winners were: whist: ladies - H Lofthouse, E Jackson, A Barge; gents W Mitchell, V Jones, S Hogg, low P Parrot; dominoes - E Fox, P Metcalfe, M Briggs, A Robinson, L Robinson, P Dowson, low E Nowell. The next drive with Christmas prizes is on Saturday, December 20, at 7.30pm.

Hall dance: This Saturday, there will be a dance in the community hall with Denis Westmorland at 8pm. Admission is £6.

Slaidburn Band: Slaidburn Silver Band returns to the community hall with its Christmas concert on Sunday at 2.30pm, Admission is £4.

Upper Wharfedale Sheila Denby, 01756 752605 Singers’ concerts: Buckden Singers will hold their Christmas concerts next Friday and Saturday, December 12 and 13, at 7.30pm in Buckden Village Institute. It will start with traditional carols, songs, readings and choir pieces, and will be followed by a condensed version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Tickets are available from Megan Lightfoot on 760399 or email tickets@buckden.org.

Tea thanks: St Oswald’s Church, Arncliffe, has thanked everyone who supported the afternoon teas event at the Halton Gill home of Tony and Lynda Barker. A total of £231 was raised for church funds.

Wreath-making: A wreath-making workshop will be held at Buckden Schoolroom on Tuesday from 1pm to 3pm. The cost is £10 and bookings can be made through Susan Lusted on 760877.

Help welcomed: St Mary’s, Kettlewell, will welcome help to decorate the church for Christmas on Saturday, December 20, from 10am. The churchwardens thank everyone who helped with the October working party.

Christmas event: St Mary’s, Kettlewell, will host a Christmas event on behalf of the village primary school on Wednesday, December 17, from 6pm. It will also be attended by Upper Wharfedale students. Refreshments will be provided by the churchwardens and there will be collections for the two schools and church.

Kettlewell WI: Dr John Rhodes was speaker at the Kettlewell WI meeting. The retired GP spoke about the little-known Christian charity, Mercy Ships, which operates a state-of-the-art hospital ship offering life-changing operations, treatment and education to people from Third World countries. The competition for a walking stick was won by Anne Staniforth, with Judith White second and Jo Foster third.

Friends event: The Friends of Threshfield School will present a wreath-making evening at the school on Tuesday from 7.30pm. The cost is £12.50 and tickets are available from 730338 or 730277.

Christmas launch: The Christmas events at the Gamekeepers Inn, Long Ashes, Threshfield, will be launched with a special dinner on Sunday from 7.30pm. Entertainment will be provided by the group, Miscellany. The cost is £20.95 and places can be booked by ringing 01756 752434.

Women’s Institute: Members of Threshfield and Linton WI were entertained by Chris Bibby, who gave a talk entitled Bibby’s in a Nutshell, describing the growth of his family’s coach business, illustrated with very amusing anecdotes of eventful trips, with musical interludes on the euphonium. The Christmas dinner will take place on Wednesday at the Gamekeepers Inn. The January meeting will welcome Jacky Sugden, who will speak about her experience in the wine industry.

Domino drive: A successful domino drive and supper was held in Threshfield Village Institute. Winners were: adults - Sheila Aaron, Lisa Hirst and Richard Bradley; juniors - Bradley Gardner and Annabel Clarke. Proceeds will go to hall improvements.

Festive whist: A Christmas whist drive will be held in Kettlewell Village Hall on Saturday, December 15, at 7.30pm. Proceeds will go to the village hall.

Wigglesworth Santa visits: Santa will be bringing his sleigh to Wigglesworth on Tuesday, starting at about 6.15pm.

Community centre: The whist and dominoes results are: Wednesday, dominoes - K Knowell, D Knight, M Berry, R Knight, G Berry, P Metcalfe; whist - A Dinsdale, D Hogg, M Wellock, F Pike, M Metcalf, G. Parker; Saturday dominoes - G Berry, A Taylor, S Walker, R Knight, A Pickard, N Taylor; whist - B Garnett, A Procter, B Peel, G Barker, M Metcalfe and H Jackson. On Monday, there will be a Christmas wreath-making workshop at 7.30pm. The Meet and Eat group will hold its Christmas lunch on Wednesday, December 17, with party games afterwards. Also the quiz takes place the same day, with a Christmas theme. The Village Christmas Party will take place on Sunday, December 21, from 4pm. On Sunday, January 4, the pantomime, Mother Goose, will be performed at 1pm.