Neighbourhood news from around Craven

Austwick Derek and Celia Coultherd, 015242 51215 Heritage Trust: The North Craven Heritage Trust will hold its next meeting in Austwick Village Hall on Wednesday at 7.30pm. The speaker will be Mike Gill on the subject of The Malham Mines. Guests are welcome for an admission fee of £2.

Annual meeting: Austwick Bowling Club will hold its annual general meeting in the parish hall on Saturday at 1.30pm. Further details are available from the secretary on 015242 51103 or 01282 423541. Members and friends are welcome.

Local history: At last Wednesday’s meeting of the Austwick Field and Local History Society, David Johnson gave an entertaining talk on the Old Inns of the Yorkshire Dales which gave an insight into the history of what has become the ‘public house’. It was a most interesting and enjoyable evening. The next meeting is on Wednesday, April 15, when Edward Downs will speak about the Work of a Forester in the Yorkshire Dales.

Church news: On Sunday, there will be a united church service at Clapham, beginning at 10.30am with a procession when it is hoped both adults and children will wave their palms as they walk around the beck area of Clapham. This will be followed by refreshments in St James’ Church. Next Thursday - Maundy Thursday - Holy Communion will be celebrated at Austwick Church at 7.30pm and on Good Friday, April 3, there will be a devotion at Keasden Church at 11am and a quiet hour at the cross in Austwick at 2pm.

Barnoldswick Probus Club: Forty-five West Craven Probus members watched a series of films presented by Ann-Marie Anderson and Harold Harris from Nelson Camera Club. The subjects were Ardnamurchan, Austria, a local sanctuary which is home to orchids, dragonflies and birds, Bass Rock, London, snow scenes from the winter of 2013 and Pendle.

Rotary Club: If you are a man with a high IQ, then it is odds on you inherited your brain power from your mother. This was just one of a few startling facts and figures in a talk and film which kept Barnoldswick and Earby Rotarians enthralled, courtesy of member Kathy Mendoros. Her subject was Intelligence. Things are moving on so fast that what a student learns in their first university year will be out of date by their third year. And material in a New York newspaper will pass on more information than previous generations learned in a lifetime.

Bolton Abbey Priory Church: The first service on Sunday is 8am Communion (said). As it is Palm Sunday, there will be a Procession of Palms and Sung Eucharist with a reading of the Passion at 10.30am and at 4.30pm, The city weepeth sore in the night - a sequence of words and music - will be performed by Cantores Salicium. During Holy Week, a said service of Holy Communion will be held at 7pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. On Maundy Thursday, April 2, at 7pm, there will be a Eucharist of the Last Supper with Footwashing and Watch before the Blessed Sacrament until 9pm. On Good Friday, April 3, there will be a children’s service with hot cross buns at 10am, a three-hour devotion with the Liturgy of Good Friday, led by the rector, from noon and The Tall Cross, words and music for Good Friday, with the Priory Choir at 7pm.

Wednesday Nighters: The Wednesday Nighters will meet at Bolton Abbey Village Hall on Wednesday at 7.30pm. Julian Kaye, of The Wright Wine Company, Skipton, will speak on A Yorkshire Vintner’s Tale. Everyone is welcome and entrance is free, with a raffle covering the costs.

Bradley Liz Zieboll, 01535 636369 Easter workshop: Bradley Methodist Church is holding an Easter workshop at 3.30pm tomorrow. There will be lots of Easter activities for children of all ages to enjoy, while parents are welcome to have a coffee and chat. For more information contact Angela on 01535 634460 or Cat on 01535 637080.

School news: Six pupils qualified for the recent North Yorkshire Cross Country Championships at Catterick. Sam Smith came first in his year group and took the title of North Yorkshire Champion. The cross country team also took part in the Keighley and Craven League races where Sam was overall champion for his year group, while Henry Meynall was overall champion for his year group. In addition the year five/six boys took first place in their team race and the year three/four boys gained third place in their team race. Congratulations to all the runners who took part. Pupils viewed the solar eclipse through eclipse viewers. Class five won last week’s Walk to School, with 93 per cent of pupils either walking or parking and striding to school.

Brownies: Bradley Brownies are looking for new leaders. This is a great opportunity to help a keen group of Brownies and have lots of fun. Full training and support will be given. Further information is available from Jill on 07749 108387.

Clapham Rory-Joe Daniels, 015242 51135 Village Store: Clapham Village Store has reopened as a community-owned venture and will have its official opening on Saturday at 11am. Everyone is welcome to come along and celebrate as well as enjoy free drinks and nibbles and, possibly, appear in the shop’s official photo. The shop offers a wide range of groceries, local food, fresh bread and coffee, newspapers and lots more. The shop is still looking for volunteers to maintain and possibly extend its opening hours. If you are interested please pop in and speak to Helen Rollinson, the shop manager, or one of the volunteers. The shop will be open 8am to 5pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesday, 8am to 7pm on Thursdays and Fridays and 8am to 2pm at the weekend. There are plans to open a Post Office in the shop very soon. To find out more you can visit claphamvillagestore.co.uk or call the shop on 015242 51524.

Book fair: Don’t forget the book fair in Clapham Village Hall on Sunday. It will be taking place between 9.30am and 4.30pm with many local dealers exhibiting books of local interest. There will be homemade food and wheelchair access. For more details, contact 015395 35125.

Church news: On Sunday - Palm Sunday - palm crosses will be blessed and distributed, There will also be a united service of Holy Communion in Austwick Church on Maundy Thursday, April 2, beginning at 7.30pm. There will be services on Good Friday at Keasden Church at 11am and Austwick at 2pm. On Easter Sunday, April 5, there will be services of Holy Communion at Clapham at 11am, Keasden at 2pm and Eldroth at 7pm.

Coniston Cold Young Farmers: Last Tuesday, Coniston Cold Young Farmers met at the Richard Tottie Memorial Hall for a Easter egg-decorating competition. Twenty members had one hour to create something special. Results were: boys - 1 Robin Schofield, 2 Sam Emmet, 3 (joint) Liam Wallbank, Angus and Callum Walton; girls -1 Millie Brennand, 2 Ellie Saxby, 3 Megan Walton; intermediate - 1 Cameron Walton. The next meeting is Easter Bingo on April 14.

St Peter’s: To mark Palm Sunday, a joint service will be held at St Andrew’s Church, Gargrave, on Sunday from 10.45am.

Cononley Joan Nicholson, 01535 630872 St John’s: The annual meeting of St John’s Church was held after Sunday’s morning service. Lynda Corrie has taken on the duties of treasurer. The previous treasurer, David Clarke, had been in the role for 12 years, and the vicar, John Peet, in his annual report, paid tribute to David and his wife Elsie for their support over many years. A presentation was made to them. St John’s now looks forward to the refurbishment of the building, once all the legal matters have been dealt with together with extensive fundraising. The pop-up restaurant in Cononley Institute last Saturday, raised £1,070 and the church is extremely grateful to Scott Wilcock who was in charge of producing the evening’s fare and to all those who organised, attended and contributed to this magnificent sum. This Sunday, St John’s will hold a service of Holy Communion at 11am and readings and music for Palm Sunday, with the Cononley Singers, at 3pm. All are welcome and refreshments will follow. There will be a retiring collection – no tickets are required.

Musical event: Cononley Village Institute will host a charity music event on Saturday, with all profits going to SELFA (Skipton Extended Learning For All). It will feature students from Leeds College of Music playing classical and folk. There is no charge, but donations for SELFA will be taken on the door. One of the players lives in Cononley.

Cowling Moonrakers: Thanks go to a parishioner who got in touch and gave new leads on mining information. Members recently went on a guided tour of Earby Mining Museum to support their mining research. An interesting fact came to light during the Cowling research regarding Barites or Barytes. This mineral was found in Cowling’s lead deposits. In the 19th century it was thrown away. However in the 21st century it is mainly used in drilling fluids for oil and gas exploration as a weighting agent. It is also used in making cars, electronics, TV screens, rubber, glass, ceramics and in the paint and medical industries. Finally Cowling census records were searched for miners and quarrymen. These impressive typed binders, from 1841- 1901, were provided for the group by member D Harker. The group will meet again next Thursday, April 2, from 7.30pm in the Bancroft Room of St Andrew’s Methodist Church. On the agenda are new display ideas, a census record search and mining museum feedback. All are welcome. For more information, moon-rakers.co.uk or phone 01535 637352.

Draughton Jane Markham, 01756 711305 St Augustine’s Church: On Sunday - Palm Sunday - the rector, the Rev Veronica James, will lead a service of Songs of Praise, starting at 5pm. All are welcome at this family service. Check the village website - draughton.org - for details of Easter services.

Earby David Hartley, 01282 842617 Churches Together: Residents are invited to the Churches Together Holy Week and Easter services and celebrations. On Maundy Thursday, April 2, a Seder meal (Passover) and communion service will be held at 6.30pm in Mount Zion Baptist Church. On Good Friday, April 3, meet at the New Road Community Centre at 10am to process to St Patrick’s for the Stations of the Cross service. There will be Good Friday activities for children in the community centre from 9.30am. A light lunch will also be served at the community centre. An evening performance by Riding Lights Theatre Group of the passion play Inheritance will take place at the Pendle Hippodrome. Tickets cost £8. For further information and to order tickets, contact the Edmondsons on 01282 843064. Next Saturday, April 4, everyone is invited to share in the service of Easter Light at 8pm at All Saints’ Parish Church. Sometimes called the Easter Liturgy, it starts with the Bible story of salvation before the congregation moves outside to light the Easter fire. Worshippers then return inside where they will be invited to renew their baptism vows and re-dedicate themselves to Christ in the candlelit church. On Easter Sunday, April 5, an early morning Churches Together service will be held at 7am at Stoney Bank Viewpoint. Breakfast will be served at St Peter’s Methodist Church at 8am.

St Peter’s: The service at 10.30am on Sunday will be led by Anne Whittaker. Sunday also sees the monthly Songs of Praise service at 4pm followed by a sandwich tea. From 1.30pm on Monday, there will be a gentle exercise class followed by refreshments. All are welcome. There is no set charge, but donations are welcome.

Embsay-with-Eastby Andrew Wilson, 01756 790197 Embsay churches: Sunday is Palm Sunday and St Mary’s will mark the occasion with a communion service at 9.30am which will include the blessing of palm crosses and a procession round the church. The Methodist Chapel’s morning service at 10.30am will be led by Mr W Murfitt. Every Tuesday morning, the Methodist Church Hall hosts a variety of tabletop games and fellowship over a cup of tea or coffee. To mark the start of Holy Week, St Mary’s will hold a communion service on Monday at 7.30pm while the Methodist Chapel will host an interactive Easter Prayer Labyrinth on Wednesday from 2pm to 4pm and from 6pm to 8pm.

Community library: Next week will see the last Monday opening of the library. From April, the opening days will be confined to Thursday and Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings.

Over 50s Forum: March’s Forum will be held in the village hall this afternoon when the Rev Peter Thomas will be making a return visit. He will talk about his own work in Sharing and Connecting with Others. The meeting will begin at 2pm with tea and scones, followed by the talk at about 2.30pm. If anyone would like a lift to the village hall, ring Wilf (793308) or Shelagh (794861) the day before. This will be the last meeting of the season.

Bingo night: Embsay Cricket Club will hold its next bingo night in the village hall on Saturday, with “eyes down” at 7.30pm. All are welcome and proceeds will go to the club.

Farnhill and Kildwick Joyce Wood, 01535 635880 St Andrew’s Church: On Sunday, Palm Sunday, there will be a service of Holy Communion at 9.30am in the parish rooms and at 10am in the church. On Friday, there will be a service of Stations of the Cross at 12.30pm in the church.

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

Institute talk: Paul Haywood will give a talk at the Kildwick and Farnhill Institute tomorrow (Friday) at 7.30pm. The talk is entitled Points, Curves and Twiddly Bits – an illustrated look at building styles. Entry is £5. Alcoholic drinks will be available for a donation.

Parish council: Farnhill Parish Council received a response from Darren Griffiths from North Yorkshire County Council regarding the traffic island at Cononley Lane Ends. He stated that he thought a refuge would be a significant improvement for pedestrians. However the authority will not be erecting signs warning of pedestrians because it can only do that when there is no provision for pedestrians - in other words, no refuge. The clerk is to seek clarification. Highways have responded to a request for better signage at Kildwick roundabout by saying they do not see how it can be improved. The clerk is to request that a sign be put on the Skipton approach to the roundabout warning of traffic turning left and to ask if they have considered opening up the entrance into Kildwick from the A629. A request was put forward for a grit bin at the bottom of the Arbour track to use on the top of Main Street. The clerk is to ask highways if this would be possible. No district representative was present, but Craven councillor Pat Fairbank informed the council that the select committee was still opposing the closure of the police cells in Skipton. She also gave an update on the garden waste collection service and stated that the scheme had exceeded their expectations and was paying for itself. She informed the parish council that CDC was going ahead with plans to introduce wheelie bin collection points and was about to start trialling the operation in Cowling and Ingleton. The residents of 36 Main Street have now agreed to and signed the rental agreement for the area of land behind their property. Peter Ball has provided two estimates for a light near Parson’s Bridge on the Bucklar Hill side of the bridge. One estimate for a standard five metre raise and lower steel column was £1,306 plus VAT and the second estimate for a decorative heritage-style lantern to match others in the area was £2,006 plus VAT. The parish council needs to get permission from Kildwick Parish Meeting as the site is within the Kildwick boundary. If approved, the parish council resolved to purchase the decorative-style lantern. Following the parish council’s response to the street lighting energy reduction programme, three lights at Lang Kirk Close have been removed from the programme. The parish council finalised the date for the annual parish meeting which will be held on Tuesday, April 28. It was agreed that each councillor should give a brief explanation on the council’s progress on a particular topic. Cllr R Bramley reported that the latch on the play area gate had dropped off and disappeared. David Waring is making a new one that will comply with ROSPA recommendations. Cllr M Scarffe is to meet a representative from Gardenmakers to discuss the planting scheme for the Arbour. Members were told that the website had had 4,278 hits in total, 440 since last meeting. The parish council agreed to change the date of the April meeting from the 7th (Easter Tuesday) to Tuesday, April 14. It will take place in Kildwick and Farnhill Institute at 7.30pm.

Gargrave Sally Jennings, 01756 748098 Easter bingo: Neville House will hold an Easter bingo session tonight. The doors will open at 6.30pm with the session starting 7pm. Admission is £2, which includes refreshments, and there will also be a raffle. All proceeds will be donated to the amenities fund.

Tai Chi: The last Tai Chi session before the Easter break will take place tonight from 7.30pm in the village hall annexe. New members are welcome and the charge is £2. Classes will resume on April 16.

Coffee morning: A coffee morning will take place in the village hall on Saturday between 10am and noon. The Labour candidate for the Skipton and Ripon constituency, Malcolm Birks, will be present to answer any questions.

Flea market: There will be a flea market in the village hall on Sunday. The doors will be open from 10am and there will be a vast array of stalls selling antiques, bric-a-brac, collectibles and crafts. Entrance is 50p and refreshments will be available until close of play at 4pm. Eleanor McRobert will be raising funds for Hearing Dogs for the Deaf with a stall of particular interest to anyone who is a knitting enthusiast. The charity offers greater independence and companionship to deaf people by providing and training dogs who can alert their owners to everyday sounds.

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

St Andrew’s Church: On Sunday - Palm Sunday - the church will hold a BCP Holy Communion and a joint service with Coniston Cold at 10.45am.

Indoor bowls: The final session before the summer season commences will be held at 2pm on Tuesday in the village hall. The winter sessions will reconvene from Thursday, October 1.

Fuchsia society: The Fuchsia and Geranium Society will meet in the village hall annexe from 7pm on Wednesday.

Pilates: The last Pilates class before the Easter break will take place tomorrow from 9am in the village hall annexe. Classes will resume on Tuesday, April 14, at 10am and Friday, April 17, at 9am.

Giggleswick Gill O’Donnell, 01729 825639 Primary School: Thanks go to everyone who joined the Mothering Sunday meal. The tables had been beautifully prepared with plants in pots (decorated by members of Gardening Club) and Mrs Richardson, Mrs Eccleston, Mrs Clay and helpers managed to produce 102 meals. Pupils entertained mothers and grandmothers with a song, written by class three pupils. Recently, seven pupils took part in three sell-out ballet shows by the Helen Howard School of Dance at the Richard Whiteley Theatre. Eight pupils also took part in St Alkelda’s Mothering Sunday service, with a further two pupils taking part in the Mothering Sunday service at Rathmell. Congratulations go to Edie Eccleston, Jimmy Howarth, Oliver Sampson and Connie Eccleston who were picked to represent Craven at the North Yorkshire Primary Schools Cross Country Championships. This is the first time that four pupils have been selected for this event and the second time for Jimmy. Class two, accompanied by Mrs Thompson, Mrs Finch and Mr. Marshall, have had a thoroughly enjoyable residential visit to Nell Bank, in Ilkley. During their first day, they worked with year three and four pupils from Hellifield, Long Preston and Rathmell on activities such as orienteering and den building. After an overnight stay, they participated in more activities, including a woodland walk, pond dip and minibeast search with youngsters from Rathmell. They were praised for their behaviour and involvement.

Gisburn Church concert: Gisburn Singers will perform Faure’s Requiem at St Mary’s Church on Sunday. The choir will be joined by the Orchestra of Forests and Fields. The concert starts at 6.30pm and tickets cost £10, which includes supper. They can be ordered from Joan Hall on 07973 163292.

Young Farmers: Last week’s meeting was a visit to Triffitt Trailers. Members joined Bolton-by-Bowland YFC for a tour and talk about the workshops. Members got to see the process the products go through and the end results. A lovely supper was provided and everyone enjoyed the night. Next week’s meeting is a trip to the golf driving range at Skipton.

Grassington Sheila Denby, 01756 752605 Last lunch: The final Lent lunch will take place at Elbolton, on Hebden Road, from noon on Wednesday. There will be homemade soup, with bread and cheese. All proceeds will go to Christian Aid.

Movie night: The next Grassington Movie night, by the Hub, will take place in the Octagon Theatre next Saturday, April 4. How to Train Your Dragon will be shown at 2pm and Gone Girl at 7.30pm. Refreshments will be available. Tickets can be purchased from the Hub or on the door at £5 for adults, £2.50 for children and £10 for families (two adults and two children).

Parish council: Grassington Parish Council will meet in the town hall council chamber tonight at 7.30pm. All residents are invited to attend.

Forward plan: The Devonshire Institute’s forward plan is available to view in the foyer of the town hall or online at grassingtondevonshireinstitute.org. The bookings secretary is Val Giles on 01756 752195.

Coffee morning: Grassington Singers will host Saturday’s coffee morning in Church House. It starts at 10am.

Friendship Club: Howard Driver will be speaker at today’s meeting of Grassington Friendship Club. Assisted by Ken Robinson, he will talk about the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association in Church House at 2.15pm. Next Thursday, the club will welcome national park ranger Phil Richards.

Garden talk: Philip Dunnett will return as guest speaker at Grassington and District Horticultural Society when it meets tonight at 7.30pm in the Octagon Theatre. Mr Dunnett runs Ribblesdale Nurseries.

Curry night: A curry and quiz night will be staged at the Devonshire Hotel, Grassington, on Tuesday. It has been organised by the Hub and will start at 7.30pm. Tickets costing £10 are available from 752222.

Hebden Victoria Benn, 01756 751795 Parish meeting: The annual parish meeting will take place in the village institute on Wednesday at 7.30pm. Everyone is welcome.

Duck race: The annual Easter duck race will take place next Saturday, April 4, at 2pm. Ducks will be available to buy soon. Please come along and see 200 ducks racing down the beck below the tearooms.

Hellifield Ken Leak, 01729 850845 Coffee morning: Saturday’s coffee morning in the village institute will be a fundraiser for the Women’s Institute. It will start at 10am and will include a raffle, tombola and refreshments.

Age Concern: An Age Concern lunch is held at the Boars Head, Long Preston, every Friday. Details of all attendees must be given to Ellen on 850864 by Wednesday. The cost is £6 which includes coffee and tea from 11.15am and lunch at noon.

Thursday drop-in: The Thursday drop-in is at the Wesley Centre, Haw Grove, from 10.30am to 2.30pm. Homemade light lunches will be available from noon to 1.30pm and a computer drop-in, with access to broadband and help with internet, will run from noon to 2.30pm.

Summer concert: Advance notice is given for a concert on Saturday, June 27, at 7.30pm. It will feature John Froud, a Christian singer-songwriter, who is making a welcome return. Tickets cost £7.50, which includes refreshments, and are available from the Rev Stuart Stobart on 851511.

Horton-in-Ribblesdale Caroline Thompson, 01756 749235 Annual meeting: The annual general meeting of the village hall committee will take place in the village hall on Wednesday at 7.30pm.

Church news: There will be a service of Holy Communion for the combined parishes of Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Stainforth and Langcliffe at St John’s Church, Langcliffe, on Sunday at 10.30am.

Domino drive: A domino drive was held at the Golden Lion on Friday when £80 was raised for Manorlands. Winners were: under 16s - Victoria Johnson, Derek Palmer, Emily Palmer and Sarah Jackson; adults - Bill Mellin, Linda Warin, Eric Coultherd; booby prize - Aly Palmer. Many thanks go to everyone for supporting this event. The domino drives will start up again in the autumn.

Ingleton Sue Brown, 015242 41835 Rural association: At the March meeting of the Ingleton Rural Community Association (IRCA), it was agreed, after an explanation, that the commemorative plinth should be situated in the middle of the flowerbed at the community centre. The swimming pool will open on May 23. It will be emptied and cleaned on April 12. Staff are now being recruited and applications are invited for office staff and lifeguards. The Splash Zone project has received £188 from Country Harvest and £97 in memory of Stuart Kaye. The jumble sale raised £600. The theatre group jumble sale is on Saturday and the annual general meeting is on May 14. Thanks go to everyone who supported the pantomime. St Mary’s Church Roof Fund now stands at £57,454.49. The Rev Charles Ellis is retiring later this year. The Old People’s Welfare jumble sale is on May 23 and invitations are being delivered for the outing on August 27. The tourist information centre will open for Easter.

Kelbrook Church news: St Mary’s is holding an Easter Prayer Labyrinth and, to allow people to take part in this spiritual journey, the church will be open on Saturday between 11am and 4pm and on Sunday from 1pm to 4pm. Also, on Sunday - Palm Sunday - the church will hold a communion service at 11am. All are welcome.

Lawkland Young Farmers: Young Farmers met at Settle Rugby Club for flower arranging by Ruthie Woodhouse. Members made buttonholes and the results were: 1 Mollie Taylor, 2 Keira Allen, 3 Luke Harrison. Last week, Young Farmers met at Austwick Parish Hall for a bingo quiz, organised by Robert Polkinghorne. Next week’s meeting is Easter bingo at Austwick Parish Hall, setting up at 6.30pm with eyes down 7pm. Everyone is welcome.

Settle Gill O’Donnell, 01729 825639 Pool draw: The Friends of Settle Swimming Pool 200 Club made their March draw at The Lion, Settle. The winning tickets were drawn by David Towers. Winners were: No 160, David Thornton, £50; No 6, Susan Maudsley, £30; and No 172, P Davis, £20. The winners have been notified.

Guided walks: Three guided walks have been organised by the Friends of Settle-Carlisle railway for this weekend. The first is an 11-mile moderately strenuous walk departing from Garsdale at 10.21 and ending at Dent, with a bus connection to Dent station. As this uses a public bus service it is essential to reserve a place. The second is an Appleby circular walk of 12 miles and is again a moderately strenuous walk. This leaves Appleby station at 10.08am. Both these walks take place on Saturday. And on Sunday there will be a 14-mile strenuous walk from Hellifield to Skipton leaving Hellifield at 10.02am. No reservation is necessary but all participants should ensure that they are appropriately clothed, carry a packed lunch and have suitable footwear. For further details contact walksinfo@settle-carlisle.com.

Kwezana link: While Settle and Kwezana schools are very different in many respects, one of the joys of the link work is finding out about not only the differences but also the similarities. A new pupil at Kwezana, Kungawo Mabandla, spoke of the apprehension of learning to use a computer for the first time - something which many people in both countries can identify with! However the message arrived and Kungawo concluded that learning new skills is nice and computer lessons are great fun!

Victoria Hall: The junior section of Settle Amateur Operatic Society will take to the hall stage with its production of The Wizard of Oz tonight and tomorrow. On Saturday, there will be a Pop Factor concert celebrating the top artists and biggest chart hits! Looking ahead to April, the First Folk Sunday on April 5 will feature Bill Caddick. Bill is one of the stars of the English Folk scene and has been touring and playing since the sixties. He has built an enviable reputation in both music and theatre, and is perhaps best known as a member of the legendary folk band The Home Service. On April 9, Hotbuckle theatre will visit with its acclaimed production of Jane Austen’s Persuasion. For details and tickets, contact 01729 825718 Settle Orchestra: The second of Settle Orchestra’s spring concerts will take place on Saturday at 7.30pm at Ermysted’s Grammar School, Skipton. The orchestra will be conducted by Leo Geyer and will be joined by pianist Philip Sharp. The programme will feature Mozart’s Overture to the Magic Flute, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No 1 and Mozart’s symphony No 40. Tickets are available from orchestra members or from Cave and Crag, Settle, High Bentham Post Office, Settle Music, Skipton Camera Centre, by emailing sarah.glossop@btinternet.com or by phoning 01729 825806.

Table top sale: On Saturday from 10am to 3pm, there will be a grand table top sale at Settle Parish Church. Contact 01729 822848 to book a table for £6. Homemade refreshments will be available.

Millennium Garden: Volunteers are needed to help at the Millennium gardens. All ages and levels of experience are welcome. Just bring along some gardening gloves and suitable clothing and join in. The group will next meet at the garden on Sunday at 2pm.

Journey to the Cross: On Good Friday, April 3, members of local churches will perform Journey to the Cross, a dramatic presentation of the Good Friday story. This will start at 10.30am in St John’s Methodist Church Hall before moving on to the Millennium Gardens, Settle Market Place (at about 11am) and then on to the field on Town Head. If it is very wet, some of the scenes will take place in St John’s Methodist Church. Tea/coffee and hot cross buns will be served in the parish church afterwards. All are welcome.

Quiz night: A quiz night will be held at Settle Rugby Club on April 24 under the guidance of local quiz master Stuart Marshall. The cost is £5 per person, including supper. There will also be a raffle. For more information, contact 01524 251488.

Silsden Linda Berry, 01535 654643 Civic Society: The recent Civic Society coffee morning raised £250 which is being donated to the Hearing Dogs for the Deaf. The committee would like to thank everyone who helped to make the event such a success.

Club concert: Silsden Sports Club will host rock covers band Blue Star Tattoo on Easter Sunday, with classic songs from bands like Thin Lizzy, Led Zeppelin, Stereophonics, The Jam and The Cult. It will run from 7.30pm until late, with entry on the door costing £3.

Coffee and cakes: There will not be a Coffee, Cakes and Camaraderie coffee morning in April because the scheduled day is Easter Saturday. Sessions will resume in May.

School reunion: A reunion for anyone who left Hothfield Street School in 1967 is to be held at the Kings Arms in Silsden on April 10 at 7pm. For further information, contact Joan on 01535 653176 or mobile 07813 766570.

Short walks: Details of short circular walks entirely within Silsden parish boundaries have been published in paper form and are available free of charge at The Kings Arms, the Co-op, Twiggs newsagents, Rowlands chemist, the Post Office, the Health Centre and Silsden Library. They are also available in Addingham and Cross Hills Health Centres, pharmacies and libraries. You can also get them from either allan@silstrolls.org.uk or akf2008@hotmail.co.uk. Strolls three and four will appear at the end of this month. Subsequent Strolls will be available via email or online through the SilsStrolls website, which is still under construction. It is hoped to produce a total of at least eight strolls of between three and four miles, as well as four longer strides of about seven miles and to revive the former Silsden Circuit of about 16 miles. If you could spare a moment, having taken a stroll, feedback either good or critical, would be appreciated.

Young Farmers: Silsden with Skipton Young Farmers met at Draughton Village Hall for a Ready, Steady, Cook! meeting. On Monday, the club met for a district rally forms night.

Skipton Women’s Institute: At the March meeting of the Skipton with Stirton and Thorlby WI, members were welcomed by the secretary, Kathleen Sutton, in the absence of the president. A visitor from Holland was welcomed. The March coffee morning attended by members was a great success. Members were entertained and fascinated by the artistic talent of Derek Stansfield and amazed to learn that coffee is not only a drink but a “paint”. The results were fantastic. Members were reminded to put their names down for a lunch tomorrow at 1pm and were informed that there were still some seats available for the visit to the Ilkley Playhouse to see High Society. The next meeting is on April 21 when the speaker will be Mike Dixon. He will talk about Ilkley and the Water Cure. Members are looking forward to welcoming visitors from the Dalesway WI. As it is the Queen’s birthday the competition will be a piece of royal memorabilia. Meetings will take place at the Soroptimist Rooms, Otley Street, at 7.30pm and new members are welcome.

Oddfellows: Tickets are now on sale for the trip to Barnsley Market on Saturday, May 30. These are priced at £12.50 for members and £15 for non-members and are available from the Three Links Club. Pick up a copy of the Events Diary to find out what is going on at the Three Links or contact the office on 01756 798022.

Holy Trinity: It’s Happy Hour in the church café at Holy Trinity – at the top of the High Street – today. Pop in for a coffee, a chat and a laugh from 11am and noon On Sunday – Palm Sunday – congregations from St Augustine’s, Draughton, and Christ Church, Skipton, will join members of Holy Trinity for a parish communion at 9.45am, led by the rector, the Rev Veronica James. She will also officiate at an 8am Holy Communion and a Songs of Praise at St Augustine’s, Draughton, at 5pm. This will replace Evensong at Holy Trinity. During Holy Week, there will be special services of Holy Communion in the evening at local churches. At Holy Trinity, this will take place at 7.30pm on Tuesday. The mid-week Holy Communion, at 10.45am on Wednesday, will include healing ministry. The church gate noticeboards will give details of other weekday services of morning and evening prayer.

Retired Men’s Forum: Angela Henson gave an illustrated talk about Japan and its culture. She amused members by saying that her Japanese daughter-in-law had a black belt in flower arranging. The forum has now closed for the summer and will reconvene on the first Tuesday in October.

Gardeners’ Club: The March presentation was by nursery owner and florist Maxine Nelson from Cookridge. She filled a selection of tubs and containers with a combination of colourful annuals, perennials and herbs to give effective displays at home entrances. The next meeting is on Wednesday, April 15, at 7.30pm in the Soroptimists Rooms when Danielle Kay will give a talk, All about Herbs.

Camera Club: Following on from last week’s excellent evening from Chris Parker and Peter Normaly, Tony Rostron gave an old-fashioned slide show covering places he had cycled over the years, mainly in England, Scotland and Norway.

Steeton Methodist Church: Steeton Methodist Church raised £164 for Manorlands Hospice at its Lent lunch. The next lunch will be held at St Stephen’s Church today. On Sunday - Palm Sunday - the 10.30am service will be taken by the Rev Rosemary Nash when Holy Communion will be celebrated. There is a Junior Church every week at the same time as the service. Everyone is welcome.

Over 50s: Steeton Over 50s Group raised £620 at its coffee morning on Saturday. This will be shared between Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Airedale Hospital’s accident and emergency department. A big thank you goes to everyone who contributed in any way, especially local businesses which donated prizes for the raffle.

Sutton-in-Craven St Thomas’ Church: A coffee morning will be held at the Community Centre, North Street, at 10am on Saturday. All money raised will go to church funds.

Tea dances: Tea dances are held in Sutton Village Hall every Thursday at 1.45pm. Admission is £2, which includes refreshments.

Thornton-in-Lonsdale Paula Kendall, 015242 42390 Rosemary Hartley, 015242 42207 St Oswald’s: The Lent Sunday services will welcome Admiral Sir John Kerr this weekend and the Archdeacon Paul Slater on Easter Sunday, April 5. The services start at 9.30am. There will be a united service at St Oswald’s on Maundy Thursday, April 2, led by the Rev Anne Russell. Arrive at 6.30pm for light meal (donations accepted) followed by a service of Holy Communion. A “scratch choir” will meet at 5.30pm. St Oswald’s will hold a clean-up on Wednesday from 10.30am. Future events include a fundraising coffee morning on Wednesday, April 8 from 10.30am and a concert with Avelina Wright and Charles Edmondson, with a light lunch to follow, on Saturday, April 25, from noon. Tickets for the concert cost £6.50 and are available from 015242 42207.

Upper Wharfedale Sheila Denby, 01756 752605 Quiz night: Rob’s annual quiz night will take place in Kilnsey Village Hall tomorrow at 7.30pm. It will include a Jacob’s Join supper and tickets cost £25 per table, or £5 a head, with a free raffle ticket included. To book, phone 01756 752087.

Lent lunch: Tomorrow’s Lent lunch will be held at 3 Wears Fold, Kettlewell, at 12.30pm. It will be final lunch in the Lent series and proceeds will go to the Ebola Appeal.

Show date: This year’s Kettlewell and District Horticultural Show will be held in the village hall on Sunday, August 30. The photographic classes are a Dales Spring Scene and An Old Ruin.

Women’s Institute: Rylstone WI welcomed Sue Rogers from Pateley Bridge who gave a talk on Creating a Second Life. She started her working life as a marketing analyst and along the way has learnt to tap dance and make chocolate and act as an extra on Coronation Street. She also travels extensively.

Wigglesworth Community centre: Zumba takes place on Thursdays at 7.30pm. Saturday’s big clean-up at the community hall was well supported. There is a coffee morning selling cakes and cards in aid of the Air Ambulance service on Saturday from 10am to 1pm. The first Bacon Butty morning of the year will be next Saturday, April 4, from 11am to 1pm.