Marie Curie is still looking for collection volunteers for its the Great Daffodil Appeal. It needs people who are willing to give a couple of hours to stand with a bucket to collect donations in exchange for a daffodil pin badge. Community fundraiser Leah Mitchell, pictured left with fellow fundraiser Jen Aspinall, said: “We have already had one collection at Tesco in Skipton which the Skipton Lions Club organised and raised a fantastic £420 for Marie Curie. We hope the rest of the collections will be as successful.” They are due to take place at Skipton’s House of Fraser store next Saturday, March 14, at Booths supermarket in Settle on Friday, March 20, and Saturday, March 21, on the streets of Skipton on Saturday, March 21, on the streets of Settle on Tuesday, March 24, and Saturday, March 28, and on the streets of Grassington, also on Saturday, March 28. The money raised will go towards caring for people with a terminal illness in the comfort of their own homes. To volunteer, contact Leah on 07538 380909 or email leah.mitchell@mariecurie.org.uk. You can also sign up via mariecurie.org.uk Skipton Building Society is looking for amateur photographers to help capture images of the 161 community groups that were awarded £500 funding in this year’s Skipton Building Society Grassroots Giving scheme. The society wants to showcase as many of the schemes as possible to help raise awareness of the fantastic work being carried out in communities throughout the UK. Local winners included the Friends of Giggleswick Primary School, Skipton Musical Theatre, Ingleton Swimming Club, Skipton Town Juniors, Gargrave Playground Association, Bradleys Both School Council, Fallfest, Sutton Juniors and the Jaywalkers theatre group. The photo competition will be judged by London photographer, Joanne Coates, 25, who triumphed in last year’s contest. She will help decide which of the photographers’ images best captures the essence of the group and the winner will receive a £200 gift voucher of their choice. Roy Prenton, corporate communications consultant at Skipton Building Society, said: “Last year we were completely blown away by the standard of the photography competition and it was incredible to see local photographers giving up their time to support local community groups.” To take part, email your picture to emma@skiptongrg.co.uk. The deadline for entries is noon on Monday, March 16 and the winner will be announced a week later.

Hellifield Primary School is about to celebrate its centenary - and it is appealing for readers’ help. It is planning to put together a wall display of old photographs at an open afternoon which is being staged on Wednesday, March 25. It has some old pictures, but would like more - either of the school, the village or the train station. “We are inviting people, including past pupils and staff, to come and visit the school to see how it has changed since their era,” said parent governor Janette Clarke. Anyone who can help is asked to contact the school on 01729 850215.

The Canal and River Trust is looking for volunteers who don’t mind getting their hands dirty to join its towpath task force to help look after the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in Skipton. The task force has been going for just over 12 months and its membership has gradually risen, but more members are needed. The canal is integral to Skipton and keeping it in good order is important for residents, tourists and boaters. The task force will next meet on Wednesday at 10am by the canal at Gallows Bridge, close to Cavendish Street car park. Volunteer leader Alice Kay said: “If you’re looking to break from routine, to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life or to find a peaceful place to enjoy a spot of lunch, your local canal is just a stone’s throw away. But we need people to help us look after our canal system. We would be delighted for additional volunteers to join us, no experience is needed and the work might include vegetation maintenance work, litter picking and general towpath maintenance. It’s a great way to meet other like-minded volunteers and get to hear about other volunteering opportunities if you fancy getting more involved.” If you are interested in joining the task force you can register in advance with volunteering@canalrivertrust.org.uk or you can just turn up on the day. Volunteers are asked to wear suitable outdoor clothing, but tools and equipment will be provided. The session will probably last until about 1pm.

Horse riders across Craven know spring is most definitely on the way once David Coates of Craven Country Ride announces the first trail ride of the year. The country ride, off the A65 at Coniston Cold, opens for the first time this year, on Easter Monday, April 6. The special Easter trail will include a variety of fences and obstacles, designed to give both horse and rider a fun start to the season, and at the end of it all - homemade soup and warm rolls, straight from the oven. The price is £40, which includes a rosette, lunch and entry into prize draw. Riders need to start between 10am and midday. To book a place email info@cravencountryride.co.uk or telephone 01756 749300.

Charities and community organisations are being invited to help themselves to spare furniture from Craven District Council. The council has a number of desks, pedestals, cupboards and filing cabinets at Skipton Town Hall which it is making free to any community or charitable organisation. The furniture is available on a first-come, first-served basis and interested organisations will need to collect the items themselves from their current location within the building. A lot of the items are on the first or second floor with no lift, so strong volunteers may be needed; however the majority of the desks are already dismantled. For further information or to inquire about the furniture, contact Rachel Wallbank at rwallbank@cravendc.gov.uk Proud father Brian Burrows has been taking a trip down Memory Lane. As an 11-year-old pupil at Malsis School, Glusburn, in 1954, he was selected to take part in its annual Gilbert and Sullivan production, which that year was The Pirates of Penzance. Now, more than 60 years later, his daughter, Nicky, pictured above, is starring in the same musical with Ilkley Amateurs. And this week, a group of 30 Malsis old boys and their partners were due to watch the show, which is being staged at the King’s Hall, Ilkley, until Saturday. The party included Brian’s old school friends and fellow cast members Andrew Hunter and Brian Moeller. The reunion had added poignancy as Malsis, an independent preparatory school for almost 100 years, was forced to close last term.