TEENAGERS Elliot Horner (right) and Seth Benn are preparing to have their fine heads of hair shorn for Cancer Research UK.

The two Upper Wharfedale School pupils, who are both 13 years old, were inspired to act after Elliot's mum, Amanda, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012. Amanda, who has been clear of cancer now for four and a half years, lost all her hair during treatment.

The boys, both apparently very proud of their hair, nevertheless, have decided to have it all cut off.

“Cancer is indiscriminate, and can affect everybody young and old, healthy and unhealthy," said Amanda. "You know your own body, and you will be able to see if there are any changes. If there are please see your GP. Being self-aware is really important."

The lads' big ‘Skin for the Win’ hair shave will take place on Wednesday August 3.

Donations can be made via justgiving.com/fundraising/Elliot-Seth or by telephoning

07709 133798.

WHILE summer might have been missing from the Austwick summer fun evening, the crowds still gathered to support the village school. Alongside music from bands and children’s entertainment, the first Austwick Bake-Off also proved popular. With plenty of competition vying for the title of Austwick’s best baker, judge Angela Wade of Threplands bakery, Cracoe, had a difficult task choosing the winner.

First prize in the adult category went to Caroline Lambert from Brookhouse with a dazzling rainbow-layered piñata skittle cake. Junior winners were sisters five year old Erin, and three year old Lillian Booth from Feizor with a beautiful three-layered chocolate sponge decorated with handmade fondant icing flowers and butterflies. All cakes entered in the competition were auctioned off with proceeds going to the school.

Jo Lister, headteacher at Austwick Primary school, declared the evening a resounding success. "We’ve had overwhelming support from parents and from the community, for which I am grateful. More importantly, the whole village has had the opportunity to come together and have fun."

VISITORS to this year's Great Yorkshire Show may have noticed the North Yorkshire Police stand, which this year was supporting the British Horse Society's very worthwhile campaign aimed at reducing the number of horse related incidents on our roads. The BHS Dead Slow campaign was launched in response to the alarming numbers of accidents, which in the last five years has totalled more than 2,000. Of all accidents, 36 led to the death of the rider, and 181 to the death of the horse. In Yorkshire alone, 167 incidents have been reported to the BHS, causing the deaths of two riders and nine horses. The Dead Slow campaign urges drivers to slow to 15mph when they meet a horse and rider on the road, and to help drivers, the BHS has produced a video showing how to safety pass a horse on the road - because not all drivers know. And its not just injury accidents that can be devastating, a near miss can leave both horse and rider too nervous to go out on the road again - and the driver who caused it all might well continue, totally oblivious to what has happened. To help the campaign, police officers at the showground were talking to people and answering questions - and if what they said helped drivers understand the potential dangers, then, all well and good. Meanwhile, horse accidents can be reported to the BHS via its website horseaccidents.org.uk

IT'S a sign of the times - following directions using a sat nav rather than traditional road signs is among planned changes to the driving test.

And manoeuvres such as reversing around a corner will be replaced with scenarios including driving in and out of a parking bay.

The package of measures – put forward by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) – has been welcomed by Silsden's Frank Parkin, a chief observer with the Institute of Advanced Motorists. But he feels more could be done."All the DVSA measures sound very sensible and should help to produce safer drivers," said Mr Parkin, of Skipton and Craven Advanced Motorists Group. "The next step we need is to allow learner drivers to take instruction on motorways when accompanied by an advanced driving instructor." He added: "I would still like to see a two-part test. "There would be some restrictions on the type of driving for the first year and, if the driver stays clear of accidents or convictions during that time, a short refresher test before granting a full unrestricted licence." The DVSA says the new measures will increase the emphasis on independent driving and better prepare newly-qualified motorists for life on the roads. "Candidates will be given more responsibility for decision making during the test," said Lesley Young, of the DVSA."We want them to show they can cope with distractions and assess risk, without the intervention of their instructor or examiner."

Changes will be introduced early next year, subject to consultation feedback.

AN osteopath based in Silsden is really feeling the power - after becoming a record-breaker in the sport of powerlifting.

Amy O’Halloran took the deadlift record in the under 72kg class for Yorkshire and the North-East in the recent YNE senior classic powerlifting championships, lifting a total of 347.5 lbs.She will now compete in the British National competition, to be held in Ipswich in September. Amy, 27, who lives in Guiseley, opened the Silsden Osteopathy clinic on the town's Kirkgate almost two years ago. She is a former racing and cyclocross cyclist and has worked with top Tour de France riders. Amy said: "I took up powerlifting just to keep fit initially, but found that I absolutely loved it. As an osteopath, I found I understand the stresses and strains on the body, which helps me in the sport, especially in the prevention of injury."

AS the time approaches for Skipton's homeless man, Tinker, to have his head and bead shaved off for charity, Skipton Community Hub, which along with Marie Curie Cancer Care will benefit from his efforts, is asking for donations for a raffle and tombola, being held at the same time. The grand head and beard shave will take place at the Red Lion Pub, High Street, Skipton, at 4pm on Sunday, August 7. Donations for the tombola and raffle can be handed in to the Community Hub shop, Belmont Bridge.

Advertisers a hundred years ago in the Craven Herald were busy making the most of The Big Push - the Battle of the Somme - of the First World War. While hundreds of men were being killed on the front, businesses back home were using a variety of military terms to advertise their goods. One furniture shop, E Miller and Co, said there was a 'big push' about its furniture and added shoppers would enjoy the pleasure of a 'surprise attack' - it demonstrates perfectly the optimism of the time, and how people at home thought the war would soon be over. In reality, the optimism changed soon afterwards.

APPARENTLY, the most affectionate way to address someone from France is Mon coeur - which means, 'my heart' - while in Germany, it is Shatzi, which means 'treasure'. Anyone wanting to get on the right footing with a Swede should address them as 'alskling' (honey), or a Pole as 'kochanie'. Finns like to be called 'kulta', which means gold, whereas Hungarians like 'cica', which means kitten. Curiously, Polish people use kochanie as a term of endearment, which means 'baby', which is also a favourite term for the Irish. The fascinating facts were revealed by dating website, EliteSingles, which asked almost 7,800 singles from 14 European countries for their favourite romantic nicknames.