THE Malhamdale Fox Destruction Society reported a quiet year at its annual meeting of 1967 held at the Lister Arms. Members heard that just more than £44 had been handed out to the catchers of 20 adult and 17 cub foxes. Money was paid to those who presented the tails of the killed fox. Chief concern was that more money had been paid out than the society had in its coffers, so it was suggested the reward for killings be reduced. The society paid out 30 shillings for an adult tail, and 15 shillings for a cub. One member suggested visiting those farmers who benefited from the eradication of foxes, but who were not paid up members of the society. Such farmers should receive a polite postcard first informing of the impending visit. However, another member said he thought such strong arm tactics would result in farmers withdrawing all contributions. Another member joked that what they really needed was for a few foxes to worry some lambs and the money would come pouring in. The chairman pointed out there were around 180 members and unless more funds were found, the society would have to fold in a couple of years. That would be a shame, he said, adding that it was the society that caught the foxes and not the Pennine Foxhounds, which despite hunting the area several times over the winter had experienced little success.

MY walking colleague was out and about in Langsthrothdale on her way to Halton Gill just the other weekend when she spotted some freshly hatched tadpoles in several of the peaty holes of water at Horse Head. She wondered if perhaps the tadpoles were some of the highest living in the Yorkshire Dales - unless anyone has spotted any others in a higher fell.

MEANWHILE, on the same hike, she came across this stone circle just outside Yockenthwaite, and next to the River Wharfe - which at this point so high up is far less of the beast it eventually becomes in Grassington, Ilkley and Otley.

VICTORIA Benn (pictured at this year's 1940s weekend at Appletreewick) known for her book Studs and Crooks and for her feature writing is turning her hand to events organisation. Victoria and her friend Claire Walton have set up Yorkshire Vintage Fairs whose aim is to organise Vintage Fair events throughout Yorkshire. Their first event, which will be free, is to take place in Hebden Bridge Town Hall this Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4.30pm. Victoria tells me there will be 20 stalls of vintage fashion, homewares and furniture with sellers coming from all over Yorkshire. Skipton’s own Tony Knight, who owns Living Vintage on Cavendish Street , will also be there, bringing along several items of his stylish and fully restored mid-century furniture.The Fabulous Miss G, (Dani Gallagher) who is well known for her ‘vintage diva’ sets will also be singing throughout both days of the event, and there will be a classical vintage cocktail bar available. “Hebden Bridge has such a reputation for artiness and quirkiness that it seemed like the perfect location for our first event," says Victoria, who adds they hope to add more locations in the future. To find out more, visit the website yorkshirevintagefairs.com

TOWARDS the end of last year, a group of people living in and around the Burnside and Keighley Road areas of Skipton held a meeting at Champions Church, Carleton Road, to discuss the setting up of a residents association. The meeting, which was attended by ward councillors, Chris Rose and Peter Madeley, was so well supported that it was decided to go ahead with the group. An application for funds to Craven District Council was also successful, allowing the group to hire a meeting room and get busy with information leaflets. The first meeting of Burnside and Keighley Road Residents Association was held on Saturday when anyone with any concerns or ideas about making the community a better place was invited to go along.

YOU may well have spotted giant emojis popping up in farmers' fields across Craven recently. They are the result of a competition being organised by agricultural suppliers, Carrs Billington Agriculture, which has an outlet in Settle. The competition will raise money for the children's charity, Wellchild. Farmers are being challenged to create their emoji-inspired displays from silage bales wrapped in WellChild’s colour purple, and can customise their bales with special emoji packs provided by Carrs Billington. Anyone can take part in the competition - all they have to do is take a picture on your phone, tag the location and post it on social media including @CarrsBillington and the hashtag #spottedpurple. Each time a person does this with a photo of different bales they will be entered into a draw to win £200 of Carrs Billington vouchers. Meanwhile, farmers taking part in the competition will send in photos of their emoji creations to be displayed on the WellChild and Carrs Billington Facebook pages. The farmer whose emoji bale display is judged the best, will receive two tickets for the prestigious WellChild Awards 2017 which will take place in London later this year.