WE'VE all got used to seeing the work of sign writer and mural artist Jenny Tribillon on various businesses and public spaces in Skipton - her colourful and fun trompe l'oeils - tricks of the eye - do so much to brighten up the town - especially for special occasions, such as Christmas and Easter. But how many of us know that Jenny was born in the South of France and studied sign writing and painting at the Frederic Mistral Art School in Nimes? She went on to be trained in the art of window painting by the American artist Leslie Ronald, and it is now shop windows that take up the majority of her time as a freelance artist. This trompe l'oeil - French for 'deceive the eye' decorating Le Bistro, in Jerry Croft, off the High Street in Skipton, will have tricked lots of people, with its garrulous proprietor standing at the door, and a couple of happy looking regulars with their drinks balancing on a barrel. And, it also includes a self portrait of the artist herself.

DEARIE me, goodness knows what happened with the caption under a photograph of Dales farmer, Neil Heseltine in last week's Craven Herald. Mr Heseltine was pictured very clearly bringing in some of his belted galloway cattle. However, the caption under the photograph described them as sheep and that they were being brought in for dipping - now, that is something I'd like to see.

HALLIWELL Sutcliffe was a writer of historical romances - including the wonderfully named 'Shameless Wayne'. He was born in Shipley almost 150 years ago, and spent much of his live here in Craven, in Linton, in the Yorkshire Dales. John Wordsworth, a writer from East Sussex, has been studying Sutcliffe's life and works for several years and is planning to write a book about the writer, and he is hoping people in Craven will be able to help. "My interest in Halliwell Sutcliffe was captured many years ago when I picked up a copy of his novel 'Shameless Wayne' at a jumble sale," he says. "Fred Power's bookstall in Kirkgate Market in Bradford supplied me with many more." Sutcliffe's novels are full of local colour and of 'stirring incidents' says John. "I would like to ask for the help of your readers who might have Sutcliffe memorabilia that I could make use of to complete a book that I am writing about the author and his works. Sutcliffe was born in Shipley in 1870, which makes 2020 the 150th anniversary of his birth - a suitable occasion to release a book about him, says John, who plans to give lectures to interested groups and societies that year. "An exhibition might be arranged in the Grassington Folk Museum not far from Sutcliffe's home in Linton," he adds. Anyone able to help can email John at: john_b_wordsworth@hotmail.com.

A COLLEAGUE, who as a keen cycle rider and one who uses his bike everyday to come to work, actually chickened-out on THE special day for championing the benefits of cycling. Wednesday, September 13, was Cycle to Work Day. But, he didn't, much to his shame.

It was literally teaming down for goodness sake! Some storm called Aileen, the first named of the season, had battered Craven while he kipped, so the news said, so he walked with an umbrella instead. But just to teach him a lesson, he still got drenched by a "dummkopf" driver charging mindlessly along, plunging through a puddle to give him a dousing. Serves him right. It was the fifth anniversary of the event - last year 45,000 pledged to take up the challenge, but then, it probably didn't coincide with a storm.

A FUNDRAISING fashion show in aid of Cancer Support Yorkshire is due to be held at the Three Links Club, Rectory Lane, Skipton, on Tuesday, October 3. The event, which will include afternoon tea, is being organised by Skipton's Edinburgh Woollen Mill. The charity's Otley Street centre co-ordinator Debi Hawkins said: “We are really grateful to the Edinburgh Woollen Mill for holding this event for us. It’s the second year running that they have done this to raise funds for the charity. We’re even more pleased that some of our clients have volunteered to be models. Also, the Three Links have chosen Cancer Support Yorkshire as their Charity of the Year so it’s a real partnership event.”

The event will start at 4pm. Tickets at £3, to include tea, are available now from Edinburgh Woollen Mill, on Sheep Street, and the Cancer Support Centre on Otley Street.

SCHOOLS across Craven are being urged to celebrate their Yorkshire roots and take part in a Leeds based charity's Flat Cap Friday campaign.

And, although it doesn't take place until March - to coincide with Brain Tumour Awareness Month - Brain Tumour Research and Support (BTRS) is hoping schools will include it in their forward planning. The concept is simple, primary school students and other children’s groups are asked to design their own flat caps and get sponsored by friends and family along the way. Each school or group will pick three finalists, these will be submitted to the charity and three overall winners will be chosen. The three overall winners will see their designs come to life in the form of their very own Yorkshire made flat cap! The campaign is being supported by Yorkshire based flat cap company Kempadoo Millar, who will also be judging the flat cap designs. Kempadoo Millar have seen celebrities such as Idris Elba wearing their flat cap creations on the red carpet. To find out more about the campaign and how to get involved, contact the BTRS Fundraising Team on 0113 340 0111 or email info@btrs.org.uk