WEIRD or what? This picture of extraordinary moss was taken by my walking colleague when she was half way round Thruscross Reservoir - accessed off the A59 between Skipton and Harrogate. She tells me it struck her particularly as it looked like some sort of fantastic creature that had suddenly become paralysed with a covering of moss. She had not been to the Yorkshire Water reservoir for at least a year - having been put off by the mud on one side of the reservoir. But, the company has recently spent £40,000 on repairing the paths, and a excellent job has been done, so it seems. A note of warning though, the more than four mile walk round the reservoir is still challenging, and not for the Sunday afternoon stroller - despite many of the paths being re-surfaced, and drainage pipes fitted, there are still what my colleague describes as 'tricky scrambles'.

ON another of her walks, she spotted this sign (pictured) for those taking part in the gruelling Montane Spine Race - and as if those doing the 268 mile non stop race along the entire length of the Pennine Way didn't have enough on their plates, the sign appears to be upside down. Our own Joe Parsons (pictured by Sara Spillett) was one of those brave enough to take part, although in the slightly shorter, 108 mile 'challenger' event, between Edale and Hardraw. Joe, who is a volunteer for the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association, has so far raised more than £2,000 for the rescue service, which goes out in all weathers, on every day of the year, to help people who find themselves in all sorts of difficulties. Joe, who went off track a few times, actually completed 114 miles in a time of 40 hours and 44 minutes. You can still show your support for Joe and the work of UWFRA by donating on line at: mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/joeparsons1

A SURVEY report landed on my desk recently which made very sad reading - apparently, children in our region have no knowledge or indeed, interest, in what their grandparents did for a living, or what they used to do before they retired. A poll of a thousand children and young people, from five to 18 years old, revealed that 59 per cent of those in North Yorkshire had never spoken to their grandparents about their proudest achievements, with 57 per cent saying they had simply never thought to ask. More than a third - 39 per cent - admitted not knowing if their grandparents had any special skills, while 34 per cent said they had no idea what their grandparents had done for a career.

The research, which was carried out by retirement housebuilder, McCarthy & Stone, revealed that in, North Yorkshire teenagers were the least likely to have talked to their grandparents about their history, or what they were like in their youth. Just 22 per cent of the five to 18 year olds polled said they would spend time with their grandparents to find out more about them - and this was despite the fact that grandparents lived just 15 minutes away for 46 per cent of children. Oddly, although more than half of children see their grandparents every week, 28 per cent

speak to them weekly, and nine per cent see them every day, it appears they don't actually talk to them. Some 14 per cent confessed they were most likely to visit grandparents for pocket money, while 49 per cent said they visited because of pressure from parents.

McCarthy and Stone is now appealing for people over 60 and all those who know an unsung hero to enter the Inspirational Generation search, either online at: mccarthyandstone.co.uk/inspirational, or by visiting their nearest McCarthy and Stone development. The deadline for entries is April 1 and the top prize is £2,000.

PEOPLE in Craven are being offered the chance to apply for free locks for their homes. In a scheme aimed at reducing burglaries, Craven District Council has teamed up with police and the Yorkshire Housing Home Improvement Agency to improve security. It follows a recent spate of burglaries where locks fitted to UPVC doors proved inadequate, and took just a few seconds for thieves to remove. Funding is now available for residents who wish to improve their locks and make their homes safer and more secure. Stacey Reffin, Craven District Council’s community safety officer, said: “We’re pleased to be able to offer this home security initiative to residents, with funding given to us by the Police Crime Commissioner."

The scheme is open to anyone who owns their own property, or tenants who have permission from their landlord. “I hope this funding will allow people to feel safer in their homes and act as a deterrent to those targeting our district," she said. The funding is available until March 31, and will be allocated to residents on a first-come, first-served basis. It is not open to social housing tenants as any concerns about security of social housing should be referred to the relevant housing association. To find out more and to check if you are eligible, telephone 0345 366 4405.

CINEMA goers in February, 50 years ago, were enjoying Clint Eastwood in one of the best Spaghetti Westerns, For a Few Dollars More. The film was playing at The Odeon Cinema, Skipton - which at the time had been renamed The Classic. Meanwhile, over at the town's other cinema, The Plaza, the 'awe inspiring epic' Doctor Zhivago was playing. Elsewhere, Skipton Little Theatre was putting on a performance of Pinter's The Birthday Party; while Skipton Music Club was putting on Don Giovanni.