THE contributions to the Craven Herald's nostalgia column by Skipton’s 'Mr Sport' Roger Ingham, have drawn many plaudits - and keep us going week after week. And, although his photo depicting one of Skipton’s great characters of the era, John Summersgill, at Skipton Gala in 1982, predictably brought smiles galore for all who related to the well-known comic fancy dress celebrity, Roger has nonetheless had to sustain a considerable amount of friendly ribbing due to him, being unable to identify the two St Trinian’s girls in the picture.

Roger actually knew the identity of the girl featured to the left. She being Alison Murray, daughter of his then boss at Craven District Council George Murray, but felt it might be a bit embarrassing for her to be formally identified without naming her pal at the other side of Worzel Gummidge.

However, Roger confessed to almost kicking himself when he was subsequently informed by countless folk that Alison’s St. Trinian’s pal, was Caroline Wooler – then Caroline Leakey – who for many years soon after, ran Skipton’s Cross Keys pub, where – together with her partner Dennis, they staged numerable charity events which raised tens of thousands of pounds for life-supporting causes. And, they invariably reined in Roger to help stiffen the grand total proceedings, besides him frequently calling in to relish the Cross Keys staff’s home-made steak and ale pie.

Recognising a person of 37 years previous can sometimes be an onerous task, but Roger tells me he is happy to acknowledge an own goal for this one.

POLICE are calling on the help of knitters to produce special teddy-bears to help comfort traumatised children.

'Bobby Buddies', which were created by Tracey Conroy and pioneered by Dorset Police, will be handed to youngsters who have experienced distressing incidents ranging from domestic violence to serious road traffic collisions.

And, they will be kept in police vehicles and police stations and handed out when required.

North Yorkshire Chief Constable Lisa Winward said: “Knitting a Bobby Buddie is a very special way for the community to help children who have been exposed to distressing and traumatic experiences.

“The teddies show children that our officers and staff are approachable and care about what they are going through.

“More importantly, they help to provide comfort when they need it most.”

Knitters can download the Bobby Buddies pattern from: northyorkshire.police.uk/news/how-knitters-can-help-children-in-distress and clicking the link half way down the story.

Completed Bobby Buddies can be handed in to Harrogate Police Station.

FORMER artist Jan Ferguson, from Grassington, has come up with a nice little business, making 'dog bandanas' for discerning pets, and their owners.

Jan started making her Dudiedog Bandanas three years ago, and now sells them all over the world.

And, its not just rakish bandanas she makes, but also bow ties and droolbusters, all designed and made herself from her home studio.

Pictured is Bo and his rakish CND bandana.

Jan is a real success story - she made her first doggie bandana for her own beloved rescue dog, Skye Blue, after discovering a gap in the market at a trip to a dog show.

“I wanted to buy a bandana for my gorgeous dog, Skye Blue, but the products I saw were very poorly made, and also over-priced. I decided to make my own, and from that day on, everywhere we went, we were asked where I got it from."

She started selling them on online sites, and now has her own website.

Since then, Dudiedog has never stopped growing, with plans to expand the product range and distribution network around the world, with the help of her daughter, Flo. But success, she says, wouldn’t have been possible without Skye Blue, her rescued Border Collie:

“Skye is the star of my brand, and the reason I got into the business in the first place. He models all the products, and people just love him to bits! As a rescue dog owner myself, I’m a big supporter of charities which help find abandoned or mistreated pets a loving home."

Jan has teamed up with Moorview Rescue in Harrogate, and throughout April - National Pet Month - will be giving it ten per cent of her sales revenue.

Joanne Brydon, of Moorview Rescue, said: “Since we started in 2009, we have re-homed close to 1000 dogs in the UK. We rely 100 per cent on our volunteers, fundraising and donations to keep going, so this initiative from Dudiedog is very much appreciated.”

To see more Dudiedog Bandanas, go to: dudiedogbandanas.co.uk

AND, while on the subject of dogs, the Skipton Building Society says a nationwide study of its branches has revealed the Labrador is its most common visitor. The building society, which welcomes all dogs into its offices, and not just assistance dogs, surveyed all 88 of its branches, in a bid to find what was it customers favourite dog.

And, it turns out, Labradors, spaniels and cockapoos are among the most common four-legged customers in Skipton’s branches, while at the other end of the top ten, were pugs, whippets and labradoodles.

MEANWHILE, a battle of wits is being played out at Skipton's High Corn Mill where a small flock of pigeons has taken on the management - and is winning.

The unwanted pigeons are causing havoc around the car park and outside of the building, aerial ‘bombing' cars and the historic mill's roof space with their distinctive deposits.

But despite repeated attempts to move the birds on, mill owner Andrew Mear says he's fighting a losing battle.

"We've tried everything over the past 12 months, but they just won't take the hint," said Andrew. "Our first tactic was to use fake owls which are supposed to frighten them off, but they mistook them for friends and just sat next to them.

"Next we decided to use a more aggressive deterrent and bought Harry the Hawk. He swung around on a stick and was actually quite terrifying - but mysteriously vanished before he could see any of them off.

"These birds are cleverer than you think and don't seem to want to leave us at all. They've made a comfortable home at the mill, get well fed by people walking along the nearby canal - and they definitely seem to know me now. Whenever I arrive they give me a look which says ‘What's he going to try next?"

Andrew's latest tactic has been to buy special deterrent netting for the roof of the building - but so far that hasn't done the trick either. He said: "Far from stopping them landing on the roof and creating a mess, they see it as a cosy nesting site and have made themselves even more at home. It's hard to know what to try next - but the battle goes on!"

HERE, at the Craven Herald, we are considering sending over what we believe must have been a sparrowhawk that swiftly dispatched a starling as it rested on a ledge next to our kitchen.

IT was 50 years ago, in April, 1969, that the Skipton Baptist Church in Otley Street reopened following a £6,000 modernisation. The church had been closed for some time for the work to take place and was re-opened by the Rev G D Froud, president of the Yorkshire Baptist Association. Mr Froud referred to a BBC television play at the time that portrayed Christ as people saw him at the time, saying he did not agree with it and that Christ did not bear any relation to that of in the Gospels.