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WHILE on the subject of littering in the countryside, what do people think about dropping apple cores? A totally unscientific survey of my colleagues here in the office revealed five of us were happy to leave apple cores in the country, firmly of the opinion they were eaten by birds and other animals, with anything left just rotting down, with the seeds turning into trees themselves. The remaining one other in the office, while agreeing in principle, had recently had the misfortune of being pooped on by a large bird who had clearly been eating apple. Interestingly, not everyone was of the same opinion about banana skins; whereas three again said yes, two said no, and the remaining two were unconvinced, either way. All, however, were agreed on one point, plastics and paper were always taken home and more than one of us would happily remonstrate with anyone he saw casually dropping litter.

MEANWHILE, the same walking colleague, and hunter of items for the Diary column, tells me while out in the Ribble Valley, she dropped down into Sawley, where she stopped off for a refreshing drink at The Spread Eagle Inn. Although neither of her dogs were with her - it being height of the curious cow season - she was interested to see the pub had its own ‘dogs dish’ menu, pictured (right) with the pub’s Liam Robinson, with starters, mains and dessert. For starters, pampered pooches can enjoy peanut butter and banana shapes, or cheese and bacon toasties, while for main course, they can choose beef, chicken, or lamb hot pot. And for the dessert, what else than a tooth cleaning chewy stick.

BACK in the days before there was a swimming pool at West Craven Sports Centre in Barnoldswick, those looking for somewhere to swim would very likely have travelled to Nelson Leisure Centre. Now, Pendle Leisure Trust is hoping some of them will want to join Pendle Wavelengths for its 30th anniversary as it takes its customers back to 1989.

So, on Friday, July 12, everyone is welcome to pop along to the Nelson leisure centre to enjoy a whole day of activities at 1989 prices. The invite extends to people who have not been to Pendle Wavelengths before to come and see what the facility has to offer and join in the fun!

Entry to all pool activities that day – Early Birds/Ladies Only/Aquarhythmics/Public Swimming – will be at 1989 prices, while the

Poolside Diner will have a 1989 menu and prices.

Between 7pm and 9pm, the once very popular pool disco will be re-introduced for one night only, with pool and poolside party games and competitions and even the café staff and lifeguards will help with setting the scene by wearing uniforms dating back to the era.

Visitors can also take a trip down ‘Memory Lane’ as they walk along the corridor to the pool with a collection of old photos spanning the last three decades.

Alison Dow, Pendle Wavelengths’ assistant manager, said: “This should be an exciting event and a great way to mark our 30th anniversary, by taking people back in time to when Pendle Wavelengths was first opened.

“The facility has seen many changes over the last 30 years, but the waves and slide still remain the main attractions – in fact, ours is the last remaining wave pool in East Lancashire.

The, at the time, state-of-the-art facility, also featured a health suite with sauna and solarium, a licensed bar, café and lounge area and was officially opened by swimmer Duncan Goodhew MBE on July 14 1989.

THE quality of some of the photographs sent in by readers shows there are some very talented photographers out there, and particularly wildlife photographs. Particular favourites of mine were of an osprey - how very unusual - being chased by a gull, and a nest of curlew chicks, which as we know are becoming a rare sight. I can add to those this picture of a robin chick, sent in by Paul Heath of Barnoldswick. Paul says he was inspired to send in the picture because of all the great photographs sent in to the paper. He says for the last two years a robin has made a nest in his workshop. “It makes a nest within a metre of my work bench and doesn’t seem to mind the noise. Today was the first day out for the three chicks, when one landed on my forklift thought I better get a photo while I had chance.”

50 YEARS ago, in July, 1969, Kevin Bradley, from Kelbrook, a junior bandsman in the Coldstream Guards, was among the fanfare teams playing at the investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales at Caernarvon Castle, in Wales. Until he joined the army, he was well known as a musician in West Craven.

THANKS to West Craven television engineer, Harry Garlick, children at Springfield Infants School in Earby, were able to watch the investiture of the Prince. Mr Garlick took a 23 inch television set to the school and installed it free of charge, explaining that ‘the children will never be able to see anything like that again’.

ALSO in the Craven Herald of July, 1969, was a feature aimed at farmers on the increasing use of silage, which now, of course, is very common. Silage has never been more popular, said the Herald at the time, but to make the best of it, it was necessary to create conditions in which the cattle could dine ‘cafeteria style’. The harvesting was ‘ultra rapid’, and performed by a forage harvester and a cart with ‘curious high walls of netting’. A few farmers stored their silage in plastic bags, from which the air had been sucked out. “Grass is our most common plant and until fairly recent times, has not been regarded as it should be considering its value on a farm’.

100 YEARS ago, in July, 1919, Lieutenant Priestley Jowett, of Skipton, attended Buckingham Palace to receive his Military Cross. His Majesty congratulated Lieut Jowett and also made sympathetic inquires concerning his wounds, particularly one on his right hip, which was still troublesome. The 23 year old had enlisted in 1915 and had gone to France the following year. In July, 1916 he was wounded in Ypres. He gained the MC for conducting a successful night raid on the enemy’s lines. He was an old boy of Skipton Grammar School where he captained the school’s football and cricket teams.

The Devonshire Arms at Cracoe, sold in July 1919 by auction at the Ship Hotel, Skipton. The fully licensed inn was occupied at the time by Frank Sutcliffe. The opening bid was £500 and at £835 was knocked down to a Mr Wm Wood of Thornton, near Bradford.

ALSO of July, 1919, more than 300 girls and women employed in the thread department of Belle Vue Mills, Skipton - the English Sewing Company - went on strike. They left work early on the Monday owing to a dispute over hours and wages. The Herald understood that those in the spinning department, who were members of a trade union, had been given a 30 per cent wage increase and a reduction in hours to 48 per week. Similar concessions were however not granted to those in the thread department, who were piece workers. They were not members of a trade union and two days later, it was announced a settlement had been reached. It was understood that the girls were to receive two to two and a half shillings for work they had previously received just one shilling.