INDEPENDENT book shop The Stripey Badger in Grassington is taking part in the Yorkshire Dales National Park’s dark skies festival in addition to its hosting of a number of literary and cultural events.

On Monday, February 24, the bookshop in The Square, will be staging Starry Stories from 5pm. It is a free event, but booking is advised, and blankets are optional.

Next up, on Thursday, February 27, the bookshop will be in conversation with Stacey Halls, author of the best-selling book, The Familiars, at an event at the Octagon Theatre, Grassington. Stacey will be talking about and signing copies of her latest book, The Foundling, at 7pm.

Esther Rutter and This Golden Fleece – a knitted history of Britain - will be on March 14 again at the Octagon with a talk and slide show. Esther - who grew up on a sheep farm in Suffolk, and learned to spin, weave and knit as a child - travels the length of the British Isles over the course of a year to tell the story of wool’s long history. This Golden Fleece is at once a meditation on the craft and history of knitting, and a fascinating exploration of wool’s influence on our landscape, history and culture.

Best-selling author Leah Fleming will be at the bookshop on April 28 for a cream scones and meet the author event. Leah, the, author of historical romances set in Yorkshire, will be talking about the inspiration behind her books. Countryside campaigner and writer Colin Speakman will be at the shop, again for cream scones and meet the author on May 12.For tickets for all the events, contact the Stripey Badger on 01756 753583 or look on Facebook @TheStripeyBadger.