ONE can only imagine the surprise of the son of a reader who while travelling in Japan recently, came across this painting, below and in its full glory at the bottom of the page. He found the painting, of the top of Skipton High Street, tucked away, behind a chair in a shop selling vintage items in Kyoto, once the capital of Japan.

Our reader explains: “ He was amazed to find himself looking at a painting of Skipton High Street, on sale for 2700 yen, approximately £20 I believe.

“The back of the picture had a label stating ‘Mr J T Riley, 12 Old Road, Denholme, Nr Bradford. Skipton Church Watercolour.’ Interestingly, it is certainly a ‘vintage’ view, depicting Skipton from an earlier era with petrol pumps still on the setts.

“How this came to be for sale in a shop so far away is a puzzle, although there were also paintings of Fountains Abbey and Kilnsey on view. Perhaps a reader might know of J T Riley whose signature is faintly visible on the corner of the painting.”

For anyone interested, the picture may well still be in the shop, our traveller was unable to buy it, even if it was to his taste, seeing as he was back-packing at the time.

THE coronavirus is certainly bringing out the very best in people. I was very touched to receive a tray of eggs, tomatoes and mushrooms, pictured, from the cafe in our village which had been forced to close because of the nationwide lockdown. They had more than they needed, they told me, even after distributing their supplies to their families, and had decided to make presents of the fresh food to neighbours; it was a very touching gesture. These small businesses will need our help after the lockdown is lifted.

SOMETHING to think about, as we all stay at home, I’ve been contacted by the makers of a new television series who are looking to start filming, once the coronavirus is over. It says filming will definitely not take place until after the current lockdown, but it is keen to make contact with people now and have those initial conversations.

A spokesperson for BBC Studios says: “Are you in the relationship and it’s time to meet the family? Or perhaps they are ready to meet yours? Or is it your family that are pressing to meet that special person in your life?

BBC Studios are casting for a brand new show all about relationships and families and they’d love to hear from you.

“This is a fun and heart-warming production that will follow a couple in a romantic relationship as they introduce their partner to their family for the first time whilst cooking and all getting to know each other around the dinner table.”

The production studio says it will treat the successful couple and their family to a high-end dinner at a luxury restaurant.

The spokesperson added: “The production team want to let you know that with the current situation, meeting and filming will not be taking place yet but the team are still keen to hear from those interested ready for when the filming will take place in the foreseeable future. “ To find out more, email: unscripted@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp/Text: 07711 913 199.

OUR very popular readers picture spreads may well be curtailed for the next two weeks at least as we all are restricted to just one outing a day for exercise, but what about pictures taken from your window? Many of us will be adapting to working from home, in all manner of places in the house, and some will have nicer views to look out onto than others. Mine, top, right, is not too bad, I reckon, and with the addition of a bird table, there is quite a lot to distract with all the wildlife. Do send your picture from your window to: news@ cravenherald.co.uk

AIREDALE Hospital, Steeton, which opened 50 years ago in the early summer, has asked people to show their love for their NHS heroes as it launches its ‘Care for Airedale’ campaign, all in response to the huge outpouring of support for its staff from the local community.

The campaign wants to raise funds for items that are above and beyond what the NHS provides and to support their employees at a time when they need it most. These will include hand creams, drinks and snacks and care packs including toiletries.

Jodie Hearnshaw, fundraising manager at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust said:“Since the outbreak of COVID-19 we have been absolutely overwhelmed and inundated with offers of help and support for our amazing staff. “We’ve already had so many deliveries of food and treats from local businesses and our staff are incredibly grateful.

“What we want to do now is give people a simple way to help if they want to, we all know that everyone is going to need our staff during these extraordinary times as they work tirelessly to care for loved ones in our communities. Please support us if you can.”

To donate go to https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/careforairedale

The trust will also be passing this kindness forward to their local communities by supporting local foodbanks, virtual visiting and care packs for patients staying at the hospital whose families cannot get to them at this time, and any funds remaining after the outbreak will continue to be used for the support of Airedale NHS Foundation Trust.

5O YEARS ago, and on the subject of Airedale Hospital, the Craven Herald reported on the ‘tremendous task’ of organising voluntary workers for the hospital when it opened in June, 1970. A meeting of the Barnoldswick and Earby Council of Social Service at the Cross Keys, Barnoldswick, heard of the need for about 500 voluntary workers. That would include 120 people to act as guides, showing visitors and patients to the various hospital areas where they should be. A similar number would be needed to run canteen services, if out-patients and visitors were to be properly served.

There was also a proposal to purchase a charities vehicle in Barnoldswick to ferry patients to the hospital. It was suggested to have a visit to the new hospital before it was officially opened.

5O years ago, and on the subject of Airedale Hospital, the Craven Herald reported on the ‘tremendous task’ of organising voluntary workers for the hospital when it opened in June, 1970. A meeting of the Barnoldswick and Earby Council of Social Service at the Cross Keys, Barnoldswick, heard of the need for about 500 voluntary workers. That would include 120 people to act as guides, showing visitors and patients to the various hospital areas where they should be. A similar number would be needed to run canteen services, if out-patients and visitors were to be properly served.

ALSO, 50 years ago, April, 1970, saw Skipton Woods get a new owner. The woods had been closed to the public for some years and had now been acquired by the owners of Skipton Castle, a company known as Skipton Castle Ltd. The new owners desired to develop the woods as a bird sanctuary, with as many birds as possible. They were prepared to negotiate with Skipton Urban District Council about some form of public access, provided the vandalism aspect was ‘suitably covered’. The Herald continued: “Vandalism was given by the previous owners - who have operated through a local estate agent - as the reason why the woods have been closed. For several years Skipton UDC have tried to negotiate a purchase of the woods, an attractive beauty spot, with a view to opening the area to the public.

“While the area was part of Lord Hothfield’s Castle Estate, there was open access and paths, fences, bridges and walls were maintained in excellent condition. These were features which undoubtedly suffered in the period after the castle estate was broken up and access was only available to ticket holders.”