ITS not everyday that factory workers are treated to a classical music concert in the staff canteen, but 75 years ago, back in 1946, workers at Rolls-Royce, Barnoldswick were treated to just that, by one of the finest orchestras in the country.

The firm’s welfare officer, Mr R Sutcliffe, was to be congratulated on his enterprise in securing the BBC Northern Orchestra reported the Craven Herald.

The workers at the Bankfield shed crowded into the canteen to hear one of the finest orchestras in the country of the time perform Bizet, Tchaikovsky, Elgar and Grieg.

Although there was excellent radio reception these days there was nothing like the atmosphere of the real thing, said the paper.

The concert was one of the series in which the BBC had specialised of late, and all, apart from the first five minutes, went out on the BBC light programme, with an introduction by Ken Hallam, an engineer in the milling section.

Arrangements had been made at the works for the mid day meal to be served in the canteen a little earlier so that by the time the concert began at 12.40pm, the workers had finished their meal and were prepared to sit back and enjoy 50 minutes of music.

The Herald reporter was clearly no slouch when it came to classical music, similarly the Rolls-Royce workers, and their review took no prisoners.

So, in the orchestra’s rendition of Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet, the principal item in the concert, ‘ there were moments when there was a suggestion of casualness in the playing and once indeed a demonstration of carelessness in the woodwinds, surprising in so polished a combination which made this not one of the orchestra’s most successful readings’

But worst of all, ‘For some listeners in one section of the canteen, the performance was probably marred by a petrol lighter obbligato played by a gentleman who seemed to have difficulty in persuading his instrument to perform to his satisfaction.”

The man with the lighter was back for the curtain raiser, reported the narked reporter: “The orchestra ambled cheerfully through the brief prelude to Carmen, during which the petrol lighter obbligato put in a little practice and was overwhelmed by Bizet’s trombones.”

It was however Grieg’s Heart’s Wounds and Last Spring that were the outstanding items of the concert.

The paper added it was to be hoped that it would not be too long before the orchestra returned to Barnoldswick, for it was a ‘great many years since playing of this quality was heard in the town’.

I’VE been doing a fair bit of foraging over recent weeks, mushrooms, raspberries and even a few wild strawberries, all taken from the hedgerows and fields.

Wild garlic also, but interestingly, not as good as last year, not in my neck of the woods anyway.

But, now, as we come into autumn, it’s the best time for foraging; I’ve noticed the blackberries, which were looking pretty pathetic, have suddenly filled up and are looking very promising indeed. Rose hips also seem to be pretty good this year, I plan to give rose hip syrup a go; also sloes - very nice and fat, but do watch out for the thorns.

Sloes have the thorns, not the similarly looking damsons, also to be seen in the hedgerows if you are lucky. One year, I picked loads of sloes, thinking they were damsons, and spent hours carefully removing the stones to make them into a jam; it wasn’t the most successful of homemade jams I’ve ever made.

Of course, sloes are more commonly made into sloe gin; in fact, the chief executive of a district council I know used to bring a bottle of his own homemade sloe gin around at Christmas and hand out small glasses to everyone.

Back to right now, September is the best time for blackberries, sloes, damsons and some nuts, if you are lucky enough, hazelnuts and beech nuts.

It’s not just in the country berries and nuts can be found either, there are plenty of urban areas where they grow, just make sure you give them a good clean, if next to a road, or perhaps a path where a dog might have wee’d on them.

Funny thing about blackberries, some years back I was in the middle of a blackberry bush next to a footpath when some people walked by. The conversation went like this: “What is she doing?”, “She’s picking blackberries”..”I didn’t know they were edible”.

For anyone unsure about what and what not to pic - experts at GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk are offering advice .

Whether new to foraging or not, it is important for all nature lovers to distinguish which plants are safe to consume and which should be left alone in order to avoid some pretty serious health issues, it says.

A spokesman for GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk said: “We encourage all nature lovers to get outside this autumn and see what is available to forage in surrounding woodland or suburban areas.

“We would always advise foragers that they need to be aware of the dangerous surrounding wild foods that can be found easily in the UK so they know what to avoid when out and about.”

CONGRATULATIONS to the 20 strong ‘Team Wham’ from housewares manufacturer, What More UK, for crossing over from Lancashire to complete the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in less than perfect weather, raising £11,645 for charity.

Operations director Garry Ireland, pictured in camouflage hat, was joined by colleagues across the business, from toolmaking, warehouse, picking, and sales.

The team completed the 25 mile walk taking in Penyghent, Whernside and Ingleborough in 10 hours and 36 minutes, just within the 12 hour challenge.

It was a 6am start for Team Wham, with a forecast of thunderstorms and rain. Luckily, they only had to contest with light rain along the way.

Everyone turned up ready and in good fitness, with a great support team in Lionel and Carl, who had two check points arranged to keep the team hydrated and fuelled.

Garry said: “The hardest part was the last two miles, all our limbs were aching and everyone just wanted to get over the finish line.

“Once we’d completed the challenge it did rain hard but by then we didn’t care. The best thing was that the team had completed and exceeded the target of the £10,000 for the Accrington Stanley Community Trust. I am so proud of all TeamWham and I am thankful to everyone that donated. I know for sure this has made us a stronger team.”

A VERY well done to Sylvia Buckley (pictured) a lifelong resident of Hebden who during the coronavirus lockdown decided to raise funds for the village hall.

She has always been a very active member of the community raising funds, especially for the Institute, but latterly, I am told, Sylvia has suffered ill health and found walking very difficult. With a strong will and inbred desire to help her community Sylvia, with the help of her carer decided to raise money by walking around the village on a daily basis.

She did this throughout the Covid crisis and in all weather. People were asked for donations, into a box on her walking aid or to her home. A magnificent sum of £420 was raised.

The village Institute members would like to thank Sylvia for this very welcome sum of money.