CRAVEN libraries are encouraging people to rediscover local dialects and enjoy their community heritage.

As part of May's local history month, events will be held at Settle, Skipton, South Craven, Grassington and Gargrave, on the subject of dialect and language.

Part of a research project led by the University of Leeds into the way people speak, there will also be events at the Dales Countryside Museum and at Ryedale Folk Museum, and other libraries across the county.

Chrys Mellor, North Yorkshire County Council's general manager for libraries, said: “Dialect and language are synonymous with libraries and we are looking forward to celebrating our rich dialects.We plan to build on the foundations laid during the month to hold a series of follow-up events in a number of libraries throughout the year and create a lasting legacy to the project.”

In the 1950s and 1960s, researchers from the University of Leeds carried out its 'Survey of English Dialects'. They visited people in more than 300 places to record their many ways of speaking. Now, more than half a century later, the university is working with museums around the country to find out what has changed and what has stayed the same.

As well as sharing their findings, the collaboration with the libraries will provide opportunities for people to get involved in once sharing their own dialect.

At 'dialect drop-in events', people will be able to explore words from across the country recorded in the 1950s, as well as have fun with word games. Visitors will also be able to contribute their words to the university researchers.

Chrys added: “Go along to one of the events and stick your nose in, or should that be beak, conk, cronk, hud, immy, sneck, snitch, snitcher, snotter, snout or trunk?”

Dialect and heritage project drop-ins will be at Skipton Library on May 11 from 9.30am to 1pm; and at Gargrave Library on the same day, May 11, from 2pm to 4pm.

Free talks by the Yorkshire Dialect Society will also take place throughout May. They are free, but need to be booked in advance. They will take place at libraries including at Settle Library on May 11 at 2pm and will feature Tom Twisleton, poems in the Craven dialect; at South Craven Library at 2pm on May 18, a Yorkshire dialect treasure trove with John Hartley; Grassington Library at 11am on May 26, Telling t'tale, poems and stories in the Yorkshire dialect, and at Skipton Library at 7pm on May 26, a Yorkshire dialect treasure trove with John Hartley.

For up to date information about events and activities during local and community history month, contact your library or check its Facebook page.