ARTIST Teresa Gordon and historian Sarah Lister, from the Settle Graveyard Project, have returned to the Gallery on the Green with ‘Ribblehead Tales’ - an exhibition which takes a closer look at the community that sprung up around the building of the railway and the Ribblehead Viaduct It is the first exhibition following the winter closure at the gallery, which is housed in a former BT telephone box on The Green in Upper Settle and is believed to be the world’s smallest art gallery.

The pair first exhibited at the gallery in 2021 with a show based on Sarah’s research into the lives of those buried in Settle Graveyard. They featured some of the ‘underdogs’ of Settle, the characters that tend to be forgotten by the history books.

For their latest exhibition the focus moves several miles up the Settle to Carlisle Railway line to Ribblehead. Sarah’s new research gives a fascinating insight into life at the shanty towns which occupied what is now empty moorland in the shadow of Whernside, during the building of the Settle to Carlisle Railway in the late 19th century.

She also offers a glimpse into the haunting stories of those buried in the tiny churchyard of St Leonard's, at Chapel-le-dale, the final resting place of 75 navvies - those who built the railways, along with family members, including some very young children.

The navvies were a colourful and often naughty bunch but provide some heart-warming and often hilarious stories. Teresa’s poignant, clever and witty illustrations ensure visitors will enjoy an alternative perspective on life at Ribblehead and learn of things scarcely imaginable as today’s visitors stand by the viaduct or cross it in the comfort of a railway carriage.

Teresa and Sarah both left careers in education to retire to Settle. They have each fallen in love with the town, its heritage and its people and have found new full time hobbies. Sarah continues her research and delivers numerous talks and graveyard trails to raise money for local charities, while Teresa is expanding her repertoire and portfolio by working for a number of local groups.

For more about the project google ‘Settle Graveyard Project’, or visit ‘Settle Graveyard Project’ Facebook page, or email settleresearch@gmail.com. You can also see some of the research findings on dalescommunityarchives.org.uk.

Ribblehead Tales will run at The Gallery on the Green until July 14. Admission free.