STAR of television’s The Yorkshire Vet Julian Norton (pictured) is due at The Devonshire Arms Hotel, Bolton Abbey on Sunday, September 30 to launch his latest book. The Diary of a Yorkshire Vet is Julian’s third book, and the launch will be part of a fundraising lunch, in aid of The Yorkshire Air Ambulance - the hotel’s chosen charity. Julian will be sharing many of his anecdotes during lunch, centred around his veterinary practice in Boroughbridge. His first book was Horses, Heifers and Hairy Pigs, followed last year by A Yorkshire Vet Through the Seasons. In his Channel 5 series, Julian is followed in his working life as he treats all sorts of animals, from large to small. Fans of Julian’s writing will be able to buy signed copies of his book, priced £11.99, at the event. Price of the two course lunch, including a glass of wine, or soft drink, and tea or coffee, is £30. Booking is essential, and guests are asked to arrive at 11.45am for a 12 midday start. Series seven of The Yorkshire Vet is due to go out in the autumn.

To book a place at the lunch event, telephone 01756 718155, or email events@devonshirehotels.co.uk.

CHILDREN going along to Alexander’s Bar and Kitchen at the top of Skipton High Street with their parents, can make use of the very latest in new technology. Owners, Peel Entertainment, has enlisted the help of its IT wizards, Peel Interactive, to develop an augmented reality (AR) colouring experience for children. The revolutionary appliance, which can be accessed via the restaurant and bar’s in-house iPads, allows children to colour in two fantasy characters and then ‘bring them to life’ by activating content that converts them into fully animated, interactive 3D characters. The app - which Alexander’s says is suitable for children from three years old, also features a fun digital game incorporating the same characters. Susannah Daley, managing director of Peel Entertainment, says it is all about encouraging creativity and family chat. “Utilising Peel Interactive’s skillset to create this children’s colouring app for Alexander’s makes perfect sense, as it enhances our already extensive family friendly offer.”

THERE will be free entry to The Folly Museum at Settle on Sunday (September 16) , as part of national Heritage Open Days. The museum, just off the town centre, will be open as usual from 1pm to 4pm. Inside, people will be able to view exhibitions: World War One - The Long Last Mile; Life and Tradition in the Yorkshire Dales and Portraits of Ingleborough. The gardens will also be open, and there will be quizzes and ‘mouse trails’ for the children. In addition, there will be tours of the exterior of the listed former grange at 2pm and at 3pm.

A 200 YEAR old maritime charity is calling on people from Craven to share their memories of the sea to highlight our connection and dependence on the sea.

Stuart Rivers, Sailors’ Society’s chief executive said: “Whether it’s beach balls, flip-flops or the ingredients used to make an ice cream, 90 per cent of everything you see beside the seaside is transported by sea.

“During the heatwave, many people from Craven will have headed to the beach to create long-lasting memories.

Whether you spent childhood holidays at the beach, or have made a career out of working at sea, we’d love to hear and share your stories.”

Sailors’ Society works internationally to provide practical, emotional and spiritual welfare support to the world’s 1.6million seafarers, regardless of their background or faith.

The charity’s chaplains and ship visitors have a presence in 91 global ports, with wider projects and services covering 30 countries.

You can share you stories and pictures now online at: theseaandme.org

NATIONAL Rail is also calling on people to share their most Instagram- worthy shots of Craven - and is offering £1,000 for the best snaps. The company is on the hunt for images for its 16-25 railcard after revealing that a third of young people choose their travel destinations based on how good they will look on their social media feeds.The research showed that young people in Craven are constantly on the lookout for the best selfie spots and will upload an average of 12 photos to Instagram every week, to show they have been visiting the coolest bars, restaurants, attractions and holiday destinations. Tapping into local competitive spirit, 16-25 Railcard, which offers a third off rail travel, has created an Insta-Rail map of the UK, featuring a list of the most photographed locations throughout the country. And, it is now calling for social media fanatics to submit their best photos for the chance to win a £1,000 cash prize, as well as crowning Craven as the most Instagrammable destination in the UK. The winning snap will also feature in a 16-25 Railcard campaign, as well as appearing on its website and social media channels.

For the chance to win £1,000 and the title of Craven’s best Instagrammer, people should upload their image to Instagram, tagging @national.rail and using the hashtag #instarail, or on the National Rail Facebook page, using #instarail.

ON the subject of railways, Bentham Station has been twinned with Mytholmroyd Station for two years now, and tomorrow (September 14) will be holding second anniversary celebrations, with Mytholmroyd having its celebrations on September 28. At the same time, the Friends of Bentham Station will be marking their seventh anniversary, and Mytholmroyd, their 12th. According to Gerald Townson, chairman of the Friends of Bentham, both groups continue to be recognised for their leading work in community involvement and in bringing the railway and communities closer together. And, its not just other railway stations that Bentham is twinned with. Last month, it gained a second twin - the station toilet, used by passengers and visitors, has been twinned with a latrine situated on a mountainside on the outskirts of Paquip, a small village in Guatemala, Central America. Toilet twinning is a water and sanitation initiative aimed at ‘flushing away poverty, one toilet at a time’, and by donating £60 to twin your toilet you help those in poverty to have access to a proper latrine, clean water and information to help them stay healthy. For more information about toilet twinning, visit the website: toilettwinning.org

ANOTHER fascinating and historical building to open its doors this weekend will be the Quaker Meeting House, Low Bentham. Visitors will be able to look around the historic meeting house, view its burial ground and peaceful allotments from 2pm to 4.30pm. Tea and cakes will be provided throughout the afternoon.