Neighbourhood news

BARNOLDSWICK:
St Andrew’s: On Saturday, there will be a Christmas-themed Messy Church from 3pm to 5pm,. There will be activities, songs and food. The preacher at the Sunday morning carol service will be the Rev David Edmondson. There is no evening service as the congregation will be supporting the Earby to Bethlehem nativity in the New Road Centre, Earby, at 6pm. On Monday, there will be a prayer hour in church at 10am and on Tuesday, soup and sandwiches will be served in St Andrew’s at 5pm, followed by an hour to study Christmas according to John. Next Thursday at 7pm, the congregation will join with Lancashire Radio Broadcast to sing carols in Boundary Mill Café and next Saturday at 10.30am Barnoldswick Churches Together will meet for half an hour on the square to celebrate the Christmas Story.

BENTHAM:
History Society: Bill Walker gave an absorbing illustrated lecture on Waterloo Churches to the Ewecross Historical Society. He said that following the final defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815, in a great surge of gratitude and euphoria, several rich and influential men instigated the building of 612 New Churches. All Anglican, these were also called Commissioners Churches, many built with grants from the Government to the new Church Building Commission. Mr Walker showed examples of these churches, the nearest being St George’s, Kendal, but most were from Lancashire south of the Ribble. All the New Churches had to look like an Anglican Church and had to have 99 feet from the reading desk, also used as a pulpit, to the back pew so that the entire congregation could hear the service. This outbreak of building gave opportunity for new and local architects, and architect builders, as the top architects were too expensive. One of these new architects who built several churches was Thomas Rickman. The enthusiasm of these influential men proved a success as congregations filled the New Churches and some are still flourishing today. Chairman Sir John Kerr thanked the speaker who answered many questions. Andrew Jotischky will speak in January on Pilgrims to the Holy Land in the Middle Ages.

BOLTON ABBEY:
Priory Church: The services on Sunday are 8am Communion (said), 10.30am Sung Eucharist and 3pm Roaming Carols. There will be no evening prayer service. On Wednesday, there is a said communion service at 10am. All services are the Book of Common Prayer.

BRADLEY: Liz Zieboll, 01535 636369:
School news: The community is invited to the dress rehearsals of the school’s Christmas shows tomorrow. Key stage one will perform its nativity The Tale of Two Birthdays at 9.30am and key stage two will perform Xmas Factor at 10.30am. Tickets are not required and refreshments will be served between the two performances. Tokens are still being collected from promotional 500g tubs of Flora Original, Light and Buttery and can be handed in at the school office.
Christmas coffee: The Methodist Church will hold a Christmas coffee morning next Friday, December 18, from 10am to noon. This will be followed by a Christmas workshop in the Methodist schoolroom from 3.30pm to 5.30pm. The Christmas Windows exhibition will be on view in the church from December 18 to January 3. Windows have been contributed by local clubs and the school and this year’s theme is Christmas Card.
Parish council: The parish council will meet at 7.30pm on Tuesday in the village hall.

CARLETON:
Coffee Pot: Coffee Pot will be open at St Mary’s Church tomorrow, before taking a break over Christmas and the New Year. It will resume on Friday, January 15. It is open from 2pm to 4pm serving tea, coffee, hot chocolate, juice and biscuits.
St Mary’s Church: There will be a parish communion service at 11am on Sunday.
Carol singing: Members of St Mary’s Church and Carleton Ladies Choir will be carol singing on Tuesday, from 6.15pm at The Coach House, proceeding to Spence’s Court for 7pm and then on to The Swan for about 7.30pm. Villagers are welcome to come along and listen or join in.
Yuletide celebration: Carleton Community Umbrella will run its popular free community event, Yuletide on Swan Street, next Sunday, December 20, from 6pm. Full details next week.

CHAPEL-LE-DALE:
Station carols: Ribblehead Station visitor centre invites you to share in a session of Festive Carols and Music on Saturday from 1.30pm. This will feature the Lakeland Voice Choir and Settle Voices. Light refreshments will be available.

CLAPHAM: Rory-Joe Daniels, 015242 51135:
Parish council: Simon Peach from Clapham Hyperfast gave a presentation outlining progress made by the broadband project. High speed fibre optic cable has been laid in Keasden and will be extended Clapham and Newby next year. Work is proceeding ahead of budget. More volunteers are needed to raise funds, map out and lay the Clapham and Newby routes and complete the Keasden and Mewith spurs. For more information, go to claphamhyperfast.net. Craven District Council funding for Settle Area Swimming Pool is to end in April 2016. The parish council has written to MP Julian Smith and all Craven District councillors in the area to urge them to support continued funding for the pool. The council has doubled its annual donation to the pool to £200. There have been many drainage issues with the recent heavy rains. To report any blocked drains, contact the clerk, Gillian Muir, at claphamclerk@btinternet.com or by phone on 015242 51775, or North Yorkshire County Council Highways department directly on 08458 727374. The precept for 2016-17 has been set at £7,835. The parish council meets in the village hall on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm except August and December.
Pocket Panto: Pocket Panto - which produces a small scale traditional family pantomime - will perform Aladdin at Clapham Village Hall on Tuesday, December 29, at 1pm. Tickets are £7 for adults, £5 for children under 14 and £20 for a family ticket (two adults and two children under 14). They are available from Sue Mann on 015242 51792 or from Clapham Village Store.
Coffee morning: There will be a Christmas coffee morning at Keasden Church on Saturday from 10am to noon.
St James’: There will be a carol service in St James’ Church on Sunday at 7pm. The Christingle service will take place next Thursday, December 17, from 2pm.
Carol singing: Carol singing around the villages this year will be as follows: Tuesday, Newby, from 6.30pm; Thursday, Keasden from 6.30pm, and Saturday, December 19, Clapham, 1pm (meet at St James’ Church).
Community Shop: If you are stuck for any Christmas shopping ideas, Clapham Community Shop has its own Bag for Life, created by Marley Atkin. The pupils of Clapham Primary School were asked to draw a picture depicting Clapham and its shop and Marley’s design was chosen for being bright, colourful and fun.

CONISTON COLD:
Young farmers: Members took part in the Settle district public speaking competition at Rathmell School. The results were: vote of thanks - 2 Ellie Saxby; chairman - 3 Sophie Barker; speaker - 1 Paddy Capstick; junior reading team - 2 Gemma Darwin, Charlotte Lambert and Millie Brennan, 3 Ellie Saxby, Alice Walton and Megan Walton; intermediate brainstrust - 1 Cameron Walton, Aimee Beresford, Megan Schofield and Georgina Pinder. The junior team was third and, overall, Coniston shared first place with Rathmell. The first and second in each class will go forward to county competition at Harrogate in January.
St Peter’s: On Sunday, there will be a traditional Advent BCP Evensong and carol singing at 4pm.

COWLING:
Companions: Cowling Companions members are reminded that the Christmas lunch is at Cowling Village Hall, from noon on Saturday, for those who have already paid.
St Andrew’s: On Sunday, St Andrew’s Methodist Church will hold a Christmas Praise at 6pm, with Tony and Glenda’s guitar group. It will be followed by festive refreshments.

DRAUGHTON: Jane Markham, 01756 711305:
Parish council: The parish council will meet next Friday, December 18, starting at 6pm in the village hall. Please note the earlier time. At this meeting, the council will set the budget and precept for next financial year - 2016/17.
St Augustine’s Church: The Sunday service will be morning prayer, starting at the usual time of 9.30am.

EARBY: David Hartley, 01282 842617:
History Society: Earby and District Local History Society will enjoy an evening of archive films at New Road Community Centre, Earby, on Tuesday from 7.30pm. Festive refreshments will be available and all are welcome.
Nativity play: Churches Together will present the nativity play, Earby to Bethlehem, with live animals and a new format, on Sunday at 6pm at ENew Road Community Centre. Torches are advised and there will be a collection to defray expenses. Free refreshments will be available afterwards in the centre.
Christmas card: Any households in Earby, Kelbrook and Salterforth who haven’t received a copy of the Churches Together and Town Council 2015 Christmas Card should contact the Rev David Edmondson on 01282 843064. This card contains contact details for all the churches and details of their Christmas services.
St Peter’s: The 10.30am service on Sunday will be led by Mark Clegg. On Monday at 1.30pm, there will be the final gentle exercise class before Christmas. The carol service is at 10.30am next Sunday, December 20. On Christmas Day, there will be a joint service at the Baptist premises at 9.30am. St Peter’s will again be hosting a watchnight social and service on New Year’s Eve. Please let David and Hazel know on 843064 if you will be taking part in the food and folk dancing from 9pm. You are welcome to join the congregation at 11.30pm to see in the New Year with praise and prayer.

EASTBURN:
Carol service: The annual village carol service will take place on Sunday at 6pm in Eastburn Methodist Church, led by Reverend Saidu Kanu. The village community will join with families and friends for this event, which will feature songs by Eastburn School Choir and readings by members of local businesses and groups who meet in the village. Last year the hall was full with over 100 people attending.

EMBSAY WITH EASTBY: Andrew Wilson, 01756 790197:
Village hall: The village hall management committee still urgently requires new members to maintain the running of this important village amenity. Surely there are a few active retirees who would like to give about four hours per month to keep the hall as a going concern. Meetings are once a month on Mondays. Please contact any of the following if you are able to help: A Rawson, R Cowley, S Watson or P Leach.
Embsay churches: Sunday is the third Sunday in Advent and at St Mary’s there will be a family communion service at 9.30am. At the Methodist Chapel, the 10.30am service will be led by the Rev Janet Clasper. On Tuesday, St Mary’s will hold a quiet Communion service at 10.30am and the church will be open for tea, coffee, home baking and conversation between 2pm and 4pm. Smiley Faces will meet on Friday between 1.45pm and 3.15pm for pre-school children their parents, grandparents and carers. The Methodist Chapel’s Friendship Club is still temporarily suspended due to ill health.
Charity quiz: Friday’s traditional Christmas quiz and raffle at the Cavendish Arms was well supported and raised £213. The winning team, Santa’s Little Helpers, decided to split this equally between the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Yorkshire Cancer Research. The result of the picture quiz was a three-way tie. To decide on the winner, a representative from each team took the Ferrero Rocher Picture Quiz Challenge which is not for the faint hearted and this was won by Elliot Stockton. Elliot went on to win the auction, with the highest bid of £50 for a thumb stick, hand made in Embsay. Thanks go to Bids and Jockey for their excellent questions, the auctioneer and to Leigh and Owen for hosting the event.
Gardening Club: There will be no December meeting of Embsay Gardening Club. The next meeting will be in February.
Community Library: The next Story and Singing sessions for under five year olds will be on Wednesday from 2pm to 3pm. It will be led by Claire Toberman, a retired nursery school headteacher. The session is free but children should be accompanied by an adult.
Santa Specials: Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway will be running more Santa Specials over the next two weekends before Christmas. Although most seats have been pre-booked, there is still some spare capacity on the seven-coach trains. Telephone the railway for details of availability and prices.
Police surgery: PCSO Ruth Pearson’s next village hall drop-in surgery will be on Monday between 6pm and 7pm.
Film night: The last film night of 2015 will be on Wednesday at 7.30pm in the village hall when The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel will be screened. Starring Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Celia Imrie, Penelope Wilton and many other stars, all the main characters from the first film reappear but this time the story becomes more complicated with the arrival of two ‘undercover guests’ Richard Gere and Tamsin Greig. A subplot emerges which gives rise to some lovely comedic situations and two especially brilliant performances by Maggie Smith and Celia Imrie. A visual feast is provided by the stunning Indian wedding. Admission at the door is £4, which includes mulled wine, tea/coffee with mince pies.
Tree reminder: It is the responsibility of all householders in Embsay-with-Eastby to ensure that their trees, shrubs and bushes do not endanger or impede pedestrians, passing motorists and cyclists. It will avoid the risk of injury if you remove all overhanging and blocking growth from the ginnels, paths, lanes, roads and pavements of our villages.

FARNHILL AND KILDWICK: Joyce Wood, 01535 635880:
St Andrew’s Church: On Sunday, there will be services of Holy Communion at 8.15am (in the parish rooms) and at 10am. At 4pm the local churches will present Christmas in the Park, an outdoor presentation of the Christmas story travelling through Sutton-in-Craven village to Sutton Park.The St Andrew’s Christmas carol service by candlelight will take place at 4pm next Sunday, December 20. Children are invited to come dressed as angels, shepherds, kings or nativity animals.
Village Pump: The over 50s group, The Village Pump, will meet inKildwick and Farnhill Institute on Wednesday from 2pm to 3.30pm. This will be the last gathering before the Christmas break. The group will re-start on Wednesday, January 6. New members and visitors are welcome.
Christmas discussion: The monthly Farnhill Methodists’ “Lets look at …” afternoon will be held in the Kildwick and Farnhill Institute at 2pm today. The topic for discussion will be Christmas – what’s it all about?. Everyone is invited to come along.
Coffee morning: Farnhill Methodists’ hold their Christmas coffee morning on Saturday from 10am to 11.30am in Kildwick and Farnhill Institute. The proceeds will go to Children in Need.

GARGRAVE: Sally Jennings, 01759 748098:
Ballroom dance: The next ballroom dance is tomorrow from 8pm in the village hall with the entertainment being provided by Elizabeth Harrison. Entry is £6.50 which will include supper and a mug of tea.
Coffee morning: A coffee morning will be held between 10am and noon on Saturday in Gargrave Village Hall.
Flea market: The last flea market of the year is on Sunday between 10am and 4pm in the village hall. There will be numerous stalls displaying bric-a-brac, antiques, plants, crafts and home made produce. The ladies of St Andrew’s Church will provide a delicious array of homemade refreshments with the sales going towards their funds. Please come along and see the newly decorated hall and pick up some bargains too. A list for all next year’s fairs will be available.
St Andrew’s Church: On Sunday - the third of Advent - there will be a traditional “said” BCP communion service at 8am and a contemporary morning service with carol singing and lighting the third candle on the Advent Crown at 10.45am. In the afternoon, the annual village nativity play will be performed by families from across the village, starting 4pm in St Andrew’s Church.
Festive bingo: The Christmas bingo session in the village hall annexe will commence at 7.30pm on Tuesday.
Annual meeting: Gargrave Village Hall will hold its annual general meeting in the annexe from 7.30pm on Wednesday. All members are welcome to attend.
Community Library: Next Saturday, December 19, between 10am and noon, there will be a joint coffee morning with the Women’s Institute in Gargrave Village Hall. This will be an action-packed event with a children’s corner, carol singing by the Gargrave Playground Association, the bumper draw for the 100 Club and a special visit by Father Christmas. There will also be a special raffle for one of John Merril’s paintings which has been kindly donated by John’s family. The WI will be unveiling a plaque to celebrate the centenary of the founding of the WI.

GIGGLESWICK: Gill O’Donnell, 01729 825639:
Lessons and carols: An evening of lessons and carols with be held at Giggleswick Chapel tonight and tomorrow at 7.30pm. Admission is by ticket only. To check availability, visit giggleswick.org.uk/rwt or by phone on 01729 893180.
St Alkelda’s: St Alkelda’s Church will hold its traditional festival of lessons and carols next Sunday, December 20, at 6.30pm.
Santa visits: On Tuesday, Santa will visit The Mains area of Giggleswick and then travel on to Stackhouse. His visit will start at 5pm.
Gisburn
Whist and dominoes: Prizewinners at Gisburn Whist and Dominoes, held on Saturday, were: dominoes - J Constable, J Hull, D Knight, J Arden. P Metcalfe,
J Oddie; whist, ladies - H Grainger, E Turner, M Newman; men - M Grainger, N Newman, N Hall. Whist and Dominoes is held at Gisburn Festival Hall on the first Saturday of every month at 7.30pm. Entry is £3 and includes a light supper. The next event is on Saturday, January 2.

GRASSINGTON: Sheila Denby, 01756 752605:
Carol service: Grassington Methodist Church will host a carol service next Sunday, December 20, at 6pm.
Farmers’ market: A farmers’ market will take place in Grassington on Sunday, weather permitting.
Coffee morning: The next coffee morning in Church House is on Saturday from 9,30am and is a fundraiser for the Dickensian Festival. Bookings for any event in Church House can be made with Julie Cuttriss-Steels on 01756 753046.
Inn dinner: Grassington Friendship Club will hold its Christmas dinner at The Gamekeeper’s Inn. Long Ashes, today, Thursday. The first meeting of the new year is on January 7 from 2.15pm in Church House. It will be led by Edwin Page, who will address members on Creatures of Our Time.

HELLIFIELD: Ken Leak, 01729 850845:
Christmas party: The Gala Committee will hold its annual children’s Christmas party next Saturday, December 19, from 4pm to 9pm in the institute. It will include fun and games plus food, refreshments and Father Christmas. All are welcome.
Flower Club: North Craven Flower Club meets in the institute tonight from 7.30pm. Guest June Borrowdale will demonstrate Magic and Sparkle. The following meeting will be on Thursday, January 14, when Ann Morgan will demonstrate Bring Me Sunshine.
Age Concern: Tomorrow’s meeting will be the Christmas lunch at the Boars Head, Long Preston, from 11.15am. There will also be entertainment from accordionist Thom Hardaker. For more details, contact Ellen on 850864.
Women’s Institute: For details about the Christmas Meal which takes place at the Institute next Thursday, December 17, at 7.15pm, contact Sue Emsley on 851659. Tickets are £20 including drinks. Caterers will provide and serve the meal.
Coffee morning: Saturday’s coffee morning in the institute will be a fundraiser for the institute itself. It starts at 10am and will include a cake stall and raffle.
200 Club: Winners of the 200 club Christmas Draw are: No 8, Rosie Davis, £100; No 128, David Statt, £50; No 184, Paul Watson, £20; and No 66, Geoff Northin, £10.

HORTON-IN-RIBBLESDALE: Caroline Thompson, 01756 749235:
Parish party: Organisers of the Christmas Parish Party are hoping that the weather is festive - but not deep and crisp and even - tomorrow when the community event takes place at 7.30pm in the village hall. It will include a buffet supper and entertainment. Admission is £5 for adults and £2.50 for children under ten.
St Oswald’s: A 9am service will be held in St Oswald’s Church on Sunday - the third Sunday of Advent.
Santa visits: Santa and his Rotary elves have a very busy schedule this Christmas but fortunately they have time to visit Horton-in-Ribblesdale on Monday evening. They will be arriving in the village at about 5pm, calling at Helwith Bridge later and finally Stainforth at approximately 6pm.

INGLETON: Sue Brown, 015242 41835:
Community showcase: The i centre and all its resident businesses and users are inviting everyone to their free showcase event on Wednesday from 3pm to 8pm. There will be something for all ages to enjoy, including side stalls and exhibition stands with art and craft works, demonstrations and activities featuring balloon art, silhouette cameo drawings, Yorkshire Dales Pilates fitness experience (5pm to 8pm), Fitness Fix with a five-mile group run (7pm), Quarry Arts music-making on stone xylophone and an open evening with Kidz nursery. Refreshments will be provided by Season’s Cakes and Ingleton Evangelical Church.

LANGCLIFFE: Helen Jarvis, 01729 825303:
Santa visits: Santa’s Sleigh will visit Langcliffe tonight at 5pm.
Village institute: Despite the atrocious weather, the Christmas coffee morning was a great success. There was a lovely atmosphere and people were pleased to catch up with friends as the recent rain meant people hadn't been out and about as usual. Thanks go to everyone who supported this event. The tombola raised £73.50, the cakes and crafts stall £129.80 and teas and coffees £89.70.
Lights switch-on: The Langcliffe light switch-on will be held on Monday at 5pm. There will be carols around the tree and Father Christmas will throw the big switch. Refreshments will be served in the institute afterwards.
Church news: On Sunday, St John’s will hold an Evensong will be at 3pm and next Sunday, December 20, there will be a carol service at 4pm. Mulled wine and mince pies will be served afterwards. Thanks go to everyone who has supported the Food Bank. There is a box at the back of the church where donations can be left. (No fresh food, please).
Poppy Appeal: Thanks go to everyone who supported this year’s Poppy Appeal. It raised £108.

LONG PRESTON: Heather Thomas-Smith, 01729 840113:
Village Hall: The winners of the December Village Hall 200 Club draw are Mrs J Slater, Miss K Holmes, Mr S Stapleton, Mr C Inglis, Mrs M Webster, Mr W Brookes and Mr K Grimshaw. The next draw will be in January. The winner of the Christmas hamper, from the draw held by the Long Preston Over 70s group, was Elspeth Palmer.

RATHMELL: Elaine Illingworth, 01729 840087:
Thursday Club: Twenty five members from the Thursday Club, wilI share cars and meet up for their Christmas party at the Craven Arms, Giggleswick, today, at 12.30pm.
Christmas party: The Village Christmas Party will be held at the Reading Room next Saturday, December 19, at 7pm.

SETTLE: Gill O’Donnell, 01729 825639:
Christmas dinner: Names are still being taken for the annual community Christmas Day dinner and tea in Settle. The event is open to all ages and costs £10 per head. It will take place in St John’s Hall between 11.45am and 4.45pm and places can be booked by contacting Judith on 01729 822138. Transport can be offered to those who require it.
Guided walks: There will be a guided walk to Stainforth Force and Catrigg Force arranged by Friends of Settle-Carlisle line next Saturday, December 19. This is a moderately strenuous walk and will leave Settle at 9.50am. No reservation is necessary but all participants should ensure that they are appropriately clothed, carry a packed lunch where required and have suitable footwear. For more details, email walksinfo@settle-carlisle.com.
Victoria Hall: Local performers take to the Victoria Hall stage on tomorrow and Saturday to perform in Not the Royal Variety Show. It is a fun night of local entertainment, featuring West End musical hits, comedy sketches and a few odd surprises. The proceeds will go to support both Victoria Hall and Settle Amateur Operatic Society. Also on Saturday, Settle Stories in conjunction with Hearthside Tales present a matinee performance of The Snow Bear. The family show is full of action, mesmerizing storytelling, puppets and audience participation songs. It is aimed at four to seven year olds. Don’t forget to bring your teddy bear. There will be more music next Friday, December 18, with a return of Belshazzars Feast. Its Christmas show promises traditional folk music with a touch of classical and jazz. Next Saturday, Róisín Bán takes to the stage playing predominantly traditional Irish music on fiddle, flute, melodeon and guitar. Then, next Sunday, there is a treat for all the family when Pendle Productions stages its version of Jack and the Beanstalk at 2.30pm. For details and tickets of all events contact 01729 825718. The hall also runs The Victoria Emporium every Saturday and tables can be booked for £10.
Settle Voices: Community choir Settle Voices will perform at the Settle Station Open Morning on Saturday and then from 4.15pm to 6.30pm, they will be spreading seasonal cheer at The Lion. On Monday, they will be serenading shoppers in Booths from 1.30pm. For further details about Settle Voices, contact 01729 823777
Santa visits: On Saturday, Santa will spend the day in Booths supermarket from 10am to 4pm, And he will be back in Settle on Wednesday, visiting Duke Street and Cammock Lane from 5pm.
Tree festival: Following the success of last year’s event, Settle Parish Church will again stage a Christmas Tree Festival. It will run from tomorrow until Monday and the church will be open to visitors from 10am (11.30am on Sunday) to 3pm. Homemade seasonal refreshments will be available. The church is inviting organisations, businesses and clubs to join in the event by placing a tree in the church. For further information, contact Margaret or Maureen on 01729 822848 or 823380 or email margaretroberts@btinternet.com or andrew.hargrave34@btinterenet.com.
Folly celebration: On Saturday, the Folly will be open from 10am to noon for its popular Yuletide celebrations. Refreshments will be on sale, all served up in front of a roaring fire. Arrive for 10.30am and enjoy Octameron in full festive voice. At 2pm, families are invited to make lanterns, masks and Christmas cards. During the afternoon, the winner of the young visitor competition will be drawn. This event will also be the last chance to see the magnificent Burton pots on display.
Settle Stories: On Wednesday, at 7pm there will be a family session of Christmas Tales at The Falcon featuring Sita Brand and Father Christmas. This will provide a chance to meet Father Christmas (children will receive a free gift) and enjoy heartwarming winter tales and festive stories. Mince pies are included in the ticket price. Details are available from settlestories.org.uk/christmas
Local history: On Sunday, the North Craven Heritage Trust invites you to enjoy a conducted visit to Settle Town Hall and and Settle Quaker Meeting House as well as a talk on Settle’s World War Conscientious Objectors. The talk will be followed by an opportunity to chat and to enjoy mince pies. Meet at 1.45pm outside the Town Hall. Market Square, Settle. For further information, contact John Asher on 01729 825075
Parish Church: Settle Parish Church will hold a service of nine lessons and carols on Sunday at 6.30pm. This will feature Cantores Salicium and a choir of children from Settle Primary School. All are welcome.
Amnesty International: Amnesty International will hold a further letter writing session at Friends Meeting House on Wednesday from 5.30pm to 8.30pm. There will be plenty of information available and help is on hand if required. For details, contact 01729 268912.
Christmas events: Churches Together in Settle and District invite you to join them for two special Christmas events. The first of these is a community carol singing session outside The Olde Naked Man at 11am next Saturday, December 19. And the following day, there will be a Messy Church event at St John’s Hall between 3.30pm and 5.30pm.
Theatre trips: A trip from Settle is being arranged to see Billy Elliot, The Musical, at the Alhambra, Bradford. The trip will be to the matinee performance on Thursday, May 19. The price is £66, which includes a stalls seat, coach from Settle and gratuities. The closing date for reservations is January 22. A trip is also being arranged to see Matthew Bourne’s ballet Swan Lake at the Alhambra on Wednesday, February 24. Again this will be a matinee performance and the price is £40. For more information, telephone 01729823978.
Poppy excursion: North Craven Age UK is organising a special trip to view the poppy wave sculpture at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park on January 6. The trip will also visit Whitley’s Garden Centre at Mirfield. The cost of trip is £9. To reserve a place, contact 01729 823066.
Sheep film: On Wednesday, January 13, at Victoria Hall, The Ribblesdale Area Moving Picture Show will present a film set in North Yorkshire. Addicted to Sheep is the story of a family’s quest to breed the perfect sheep and follows a year in the life of a tenant farmer. Tickets cost £5 on the door and the film starts at 7.45pm.
U3A social: Settle U3A will hold a Christmas Social for members today. It will take place at Victoria Hall from 10.30am, with refreshments being served in the interval.

SILSDEN: Linda Berry, 01535 654643:
Support newtwork: Groups and individuals interested in providing services or projects for older people in the BD20 postal area are invited to attend a “mutual support network” meeting at Silsden Town Hall on Wednesday beginning at 10am. For more information, contact Jeff Pickersgill, Age UK support officer at Bradford, on 01274 395144.
Great War story: Silsden’s welcome for Belgian refugees, a young soldier who returned from the dead to his family in Swartha and the Tufton Street pigeon fancier who led a secret operation in France - these are just some of the stories in the new book, Silsden’s Story in the Great War. Published by Silsden Local History Group, the book is available at Twiggs newsagent and the post office and costs £5.95.
Scout post: The Scouts are back in town. Get your special scout postal stamps from Bradley’s Butchers, Aireview Stores, Knowles Estate Agents, Twiggs Newsagents and Cobbydale Stores. For 20p per stamp, you can have your Christmas cards delivered anywhere in Silsden from until mid-day next Friday, December 18, which is the last posting time. Just make sure that the full address and postcode is on the envelope.
Tea dances: The monthly tea dances at Silsden Town Hall have proved so popular that the series will now continue until at least next summer. The dances, led by Andrea Wortley, were originally scheduled to take place until December but have gone so well that the Friends of Silsden Town Hall have agreed to host them for several more months. Usually held on the first Monday afternoon of each month, the December event will move to Monday when there will be a distinctively Christmas flavour to the afternoon’s enjoyment. Dances will then return to the usual calendar in January.
Quiz and curry: A quiz and curry night will be held at St James Church Hall on Saturday. This will be a fun general knowledge quiz for teams of up to six people with a curry supper served at half time. Tickets are £5 for adults and £3 for children aged 12 and under and the event will run from 6pm to around 9pm. Bring your own alcohol although soft drinks will be on sale. Phone Alexandra on 01535 657402 for more details or to order tickets which are in aid of Project Trust.

SKIPTON:
Holy Trinity: The carolling season is in full swing this week at Holy Trinity Church. At 10am this morning, the Parish Church School will hold its carol service while, this evening, for the first time in Skipton, friends and supporters of the Yorkshire children’s hospice Martin House, from across the region will hold their annual carol service, ‘Light up a Life’ at 7pm, led by the rector, the Rev Veronica James. On Monday, at 7.30pm, Skipton Academy students, staff and parents will gather for their carol concert and Water Street Primary school will hold two services next Tuesday, at 2pm and again at 6pm for older children. On Saturday at 11am, Ermysted’s Grammar School celebrates its beginnings with the annual Founders Day service in the church and there’ll be a change of mood in the evening when Steeton Male Voice Choir presents an evening of Christmas Music at 7.30pm. Sunday services start with 8am Holy Communion, followed by Parish Communion at 9.45am. There will be no evening service this week, but Carols in the Churchyard will provide a fitting conclusion to the town’s Christmas Market.
Coffee morning: A coffee morning in aid of Marie Curie will be held at Trinity Methodist Church, Duckett Street, on Saturday from 10am to 11.30am. There will be cake, bric-a-brac and book stalls and Christmas craft activities for children.
Retired Men’s Forum: Alan Hemsworth, a member of Settle Retired Men’s Forum, gave a thought-provoking talk, in which he discussed the plight of conscientious objectors and those “shot at dawn” for alleged cowardice during the First World War. Next week’s meeting - the last before Christmas - will welcome Dr Mike Green, who will talk about the RFDS (Royal Flying Doctor Service) Australia.

STAINFORTH:
Santa visits: Santa will be visiting The Knight’s Table at Knight Stainforth Caravan Park every Saturday and Sunday in December between 10am and 2pm. Children’s visits to see Santa will cost £7.50 and this includes a drink and biscuits and the choice of gift from the toy stall.

SUTTON-IN-CRAVEN:
Coffee morning: A coffee morning will be held at the Sutton-in-Craven Community Centre, on North Street, at 10am on Saturday.
St Thomas’ Church: The Sunday services are 8.30am Holy Communion and 10.30am Sunday Live!, which is an all-age worship.
Outdoor nativity: The Fellowship of Churches’ Outdoor Nativity will take place on Sunday, starting at the Bay Horse car park at 4pm and ending in the park with a stable scene. Mince pies and mulled wine will be served afterwards in the Baptist Church.

THORNTON-IN-LONSDALE: Rosemary Hartley, 015242 42207 and Paula Kendall, 015242 42390:
Christmas dominoes: A family and friends’ Christmas dominoes drive will be held at Westhouse Village Hall tomorrow at 7.30pm. It will include mulled wine and mince pies.
Chapel news: Westhouse Methodist Chapel has a family nativity crib service next Sunday, December 20, at 11am and later, at 6.30pm, Carols by Candlelight will be led by Liz Whitfield. All are invited to join the carol singing around Westhouse on Tuesday, December 22. Meet at 6pm at the Methodist chapel. The chapel’s next monthly coffee morning will be on Wednesday, January 27, at 10am.
St Oswald’s: The Christmas fundraising event on Saturday, November 28, at St Oswald’s Church, raised £200 towards its general fund. Many thanks go to all who helped make it successful. The church will hold a carol service with candles next Sunday, December 20, at 4pm. The Christmas Day will be at 9.30am.

WIGGLESWORTH:
Community Centre: More than 40 ladies enjoyed the Christmas “do” last Wednesday and thanks go to Audrey for organising it, members of the craft group for decorating the hall and Emmie and her crew who provided the food. Zumba is taking a break but will be back in the New Year, as will the craft group. Each Saturday up to Christmas, there will be bacon butty mornings from 11am to 1.30pm. On Wednesday at noon, there is the Meet and Eat Christmas Dinner. Also, on Wednesday, the friendly quiz takes place at 8pm. Next Sunday, December 20, the centre will host the village Christmas party from 4pm. Just turn up with a plate of something to share with friends and neighbours. Afterwards, guests will wander through the village singing carols, ending up at the Plough. The centre is closed Christmas week, but will be open again for the panto, Aladdin, on Sunday, January 3, at 6pm. Tickets cost £12 for adults and £6 for children.nn dinner: Grassington Friendship Club will hold its Christmas dinner at The Gamekeeper’s Inn. Long Ashes, today, Thursday. The first meeting of the new year is on January 7 from 2.15pm in Church House. It will be led by Edwin Page, who will address members on Creatures of Our Time.