Francis Redwood

Skipton is expected to have a dry, settled weekend, with light winds, very low chances of rain and sunny intervals. Saturday will begin cool and partly cloudy before brightening, with temperatures rising to around 18°C. Sunday will be sunnier and calm, reaching approximately 19°C through the afternoon.

The Settle Victoria Hall Beer Festival raised more than £14,000 for Settle Victoria Hall and The Principle Trust Children’s Charity. Held from August 6 to 8, the free family-friendly event featured ales, ciders and live music. More than £7,000 will go to the charity, which provides respite breaks for children and families across Yorkshire and has supported more than 6,300 children since its founding in 2011.

The latest food hygiene inspections in the Skipton area gave Strid Woods Catering Trailer in Bolton Abbey, Yorkies Fish and Chips on High Street, and The Hidden Castle on High Street the top rating of five, meaning very good. Inspectors assessed cleanliness, food safety management procedures and hygienic food handling, and the businesses may be reinspected before the next roundup.

Settle’s Flowerpot Festival continues to draw families, with the Flowerpot Trails and displays featuring Thomas the Tank Engine and the Brownies’ Three Peaks litter challenge proving popular. Revd Julie Clarkson and her husband Chris hosted an afternoon tea for Giggleswick with Settle Mothers Union members, while Settle Parish Church thanked attendees at its Yorkshire Day bacon butties event and announced a further event for September 5.

Hellifield’s weekly community calendar includes Stanfest, a charity tribute to local musician Stan Gray, along with indoor bowls, dance and fitness sessions, men’s and parents’ groups, choir, table tennis, badminton, police surgery, lunches, children’s activities, quizzes, bingo and other social events. The Institute, Wesley Centre and Hellifield House are hosting activities, while the charity event will feature local music, food, stalls and a bar.

Embsay is offering a range of summer activities, including a holiday club run by Embsay with Eastby Preschool Playgroup, free library reading and storytelling events, and a clothes-swapping evening at the Methodist Hall. The local parish council partnership is also recruiting volunteers for community tasks such as winter gritting and recreation-ground care. Yorkshire Water work is expected to cause a five-day closure of Pasture Road and West Lane from August 17.

Coniston Cold’s St Peter’s Church will hold a traditional Holy Communion service on August 23 and continue its regular schedule of services. The village hall, featuring a refurbished kitchen and large meeting room, is available for hire, and will host a pop-up pub on September 4.

Gargrave Bowling Club will host the Gloria Garnett bowls handicap on Sunday, August 30, to raise money for The Children's Heart Surgery Fund. The Crown Green bowling event will begin at noon on the green behind The Masons Arms, with bowlers and spectators welcome and donations accepted on the day or through the club’s JustGiving page. The article also lists upcoming services and community activities at St Andrew’s Church Gargrave.

St Michael’s Church in Kirkby Malham will host a Holy Communion service, a cake stall at the Malham Show, a pet blessing service and a Heritage Open Days open afternoon with guided tours. The Malhamdale Local History Group will also hold a talk by Rachel Varley on Craven’s Roman Villa at Kirkby Malham Parish Hall, with refreshments and admission available to non-members for £4.

The Skipton Italian Circle will meet on Thursday, August 27, at St. Stephen’s Parish Rooms in Skipton. Guest speaker Paola Lerza will present a talk on Italy’s main rivers, covering their history, geography and bridges. Refreshments will be available from 7:30 p.m., and both new and familiar attendees are welcome.

Skipton Town Hall will host a Summer Art Club on August 24 for 10- to 18-year-olds. Participants can design and decorate painted tote bags using masking, printing, colour-wheel techniques and embellishments such as embroidery, tassels and pompoms. Sessions run from 10 a.m. to noon and 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.; tickets cost £7.50, with materials provided. The drop-off activity is intended for participants able to work independently without parental supervision.

An afternoon tea at Langcliffe Institute raised £1,002 for St Oswald’s Church. Visitors and ramblers enjoyed homemade cakes, quiches, preserves, pies and scones, while volunteers helped serve food and clear away afterward. A display marking the Mothers’ Union’s 150th anniversary also drew interest, and a Holy Communion service was announced for the following Sunday.

Farnhill Parish Council will meet at the Institute with the first 15 minutes open to public input. The community listings also include yoga, wellbeing and relaxation, Pilates, a Holy Communion service at St. Andrew’s Church, and a Knit & Natter gathering, with details on times, costs and registration.

Volunteers from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority repaired drystone walls, removed ivy and maintained flower-bed retaining walls around AA Box 442, a Grade II listed call box dating from about 1956 on the A684 between Swinithwaite and Aysgarth. The AA continues to maintain the box itself and contributed £400 through its Heritage Team to support the project, helping preserve one of Britain’s few remaining AA boxes.

Skipton BID will host a free, interactive music workshop for children aged 4 to 11 at Skipton Amphitheatre on August 16, led by Craven Academy of Modern Music. Sessions at 10:30 a.m., noon, and 1:30 p.m. will feature games, live music, hands-on instrument activities, a storm soundscape, and information about local music lessons and youth groups. Parents or guardians must remain with participating children.

Gargrave Village Hall is hosting a fortnightly men’s social gathering and a picnic supper dance with live music from Denis Westmorland. The annual Gargrave Show will feature livestock, horses, dogs, vintage vehicles, baking, crafts, horticulture, fell races, children’s activities and terrier racing, with a free minibus service from the village. St Andrew’s Church has announced worship services, daily prayer access, its Coffee Monday Café and the launch of an Alpha course.

Hellifield Institute has announced a busy schedule of community activities, including indoor bowls, book and writing groups, exercise classes, music, games, sports and activities for young children. The programme also includes a fundraising coffee morning for Bentham Pet Rescue and Stanfest, a village charity fundraiser featuring local music, face painting, raffles, tombola and stalls. The Institute 200 Club’s August winners were David Shepley, Cheryl Mitton and Brian Hugill.

Glusburn Community and Arts Centre is seeking new trustees with specific skills ahead of its Annual General Meeting on September 2 at 7 p.m. The meeting will review the centre’s activities, including live music, theatre, groups and classes, and is open to anyone interested in the future of the Glusburn Institute. Prospective trustees are asked to contact the centre by email.

Embsay-with-Eastby is offering a range of summer activities, including a preschool holiday club, library Rhymetime and reading events, a treasure trail, children’s storytelling and craft, and a Swish and Swap event. The local parish council is also seeking volunteers for community work such as winter gritting and recreation-ground maintenance.

Coniston Cold Village Hall is scheduled to host a pop-up pub on Friday, September 4, from 5pm to 8pm and is available for other events. The village news also announces a Compline Evensong service at St Peter’s Church on August 16 at 4pm, alongside details of regular services and contacts for hall hire and church ceremonies.

Barnoldswick Library will host a Travel for Life session for people aged 50 and over, offering road-safety and independent-travel advice from Lancashire Road Safety Officers. The Friends of Barnoldswick Library will provide refreshments, and booking is not required. West Craven Probus Club will also meet at St Joseph’s Community Centre, where Peter Watson will give a talk titled “Protect & Survive—Charms Talisman and Analects”; prospective members are welcome.

Kirkby Malham has announced several upcoming community events, including services and a pet blessing at St Michael’s Church, Heritage Open Days with guided tours, a talk by Rachel Varley on Craven’s Roman villa history, and a screening of “Mother’s Pride” with a pie and pea supper. The church remains open daily for visitors, refreshments, historical information and prayer.

Skipton & District Parkinson’s Support Group will host a Hub Club meeting at Skipton Town Hall on August 20 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. The informal event is intended for people with Parkinson’s, their families and friends, with support, information, socialising, hot drinks and biscuits included for a £3 entry fee. The report also lists upcoming services at Christ Church and St. Mary’s in Carleton.

Farnhill Institute is hosting yoga, chakra balance and meditation, and Pilates classes during the week, with sessions open to varying ability levels and fees ranging from £8 to £9. St. Andrew’s Church will also hold a Holy Communion service and open the church to visitors on most days.

Bookings are open for the free 2026 Eco-Explorers Summer Day-Camp at Lower Winskill Stones Farm above Langcliffe, offering children and families nature walks, games and arts and crafts. The camp is hosted by volunteers from Churches Together in Settle and District, with donations welcome. The Langcliffe Village Show will take place on August 15 at the Institute and church, featuring competitions, refreshments, judging and prize-giving.

Horton-in-Ribblesdale’s annual show is scheduled for September 5 at the village playing fields, featuring classes for livestock, vehicles, pets, food, crafts, horticulture and children. Entries are due by August 18. The village also recently held St Oswald’s Church’s annual Jacob’s Join picnic, while a combined-parish Holy Communion service is planned.

The latest food hygiene inspections in and around Skipton gave five businesses the top rating of five, meaning “Very Good”: Cavendish Arms, Gargrave Pharmacy, Newmarket Fisheries, Skipton Hotel, Thai Basil and The Bull at Broughton. Inspectors assess cleanliness, food-safety management procedures and hygienic food handling under Food Standards Agency guidelines. The businesses may have been reinspected, with any updated results expected in a future roundup.

Skipton is forecast to experience a mixed weekend, with sunny intervals and temperatures up to 18°C on Saturday before evening rain and strengthening winds. Sunday will begin damp, with persistent light rain and showers through the day, gradually becoming brighter with sunny intervals toward the evening.

The latest food hygiene inspections in the Skipton area awarded the highest rating, five out of five, to eight businesses and institutions, including Alexanders, The Narrow Boat, Marks & Spencer Simply Foods, Pitra Waterfront, Shed 24H, Long Preston Endowed VA Primary School, Burnsall County Primary School and Skipton North-Gargrave Premier Inn. Ratings were based on cleanliness, food-safety procedures and hygienic handling, and may change following later reinspections.

St. Alkelda’s Church in Giggleswick will host multiple special services on Sunday, including Holy Communion, Morning Worship led by the Mothers’ Union to mark its 150th anniversary, a sermon by Rev. Jules Cox, and an evening service featuring Rev. Julie Clarkson and a music group, alongside a celebration of a couple’s diamond wedding anniversary.

A new wooden FoldaVille Play Village is opening at the Glusburn Institute, offering weekly stay-and-play sessions for children up to eight years old to promote social interaction and imaginative play. Sessions will run on Tuesdays and are open to families and caregivers, with refreshments provided. Booking and further information are available through the institute’s website and office.

A Holy Communion service led by Canon Sue McWhinney is scheduled at St Michael’s Church in Kirkby Malham on Sunday, July 26 at 10am. The church is open daily for visitors, offering refreshments, historical information, and a chapel for prayer, and welcomes inquiries about life events such as weddings, baptisms, and funerals.

Local Mothers' Union members marked the organisation's 150th anniversary with a special service at Holy Ascension in Settle, featuring readings, prayers and a sermon reflecting the founder Mary Sumner's mission. A flowerpot sculpture of Sumner was unveiled as part of Settle's Flowerpot Festival, joined by another figure representing the Bishop of Ripon. Upcoming services and community activities were announced, including a Holy Communion service and a donation collection for Ukraine.

Upcoming activities in Farnhill and Kildwick include yoga sessions, a chakra movement and meditation class, a Holy Communion service at St. Andrew’s Church, multiple Pilates classes, and a Knit & Natter gathering. Each event provides scheduling details, costs, and contact information for participants.

St Peter’s Church in Coniston Cold will hold a BCP Communion service on July 26 at 9:30am, led by Revd Andrew Steer and including prayers, readings, hymns, communion, and a sermon. The church also outlines its regular service schedule, while contact details are provided for wedding, baptism, and funeral enquiries. Coniston Cold Village Hall is available for hire, with booking information supplied.

Upcoming Gargrave events include a picnic supper dance at the village hall, a collectables and craft fair supporting local causes, and the Gargrave Show’s annual sheepdog trials at Holme House Farm. St Andrew’s Church will hold Holy Communion services and continue its People of Hope series, with additional community activities such as the Coffee Monday Café.

A schedule of upcoming activities in Hellifield includes meetings, exercise groups, social gatherings, music events, and parish council sessions hosted mainly at the Hellifield Institute and other village venues, with details on times, contacts, and participation options.

A range of summer activities in Embsay is outlined, including holiday childcare sessions, library events, a church fair, a treasure trail and a storytime workshop. Local organisations detail volunteer opportunities and provide contact information for families and residents interested in community involvement.

A special screening of the Miss Saigon 25th Anniversary Gala Performance will be held at Silsden Town Hall on September 5, featuring a filmed performance from the Prince Edward Theatre and a finale with original cast members Jonathan Pryce, Lea Salonga and Simon Bowman. Tickets are available through the event’s website.

Upcoming community events in Skipton include a meeting of the Skipton Italian Circle with a guest presentation by Barbara Henderson, regular Eucharist and Sunday services at Christ Church and St. Mary’s in Carleton, and a scheduled donation collection for Ukraine at Robertshaw's overflow car park on August 5.

A warm and sunny weekend is forecast for Skipton, with temperatures reaching the mid-20s on Saturday and low 20s on Sunday. Conditions will stay dry with light to moderate winds and a very low chance of rain, offering favourable weather for outdoor activities.

A local history society meeting in Earby will host a talk by Steven Illingworth on the pacifist movements and peace traditions of East Lancashire, highlighting influences such as Quaker activism. The event, open to the public, will be held at the New Road Community Centre with a small admission fee and additional information available through the society’s website and archive room.

A range of community activities in Farnhill includes yoga sessions, meditation and movement classes, several church services, Pilates classes for multiple skill levels, and a Knit & Natter group offering a social space for crafting and conversation.

A range of community activities is scheduled in Hellifield, including flower club meetings, exercise groups, book groups, dance classes and fundraising events at Hellifield Institute. Upcoming dates include a music night, school treasure hunt, bingo, Quizgo and church gatherings, with several weekly groups continuing to meet as usual.

Upcoming events in Coniston Cold include a BCP Communion service at St Peter’s Church led by Revd Andrew Steer and a bake sale at The Bull Box supporting Dogs in Need, with additional information provided on regular church services and village hall hire.

Weekly drop‑in dementia support sessions are being offered in Glusburn every Wednesday, providing a safe and social environment for people with dementia, their caregivers, and families. Run by Dementia Friendly Keighley, the sessions include tailored activities and take place in an accessible venue with available parking. Contact information and operating hours are provided for those seeking more details.

A workshop in Skipton will teach wildlife‑friendly planting and maintenance as part of the Buzzing Skipton project, led by garden designer Sarah De Nurtcheylo. The session will cover plant identification, relationships between plants and insects, feeding flowering borders, and plant care, with visits to raised borders in the town centre. The event is funded by the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire’s Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund, and participants are advised to bring outdoor gear.

An exercise class to support people with Parkinson’s will be held at Skipton Academy on July 13, led by Eat, Move, Be Happy, with sessions costing £6. The Skipton & District Parkinson’s Support Group will meet on July 16 at Skipton Town Hall for support and social activities. Skipton RFC also announced its annual general meeting for July 27.

A world premiere performance of A Shepherd's Year at Settle Parish Church brought together Langcliffe Singers, members of Settle Orchestra, local farmers and Settle Primary School pupils, with a documentary of the work to be archived at The Folly. Community activities such as the Stepping Stones toddlers group continue, while the weekend Rail Fest marks the 150th anniversary of passenger trains on the Settle–Carlisle line with family events, music, games, food and concluding church gatherings.

A series of community events will take place in Kirkby Malham, including a Holy Communion service at St Michael’s Church, the Art in the Dale exhibition featuring local artists, the Voices of Craven summer concert, and a Malhamdale Local History Group talk on the Leeds–Liverpool Canal. All events offer opportunities for local engagement, with several welcoming donations or modest entry fees.

Community events in Embsay and Eastby include a family fete on July 11 with activities and entertainment, bookings for the preschool’s summer holiday club, volunteer opportunities and children’s sessions at the community library, a coffee morning raising funds for Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice, and the launch of the Summer Reading Challenge for local children.

A Met Office forecast anticipates a wet weekend in Skipton, with persistent light rain on Saturday, temperatures between 15C and 18C, and breezy conditions. Rain becomes intermittent Saturday evening and continues as scattered showers overnight. Sunday begins with light rain before conditions improve by midday, leading to a mostly overcast but largely dry afternoon with temperatures around 18C.

St Michael’s Church in Kirkby Malham will hold Sunday services and host several upcoming community events, including the Art in the Dale exhibition showcasing local and guest artists and the Voices of Craven summer concert featuring a range of classical and contemporary works. Admission to the exhibition is free with donations encouraged, while concert tickets are available on the door. Details for church services, exhibitions, and concerts are provided along with contact information for general church enquiries.

Summer events across Settle include church activities, musical performances, and a community fundraising weekend celebrating the Settle Carlisle Railway’s 150th anniversary. Settle Community Library is launching a series of workshops under the Summer Reading Challenge with support from Skipton Building Society. The Settle Orchestra recently performed a well‑received concert featuring French composers.

Several community activities are scheduled in Farnhill and Kildwick, including yoga classes with Essie, a chakra balance and meditation session led by Holistic Hannah, multiple church services at St. Andrew’s Church, and Pilates classes at Farnhill Institute. Contact details and schedules are provided for residents interested in joining these events.

St Peter’s Church in Coniston Cold will hold a Compline Evensong service on July 5, led by Canon Sue McWhinney, with regular worship times also listed. Contact details are provided for weddings, baptisms and funerals. The village hall, recently refurbished and available for hire, is described along with booking information.

Giggleswick prepares for its 83rd annual horticultural show featuring more than 150 competitive categories and strong community participation, with proceeds supporting local organisations. St Alkelda’s Church will host the event and also hold services on July 5, while visitors can attend afternoon tea at Langcliffe Institute during the village’s Open Gardens weekend.

Gargrave Village Hall will host a Man Friday social morning featuring drinks, snacks and games for a small entry fee. The Gargrave 22 group, formerly Gargrave WI, plans a meeting with a talk by Denise Adlard on bedbug awareness, open to members and non‑members with refreshments included.

Whinfield Bowling Club will host a free open day on July 12 as part of the Bowls Big Summer Campaign, with Skipton’s Town Mayor Winston Feather opening the event intended to introduce people of all ages to Crown Green Bowling. Sessions will be held separately for families and adults, with equipment provided and refreshments available. Additional community notices include a Nigel Slater performance at the Iron Horse CMC and local church service schedules for Christ Church and St. Mary’s.

Lancashire County Council has proposed a new traffic order introducing no‑waiting and time‑restricted parking zones along Gisburn Road in Barnoldswick, replacing a 2010 restriction tied to the local nursery. Draft documents are available for public inspection, and residents may submit objections or comments by July 24, 2026. The council cites improved parking management and traffic flow as the aim, with a final decision to follow the consultation period.

Lists the lowest petrol and diesel prices at major fuel stations around Skipton, with Morrisons offering the cheapest rates for both unleaded and diesel, followed by Tesco, BP, Shell and Asda based on data from petrolprices.com.

A charity golf day at Shipley Golf Club raised over £10,000 for Better Lives, supporting services beyond core NHS provision for mental health, learning disability, community and children's care within the Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust. The event featured 18 teams, with the FORE boys winning first place, and highlighted strong involvement from local businesses including headline sponsor Whitaker and Leach. The charity’s next fundraising event, the Bradford Dragon Boat Race, is scheduled for July 5 at Roberts Park in Saltaire.