ST MARGARET’S CHURCH: For the next two Sundays, Embsay-based Edward Scott will be acting organist at high mass at 10.45 and evensong at 6.30 in the absence of director of music Christopher Rathbone, who with his wife Isobel is spending a fortnight visiting family and friends in Australia. Edward’s presence is proof that some clouds can have a silver lining because it is always a happy occasion when this highly-respected musician deputises for his friend, not least because his choice of hymns unfailingly lifts the spirits and his cheerful countenance is guaranteed to brighten our post-service refreshment sessions. Since he stepped down as organist and choirmaster at Skipton Parish Church in 2000 after more than 30 years' service, Edward has led a weekly nomadic life as a peripatetic organist in North and West Yorkshire and north-west Lancashire, readily available to fill temporary gaps in a parish’s musical diary. No wonder he is on the Christmas card list of many a Northern vicar. Book Edward Scott and forget your worries!

FRIENDS OF THE MANOR HOUSE: Last Thursday evening saw yet another successful annual general meeting held in the upper room at the Manor House which went without a hitch. Both the chairman John Cockshott and the treasurer David Bartlett gave healthy and optimistic reports on the future of the Friends and once again the usual suspects were voted back on to the committee and Neil Bromley, our stalwart auditor, was re installed as well. Following on from the formalities Clare Ackroyd, of the Bradford Museums Service, gave a delightfully-informative talk called Discovering Dragon Ties, Building Roman Walls, and creating a Family Friendly Museum which consisted of a whole range of family-orientated activities at museums across the Bradford district. These included having ago at building the walls of a Roman fort such as the one here at Ilkley thereby discovering the skills of the masons involved. Also the speaker showed slides of illustrious members of the friends giving guided tours and talks on the site. Other sites included the Industrial Museum at Eccleshill where children are encouraged to take part in bygone games such as bowling hoops that their grandparents would have played with. There were many other hands-on experiences designed to encourage young people of all ages to take an active interest in the region’s rich and diverse cultural heritage. At question time there was a lively debate about the future of some of the town’s iconic artefacts which were not readily on view though they are safely stored on site. All of which Ms Ackroyd handled with her usual aplomb and promised to look into with her colleagues. Altogether another triumph for the friends and the evening closed in the usual manner and we look forward to the next time.

MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT: At our Ladies Luncheon Club meeting on Wednesday, March 20, we welcomed our speaker Denise Griffiths, an image consultant, who showed us how we can look good at any age by making careful choices of colours of clothing to compliment our individual hair and skin colour. This was demonstrated as Denise chose one of our members to be a model. Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 24, when Janet Alton will give a flower arranging demonstration entitled Saying it with Flowers (Spring Arrangements). We should like to thank all of our supporters for attending our annual quiz night in March and we are pleased to announce that we raised £730. Our major event of the year will take place next week on Thursday, April 18, when we hold our annual fashion show at the Craiglands Hotel. This year our theme is A Night at the Movies and we will be welcoming our celebrity guests for what we hope will be a great fundraising evening for Macmillan Cancer Support.

GARDENERS’ ASSOCIATION: Our speaker Jane Naybour, had so much to say about Bees and Gardening to the 37 members at last week’s meeting, that she ran out of time. She told us lots of interesting information such as: all worker bees are female; the male drone bees are lazy good-for-nothing-much fellahs simply bred for mating with queens from other hives and who cannot sting anyone; bees do not like blue or black colours and can see ultraviolet light. It was all very illuminating. This year’s mystery fuchsia was on sale for the first time this year. There are a few left which can be bought at the sheds on the Leeds Road Allotment site open again on Sunday from 10am until 12. Next month’s meeting will be on Thursday, May 2, and will feature the annual plant sale with proceeds to charity. Members are encouraged to start growing now in time for the auction. There will be lots of bargains for members. For full details of the meetings each month see ilkleygardeners.org.uk.

OLICANA BRIDGE CLUB: Monday, April 1, seven tables, winners June Manning & John Cole, runners-up Di Roberts & Brian Davison. Tuesday, April 2, 12 tables, winners David Storer & Ian Jane, runners-up Tom & Enid Shields. Wednesday, April 3 (no fear improvers), nine tables, N/S Bill Logan & Irene Rothnie, E/W Anne Shand & Angela Bottomley. Wednesday, April 3 (evening), six tables, winners John Muligan & John Godden, runners-up Jean Beaver & Jane Parkinson. Thursday, April 4, 13 tables, N/S June Manning & Bridget Vickerman, E/W Bernice Cawthra & Di Roberts. Friday, April 5, seven tables, winners Di Roberts & Ian Jane, runners-up Ann & John McKenzie.

BLUE RIBBON LUNCHEON CLUB: At our meeting on Monday we were treated to Life on the Ocean Waves, an entertaining and amusing talk by Andrew Quarrie of his life as a purser on the Union Castle Line and several years later with Hebridean Princess Cruises. He also gave us an insight into the work of the Mission to Seafarers a charity which provides facilities in many ports for seamen all over the world who are not allowed to leave the confines of the docks. Our next meeting is on Monday, May 13, when the speaker will be Alison O’Neill, The Barefoot Shepherdess. New members are always welcome. For more information, contact our membership secretary on (01943) 608234.

Ilkley and District Motor Club, pictured, has presented more than £1,000 to charity Yorkshire Cancer Research. As part of the club’s commitment to local charities, Karen Humphries chose the charity as beneficiary during her term as president of the motor club. Ladies from the club are pictured above with Pam Lawrie from Yorkshire Cancer Research. Right, Pam Lawrie and Karen Humphries.