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In this edition we talk with Anna Jackson, Commercial Manager of the Settle-Carlisle Railway Trust about an amazing opportunity for Ribblehead Station to become the number 1 railway station in the land in the World Cup of Stations! 2025 is an extraordinary year for the railway as it is the 200th Anniversary of the first paid passenger journey by train. To celebrate the ‘World Cup of Stations’ is trying to find the most remarkable station in Britain that has changed lives in some way. Today sees the announcement of the shortlist for the top 20 and among them is the iconic, remote and magical Ribblehead Station on the stunning Settle-Carlisle Line, which is celebrating its 150th Anniversary next year. The station opened as Batty Green in December 1876 but by May 1877 it had become Ribblehead. It has witnessed some incredible times through history, serving as a place of worship for the remote rural communities with monthly services delivered by the Vicar from Ingleton and using a harmonium partially hidden behind a billboard! If you would like to vote to help Ribblehead take the trophy in the World Cup of Stations you can visit: World Cup of Stations. Voting is only open from Monday 13th to Friday 17th October. More importantly visit the Station, you won’t be disappointed!

Each year at the end of November thousands of people join together dressed as Santa to help raise money for local good causes by dressing up as Santa and walking or running the couse around Skipton and the surrounding area. Organised by Rotary in Skipton, the walk last year raised of £60,000. Here we chat with one of the organisers from Skipton Rotary, David Newall and find out how you too can join the sea of Santas! The event takes place on Sunday 30th November.

It is one of those memorable films your kids loved to watch, and the book many of us read as we grew up. An endearing story of life as an evacuee in World War two. As the bombs drop on London, William Beech is shipped off to the safety of the Yorkshire countryside, escaping the blitz in the city. Leaving his parents, family and everything this young boy knows behind, he meets Mr Tom and an amazing friendship develops. In this production, William is played by 13 year old Charlie Hunder-Bland from Grassington and there are lots of other local children involved too, alongside seasoned performers from Grasssington Players. Here, Julian chats with David Newall, who plays Mr Tom about the production, which is on from 30th September to 4th October 2025

The Settle Carlisle Railway has just unveilled three new cameras along the line as part of their 150th year. Julian finds out more as he chats with Commercial Manager, Anna Jackson , who is the new Commercial Manager at the Settle Carlisle Railway Trust. Three new cameras have just gone live along the line including one at the quarry sidings at Horton in Ribblesdale; one looking up to Ribblehead and one looking out to Pen-Y-Gent - great for weather watchers or planning a walk in the Dales. The cameras have been launched just as the quarry siding reopened 150 years after freight was first on the lines. And that's brilliant news, taking the weight off road haulage in the Dales, as for the first time since the siding was closed stone from the quarry is now carried once more by rail. Find out when you can see the steam trains are scheduled to pass the cameras, with top tips and timetables!

Originally the concept of Chris Kemp, the choir has grown since he first called out for members in his home town of Baildon. He was surprised when 80 people responded! Since then the choir has grown to over 300 members. There are now more than half a dozen choirs across the area, all meeting weekly and singing the same songs under Chris's instruction. So when they come together the results are magical! From pop to rock, plenty of eighties (Chris's guilty pleasure) and songs from the shows, it really is an eclectic mix of the tunes we all know and love. Here Chris talks about the choir and its beginnings and about where they are now. He explains the reasoning behind the tenth anniversary concert and what we can expect. Its on Saturday 13th September at St Georges Hall in Bradford.

Nestled in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, the Reeth Arts Festival returns on Saturday, August 30, 2025, transforming the village of Reeth into a vibrant canvas of creativity and community spirit. Now in its third year, this grassroots celebration, has grown from a modest gathering of 20 stalls to a bustling showcase of over 45 artists, makers, and performers. With free entry, live art demonstrations, and a mission to empower local talent without commercial constraints, the festival offers a rare blend of charm, accessibility, and artistic authenticity. It’s mentioned in the podcast that if you are an artist please reach out for a spot, unfortunately all spots have been fully filled for this year! but please send the festival an email if you’d like to be considered for next year's festival and you will be put on the waiting list for that.  Whether you're a seasoned collector, a curious wanderer, or a family looking for a day of inspiration, Reeth Arts Festival promises a feast for the senses in one of England’s most picturesque settings.

It is one of the most famous works by Handel, but I bet when George Frederick was penning it all those years ago, he could never have imagined it would still be being performed today. Everyone has heard of the Halleluia Chorus from this now 300 year old work by Handel, but there is much more to it than that, as conductor Nicholas Hurndall Smith explains. The Concert is on Saturday 26th April at St Andrews Chruch in Dent. Tickets are £15 and available on the door. You can find out more on their website dentdalechoir.com

Community Correspondent Carolyne Lobb meets with Kaite Hall from Ingleton and Bentham Youth Club to find out what's on offer for Youngsters in North Craven

Carolyn finds out all about the invaluable work that Lauren Smith and her dog Hunter do in saving lives at sea and sadly, searching for bodies too. Lauren volunteers for the Specialist Search Dog Charity. Could your dog train to do this kind of work? Lauren explains how she helps others by training them and their dogs to become search and rescue dogs.

This years show promises to be a great show and in this episode Julian chats with Chairman Chris Windle about what's in store this year. The prize money for entries to the show is at a record high and so are the entries. New this year is hobby horse racing. That sounds like fun!

From hedgehogs to baby owls, the work of Craven Wildlife Rescue is eventful and varied. Even to the extent of reviving a sick polecat! In this episode, Carolyne Lobb talks with two of its founders about their work in rescuing sick or injured wild animals and returning them back to the wild.

Bentham allotments came about during the 2022 COVID pandemic and have proved so popular with locals that there's a waiting list for a plot. Carolyne Lobb talks with Sarah Hardman the allotment's founder about how they came about, the community benefits and what's changed since their creation.

It's been a fantastic show this year and hear is a chance to listen again to some of the people we talked with at the show. 1.21 Maurice Walton - Cheese judge from Appleby 4.14 Edward Sexton - Yorkshire Wool - Glencroft at Clapham 7.25 Edward Devanny - The Yorkshire Sea Salt Company 12.44 Bruce Cutts - The Countryside Code 16.07 Alex Bennett - the Mishmash Man 21.07 The Battle of the Butchers - Drake and Macefield 23.36 Fiona - Yorkshire's Brain Tummor Charity 24.45 Sarah Harrod - North Yorkshire police on rural vehicles 27.08 Emily Richardson - The CLA 29.46 Mandy Shaw - Monksfryston Organics 32.08 The Forbidden Corner - we meet Ember the baby dragon! 35.13 Chloe Northop - CPRE 37.01 Bruce Cutts - the Coast to Coast Path 40.04 Emma Wilkinson -Herbfed Poultry 43.06 DAve Robinson - Ifor Williams Trailers 44.19 Annabelle Bradley - Chief Blacksmith Judge and owner of the the Old Smithy at Malham 51.48 Judy Thompson- the YAS 54.10 Sarah Harrod - North Yorkshire Police on free property marking kits 56.10 Richard Simpson MD Ripon Farm Services 1.0.53 Gemma Rio Head of Visit North Yorkshire 1.5.59 Adam Henson

The Settle Flowerpot Festival is on now and right throughout the summer holidays.  There's lots of new sculptures and some old favourites throughout the town.  It’s a free event and guaranteed to make you smile! You can also pick up a souvenir copy of Mike Harding’s colourful book full of pictures of the Festival. As part of the Settle Flowerpot Festival, the very popular Children's Flowerpot Workshops are being held on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings throughout August.  Workshops must be pre-booked and pre-paid. For workshop details and instructions on how to book and pay, see www.settleflowerpotfestival.co.uk/flowerpot-workshops Settle Flowerpot Festival is on until 1st September.

Organisers are expecting a great turnout at this year's Reeth Arts Festival. The event is on at the end of August in Reeth, a rural home to many artists, of all forms, some of which are at the start of their creative journey, others well established. In this podcast, Organiser Imogen from Reeth talks about how the event came about and how it is an opportunity for local artists to exhibit and to shine a spotlight on local art. The festival includes writing, textiles, ceramics, drawing, painting, photography, metalwork, music and dance. The artists become stallholders during this one-day event which is held outdoors in a field overlooking Fremington Edge, in the National Park. It’s a stunningly beautiful location for the festival, and creates the perfect space for self-expression, showcasing art, and for the enjoyment of those who visit the festival. Some of the participant artists 'create' on the day of the festival, for example if their art is to paint - then some will paint so that the visitors can see them 'at work', this brings the art to life, and enables the visitors to be able to get a real idea of how that specific type of art is created, which sparks further interest in people who may like to try and create when they get home. It can be very inspirational, especially for children. The festival has singers and musicians from the local area performing throughout the day, there is also a poetry/written word slot which allows children from the local school to take to the stage to read out their work if they wish to do so. ‘Importantly to me, I wanted to make sure that the festival was accessible to everyone no matter their financial situation, in the vain of inclusivity'. Says Imogen, 'There is no admission charge to the festival, and nor is there any fee for stall holders and artists to pay for a spot at the festival to exhibit. I wanted to make this (and keep this) an event that any one individual or family can enjoy no matter their financial situation. In addition, any money that is then spent can be aimed at where it is most valued - which is for the artists who are producing such lovely work for people to buy and cherish’. Visitors to the festival last year were a mixture of local people and tourists, as Reeth is a tourist spot all year round, but especially in the summer months, as well as being on the 'coast to coast' walk. There will be hot food available at the festival provided by ‘Smokin Barrel’, & hot and cold drinks. The event is supported by Richmond Council Stronger Communities Inspire Fund, & the Dales Cycle Centre in Fremington. This year the festival runs from 10.30am until 5pm on Saturday 31st August in ‘the field next to Dorant 4x4 in Reeth’. It will be signed as you come through Fremington. Come along and join in!