SALMON Sunday at Paythorne Bridge, pictured, at one time attracted hundreds of people from far and wide.

Held every year on the nearest Sunday to November 17, crowds of people would come by car and motor coach, and on foot or bicycle to Paythorne Bridge, where the River Ribble is wide and has a gravelly bottom, just right for the watching of salmon making their way upstream.

When I dropped by at the weekend there was just the occasional car passing over the bridge, and a few other walkers on the nearby Ribble Way.

I did stop and was rewarded with the sight of four salmon, one which leapt from the water, which was indeed very exciting.

I should not have strayed off the footpath mind, a man in a tractor, busily ripping up fencing nearby, made a bee line for me over the boggy field and ticked me off, helpfully pointing out where the footpath was. It made me wonder what he would have done if hundreds had turned up like in the old days to watch the salmon leaping.

Indeed, 100 years ago on Nov 26, 1920, the Craven Herald reported that more fish - both salmon and trout - than had been seen for some time had passed up the Ribble and its tributaries.

On the previous Sunday, reported the Herald, large crowds had visited for Salmon Sunday. “Many had travelled by car and motor coaches from places over 20 miles distant to see the salmon fighting their way upstream. They were not disappointed, as the river at the bridge is wide and shallow with a stony and gravel bed. Salmon reaching 3ft in length were seen and during the afternoon, the crowd numbered nearly 200.”

Again, 75 years ago, on Nov 23, 1945, the Herald said Paythorne was once again busy for Salmon Sunday and a sure indication that the day ‘had lost none of its appeal.’

“In mid afternoon, hundreds flanked the river wall and bridge and 20 cars were parked on the road side, making it difficult for traffic to pass. Motorists and pedestrians were in the best of humour, and the frequent hold ups were taken in good part, evidently regarded as a contribution to the fun of salmon Sunday,” reported the paper.

“Cyclists and hikers were on the scene in appreciable numbers. A bus load of male trippers, well equipped with liquid refreshment, took up a strategic point on the bridge. When the salmon left the shelter of the bridge pillars it was for fleeting moments, though one stalwart fellow of about 2ft delighted the crowd with his acrobatics.”

WE all need something to bring a smile to our faces during lockdown and Steeton’s Jean Smith (pictured above) has edited a recipe book to do just that.

It will make a great stocking filler this Christmas and aims to raise much needed funds for St Stephen’s Church Steeton with Eastburn.

Jean was inspired when church members shared with her some of their favourite recipes and she thought they should be made more widely available- together with the stories surrounding them.

There are 26 recipes from the simple to the sublime - light bites, meat, fish and vegetable dishes, cakes and puddings, tea time treats and sweet treats.

And, with each recipe there is a line or two about why a particular dish is important to the writer and their family.

Only 100 have been produced so get in quick to secure you copy . Call Jean on 07825877429 or email jeansmith50@btinternet.com to get yours or get one from St Stephen’s church during opening hours Sundays and Wednesdays 10am-11.30am.

All proceeds go to the work and life of St Stephen’s church.

MORRISONS Supermarket says it is making it easier for its customers to help keep food banks going in the run up to Christmas this year by identifying what people need most, and providing special packs for its customers to pick up and place in dedicated donation stations on their way out.

The supermarket’s ‘community champions’ have also been listening to their local food banks and will be making it easier for customers to donate the items really needed this Christmas with the introduction of ‘food bank priority item’ signs in all stores. They will feature close to products that are most needed by food banks in each local area, and be updated regularly.

It has also introduced toy donation stations where customers can donate a new toy. Donated items are passed on to good causes and charities in the community.

Rebecca Singleton, Community Director at Morrisons, said:“We have worked with food banks across the UK to identify the key items that are most needed by the vulnerable in our communities. The UK’s food banks are a lifeline for many people and we want to make it easier for customers to donate so that no one is left behind this Christmas.”

READER David Phillips has asked for help in identifying this structure, pictured above, which is one of two, very similar; close to St Helen’s Well, near Eshton. “I would guess that are some sort of shrine but now seems to be a shelter for cattle. Possibly dating from the reformation period?” Does anyone know for sure? email news@cravenheraldco.uk

MENTAL health charity Lancashire Mind has launched a ‘Love from Lancashire’ calendar after the success of its photo competition which they ran earlier in lockdown.

The charity asked people to post photos from anywhere in the county on their social media channels in order to create an album, called ‘Love from Lancashire’.

Lancashire Mind fundraising Lead, Emma Bateson, said: “We are so pleased with the calendar and can’t thank those who submitted photos enough for helping us to create such a lovely product.

“We think the calendar is perfect as a gift, for Christmas or birthdays, or even just as a treat to yourself.”

Emma added: “Take Notice is one of the five ways and by asking people to share images from their daily run or walk, we wanted to show how simple and effective following the five ways can be - something that has become ever more important this year as we’ve all been dealing with Covid-19 and the subsequent lockdowns.”

The calendar will cost £10 with all money raised going to Lancashire Mind. If you’d like to purchase a calendar, go to https://bit.ly/LfLcalendar

50 YEARS ago, Skipton was proud to host the Carnival Queen of Great Britain contest - the first time it had been staged in Yorkshire. On December 4,1970,the Craven Herald reported on the contest held in the town hall, and supported by Skipton’s own carnival committee.

It was open to all carnival or gala queens who were due to step down that year, and had attracted girls from all over the country.

The Herald reported how the contest followed ‘closely in the wake of the Miss World contest and had most of the trimmings and much of the glamour of the more famous one.’ Winner was 18 year old Galen Ford, the Morecambe Carnival Queen who had entered the competition for the second time. A clerical assistant, she has also been a finalist in the Miss Great Britain contest held in her own town.

19 year old Sherry Craige, the Manchester and North East Cheshire Carnival Queen was runner up while 15 year old Anne Fletcher, Bacup Carnival Queen, came third. The entrants were pictured with the then chairman of the council, BT Short.