Fame! Fortune! Your name in lights! None of these will be yours (not for what we're about to ask, anyway). But we'll be awfully grateful.

Two years ago, we published Richmond Walks, a little full-colour booklet describing four circular walks from Richmond, "to suit all tastes and abilities". It has been a real success, with thousands of copies sold through the Information Centre, at outlets around Richmond, and online.

Now we're planning a follow-up. Pootling round Richmond (working title) will feature eight more walks - four starting and finishing in Richmond, four in Swaledale - and is slated for publication late this year or early in 2021. Volunteers are needed now to 'road-test' the selected walks, which are between 5 and 8 miles long and of easy-to-moderate difficulty (the clue is in "pootling"). 

Whether you're visiting Richmond for a few days, or are a local who think you know all the walks in the area, we'd love to hear from you. Interested? Please contact [email protected].

The release of the brand-new series of ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ starts on Channel 5 at 9 pm, tomorrow (September 1st). It coincides with the 50th anniversary of the original publication of James Herriot's bestselling books. However, if you’re hoping to spot those familiar local landmarks featured in the BBCs original adaptation of the novels you might be a touch disappointed as the episodes for the new programmes have all been filmed in and around Grassington in Wharfedale. Still, we mustn’t grumble because the star of the show, the Yorkshire Dales, look as grand as ever. Have a look at the trailer, complete with subtitles for those who find the ‘Yorkshire dialect’ somewhat challenging!   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF7Pou--uks

You could be forgiven for thinking that this scene was taken in under the Tuscan sun but you’d be wrong.  On the one-track lane between Whashton and Hartforth, just three miles north or Richmond a kind farmer has planted this wonderful field of sunflowers.  At the beginning of September, they really are at their peak.  It’s well worth a diversion but take it steady as this narrow road only accommodates slow moving, single file traffic with precious few overtaking spots