The rain is siling* down; the fallen leaves are turning to sludge on the pavement; there's a raw edge to the wind... What a wonderful time to snuggle down in a warm cinema and escape to la belle France with Audrey Tautou, Thierry Lhermitte, Vanessa Paradis, and other brilliant actors whom we don't see enough of here.

​This week's Lucky Dip into What's On Richmond has fished out a dozen screenings (matinée and evening) over a two-week period. The featured films are part of a festival in more than 30 towns and cities across the UK. Details are at stationcinema.com. Amusez-vous bien!

From 1 April 2023, North Yorkshire Council will replace the current district councils in North Yorkshire. Those councils currently have their own taxi licensing policies, which are now under review.

Do you ever use local taxis? Do you avoid them like the plague? Either way, you can find out more and share your opinions at: www.northyorks.gov.uk/taxi-consultation.

Lots of valuable prizes, and -

Hang on. We'll come back to the prizes in a mo. First, may we say a few words about why shopping locally is such a good idea?

Less travel = more money in your pocket + less pollution + better health.

Using local businesses = fewer closed and shuttered shops = more money in the local economy = a thriving community. 

In short, everyone wins. It's obvious, and you probably know all this, in theory at least. OK, back to those prizes...

Our local business association has launched its 2022 loyalty card promotion early, giving you almost seven weeks to collect your six stamps. You can pick up a loyalty card at any participating local business - which is most of them - or at Richmond Information Centre in the Market Hall. Just present the card at a participating business when you shop there, and collect a stamp. When you've got six stamps from six different businesses, your card can go into a draw to win one of 22 really worthwhile prizes. These include a £150 wine hamper, £100 for spending locally, vouchers for fashion, for Sunday lunch, for nursery plants, and much more.

​Shop local, shop Richmond, and everyone wins.

Saturday 12th November sees the return of the 'Cherrytones' music ensemble for a special concert in Richmond Town Hall as part of the Remembrance weekend events.

The Cherrytones are a vintage vocal harmony duo and they will be performing a repertoire of classic WW2 vintage songs.

The performance commences at 2pm and admission is free. Teas and coffees are available.

Woo hoo! This week's Lucky Dip into What's On Richmond has pulled out a must-see show for 80s pop fans. Dust off your shoulder pads; roll up your blazer sleeves; unbutton your shirt as far as it'll go, and get ready to party with the best Duran Duran tribute band!

​You can catch the Duran Duran Experience at the Georgian Theatre Royal on Friday 14th at 7:30. Tickets are £16 here.

If you're a fan of all things orange... If you've got children who are bursting with excitement to carve a pumpkin head and stick a candle inside... If you enjoy having hideous things suddenly go BOO! at you... Then these are the places to go!

• Atley Hill Farm, near Scorton. Pick-your-own opens on 8 October. That's their photo you see - the crop's coming along nicely!
• Brymor Ice Cream, near Middleham, promises a "Halloween-themed adventure area". It also opens 8 October, and will be open Saturdays and Sundays until October 22 when it will be open seven days a week for half-term.
• ​Also near Middleham, The Forbidden Corner has a Halloween Labyrinth from 22 October, with prizes, fancy dress, a spooky quiz, a witches' brew, and a night-time scare event. Sounds horrible!
• ​Stockeld PYO near Wetherby is rather outside our area, but we couldn't resist this gem from the website: after you've picked your pumpkin, you can "treat yourself with our delicious cold and hot foot in our café". 

If you know of any more Halloween venues, with or without hot feet, or if you own a PYO pumpkin patch, let us know.

And may we put out a gentle plea? Please don't junk your pumpkin in the countryside after use. It's really not a good idea, and it looks horrible. Pumpkins are food, and shouldn't be wasted. Here's a link to no fewer than 49 recipes on the BBC's Good Food site, from Pumpkin Hummus and Pumpkin Cake to the really traditional Pumpkin Pie. Yum!