In a charming Yorkshire village, several craftsmen of exceptional skill work with metal, stone, and wood. An old forge has been transformed into a workshop where beaten copper trays and other metal wares are displayed and sold. Near the stream, a heavy oak seat has been placed as a memorial to two former villagers. The war memorial tablet, crafted by the local mason, is a testament to his artistry. He has also decorated his garden with a miniature stone cottage, complete with clay pantiles and a low wall, which would be a delightful addition to a rock and water garden in a nearby seaside town.
Pied Flycatchers Struggle to Nest
Pied flycatchers, which are increasing along forest streams where nest boxes are provided, have failed to establish themselves in or near the village. Last year, a pair built in a hole previously used by nuthatches, but their efforts were unsuccessful. This year, a male has been singing persistently at a box in a weeping willow in a private garden, but has not yet attracted a mate. Another male, in a beech wood, has secured a suitable hole in an elm but remains without a partner. This bird carries a coloured ring, indicating it was hatched last year in a box farther up the dale.
