AN exhibition boosted a £70,000 appeal to refurbish Settle's Quaker Meeting House.

The Meeting is to lower the floor of the building's 19th century extension and build a new extension to bring its facilities into the 21st century.

The project, which will provide a library, space for children's groups and gatherings, new toilets, kitchens and full disabled access, will cost a total of £165,000.

The exhibition last week featured items relating to the history of the Settle Meeting, activities of members and the work of Quakers overseas. There were also displays by the organic co-operative Growing with Grace, from Clapham, and three panels of the Quaker Tapestry.

Settle Meeting member and nationally-respected artist Katharine Holmes donated a picture to the appeal, which was on display at the exhibition.

Also hanging in the Meeting House were works by katharine's grandmother, Malham artist Constance Pearson, and Langcliffe artist Kathleen Firth.

Settle Meeting House dates back to 1678 - a full 11 years before the Act of Toleration made Meeting Houses lawful.

Quakerism first came to Settle earlier that century when William Dewsbury preached from the market cross on market day and was dragged down and beaten by the crowds.

He was rescued by a local man, John Armistead, who took him home, and that evening several people gathered to hear Dewsbury speak.

The Settle Meeting grew despite the risk of heavy penalties and locals suffered for their beliefs.

Samuel Watson, of Knight Stainforth, was beaten, put in the stocks, thrown in the river and fined to the point of ruin for his robust expression of his beliefs.

Richard Wilson and Ann Johnson married in the Meeting in 1662, were imprisoned for failing to comply with the statutory form of marriage and walked to York to serve their sentence.

In the 19th century the Quakers were responsible for establishing adult education in Settle.

By the middle of the 20th century the Meeting was under threat with dwindling numbers and the building in a poor state of repair.

However, Kevin and Ruth Petrie were appointed wardens, living in the converted Adult School, and revitalised the Meeting. Today it is looking to the future with the appeal plans.