SETTLE'S Victoria Hall will celebrate its 150th birthday with a week of events planned from June 14 to 22.

The building, which was recently renovated, became one of the country's first music halls in 1853. It was built on the site of the old national school.

Over the years it has seen a great variety of entertainment, from markets to musicals.

Settle Amateur Operatic Society has staged productions there since the group started in 1879 and now professional actors regularly tread its boards in the name of the excellent Settle Festival of Theatre.

A focal feature of the stage is its beautiful act drop - a painted scene of Settle Market Place in bygone days - which was rediscovered and restored to its former glory during the renovation works.

Today, as well as offering audiences a huge variety of live entertainment including comedy, music and drama suitable for all ages and tastes, the Victoria Hall is the scene of the weekly Tuesday indoor market, coffee mornings, parties, exhibitions, public meetings and other events.

It is also the home of the TRAMPS mobile cinema project.

The whole building is known as the Victoria Centre, with the main hall still referred to as Victoria Hall. It is run by trustees with vital support from a group of Friends and employs a manager, John Sell.

Every day throughout the anniversary week there is an event in the hall, starting with an informal cabaret style evening with the Al Wood jazz trio and local singer Valerie Baulard.

Sunday sees a private reception for members and trustees followed by a collaboration with The Folly on a town trail and quiz which starts at the museum from 2pm finishing with cream teas in the hall.

A French theme is adopted on Monday with a Soiree Francais, hopefully with guests from Settle's twin town Banyuls sur Mer. There will be Breton folk dancing and a general celebration of the French link with a chance to learn dance steps at 7pm followed by the event itself at 8pm.

As part of the Yorkshire Miscellany evening on Tuesday June 17, Herald editor Ian Lockwood will take audiences through "Our 150 years" as the paper was founded the same year as the Victoria Hall.

The evening also features slides and a talk from local favourite Bill Mitchell, plus songs, dialect poems and a presentation on the growth of friendly societies inspired by Skipton Building Society which is also 150 years old. Yorkshire ale and food will be available.

The Friends of the Victoria Hall will enjoy a private function on the Wednesday and on Thursday the hall celebrates its roots with an Old Time Music Hall featuring local talent at 8pm.

Prizes are available for those in the audience in the best Edwardian/Victorian costume.

Friday night is comedy night with Alfie Joey as the lead act and on Saturday the hall's grand summer ball takes place. Tickets are £12.50 including a carving buffet and dancing to the New York Dance Band.

Internationally acclaimed Polynesian performers Te Vaka visit on the Sunday with their brand of dance, music and song.

Victoria Centre trustee margaret Barker said: "A varied programme of events is planned and we hope everyone will find something to enjoy."

Tickets for everything except the ball are £6.50 and £6 on the balcony and £6 and £5.50 in the stalls with children £3.

Further details and tickets are available from the Victoria Hall box office on 01729 825718.