THERE must have been something in the water in the year 1853 for several Craven institutions are celebrating their 150th anniversary.

This month St Mary's Church, Embsay with Eastby, reaches the landmark alongside Skipton Building Society, Gargrave's St Andrew's Church, Skipton Cricket Club, Settle Primary School, Settle's Victoria Hall and, not forgetting, the Craven Herald newspaper.

A series of events have been organised to mark the 150th occasion of the church's consecration.

The church is focusing on the future rather than looking back and has used the anniversary to set up a bursary fund to assist young people in the parish, aged between 16 and 25, who undertake a faith, service or education related project.

When the church was consecrated in 1853 the offertory amounted to £54. Today's equivalent is £2,700 and the church hopes to raise at least that amount to start the St Mary's Jubilee Bursary Fund.

The vicar of St Mary's, Canon John Holford, recently made honorary canon of Bradford Cathedral, is looking forward to the event to celebrate the church and its history.

The events begin next Friday, May 16, at 7.30pm at the church with a cheese and wine evening and exhibition of work by local artists and schoolchildren.

On Saturday May 17 a ceilidh is to be held in Embsay Village Hall at 7.30pm. On Sunday May 18 there is to be an anniversary service at St Mary's at 10.30am.

Present will be the Archbishop of York, the Rt Rev David Hope, and the service will be followed by a buffet lunch in the village hall. Former vicars of Embsay with Eastby Rob Marshall and Ron Barratt will also be present.

On Saturday June 7, from 2.30pm there is to be a family fun afternoon with teddy bear parachuting from the church roof.

Most of the events are free, but because of limited space the May events are ticket only. A limited number are still available and can be obtained by contacting the vicarage on 01756 798057