AN impressive gathering of over 70 people enjoyed the launch party of the Settle Together Project on Thursday.

The event, staged in Settle's Victoria Hall, brought people of all ages together to make plans for the first year of the project.

Students from Settle High School and Settle and Giggleswick Primary Schools gave presentations about the project, which aims to bring together different generations of people in a series of workshops and activities.

It has been backed by a Barclays Bank New Futures Award and a donation from Booths supermarket, with members of both organisations present at the launch.

Also present was project patron, former Coronation Street star Thelma Barlow, who expressed her wish to get involved in organic gardening workshops.

The evening began with an introduction to the project by Brin Best, head of geography at Settle High School, and headmaster Trevor Wear.

John Smith, a year 10 pupil then outlined the origins of the idea and proposed future developments.

It is hoped a newsletter will be circulated throughout the project, in both large print and on audio to assist the visually impaired, detailing developments and giving details of the workshops.

At the end of the second year there will be a community event or festival to allow participants to demonstrate the new skills they have acquired and to mark its close a book will be published detailing aspects of the scheme.

Many suggestions for workshops and activities were made by people at the gathering and presented to the audience with the aid of an overhead projector.

The evening closed with the launch of the first of the planned activities by Settle Primary School, which aims to compile a record of school life to mark the last year at its current site before moving to new premises in Bond Lane. Pupils compiled a list of potential interviewees from former pupils who were present at the evening.

The next activities will begin in the autumn and a booklet will be issued with details of how to get involved. In the meantime, anyone who has further suggestions for workshops, or could help organise them, should get in touch with Brin Best on 01729 822451.

Settle High School headteacher, Trevor Wear, said: "The project is an excellent way to get people in Settle working together and demonstrates the school's commitment to embracing its community role.

"We encourage you to get involved and join in with the activities."