As the days lengthen we look forward to Spring and begin to book dates in our diary for the year ahead.

Here are a few ideas gleaned from our contributors for the coming year.

Close to home the National Parks Authority are urging local residents to become actively involved in the Yorkshire Dales Road Verge Project by caring for their verges and making sure they become even better for wildlife. So, if you are thinking how best to manage the verges in your parish why not get in touch?"

Volunteers are always needed on the railways in Wensleydale and on the Embsay to Bolton Abbey line where all manner of jobs need doing both on and off the track.

As usual the plans for agricultural shows and festivals such as the Swaledale Festival 23rd May - 4th July are already forging ahead as they hope for fine weather and lots of support from the public and this year.

Grassington Festival from 19th June- 4th July includes a new competition encouraging us all to get out and about with our video cameras to capture local news or views or even add a fictional element to your video with a view to showing some of the winning videos at the festival.
Details of all these events can be found on each organisations website.

Sedburgh and District Historical Society's winter programme continues with a range of talks from buildings in the Yorkshire Dales to carved stones of prehistoric Cumbria, as well as a programme of summer walks.

Ingleborough Archaeological group also has a varied programme of talks and walks planned for 2009 and in May members investigate further a Mesolithic site of potentially national importance (trench 6 Kingsdale) under the supervision of Dr Nigel Melton.

Yorkshire Archaeological society programme includes local field trips as well as covering world wide aspects of archaeology.

If something more energetic appeals to you the Craven Potholing Club welcomes new members to join them. They have a very active club with regular meets both home and away.

Why not try something new for 2009. Leave the car at home, take up a new hobby or join the hundreds of volunteers who help conserve and preserve our Yorkshire Heritage for the next generation.