THE village web site for Addingham is being reborn with a complete update of its contents and features.

When it is complete, the site will form a perfect partner for the new

village handbook being prepared by parish councillor Stephen Crossley-Smith.

The web site project is being carried out by Addingham Civic Society member Don Barrett, who took over after the site became neglected.

But Mr Barrett is hoping that people in the village will make his work a little easier by supplying the information he needs to produce a useful resource for the area.

Already (wwwaddingham.info) includes many features about the

village including history, shopping, pictures, what's-on, churches, attractions and much more, but Mr Barrett also wants to put parish council agendas and minutes on it too.

Mr Barrett said: "It is working now and I have been doing it over the past few weeks. Gradually I have got a fair bit on it including a section on the history of the village."

But Mr Barrett, who has taught himself how to set up the Internet site on his own computer at home, said that he needed more information from people in the village about their clubs and societies as well as from businesses who could supply information about their company as well as opening hours of shops.

He said that by co-operating with Coun Crossley-Smith who was doing the village handbook, the latest information about all aspects of life in Addingham could be accessed at the push of a button, or the click of a mouse.

"As soon as we get all the details I shall be copying them on to the website, and if we can keep the website more or less up to date, we can copy that when it comes to do the next new handbook," said Mr Barrett.

Mr Barrett's first venture in web site creation was for the Wharfedale Naturalists' Society, which was a lot simpler than his latest effort.

"I have been interested in computers for a long time and it is a matter of teaching myself and learning. I am quite pleased with it so far," said Mr Barrett.

He added: "I have tried to make it as easy as possible to navigate around the site." He is also interested in comments from users to discover how the site can be improved.

Mr Barrett is now planning a poster campaign around village shops so people will be aware of what information is needed to make the site as comprehensive as possible.

As well as information from local people, Mr Barrett said he would also like a volunteer to help keep the information about clubs and societies up to date.

Anyone who wants to supply information to be posted on the web site, or can help keep it up to the minute, should send an e-mail to Mr Barrett at (donbarrett@addingham.info) or contact him at his home at 1 St Paul's Rise, Addingham.