A HELLIFIELD woman who has supplied the Herald with local news for the past 31 years is finally preparing to put down her pen and paper.

Kathleen Lund, of Station Road, started as the correspondent for Langcliffe in 1968.

She moved to Hellifield in 1984 and again found herself in the role of village correspondent, taking over from Violet McHale in 1985.

She said: "I've really loved doing it and I will really miss it. I have enjoyed meeting people and have seen many changes during my time with the Craven Herald."

Over the years Mrs Lund, now 73, has always been active in village life. In Langcliffe, she was president of the Women's Institute for three years, served as a primary school governor and was a member of the Parochial Church Council at St John's Church.

As a local correspondent for Hellifield, she has seen and reported many developments which have affected village life.

The closure of the auction mart to make way for new houses and the transformation of Hellifield Station, with steam trains travelling along the line once more, were two of the major changes.

Mrs Lund, who retires in March, added: "We have seen a number of shops and businesses close.

"There used to be two florists, a cobbler's shoe shop, two hairdressing salons, a bakery and a Co-operative store. Townson Tractors business has replaced one of the two garages, to name a few of them that have gone."

Originally born in Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Mrs Lund worked as a home help and then a home carer for 30 years before retiring in 1991. But writing for the Herald was not all that kept her occupied during her spare time. Most of it has been devoted to fundraising for charity, organising jumble sales and coffee mornings.

She said: "I have raised approximately £5,000 in my time, mainly for Harden Bridge Hospital at Austwick, now closed, and later Harden Ward League of Friends at Giggleswick and finally funds for the Special Care Baby Unit at Airedale Hospital. Only last week I handed over a hundred pounds raised from selling home-made marmalade in 1999."

Mrs Lund, who also enjoys a game of cards and whist, now wants to devote more of her time to her family who all live in the North Craven area.

o A new Hellifield correspondent is now needed to carry on Mrs Lund's work. The role enables you to meet people and play a key role in village life.

Mrs Lund has offered to help anyone willing to take on the challenge, and anyone interested in filling the position should contact Craven Herald editor Ian Lockwood at 38 High Street, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 1JU, or telephone 01756 794117.

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