Settle Stories is looking for poets working in Yorkshire Dialect who can run ½ day workshops in schools working with Year 8 pupils. The workshops are programmed to take place in April and May 2012 and are part of the WR Mitchell Archive Pilot Project.

W.R. ("Bill") Mitchell was born in Skipton in 1928. After gaining journalistic experience on the "Craven Herald", he joined "The Dalesman" in 1948, later becoming editor. WR Mitchell is a well known figure in Settle and Yorkshire. The recorded interviews from the 1980s and 90s capture a social and cultural history which is dying out. They include interviews with people like:

Kit Calvert, well known for establishing Wensleydale creamery

Tommy Dugdale, local Settle businessman whose family are still based in Settle

Mrs Mason, farmer’s wife in Upper Swaledale

John Geldard, dry stone waller

Yorke family of Halton Place

These interviews will be used in the classroom as stimulus for new creative work. For further information please contact Sita Brand on info@settlestories.org.uk or 07748 960 776 as soon as possible.