THE search for cash to help regenerate the market town of Bedale is to continue.

Hambleton district councillors have formally accepted a grant of £20,000 from English Heritage for the Bedale Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme. But they have so far only secured £16,300 in match funding for the project - £10,000 from North Yorkshire County Council and £6,300 from Hambleton. Cabinet members were told at their latest meeting that English Heritage was prepared to overlook the shortfall this year, but wanted to see it made up for the remaining two years of the scheme. The project continues a programme of building and repairs in the town, which has been operating since 1989.

COMIC SHOW: The comedy play Stick Granny on the Roof Rack will be staged at the Helmsley Arts Centre tomorrow at 7.30. Tickets are £8 or £7 concessions.

MEMORIAL DANCE: The Dick Sayer Memorial Dance takes place at Chantry Hall, Bedale, on Monday, from 8pm to midnight. Alan's Band will provide the music. Admission is £3 with proceeds to go to Hauxwell Church. For details call (01677) 424582.

OFFICER'S FUNERAL: A retired Wrens officer was given a guard of honour at her funeral at Scarborough. Sheila Pryce, 73, served in the Wrens from 1948 to 1956 leaving with the rank of Leading Wren. She later became a leader of the Scarborough Royal Naval Association and was made a life member. Her husband, Tom, who served in the Royal Navy, said the standards of eight military organisations honoured his wife at her funeral at the Scarborough Crematorium.

DEDICATED SERVICE: At a dinner in the Buck Hotel, Ronnie Woodward, of Reeth, was presented with a certificate by Chief Fire Officer Eric Clarke marking 37 years' service in the dales. He was also presented with a Sports and Social Club statue of a firefighter. His colleagues at Reeth fire station presented him with a colour print of Swaledale.

FOCUS ON ROMANS: The decline and fall of Roman Britain is the subject of the next meeting of Wensleydale Decorative and Fine Arts Society. The meeting will be held at the Middleham Key Centre on Tuesday, June 11, at 8pm. The speaker will be Dr Neil Faulkner. For more details contact Dr Margaret Hoyle on (01969) 663046.