Our local Craven dialect is fading. And in an age of global voices and shared language, it might feel inevitable.
But dialect carries more than words. It holds humour, values, memory and a way of seeing the world that is rooted in place.
In 2017, one hundred years after the death of Tom Twisleton (1845–1917), we set out to celebrate a Settle and Craven legend whose work captured the rhythms and realities of local life. A temperance advocate, poet and active member of the Zion church, Twisleton wrote with straight-talking wit and no-nonsense warmth, often reflecting everyday faith, celebration and community. His poems still shine with integrity, humour and deep local truth.
With support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Young Roots programme, we worked with young people to bring Twisleton’s story to life for a new generation. At the heart of the project was Heritage Project Officer Hazel Richardson, whose guidance and care helped shape the work from research through to public sharing.
Young volunteers from Settle College and Leeds Trinity University immersed themselves in Twisleton’s life and legacy. They explored archives, interviewed descendants, and uncovered new insights into his writing and influence. Along the way, they discovered a poet whose voice feels as relevant today as it did a century ago.
Together, the group created a rich programme of activity: a book, walking and skateboarding trails, a Family Fun Day, and one of the best-attended exhibitions on record at The Folly. These projects ensured that Craven dialect was not only preserved, but spoken, shared and enjoyed.
Special thanks go to Catherine Sawyer for her outstanding commitment to the project. Catherine was awarded Young Citizen of the Year at North Yorkshire’s Community Awards and Young Volunteer of the Year at Craven District Council’s Community Champions Awards. Her favourite Craven phrase is “Yusterneet”, meaning last night: a small word carrying a whole world of place and memory.
