Skipton, North Yorkshire

With a doubtful weather forecast, we decided to risk it and go to the Leeds District Association meet at Skipton Cattle Market for the weekend, where we were made very welcome, even though we are from from the “wrong side o t’hill”.

We stayed on the cattle auction car park, which although not in an especially picturesque location, afforded reasonably level hardstanding and a pleasant walk into the town centre.

Not everyone was allowed onto the site though:

Through Friday night and Saturday, the weather became quite interesting with high winds courtesy of Storm Malik.

Our route to explore the town centre took us through Aireville park which is very pleasant and then along the canal towpath into the town centre. At times we feared being blown off the towpath into the canal.

Although Skipton is a very old town which sits on the River Aire, much of it now is built around the Leeds Liverpool canal and there are many bridges, including two swing bridges, to allow traffic to cross.

The town centre has many small independent shops which inhabit old and interesting buildings.

You might almost be in Liverpool!

The parish church of the Holy Trinity sits at the head of the main street. Parts of the church were built in the 13th century.

This window was donated by Sarah King in memory of her father Thomas, her mother and brothers who all pre-deceased her, in the late 19th centrury:

Sir George Clifford of Skipton Castle, was a major benefactor of the church.

The sedilia is where members of the clergy sat during services. They date from the early 14th century.

An account of major events in the history of the church surrounds the vestry door.