A NEW history of Skipton to coincide with the opening of the town's Millennium Walk is nearing completion.

However there are some parts of the jigsaw which Skipton people may be able to help complete.

Ian Lockwood, editor of the Craven Herald, who is compiling the book of the walk, is anxious to hear from anyone who might be able to provide information, great or small, on the following subjects.

Union Square: Does anyone have memories of community life in this part of town? It appears to have had a reputation as a rough part of the town, was this deserved?

Skipton Liberal Club: Situated on the corner of Sackville Street and Keighley Road. Does anyone have memories of the club? When did it cease to be a club and what did it become? The first floor balcony window was rumoured to be a place from where speeches were delivered - is there any foundation for this?

High Street bonfires: Fireworks used to be let off in the High Street in the last century and it seems there were bonfires there too. Does anyone have memories of this surviving to a later date?

Finally does anybody have biographical details about the life of Sir Matthew Wilson (the first MP whose statue is on the High Street), John Bonny Dewhurst (of Dewhurst Mill fame) or Henry Alcock (a Victorian Skipton solicitor).

If you can help, please write to Ian Lockwood at the Craven Herald, 38 High Street, Skipton, BD23 1JU or phone between 9am and noon on Monday or Tuesday (794117).

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.