A PARTICULARLY poignant picture from Roger Ingham shows the outstanding Skipton boxer and much revered community figure, Richard Hirst, en route to defeating the former USA Junior Golden Gloves champion, Ronaldo Venables.

The picture was taken only three weeks before Hirst tragically lost his life in a road accident while working for a local building firm.

This month marks 40 years since he died, in December 1979.

Mr Ingham, Skipton’s ‘Mr Sport’ told us the tragic incident occurred just one day after the immensely popular young sportsman had been informed of his selection to compete for the North of England against Denmark.