A NEW podcast which has been dedicated to the History of Skipton is now available for download.

Based on the book by Ian Lockwood, which was described in one review as “the most comprehensive history of the town ever published”, each podcast will be about 25 to 30 minutes long.

Mr Lockwood explained how it came about: “I was contacted by someone on behalf of a blind lady,” he said.

“He had been reading bits out on her behalf but she would love to have a podcast version. That got me thinking, so I thought, why not do it?”

As the book is more than 500 pages long, Mr Lockwood said he hoped to produce a new podcast episode every fortnight so it’s going to be a good while before the project is finished.

The first podcast is an introduction and features the author’s five favourite little known stories from Skipton’s history.

The podcast focuses on the life of ordinary Skipton townsfolk and their health, hygiene, work and recreation. Covering the period from the Norman Conquest to the 21st century.

The History of Skipton uses long-forgotten reports and archives to reveal many details which have never been published before.

Episodes include: The Workhouse - and how Skipton looked after its poor, sick and aged?

Traffic Trauma - from the arrival of the very first car in Skipton there were problems for residents.

The Railway - the railway arrived in Skipton in 1847 linking the town with the metropolitan area of Bradford.

The Canal - In this episode, Ian Lockwood tracks the rise and fall and rise again of Skipton’s canal.

Change - discussing some of the changes in Skipton including the development of roads, trains and mills.

The Roads - looking at how a road system developed linking several different major routes.

Ian Lockwood was born in Skipton and educated at Marist College, Hull, and the University of York.

Between 1993 and 2008, he was editor of the Craven Herald newspaper, fondly knows as the ‘Voice of the Dales’.

In his spare time, he likes to punish himself by watching BCAFC and being far too soft on his dog, Beagrie, named after Bradford City Football Club winger, Peter Beagrie.

The podcast can be downloaded on a mobile phone via Spotify or Stitcher or accessed via a computer at www.historyofskipton.co.uk

The website also includes a facility for sharing information, opinions or questions. Copies of the podcast will also be issued on Craven Cassette, the local talking newspaper for the blind.