Hi,

I am secretary of Skipton Royal British Legion Band, and we are looking to increase our membership.

The band was formed just a few years ago primarily to fulfil the ceremonial role on Remembrance Sunday but after initial hopes to create a band with full brass and woodwind sections proved to be unrealistic, we transformed the band into a corps of drums in the British military tradition. We play at ceremonial and re-enactment events, as far away as Ripon and Leeds. Consequently, other than good DRUMMERS we also are particularly looking for players of the BUGLE and MILITARY FLUTE.

I play clarinet and sax in various types of band and did have my reservations in the early days. After all, unless you have been in the military (I haven't) it does take self-belief to perform and march in your home-town, but the positive reception we always enjoy is such a fulfilling and motivational experience. Since we became firmly established as the leading drum corps in our Yorkshire/Lancashire area I have really enjoyed playing music on an instrument I taught myself for this band, the Bb military flute. Most people are familiar with the bugle, but the Bb military flute is also a traditional instrument, similar in fingering to the recorder or tin whistle, which enables the band to play popular tunes.

Some of our current members are experienced musicians, others took up the challenge anew. Some have served in the Armed Forces, many have not. This is an interesting and enjoyable way to improve our musicianship and our "ears" have improved considerably since joining this band!

Band membership is FREE, members are only required to become members of the Royal British Legion: £11.00 annually for adults but we have waived the charges for our junior members. Instruments/uniform can be provided, free of charge.

I hope you will pass this information on to as many people as you can by displaying the attached poster, as we are keen to develop the band musically. We are a friendly lot with experienced instructors available to teach drum, bugle and flute.

Please refer to the attached poster for details. Or visit www.skiptonlegion.co.uk

We look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards

The planning committee will meet at 6.30 p.m. on Tuesday 25 November at Aireville School, to decide on the Gargrave wind turbines. This is a public meeting and it is vital that anyone with any views on this project attend. Gargrave is outside the consultation zone so no one, apart from the Parish Council, will be informed. Please attend – this is our one and only chance to do anything. Any questions, please

The Sight Loss Information Service is to visit to Gargrave on Wednesday 10th December between 2pm & 4pm. This is a FREE service.

Action for Blind People's pioneering mobile Sight Loss Information Service packed with the latest aids, equipment and specialist advice for blind and partially sighted people will be visiting Grassington, Settle, Ingleton, Crosshills and Gargrave in December at the kind invitation of Skipton Libraries and North Yorkshire Council.

The mobile Sight Loss Information Service, run by national charity Action for Blind People, will open its doors to people interested in or affected by visual impairment. Staffed by a friendly and knowledgeable team, the mobile carries the latest technology and gadgets to improve daily life. From vibrating bank note detectors to talking microwaves and tin lids, staff on the unit offer impartial, practical advice and support.

Jean Slater from Action for Blind People's Sight Loss Information Service said, "Everybody is welcome to come along to visit us on the mobile. Whether you are visually impaired or know somebody who may be having problems with their sight, please pay us a visit and pick up information or ask us questions. Visitors can try out a wide range of daily living aids or the latest computer and magnification technology."

The Mobile Itinerary:

Tuesday 2nd December 2008		Yorkshire Dales National Park Car Park Hebden Road Grassington BD23 5DA Between 10 am and 4pm
Wednesday 3rd December 2008		Whitefriars Car Park Duke Street/Church Street Settle BD24 9JD Between 10am and 12 noon AND Ingleton Community Centre Car Park Main Street Ingleton LA6 3HG Between 2 pm and 4 pm
Wednesday 10th December 2008		Crosshills Library Car Park Main Street Crosshills Keighley BD20 8TQ Between 10 am and 12 noon  AND Gargrave Village Hall Car Park West Street Gargrave Skipton BD23 3RD Between 2 pm and 4 pm

If you are unable to visit the Sight Loss Information Service but have a query please ring Action for Blind People's National Freephone Helpline on 0800 915 4666 and they will be pleased to help.

If you take some time to read the Annual Parish Council Minutes you will find out that vandalism at the playground will cost the council a lot of money to fix.

The thing is, the money that the council pays out is the money you pay in local taxes so it's your money. It's your money that someone is kicking to bits in that playground.

It's OK though because the police are "dealing" with it. They get paid from your money too, albeit from a different budget.

Do you remember when we were kids? We sometimes knew people who knew things, but nobody asked us anything so we never said anything. We all knew that if we talked then nobody would believe us and we'd get the blame.

Hello

My name is Jennie Benyon and my mum lived in Gargrave until her death in December 2005.

Her name was Grace Fahey and she moved to Gargrave in the early nineties, shortly after my dad died.

I was very worried about her moving so far away (from Lincoln) but she seemed to fit in straight away and made so many friends.

She was made so welcome and had so many friends in Gargrave, where she spent the last years of her life.

She had so many friends that I could not name or contact (many were only first names) and so many people at her funeral that I didn't get the chance to talk to.

My brother was staying at mums until the sale of the flat went through (inFebruary) and didn't really want to leave because everyone was so kind to him and remembered my mum.

I would have liked to write to my mums friends but having no addresses I have not been able to.

I would like to send my regards , love and thanks, to all who knew my mum.

If you can give me any contact details for any of my mums friends in Gargrave I would really appreciate it.

Regards

Jennie Benyon

It may have been dull and rainy outside, but inside the Village Hall at Gargrave was a delight to the senses. The annual Art Exhibition was a most enjoyable and uplifting experience. To see such a high standard of art work produced by local artists was indeed inspiring. Over one thousand visitors during the four day event were delighted at the variety of paintings and sculpture as their comments of “remarkable, high standard, talented and excellent” in the visitors’ book show. The wonderful flower arrangements by Jean Banks complimented the art displays and delicious cakes and coffee were served by Gargrave W.I.

Visitors were asked to vote for their favourite picture. Judith Todd claimed the most votes with her painting of “Scalebor Force, Settle”. The winner of the raffle (the prize was a painting of Gargrave Church by Barbara Spencer) was Peter Heslop.

Children and adults were treated to an escape from the rain outside by being immersed in art for two hours on Saturday morning when Jo Ball organised an art workshop. All who participated had great fun. Many people appreciated the excellent display of work put on by the school children of Gargrave.

The exhibition was most successful and we look forward to this being repeated again at the beginning of July next year.

This play, originating from an old traditional play was first produced in the village in 1949 and has been presented most years since then by the Religious Drama Society. People of all ages (4 to 80+) from all Churches in the village take part. The costumes and props are quite beautiful and special lighting is used. The story of the Nativity is related, by a narrator, from the prophecy of Isaiah to the arrival of the Kings and mimed by the actors. A choir, the organ, and handbells accompany the whole action.
The best thing about the play is the atmosphere of reverence and worship engendered. Many families have played the same roles almost since its inception and have handed the tradition down from one generation to another, and, as well as main actors, we have whole families who go down the centre aisle of the church to worship at the stable. Christmas in Gargrave would not feel the same without this tradition.
In 2006, the play will be presented at 6.30 pm at St. Andrew's Church on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th December. There is no charge for entry, but a collection will be taken.

Hard to imagine that Fiery Fred was a vice-president of the Sporting Alfas Cricket Club located on the Spanish Costa Brava. Following Fred's recent untimely death earlier this year, members of the club decided to show their appreciation of the cricketing legend by presenting a bench in his memory to Gargrave Cricket Club.
It was donated by Mr Gordon Leach - whose grandfather was the g reat Walter Hammond - who wanted to express the clubs thanks for Mr Truemans help.
At the last game of the season, the Chairmans X1 v the Presidents X1, the bench was presented to the Gargrave Club by Mr Truemans widow, Veronica, watched by, Sheena, her daughter, Mr Truemans cousin, Alan, and members of Gargrave Cricket Club.
Mrs Trueman also presented the club with a signed action photograph of her husband so that visitors could remember one of cricket's greatest-ever fast bowlers.

A brand new stone circular walled garden with wooden seating was unveiled in front of the Co-op on the High Street last Wednesday evening.
Designed by Chris Myers, it was built using prize money from last years BBC Gardeners World Competition where the Germination Group won a gold medal for their Canal and Lock entry, also designed by Chris.
It will certainly brighten up the High Street and the drab forecourt.

Local rail users face severe disruption due to essential track replacement and other engineering work between Skipton and Hellifield and beyond. Buses will replace trains on the following Sundays.
"8th& 15th October.
12th, 19th and 26th November
Also buses on Saturdays 25th November and 2nd December.
Also all week over the Christmas and New Year week.
See the notice board in the square and at the station.

Bernadette Atkinson's very last show "Fashion Finale"in aid of the NSPCC at Gargrave"s Village Hall over the weekend of September was a huge success making in excess of £3000.
Now she can sit back and rest on her laurels knowing that she has brought a large slice of history into our everyday humdrum lives.
Feet up Bernadette, you have deserved it.

The New Eshton Association" have produced an all purpose high quality card greetings, blank inside, 21cm by 15 cm showing an old print of Eshton Hall, Gargrave,  from a series of "Picturesque views of seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen", first published in 1880. This is to to commemorate Eshton Hall as a School (1946 - 1966).
These are for sale at 10 for £8 and and proceeds from the sale will go to the "New Eshton Association" recently formed by several "Old Boys" of the school.
Anyone interested in purchasing these should get in touch with us in the first instance and we will put you in touch with the right people.

One cannot fail to notice the sight of large yellow pipes snaking across the countryside and across the local roads around the village.
National Grid are laying a high pressure gas pipeline between Harrogate and Nether Kellet, near Carnforth, 94 kilometres in all, which will be capable of carrying 20% of the UK's energy requirement.
The pipeline locally is fast approaching Thorlby and will tunnel under the A65 and the canal before heading for Broughton, crossing the railway and the River Aire, before re-appearing on the road halfway between Broughton and Gargrave. It re-appears crossing the back road between Banknewton and the Hellifield-Gisburn road before snaking across the skyline near Rathmell and beyond to Ingleton.
Costing £110 million the work is scheduled for completion in October 2006.

Bernadette Atkinson is to stage a "Fashion Finale" in the village hall over the weekend of September of September 8 & 9.
Bernadette has been showing off her massive collection of over a thousand period costumes and accessories for over thirty years but has finally decided to retire from the limelight.
The show in aid of funds for one of her favourite charities, the NSPCC, will be open between 10.30a.m. and 4.30p.m. each day, will include a personal talk at around 11.30a.m. and 2.30p.m., admission will be £3.
It has been a life-long labour of love, but the sheer hard work involved in showing the collection to the public has finally taken its toll. No one can begrudge Bernadette the chance to put her feet up and enjoy a well earned rest. We have been privileged to have seen and heard her expertise and enjoyed the nostalgia of a lost period of our history.
Well done Bernadette, enjoy the rest whilst still being able to enjoy the hobby.

After many months disruption to traffic, the new railings are now in place. We like the new look but a letter in the Craven Herald bemoans the passing of the old stone pillars and suggesting that one hundred years of history have been lost.
Whilst agreeing that the old and picturesque railings have gone, anyone who had the courage to walk the footpath alongside the busy main road would tell you that it was the most dangerous walk in the village. Years of road surfacing had left the railings a good foot lower than they were originally and with heavy lorries brushing your clothing as you walked the narrow footpath there was nothing to hang on to. The fact that only one person was known to have fallen into the river over the years is down to sheer good luck rather than management.
Interesting to see that the railings alongside the cenotaph, destroyed by a parcels van in icy weather, have still not been repaired. Unbelievably the individual stone pillars cost in the region of £400 each. They however will be restored to their original condition.

Wet and windy weather deterred many from attending the103rd Gargrave Show, receipts being down by around a third.
Despite that visitors were treated to quality show and President Bill Townson was still smiling at the end of the day.
Several villagers took the limelight, including nine year old Bethany Young for the best flower arrangement. Start them young!
Sharon Pompey carried off the trophy for most points in baking, whilst Veronica Sharp, a previous President, took the Cockshott Cup for the most produce points.
Naomi Jackson, Veronica's granddaughter took the trophy for most points in her baking section too.
As to the fell races, it was heavy going, but nevertheless exiting. The Senior race attracted 55 runners despite the clash with Burnsall Sports. It was won in fine style by local lad from Coniston, Harry Coates, with a time of 23 minutes 21 seconds, just outside the record. A great performance from the eighteen year old.
More local interest centred on the rivalry of Nick Sands and his Hollywood star brother Julian Sands, Nick winning by a few yards.
Vintage cars, Mike Siddon and his gun dogs, and the Silsden All Star Majorettes added to the days entertainment.
Lets hope that the weather is much kinder next year.

The annual six-a-side competition raised over £300 for club funds. A heavy thunderstorm brought the days entertainment to a close. A "bowl out" replaced the final game and Malham emerged as worthy winners.

Well the Legion came and went in style. The reaction from villagers appears to be mixed but overall it brought in the crowds and the weather was perfect. Many villagers joined in the spirit of the visit and dressed up for the occasion, the school children's display of mosaics was superb, the best one, by Richard Spensley being awarded a £25 prize. Add the Duck Race on the Sunday afternoon and it all added up to a great, and different, weekend. Thanks must go to theParish Council and all their helpers for organising the occasion.

A routine water meter check caused serious concern when a major leak was found in the pavilions water supply.
The Water Boards Investigations Unit revealed a massive leak underneath the concrete floor of the pavilion. Robert Lowther was called in and a new pipeline between road and pavilion has been re-laid and the underfloor burst has been bypassed, all in record time, but at a cost in excess of of £2700.
The Water Boards normal quarterly account came to £4946 which would have really upset the Footrball and Cricket clubs finances, but the Board proved they had a heart of gold when they only charged £61 for the quarter.
To offset the expense, the parent body of the clubs, The Gargrave Sports Association, a registered charity, is applying for grants to Craven District Council, the Craven Trust, and to Gargrave Parish Council, although a considerable amount of time may elapse before we know the outcome.
The burst could not have come at a worse time, just as the Association was in he process of re-placing the clock and the clock tower after serious vandalisim had taken place This is expected to cost in the region of £600 when completed. So all in all a costly few weeks but the clubs will survive.

A spokesman for the firm said the decision was regrettable but necessary, they had to maintain its position at the forefront of technology.
They employ about 650 people and although this is a setback, the firm is still committed to th village.

The trophy was set up by the Craven Herald to encourage teams to show more respect to the "men in black".
Referees voted for the team which had treated them the best over the course of the season, and not only did the 1st team come top out of the fifty teams involved, but the Reserve team came 3rd, quite an achievement and all credit to players and committee.
The trophy, and a cheque for £200,  was accepted on the clubs behalf by chairman John Thompson.
He thanked the Craven Herald and the referees for the award, the cub was honoured to receive the trophy and added that referees were welcome at the club whatever the outcome of the games.

A public enquiry into the 1993 proposals to bypass Gargrave, Coniston, Hellifield and Long Preston was told that the Secretary of State had no longer any intention of building these, and that the A65 was not regarded as strategically important. It was no longer regarded as a trunk road. It would be de-trunked and passed over to North Yorkshire County Council.

Needless to say all Parish Councils and North Yorkshire did not agree.

The Inspector, Dr Martyn Heyes, would submit his findings to the Secretary of State and a decision would be made within eight weeks.

Gargrave skier, Christopher Beck, got into the spirit of the Winter Olympics when he, and fellow skier Edward Freeman, helped to launch "Win Gold" the new winter-sports themed national Lottery Scratchcard.. Money raised will go towards the 2012 Olympic Games and the Paraplegic games.

Chris Beck and Edward Freeman are members of the Yorkshire Ski Club and train at "Escape", the indoor ski centre near Castleford.

The club intend to run a six-a-side cricket competition on July 2, 2006. They are looking for eight teams from any group in the village to take part; all teams will be guaranteed at least two games, all for a modest entrance fee.

Contact Chris Smith on 07917 616408 or Martin Thompson on01756 748309.

Plans are firming up for the weekend of July 15 and 16th. The Parish Council are asking that anyone interested should attend a meeting in the Village Hall on 13th of March at 7.30pm

An added attraction on the Sunday will be the annual Duck Race.

A Oxforshire based firm, AEA Technology, were fined £250,000 when it was revealed that a lorry transporting radio-active waste in March 2002 from Cookridge Hospital, Leeds, to Sellafield in Cumbria had leaked radiation along the route, presumably through the villages along the A65.

A shield plug was left off the container, luckily on the underside, so that the leaking radiation was directed vertically into the ground otherwise the result could have been catastrophic for every one along the route.

Why has it taken so long to come to light ?

Annual Meeting of the Gargrave Village Hall was held last Wedneday November 16.
Good attendance of members. President Mrs Veronica Fletcher chaired the meeting and thanked all for their efforts. Frank Laver was re-elected aChairman and Tony Cockshott carries on as Secretary.
Newcomer Ian Cresswell has taken over the treasurers position following the retirement of Colin Mason.
Committee were re-elected with the addition of a new face, that of Mr Lawrence.
The retiring treasurer Colin Mason, praised all members for their magnificent achievement in turning round a deficit of £6093 into a surplus of £6586.
Mrs Fletcher also made presentations to Colin Mason for a job well done and to Lucy Taylforth for twenty years loyal service to management and the ladies section.

Gargrave Show will this year include all your favourite events, plus there will be a chance to catch up with old friends and see if your skill matches that of the judges.
This year there will be a display by
The Melton Mowbray Toy Sodiers Marching Display Band
(it's not that easy to say or type)
plus A Birds of Prey display by "Gauntlet".

A public enquiry is to be held into plans to shelve the Gargrave, Hellifield and Long Preston bypasses. The Highways Agency proposes to scrap the original plans and remove "uncertainty" faced by our local communities.
  The A65  was not regarded as a strategically important road so the decision has been taken to de-trunk the road and hand the responsibility for its future to North Yorkshire County Council.
  Try telling that to the locals who face continual heavy traffic day in day out along the High Street heading for the M6 at Kirkby Lonsdale. If the Government give in to the road lobby and allow 60 tonne lorries on our roads then we expect the problem to get worse.
  On the other hand we can see what happened when Addingham and Burley-in-Wharfedale got their bypasses. An explosion of new house building right up the bypass followed, something that we would not like to see in Gargrave.

The Craven Herald reports that three naked ramblers were arrested walking around Gargrave this week, one has  appeared before Skipton magistrates. He appeared fully clothed in court but was soon heading down the High Street wearing just his walking boots.
They had apparently walked through the village and called at the Co-op. They are in the middle of a 874 mile walk from Lands End to John O'Groats and appear to have appointments with magistrates all over the country following their escapades.
I am sure none of our locals complained.

Gargrave Football Club held their Annual General Meeting on Tuesday June 28 at the Swan Inn, Gargrave. 
 The Chairman, John Thompson, said the club had had another excellent season, after both teams having been promoted to higher divisions after last years performance.
The first team in their first season in the Premier Division had led the table for a long time but faded a little towards the end of the season, finishing a very creditable fourth in the table.
The Reserves, promoted to Division 2, had done equally as well as their peers, finishing third against some pretty stiff opposition.
Credit was paid to John himself as Manager, and David Jameson as Trainer/Coach of the 1st team,  and to Craig Pitts and Dan Thompson of the Reserves for all their time and effort over the last year. The players had done the club proud. Two serious injuries marred the season but happily both are back on their feet and hopefully will be back on the field next season.
The secretary, Caroline Thompson has scooped the Craven League award for Administration and has put in much time and effort to ensure the smooth running of the clubs affairs.
Thanks were also expressed to the two valiant "shirt washers" , Caroline Thompson and Annette Campbell.
As previously mentioned, the Treasurer, Dennis French had received the Football Association long service award for over 50 years service to the club.
The Treasurer reported a profit on the season despite large expenses. He thanked our sponsors for their continued support. Other major sources of income were the weekly players subs, , Caravan Rallys, Tea sales, Xmas Draw, Gargrave Show and sub letting of the ground to Embsay Wolves on a Sunday. All in all an excellent season.
The following were re-elected:

President	Paul Watson
Chairman	John Tompson
Secretary	Caroline Thompson
Treasurer	Dennis French
1st team Manager	John Thompson
1st team coach	David Jameson
Reserve team Manager	Craig Pitts

The Romans are coming (May 05)
Legio Secvnda Avgvsta, the Roman Living History Society, have been provisionally booked to appear in the village on July 15th and 16th, 2006.
The event was suggested by Andy Wood, Vice Chairman of the Parish Council to mark the Roman history of the village.
A large area below the village housed a massive Roman Villa, sadly nothing can be seen above ground now, but an excellent model can be seen in the Skipton Museum housed in the Town Hall. Councillor Wood is hoping that interested parties in the village such as the Civic Society, will attend a meeting on July 13 at 7pm in the Village Hall.

Long Service to Local Football (April 05)

Dennis French received an award from the Football Association to celebrate over 50 years service to local football with Gargrave F.C. It was presented by Matt Lord and Chairman John Cox of tha Craven F.A, at an informal meeting of Craven F.A. members and club officials last Tuesday during the Craven Cup semi-final at Gargrave. He began his association with the Gargrave Club in 1946 when local soccer resumed after the war, so next season all being well he will clock up sixty years.

Eshton Hall Development (April 05)
The first homes in the redevelopment of Eshton Hall, the seat of the Wilson family for many years, have been released for sale. The grade 11* listed building is being transformed into 13 luxury appartments and 5 cottages by Burley Developments in conjunction with English Heritage and the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

So Much for Satellite Navigation (April 05)
A Belgian lorry driver on his way to Dumfries found out the hard way when having passed the "Road Closed" signs at Skipton had a moment of panic on approaching Gargrave. Work on a railway bridge at Hellifielf had closed the A65 but it could be bypassed in Hellifield itself if he had carried on driving. Not knowing this however he switched on his satellite navigation system which directed him up Mark House Lane, a green lane to Bell Busk. Needless to say after half a mile the articulated lorry got stuck as the tarmac petered out. Local farmers John Thompson and Martin Beckwith tried to help but the lorry was well and truly stuck. They had to enlist specialist help from Skipton before they could free the lorry and set him on his way.
His wife suggested he gave uyp lorry driving and run a taxi.

Gargrave Bypass (April 05)
The Gargrave, Coniston, Hellifield and Long Preston bypasses appear to have been shelved for good. All the work involved in planning and the money spent has been to no avail. Put on hold when the government came to power in 1997 it has decided that it is no longer required. Objections can still be made and surely will be, but there appears to be little hope.
Good thing or a bad thing, we will never know.

The Gargrave Gavotte (December 04)
Sounds like dance, and so it is. Congratulations to Ann Brown and Pat Addison who together organise the Old Tyme Modern Sequence classes at the Village Hall on a Monday evening., have won a shield for their "Gargrave Gavotte" at the Inventive Dance competition held in Slough. This means that the name of our village could be famous throughout the land as dancers all over the country try out the new dance. Well done ! And whilst we are at it , it would be nice to see a few more new faces on a Monday evening.

Village Hall Annual General Meeting (December 04)
After last years record income and expenditure we were looking for a year of quiet consolidation. However things never go according to plan with the result that we have had to dig into the reserves once again. That said our retiring treasurer has got over his mid term crisis and has presented us with a set of accounts which, if nothing else, has set us well on the way to recovery. With income of £39,055, expenditure at £32,814 we then spent £12, 334 on alterations and additions leaving a decrease in reserves of £6,093. Our chairman Mr John Wood has stood down due to health reasons but will continue on the committee. Mr Frank Laver has volunteered to be chairman and comes with impeccable qualifications having chaired Craven Lions and more recently the Library Group. Mr Colin Mason, our retiring treasurer, has put the finances on a professional basis and will be an hard act to follow. His successor Alan Muhleman will take over as soon as possible having been treasurer of the Library group previously. Tony Cockshott continues as Secretary/Caretaker and is as hard and dependable worker. All in all another good year, the committee have been as hard working as ever, the Ladies Section have surpassed themselves with record income, and everyone has pulled their weight . Our only problem is a failure, apart from the Snooker Section, to attract the younger end.

The Gargrave Germination Group (December 04)
Having won the BBC's "Garden of the Year" at the NEC in Birmingham this summer, Martin Harrison, on their behalf, asked if the Rose Bowl and medal they won could be permanently exhibited in the village hall. Village Hall management agreed and a cabinet has been made by Mr Raymond Payne to house the trophy and will be unveiled at the Christmas Extravaganza to be held in the village hall on Saturday December 11 at 9.45a.m.

Kirk Syke Barn (December 04)
Whilst chipping off the rendering on the walls of the flats next to Kirk Syke on the High Street, an old barn archway was uncovered. Checking back to the Tithe map of 1841, Kirk Syke (since re-built) not only had a large barn attached to the house but also owned the meadow at the rear which stretched right round behind the adjacent houses to include the later High Street Garage site. It was occupied by Mr Anderton who later re-built St Andrews church in 1852. Kirk Syke itself has obviously been re-built since 1841, probably around the turn of the century. In its grounds, where the present new bungalow now stands, was the site of Arthur Hulls bus garage which burnt down c 1930. Arthur Hull began the first bus service between the village and Skipton long before Pennine Motors began operations in 1925.

Torrential Rain (Aug 9 -10. 2004)
Torrential rain (the tail end of Hurricane Alex) over a thirty hour period has produced 96mm (nearly 4 inches to us oldies) of rain causing local flooding. Despite the downpour, which many will attribute to global warming , the flood level on the River Aire measured on my garden shed was 660mm (sorry 26 inches) lower than the record flood of 27 October 1998. Figures quoted by Look Norths weather man Paul Hudson. Still spectacular.

High Street Garage building site update. (July 04)
This site being developed by Proctor Homes of Crosshills is well on the way to fruition, and houses are now being offered to prospective buyers. One condition of the original planning approval was that the site should be archaeolically surveyed prior to the commencement of building. A year later West Yorkshire Archaeology Service have published the results of their survey. A total of six skeletons were discovered between July and September 2003. Carbon dating suggests that the remains are between 340BC to 100 AD which is late Iron Age to Early Roman. The type of burial in some of the graves is previously unknown in Britain. Ages range from 9 years to 36 and all appear to died fron natural causes. The cost to Proctor Homes of this investigation is approximately £30,000 and delayed initial building by several months. In complete contrast the old Pennine Garage site being developed by Arncliffe Homes only revealed the position of one post hole. Over the years various excavations in the village, mainly in the Church Lane area have produced a series of skeletons attributed to the Scottish raiders and the Civil War, but nothing can compare to the rarity of the High Street site.

Skate Park Location. (July 04)
Youngsters in the village campaigning for a skate park ae being offered a site on the Middle Green near the stepping stones by the Parish Council. Needless to say this decision is causing quite a bit of controversy within the village.

Gargrave expands ..... (18/05/03)
The village appears to be awash with new buildings wherever you look. From our point of view it is either conversion or infilling so our precious green land is safe for the time being. Thank goodness we do not yet have a bypass or we could suffer the same fate as Addingham. Sadly we have lost our garage on the High Street and will miss Barry and Stuarts friendly approach to all our motoring needs. As for Pennine, they needed more room and they found it in Skipton, so we will miss Normans comments on the world and wish them well in their new home. Founded in 1925 by the Simpson brothers and Jim Windle, they are one of the few independent operators still in existence.
Eshton hall:
Currently hidden in scaffolding the hall is being converted by the Dare Group into eighteen luxury apartments. Following the closure of the nursing home last year we visited the hall just before the builders moved in. How sad that one of the finest halls in the country, the former seat of the Wilson family, with a magnificent library and staircase should have been allowed to fall into such a state of neglect. Let us hope that the new project restores some of its former glory.
Gargrave House and Gargrave Park:
Also the subject of conversion again following the closure of the nursing home. Proposals are a bit sketchy but the Parish Council understands that the proposal is to convert the premises into thirty two luxury apartments. Concern is being expressed over the increase in traffic on the narrow Mark House Lane.
High Street Garage Site:
Proctor Homes of Crosshills are well down the line with the construction of eight new houses and one cottage conversion on the site of the old High Street Garage. They have also purchased the recently closed Chapel building and playground for further development.
Pennine Garage site:
Development is by Arncliffe Homes Ltd under the title of Grouse Manor. Where the Manor comes in no one knows but the site was the former Grouse Croft. The plan envisage twelve new "cottages" and the conversion of the Pennine Office, fronting on to the High Street, into two houses.

They won a Gold Medal
Congratulations to all involved.