The Gateway Walk

These pages were contributed my Malcolm Hanson, who runs the Skipton Experience guided walks

Part 1

Introduction

I have to admit to being something of a confirmed bachelor, but if my love affair with the little town of Skipton continues to grow at it's present rate, then it is likely I will end up marrying her! From its magnificent mediaeval castle - widely acknowledged to be one of the finest examples in the north of England - to the beautiful and enchanting church of The Holy Trinity; and from the attractive canal that in summertime chugs merrily along with gaily painted houseboats to the stately and expansive High Street thronging with market stalls four days a week (not forgetting that on the High Street, Otley Street and Mill Bridge are made the greatest pork pies in the world!) - Skipton offers something for everyone.

In the short time that 1 have lived here I have uncovered a history that I believe no other town of similar size in England can rival, and if that bold statement arises a certain amount of pessimism within you, then I can guarantee that by the time you have read this booklet all negative thoughts will have been banished from your mind forever. But this booklet contains only a fraction of the history of this quaint little 'barony - set like a jewel in the crown of Yorkshire', and if I am to do justice to my fair bride-to-be then it will take at least a half-dozen more before 1 can finally rest my pen and say "that's it -that's everything!'

But that is not everything, for Skipton has one further commodity that endears it to 'off cumd'ns' and that is its people. They are happy and warm-hearted and will cheerily greet strangers with a 'grand mornin' eh?' just call in at any shop or pub to see real service with a smile!) No doubt this experience will be new to many visitors, but although I crossed the great divide - from south to north - to take up the position of Skipton's first full-time Millennium Walk guide, it is not new to me. I am in fact a Yorkshireman born and bred. I'm not an 'off cumd'n'; I'm more a prodigal son - and a very grateful one at that!

So if you are visiting Skipton for an hour, or a day, or longer, make sure you return in the future, because, just like its people, 1 love making the re-acquaintance of old friends, and here in Skipton we are all old friends - and good friends.

Malcolm Hanson

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