Skipton's links to the last Plantagenet King of England

As a Skiptonian proud of my town’s history, especially with regard to the noble bloodline of Clifford, Lords of Skipton for many centuries, I noticed that the Rev John Ward, the author of the book, states that around the year 1476 the future King Richard III, then Duke of Gloucester, became Lord of Skipton.

Although it is believed that he never actually took up residence in Skipton Castle, he is said to have visited Skipton on numerous occasions, until being crowned king in1483 and other, more pressing and time-consuming matters demanded his attention, still maintaining his Lordship of Skipton until the treachery of Sir William Stanley at Bosworth ended his life.

The Shepherd Lord, Henry Clifford, son of John Clifford, the ninth Lord of Skipton who was killed at the battle of Towton in 1461, is reputed to have become the tenth Lord of Skipton following the death of King Richard at the battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, and being granted the return of his castle and lands by the victorious King Henry VII, the first of the Tudor kings and queens.

However, by this reckoning the Shepherd Lord Henry should have been the 11th lord and not the tenth. John’s son, Henry, was the tenth baron of the House of Clifford but apparently not the tenth Lord of Skipton; surely King Richard III was the tenth Lord of Skipton.

In view of the current scrutiny of the life and reign of this much-maligned monarch, the second and last warrior (and Yorkist) King of England to die in battle, I believe this may be of interest to local historians who appreciate the truth about our town’s glorious past.

Donald Cooper Albert Square Skipton ‘Gone downhill’ Sir - I moved back to the UK in June 2014 after living in Canada for lots of years and coming to visit frequently.

I could not believe how Skipton has gone downhill.

The streets are dirty, stores seem to be closing at a rapid rate, the bus station was filthy and even the market stalls are dwindling. The only places that seem to be opening are coffee shops, charity stores and betting shops, far too many, and hardly a tourist attraction.

For the ludicrous price of housing in Skipton,the town should be sparkling clean and vibrant, instead of looking drab and on its last legs.

Skipton was classed as the best place to live once - it would have a hard time achieving that spot now.

Sheila M Krebs Meadow Rise Greenacres Skipton Thanks for help Sir - Can I through the Craven Herald, say a big thank-you to all the people who helped my dad, Terry Brown, who collapsed with a heart attack whilst on his bike near Overdale Park in Skipton, on Friday, March 27, at about midday.

Special thanks to the gentleman who called the ambulance, and the other gentleman who took his bike home.

We are pleased to say that he is making good progress so far. He was taken to the LGI by air ambulance, the first time he has ever flown, at the grand age of 81.

Alison Teale The Crescent Overdale Park Skipton Boxing clever?

Sir - It was good news to read that the Craven Connection service to Skipton is being augmented, though it is difficult to see how Kirkby Lonsdale buses will succeed where Pennine failed.

I have written to the firm asking if they had considered putting secure collection boxes on their coaches so that card-holding passengers could make a donation, if they wished, of perhaps £1 per journey, in order to assist in maintaining the service which is important to so many people.

It will be interesting to see how your readers respond to this idea.

Raymond Payne Marton Close Gargrave Why the ‘secrecy’?

Sir - Your ‘letter page’ columns have regularly featured valid complaints from residents living the the Lambert Hills development, on the site of the former council offices, about the many problems caused by Lovell’s Ltd.

Yet, our elected representatives continue to ignore the views of their electorate, particularly those living in Skipton, and are pushing ahead with another alliance with that company and after a ‘deal’ in secret session.

What has happened to open and accountable local government, an organisation funded by their ratepayers and other taxpayers? If this is perceived to be such a ‘good deal’ why the secrecy? What is it that our councillors do not wish us to know? Is it too much to ask for open discussion and explanation of the so-called benefits to Skipton ratepayers?

Even now the Lambert Hills site is absolutely chaotic and whatever promises have been made by the regional directors they do not appear to be communicated down to the site operatives.

As a retired architect I spent many years dealing with building contractors both large and small entailing a wide variety of site supervision, and I can honestly say that I never encountered such a disorganised site as this appears to be, or such complete disregard for the effect on those living in close proximity to this development.

We are all still experiencing noise, dust and considerable disruption from this operation.

Graham Threadgold Hall Croft Skipton Shared concern Sir - Further to concerns recently expressed by S Smith and S Hartley (Letters, March 26), we would like to add that we too are extremely concerned with the same issues expressed.

Additionally, we have lost count of the number of heavy construction vehicles exceeding the 30mph speed limit on Moorview Way en route to Elsey Croft and feel there is a serious accident waiting to happen.

Also, please can any ‘expert’ advise if it is to be expected for a home situated at least 250 feet from the building site to experience extreme vibration from site activities?

M Mulheron Moorview Way Skipton The Israeli dilemma Sir - With reference to the letter on Israel/Palestine, the people of Israel voted for Netanyahu because they know they can trust him to keep the country relatively safe in the face of aggression and deceit. Israel is the only democracy in the area and has a wide spectrum of people of differing views, including around 20 per cent Arab.

Israel is surrounded by Islamic extremism, which makes no secret of its intention to annihilate Israel. No two-state solution for them.

This has been proven time and again over the last 60 years as the surrounding nations have tried to destroy Israel. Indeed, we in Britain had best watch out as the same brand of fanaticism has not shied from declaring its intention of turning our country into an Islamic caliphate.

As regards Gaza; a few years ago the Israelis gave the Gaza strip to the Arabs in a ‘land for peace’ deal and forcibly removed all the Israeli settlers. Hamas soon took control and used Gaza as a base for terrorism, firing thousands of rockets into Israel and excavating murder tunnels.

What is needed is a change of heart. As Golda Meir said: “If the Palestinians only loved their children more than they hate us (the Jews) then we may begin to see peace.”

Glyn Edwards Haw Grove Hellifield Middle East issues Sir - To give the Palestinians their own state on Israeli land would surely be like the British government giving the IRA half of London as their capital and the rest of the south of England as their state at the height of their bombing campaign.

You cannot invite terrorists into your midst, and as for boycotting goods that come from Israel, the people you hurt most are the Palestinians who are employed by the factories and the farmers in Israel and paid a lot more than the Palestinian factories would pay them.

If we are going to boycott Israel remember this; most of the electronic devices that we take for granted such as mobile phones and medical equipment used in our hospitals were invented in Israel.

Israel is the only democracy in the whole of that region and the Palestinians who live in Israel are given the right to vote in all elections. There are also Palestinian Arabs in the Israeli parliament.

The young people that Annie Neligan talks about have been caught throwing rocks at cars with an Israeli number plate; one such rock went through a car window and a baby was killed.

Look at the history of the land and you will find the land was given to Israel by a British mandate and after being given to them a later British government went back on their word and cut the land to the 1967 lines to appease the Arabs because oil was found in large quantities.

Peter Eaves Russell Street Skipton A wizard production Sir - Could I, through your newspaper, pass on mine and I suspect many other people’s thanks to those involved in this week’s Wizard of Oz production by the Settle Amateur Operatic Society Junior Theatre Group.

The young people of the area (some as young as seven) were fantastic and clearly enjoyed every moment, as did the enthralled sell-out audience.

The efforts, commitment, dedication and I suspect a great deal of patience by all the adults involved in making this ‘a production to remember’ are much appreciated by many. Under the stewardship of the excellent Pat Harding and Pam Whitehead the Junior Theatre Group goes from strength to strength.

Mention should also be made to the staff at the superb Victoria Hall, Settle, and the excellent orchestra who contributed to a fantastic experience.

Everyone involved take a well-deserved bow.

Tim Cannon Sandholme Close Giggleswick An enjoyable evening Sir - On Friday, March 27, my husband and I visited the Victoria Hall at Settle to see the Wizard of Oz by the Settle Amateur Operatic Society, Junior Theatre Group.

We would like to congratulate the cast, the producer Pat Harding and everyone involved in this production. The performance was professionally presented by all, it was colourful, funny.

My husband and I would like to congratulate them on their performance and thank you all for a very enjoyable evening.

Lesley Howarth Demesne Close Ingleton Dog days ending?

Sir - May I appeal, through your letters page, to the person who persistently allows their dog (a very large dog at that) to foul on our drive and garden to stop? Not only is it antisocial it is against the law.

Despite putting a very nice notice on the garden wall asking them to stop they are still doing it. I was a dog owner for many years and the answer is simple, cheap and effective, go to Poundland/Tesco/Savers or a similar shop and buy nappy sacks which are readily available, pick it up and take it home or put it in a bin.

We are installing CCTV so watch out, your days are numbered.

Maureen Wharton Rectory Lane Skipton ‘A sad state of affairs’ Sir - I was very concerned to read the report on “Bradford councillor hopes to serve on Craven District Council” in the forthcoming local elections.

According to this report the Craven Conservative branch approached Bradford councillor Andrew Mallinson to stand for election and as such must think that Cross Hills and Glusburn’s residents are best served by them ‘parachuting in’ a Conservative candidate from outside Craven District. Not only this, but a candidate who is already a councillor on a large metropolitan authority who will have considerable commitments with Bradford Council. Besides this and attending parish council meetings, he will also represent the residents of Addingham, Silsden, Steeton and Eastburn.

On top of this, he is also according to the report the clerk of Cowling and Lothersdale parish councils and says he will carry on with these roles if elected.

As a local councillor of over 25 years experience I’m fully aware of the time commitments and importance of representing local people in the community you serve.

It therefore begs the question how on earth could this existing Bradford councillor, if elected to Craven have the time and also what priority would he be able to give to the 3,000 electors of Cross Hills and Glusburn compared to the 13,000 electors of Addingham, Silsden, Steeton and Eastburn?

With regards to conflicts of interest, it stands to reason that with his other existing positions these would arise although according to your report he thinks otherwise.

It’s a sad state of affairs for local democracy when the Craven Conservative branch have taken the decision to select their candidate for Cross Hills and Glusburn from outside Craven district.

North Yorkshire County Cllr Philip Barrett (Independent) South Craven Division Beanlands Drive Glusburn Foreign aid ‘madness’ Sir - Most sensible people would agree, that it would be absolute lunacy for a business to pledge to give a percentage of their revenues if their company was in dire financial straits, yet that is exactly what this government has done.

The coalition which has failed spectacularly to get the budget deficit under control has pledged to give seven per cent of GNI revenue (Gross national income), which currently equates to £12 billion per annum, to overseas aid programmes, whilst millions in the UK struggle with the rising costs of survival.

We have too many dependent UK residents using food banks to feed their families, elderly people receiving as little as 15 minutes a day in home care and an increasing homeless population. Foreign aid must be curtailed accordingly.

The UK is presently borrowing money to send to countries with space programmes, aid programmes of their own (and even surplus cash in their own banks) whilst we cut UK services to the old, the infirm and the needy.

It is utterly disgraceful that people who have fought and worked for this country go without, while billions of pounds go in overseas aid and much of it to unknown recipients.

UKIP will reduce the foreign aid budget by a minimum of £9 billion per annum. “UKIP believes it is time to reduce the international aid budget to a level which is affordable today and sustainable tomorrow.” This madness has to stop.

The £1 billion the UK Government spends in overseas payments every month equates to almost all the tax revenues generated from inheritance tax, petrol revenue tax, insurance premium tax and air passenger duty combined.

It is high time that Britain ceased this ridiculous policy and finally brought in some common sense Alan Henderson PPC UIKP Skipton & Ripon Chairman UKIP Harrogate & Knaresborough Bishop Thornton Harrogate ‘What recovery?’ Sir - Two letters to your paper last week drew attention to the difficulties facing Skipton High Street. Mrs Widdop and Mair Forder noted the demise of many shops and the effect this is having on the whole feel of the place. In the same week the current Tory/Lib Dem government congratulated itself on ‘the recovery’. What ‘recovery’?

Under the current government, Skipton has suffered. Many local people no longer have spare money to spend on the High Street. Thirty-one per cent of employees in the Skipton & Ripon constituency earn less than the Living Wage.

Low pay and poverty are the unseen reality which is stifling the area and holding people back. If more money got through to working people then the High Street shops and their employees would have a much better chance.

A fairer deal is possible. Voting Labour will not only help deliver a fairer Britain; it will also mean a better chance for our local economy.

Malcolm Birks Labour candidate for Skipton & Ripon Old Mill Drive Colne State of the nation Sir - It is the indefensible refuge of those on the political right to claim that statistics are inherently ambiguous, as Richard Colley does regarding the state of the economy (March 26). Extolling a rosy picture, Mr Colley demands we let ‘the facts speak for themselves’, though he offers neither facts nor examples of slippery statistics.

Let’s look at a few facts and, yes, statistics issued by the Government in the State of the Nation 2014 report by the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission.

I quote: “One in five children still live in absolute poverty.” The Government goes on to admit: “2010-2020 is set to be the first decade with a rise in absolute poverty since records began in the early 1960s.” In addition: “Five million Britons are stuck in low pay” (less than £7.50/hour) and there has been a “£40/week fall in average weekly earning since April 2009.”

There is more but this should be shameful enough for an economy supposedly “in its best position for years” as Mr Colley blusters.

And then what sort of economy do we want? For whom and for what purposes? To be sure the economy is working very well for some: the UK’s richest 1,000 individuals saw their wealth increase by £138 billion between 2009-13. On the other hand half a million now rely on food handouts.

If the economy is doing so well then surely all the public-sector jobs that were slashed can be reinstituted; all the axed libraries can be reopened; zero-hour service jobs can be replaced by jobs with security, benefits and a pension; and the privatisation of the NHS and higher education can be reversed. The facts are that an elite are making a killing in this austerity economy while the rest are increasingly insecure and impoverished.

Bruce McLeod Otterburn