Skipton Civic Society

02/11/2026

‼️UPDATE‼️
In a change to our programme our next talk will be.....

'Bridges of Upper Wharfedale' by Chris Lunnon

DATE - 4th November at 7.30pm
VENUE - The Craven Arts House, 55 Otley Street, Skipton, BD23 1ET. Car parking is available at the rear of Centre.

All welcome Skipton Civic Society entry £3 and non-members £5. We always welcome new members! Ask any member of the committee for further details!

https://www.welcometoskipton.com/skipton-civic-society
https://www.facebook.com/SkiptonCivicSociety/

06/10/2026

‼️TONIGHT‼️
Our first speaker programme at Craven Arts House on Otley Street at 7.30pm. Carparking available at the rear of the building.

All welcome… entry Skipton Civic Society members £3 and non-members £5. We always welcome new members! Ask any member of the committee for further details!

There will be short presentations on last year and future plans.....

🔘Jean Robinson - The Raikes Burial Ground Friends of Raikes Road Burial Ground Skipton ‼️UPDATE‼️

🔘Steve Wilton - 'The Hard Times Walk'.

🔘Susan Wrathmell and Jacqueline Trowers on working with Skipton BID to revise our 'Ginnels and Yards' leaflet.

🍀🍀There will be raffle for prizes donated by members of the committee so remember to bring some change!!!🤞🤞

Our November meeting will be on 4th November when Louise Close will explain 'The Work of Skipton Town Council's Chief Officer’.

01/10/2026

‼️UPDATE‼️
Our Skipton Civic Society Speaker programme begins on Wednesday 7th October at 7.30pm. All our speaker programmes are held at Craven Arts House on Otley Street. Carparking available at the rear of the building.

All welcome Skipton Civic Society entry £3 and non-members £5. We always welcome new members! Ask any member of the committee for further details!

There will be short presentations on last year and future plans.....

🔘Jean Robinson - The Raikes Burial Ground Friends of Raikes Road Burial Ground Skipton.

🔘Steve Wilton - 'The Hard Times Walk'.

🔘Susan Wrathmell and Jacqueline Trowers on working with Skipton BID to revise our 'Ginnels and Yards' leaflet.

🍀🍀There will be raffle for prizes donated by members of the committee so remember to bring some change!!!🤞🤞

Our November meeting will be on 4th November when Louise Close will explain 'The Work of Skipton Town Council's Chief Officer.

31/08/2026

Heritage Open Days coming up in September. Lots going on in Yorkshire search https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/ Locally the Society is just having two guided walks - both Sunday 13th Sept. Sandy Fishpool @ 11am taking a look at the banking heyday of Skipton High Street (buildings and bankers) and Sue Wrathmell @ 2pm with a thoughtful take on Skipton's Ginnels & Yards to celebrate publication of a new guide by the Business Improvement District (BID). Both meeting at the Town Hall steps. Free, leave at any time.

Every September thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate our fantastic history and culture. It's your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – all of which are FREE to explore.

23/08/2026

A few images from the fascinating Skipton Civic Society summer trip to Morecambe. Blessed by sunshine we began our visit in the Heritage Centre (Is this something Skipton might consider?) and were given a presentation about an oral history project on Morecombe Landladies. There was then an opportunity to look at the items on display in the centre including memorabilia from famous people of the town. We then moved on to the Winter Gardens. Here we were given a guided tour of the building showing the work going on to restore it to its former glory - a huge undertaking. The link between Morecambe and the industrial towns of Yorkshire was explained - and the significance of the arrival of the railway. There were fabulous views from the top of Winter Gardens across the bay to the South Lakes. A walk along the sea front took us to the site of the Eden Project which will overlook the bay and will be a future visitor attraction to the town. Despite the sunshine no one was tempted into the sea but we managed a walk on the pier to check out the tide bell and the numerous bird statues. The bird theme was seen around the town. Some members took advantage of afternoon tea at the Midland Hotel. A grand day out and many thanks to Sue Wrathmell for organising it. Morecambe Heritage Centre

17/08/2026

Skipton Civic Society update....
‼️This Saturday‼️
August 22nd train trip to Morecambe. Tour the town, visit the Winter Gardens, the pier and Pier Bookshop, see the listed sea-front houses. Perfect follow-up to Steve Wilton's talk about the Midland Hotel last year which he based on the work of Skipton architect and former Civic Society committee member Barry Rawson.
Train times:
Skipton 10.57 / 12.22
Morecambe 17.32 / 18.57
Bring a packed lunch - tea at the Midland Hotel if there is interest.

Skipton Civic Society member Anushua Biswas has an article in the July edition of the Dalesman - see below

In co-operation with Skipton BID our GINNELS AND YARDS leaflet has had an update - available at our usual outlets- Skipton Library and Skipton Town Hall.

06/08/2026

Second summer outing of the year will be to the Eden of the North. Yes, Morecambe. August 22nd train trip to Morecambe. Tour the town, visit the Winter Gardens, the pier and Pier Bookshop, see the listed sea-front houses. Perfect follow-up to Steve Wilton's talk about the Midland Hotel last year which he based on the work of Skipton architect and former Civic Society committee member Barry Rawson.
Train times:
Skipton 10.57 / 12.22
Morecambe 17.32 / 18.57
Bring a packed lunch; tea at the Midland Hotel if there is interest.

31/07/2026

Vandals put a metal bar into Gawflatt Conservation Meadow which has severely damaged the farmer's mowing equipment. The hay crop cannot be taken and the future of this ancient and rare urban lowland hay meadow is now at risk again twenty-seven years after it was saved by Skipton Civic Society from the threat of destruction or development.

31/07/2026

North Yorkshire are planning to replace both the Tin Bridge and The Ginnel bridge later this year. No information as yet as to what the new footbridges will look like.

25/07/2026

Not many children 'buzzing' today but quite a few were doing the Woolly Sheep Trail to find 20 knitted sheep hidden around central Skipton. Both school summer holiday activities provided by the Business Improvement District (BID). You can find Woolly Sheep Trail details in Craven Court.