SKIPTON Charities Gala this year was a very wet affair - in sharp contrast to 2018 when it was blessed with the best weather for years.

The gala itself has been going for well over 100 years; in 1919, the so called ‘Victory Gala Day’ - because it was the first one following the end of the First World War, was said the Craven Herald, the 19th gala.

Held on July 12, 1919, it was a rainy affair, but only the second wet gala day in 19 years, the first gala being held in 1900.

The ‘hospital fete and gala’ featured a ‘remarkably fine procession’, proving that the event maintained its pre-war attractiveness, not only to Skipton folk, but to visitors from far and wide, said the Herald.

The rain came at a most awkward time - at the start of the procession, which saw 151 different groups taking part, somewhat short of the record 180 entries of a few years earlier.

The weather, reported the Herald, ruined what would have been the finest ever gala procession. Crowds quickly dispersed from their vantage points along the route, taking cover in shop doorways. Some of those in the procession had a ‘drenched appearance’, but - much like this year - everyone apparently accepted the fickle nature of the climate with a philosophical spirit, said the Herald.

There was a record - 19 - number of tableaux cars, all of which reached a standard of excellence not before seen. There was a pleasing variety of subjects, including five on the subject of peace. Most of the school cars, as usual, took stories from the Bible as their themes. The Alexandra Female Lodge had to pull out of the procession following an unfortunate incident at the start leading to the horse taking fright. Setting off from Gargrave Road, to the gala field at Sandylands, the procession was headed by the town crier, on horseback, and included town officials, scouts, ambulance men and three brass bands.

The 1919 event also saw the revival of the 25 mile walk. Long distance speed walking was something of an attraction at the time, and Skipton Gala was boosted with the inclusion of well known, first class walkers, Thomas Payne, of Morpeth, the world’s 12 and 24 record holder; George Hesketh of Manchester, aged 52 and described as the world’s veteran champion long distance walker; TP Fox, of Kendal, twice winner of the Bradford Walk, and Stanley Kershaw, of Brighouse who had finished third in that year’s Bradford Walk. The 12 competitors were given a rousing send off from the starting point at the Monument, in Skipton High Street, and all along the route, which touched Broughton, Elslack, Thornton, Earby, Foulridge, Colne, Cowling, Glusburn, Cross Hills and Kildwick, there were interested spectators.

Payne, looking ‘in particularly fine form’ led all the way, followed by Kershaw. The unfortunate H Reed, of Haworth, who was walking in clogs, had to pull out between Thornton and Earby after a nail penetrated his foot. A large crowd assembled near Ship Corner to witness the ‘final spurt’ and at the finish at Sandylands - the gala field - there was also a good crowd to see Payne, looking as fresh as when he commenced, despite having no refreshment, arrived in three hours and 59 minutes. He received a ‘magnificent reception’, the ‘Mallinson Cup and a £5 tea service. Payne, who claimed the walk was nearer 26 miles than 25, was 37 years old, and had taken up speed walking in 1907.

By 1969, 50 years ago, the 25 mile walk had long gone. Gala Day 1969 was a pleasant day, weather wise, and the procession was larger than it had been for some years. A record number of gala queens took part in the parade and included the Carnival Queen of Great Britain, Anita Howarth, of Nelson. Miss Howarth joined the procession in a four wheeled, horse drawn phaeton. Several vintage cars also joined the procession, including a 1907 Niclausse, the only one in the country, and a 1922 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost.