DAUGHTERS of well-known Skipton man Stanley Whittaker are marking the 50th anniversary of his death and sharing details of his for those who remember him or worked with him.

Joyce and Christine have recalled that on Sunday, January 30 it will be 50 years since 13 unarmed protestors were killed when taking place in a march in Londonderry, a tragedy addressed in the famous 2002 film ‘Bloody Sunday’. They recount what that day means to them.

For us, this Sunday also marks 50 years since the death of our much loved father. Stanley was a well-known local man who wrote his own recollections of growing up and living in Skipton until his untimely death aged 61.

Here are some of those recollections, taken from his own ‘book’ and his collection of press cuttings. Hopefully they will strike a chord with some of the readers, although we can’t vouch for the accuracy of them all.

Stanley and his twin brother, Gordon, were born at home in Pendle Street, off Broughton Road, in 1910. Their home was close to the mill where their father worked as a foreman and then manager and the boys had clear memories of the weaving sheds and the engine house.

Like home, the mill was lit entirely by gas. He recalled the first electric lamp standards being erected at Ship Corner in 1924, and within a few weeks being installed in the shops in the High Street.

Stanley’s childhood was dominated by World War One which broke out when he was four. He recalled an army camp being constructed on The Raikes, initially with the Bradford Pals Regiment being posted there and subsequently with German Prisoners of War. Dad and his childhood friend Harold ran away to enlist, responding to ‘Your King and country needs you’ but ended up with their parents collecting them from the Police Station!

They were obviously quite inquisitive and active boys, often playing around Niffany Swing Bridge and regularly able to skate on the nearby fields and the canal during harsher winters.

As children they were always excited when Skipton held its Annual Show, describing bunting decorating the town and huge arches of greenery spanning across the roads at The Bailey, Ship Corner, the junction of Newmarket Street and Caroline Square.

Then on New Year’s morning Stanley recalled the tradition of ‘scrambling’ when youngsters would go into the town first thing and shopkeepers would emerge and throw pennies into the air.

Chapel and Sunday School figured strongly in the life of the family, first attending Belmont and then Otley Street Baptist Chapel and Sunday School.

Whitsuntide was a highlight in the churches’ calendar and over the years Stanley was heavily involved in organising the Sunday Schools’ annual prize giving for the ‘Scripture Exam.’ Sadly a promised visit of Enid Blyton to present the prizes was cancelled but the famous author sent numerous signed copies of her books, some of which are probably still on bookshelves locally.

One press cutting describes the ‘Pageant of the Sunday School’ held in the Town Hall in 1951 as part of the Festival of Britain celebrations, when each of the Sunday Schools created a tableau.

Similarly Stanley was central to the organisation of the Whit Monday Walks which processed through the town. From 1960 the community hymn singing which had taken place at the top of the High Street had to be relocated to Aireville Park due to increasing traffic congestion

On leaving school Stanley would have liked to pursue his love of travel through becoming a travel reporter, or his love of art and design. Sadly this was not to be. Easter 1924, being almost 14, Stanley left school. He applied to become a reporter with The Craven Herald but there were no vacancies, and after a short spell at a manufacturing firm was persuaded to apply for a post at the Town Hall. So in February 1927 his career with Skipton Urban District Council began, continuing until his retirement through ill health in 1971. For over 40 years, he was a well -known figure in the Treasurer’s Department, where his desk under the front window enabled him to observe all that was going on in the High Street!

Outside of work, Stanley and his brother shared their love of the Dales through leading walks for holidaymakers staying at the Holiday Home situated in Burnside House on Carleton Road. They would think nothing of leading unsuspecting walkers through town, via Embsay and Black Park to Bolton Abbey…and back again! They made friends from all over the world and accepted invitations to visit people in Europe. Quite adventurous in the 1920’s and 30’s! Stanley also attended the Baptist World Congress in Berlin in 1934, a fascinating and worrying time to be in Germany.

It was through Burnside Holiday Home that Stanley met Alice, our Mum. Alice hailed from Manchester but quickly grew to love Skipton and the Dales, as well as Stanley! They married in 1938 and moved into Regent Avenue when the estate was built.

Firm friendships were formed with neighbours and this helped Alice through the war years. She became an ARP warden though fortunately Skipton saw little action, although Dewhirst Mill became a reception centre for evacuee children. Stanley was ‘called up’ in 1942, Joyce at that time being 9 months old. After Army postings in the UK, he was sent to Malta in 1945, not returning home until Joyce was 5. Christine was born a few years later. Although Stanley hated being away from family and from Skipton he made the most of his war years, indulging in his love of painting whenever he could, as his many remaining paintings illustrate.

Over the years after the war, Stanley returned to his work at the Town Hall, and alongside that gradually became more and more involved in community activities. He was for very many years Secretary of Skipton Baptist Church and held responsibilities more widely in Craven; similarly with the Sunday School Union. He was also heavily involved in local Road Safety Committees; we well remember the time ‘Sooty’ and Harry Corbett came to present prizes to local children for their cycling proficiency.

After Stanley died, Alice bravely continued to support many of his and her own commitments, herself becoming a life deacon of the Baptist Church. They had also enjoyed being members of Skipton Little Theatre, they loved walking in Skipton Woods, around White Hills, and although never owning a car loved visiting Malham, Bolton Abbey and further afield.

Their ashes are in The Garden of Remembrance at Waltonwrays Cemetery and we, Joyce and Christine visit Skipton whenever we can, reconnecting with old and treasured friends. January 30, 1972 feels in many ways just like yesterday, testament to the parents we were so very fortunate to have. Stanley’s own book of recollections is fascinating to us.

On the first page he wrote ‘Never in the history of mankind have changes been so rapid as during my lifetime. Two world wars, the speed of travel from the early motor car to rocket propulsion. Radio, television, plastics, all unknown in my early days. No I wouldn’t put the clock back. Life is far too interesting today but I hope these writings will give you some pleasure’.

We hope they are of interest to some of you too.