Bad weather hits Skipton festival

From the archive, first published Monday 4th Dec 2006.

HEAVY rain and high winds did little to dampen the spirits of visitors to Skipton's Medieval Festival on Sunday.

Crowds still enjoyed a wide variety of entertainment, ranging from a battle re-enactment by the Sheffield-based Knights in Battle to a lantern procession along the High Street.

"In all my seven years of organising the festival, I have never seen weather like it," said Joan Evans, of Oswaldtwistle Mills. "But those who did attend said they enjoyed the event."

The number of people arriving by car was slightly down on last year, but the number of coaches remained steady at about 80.

She added that the shops probably did better than the market traders and said she was looking forward to the second part of the festival this Sunday.

"Hopefully the weather will be better," she joked. "And the second Sunday always seems to be the bigger of the two festivals."

This weekend's highlights will include a presentation to the winners of this year's festival competition -to compose and sing a Christmas song.

And the town will be welcoming 240 visitors from Crewe who will be arriving by train in the afternoon.

"It is the first time we have had such a large party come by rail," said Mrs Evans.

The festival is organised by a Skipton Chamber of Trade and Commerce and earlier this year its future was thrown into doubt after it emerged it was running at a financial loss.

A crisis meeting took place and festival organisers decided to continue with the event after retailers agreed to give their support.

Skipton's Christmas lights were officially switched on last Thursday.

The ceremony took place on Otley Street and was performed by Mousse T singer Nikki Belle and European actor, singer and model Skott Francis.