There is an old-world quaintness still lingering about the town of Skipton, notwithstanding the great alterations made in the present century. Its central importance in the old coaching days is represented by two direction boards near the church gates Settle 16 miles, Kendal 45, Lancaster 43; Knaresboro' 24 miles, Harrogate 21, Ripon 30. Even the bellman, in his liveried coat, hat girdle, and scarlet waistcoat, has a glamour of olden times. Two old views will show the reader what Skipton was when the railway first reached it. There is now a fine new station. SOME ACCOUNT OF THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST. MARY'S, HONLEY; BY MRS. MARY A. JAGGER. Continued from page 240. The Inscriptions written in Latin on the old Church plate, translated, are as follows: On the large paten,-" To the glory and honour of God, for the people's convenience, and for the welfare of the Chapel of Honley, this piece of silver have the inhabitants presented, together with the rest, for the constant celebration of the Eucharist." On the small paten,-" Sacred to God and the Church, at the cost of the inhabitants. A.D. 1792." On the chalice," Honley Chapel, A.D. 1754." Netherthong and Crosland, though now separated from Honley with regard to Ecclesiastical matters, looked upon the new edifice with a little envy. When the natives of these two townships were returning home on a Saturday evening, or from the far-famed Honley feast, they were wont to stand under the Church wall and shout derisively at the new building. Their farewell greetings were not at all respectful. They would exclaim-"We neither care for your new church, nor yet for your grand steeple with its four clock faces, and your pinnacles; we won you at York! we won you at York!" This pleasing retrospect of their last victory so elated the natives of Crosland that when they arrived at the bottom of the defile, known as the "Sentry," the superfluous high spirits had to be let off. Mag bridge divided the two townships, Honley and Crosland, and this structure had to be the safety-valve; for as a rule, the coping stones on Honley side were toppled over into the water. Honley resented this, and took the same trouble with the coping stones on the other half belonging to Crosland. The bridge stood almost as many sieges as Pontefract Castle, and often was utterly dismantled, and dangerous to cross. The new Church arose to its completion amidst many difficulties; for there was carelessness and mismanagement on the part of both Contractor and Clerk of Works. It required all the activity, diligence, and ability of Mr. James Stocks, the Churchwarden, to bring it safely through its various troubles. The cost of the re-building of St. Mary's Church amounted to over £4000. The following is a list of the donors, none with the exception of two, any longer worshipping here in the "Temple made with hands:" The Ripon Diocesan Church Building Society William Brooke, Esq. Mrs. Waddington James Stocks ... ... ... ... Charles Brook, Edward Brooke, Enoch Vickerman, ... ... ... ... Joseph Milner 100 0 0 10 10 0 ... 90 0 0 5 5 0 :: ... :: ... 5 5 0 Walter Platt, Rev. C. Drawbridge, Mr. and Mrs. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 20 7 10 ... 47 15 11 In the summer of 1878, considerable improvements were carried out. Previously, gas had been introduced. The Church was cleaned and all the woodwork repainted. New systems of ventilation and of heating by hot water were introduced. The pews in the body of the Church were altered, so as to allow kneeling more conveniently, and a wooden screen with folding doors was thrown across the entire width of the Church at the west end, as a protection from draughts. The total cost defrayed by subscriptions and collections was £469. Mr. Thomas Farrar, who was then Churchwarden, devoted much time and energy to these alterations. THE BELLS.-Two new bells and a clock were added to the Church in 1885. The bells were supplied by Messrs. Taylor, of Loughboro, and their cost was defrayed by public subscription. The large bell weighs over one ton; the small bell, five cwt. They were dedicated to the service of the Church on Sunday, October 25th, 1885. The morning preacher at this interesting ceremony was the Rev. Canon Bardsley, vicar of Huddersfield, and Rural Dean. His text was They made them golden bells." In the evening, the Rev. Canon Ingham Brooke, Rector of Thornhill and Rural Dean, occupied the pulpit. He preached to a crowded congregation from the text "Where art thou?" 66 The new clock was supplied by Messrs. Potts, of Leeds; and the sole cost was defrayed by a lady parishioner. The old clock had begun to exhibit signs of age, and was very erratic in its moods, cold and changeable weather having a disastrous effect upon its internal organisation. The new clock, which is a great boon to the inhabitants, chimes the hour and half-hour; and its deep rich sonorous tone sounds over hill and valley. The old bell, which previously hung in the tower, has been transferred |