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In this the last episode of the History of Skipton, we relate the story of a dramatic by-election in the Skipton constituency and how an absentee MP nearly paid the price for neglecting his seat.

This episode tells us how the Skipton Parliamentary constituency moved from a Liberal stronghold to a safe Conservative seat with a major libel trial and a few embezzlement scandals along the way. Picture shows William Clough MP.

Which Skipton MP was murdered? Why was Skipton a Liberal stronghold for decades? And why was the statue in Skipton High Street ridiculed when it was installed? All is revealed in the latest episode of the History of Skipton

Concluding the look at sport in Skipton with tales of bare knuckle boxing, hundreds watching roller skating races in a purpose-built building which was the biggest in town and why golf was verboten on Sundays, this episode also explains why Skipton has never, ever had a decent football team.

This episode tracks the story of cricket in Skipton and tells the sad tale of the Skipton cricketer who played a key role in the start of the Ashes cricket series between England and Australia.

One of Yorkshire's oldest rugby clubs is Skipton, formed in 1874. It has had a turbulent time, once having 13 of its 15 players banned for life after a tempestuous Yorkshire Cup final. The rocky path from nearly converting to soccer to off the pitch stability today is charted in this episode

Methodists in Skipton built two schools, owned the town's biggest employer and played an important role in local government. This episode looks at how and why Methodists became the number one religion in Skipton in the 1800s.

Today Quakers and the Salvation Army are highly respected and much admired religions. But when both first arrived in Skipton they were met with hostility from the authorities and violence from the residents. This latest episode tells how they became tolerated and finally welcomed.

St Stephens church in Skipton opened five years after it was built because of a dispute between the family who paid for it and the Catholic bishop. But once opened the church proved a focal point for the growing and robust community of Skipton Catholics - although robbers breaking into the tomb of their figurehead cast a pall over its early years.

The Christian churches played a huge role in the social fabric of Skipton. This episode traces the story of the two Anglican churches in the town. It includes mad vicars, crooked clerics and noxious fumes from the dead poisoning the congregation.

Why are modern buildings rubbish? All concrete blocks and glass. Our Victorian forebears constructed buildings with towers, cornices, balustrades, decorative ironwork and carved stonework. Yet architects in the 20th century used words like 'exciting', 'sympathetic' and 'stunning' as they put up some of their monstrosities. This episode contrasts the Victorian and more modern buildings which adorn Skipton.

As the old slums of Skipton were knocked down, three new council housing estates sprung up. This episode traces the development of Burnside, Shortbank and Greatwood areas of Skipton but not everyone was happy when their home was officially designated as "unfit for human habitation".

In 1926 a national newspaper article said Skipton had the "world's worst slums". Skipton's medical officer seemed to agree. This episode looks at the way the town's overcrowded yards forced the council to embark upon a slum clearance programme - and how those slums which survived are now holiday cottages.

In December 1909 Skipton's postmaster apologised as he could only guarantee one delivery on Christmas Day. Anything posted on Christmas morning may not be delivered on Christmas afternoon. Things have changed as this episode traces the rise and fall of Skipton's postal services. Also included is the story of a swimming pool in Skipton, from an outdoor muddy reservoir to a purpose built building.

Skipton fire brigade was riddled with incompetence and drunkeness in its early days. Slowly though its fortunes and efficiency was improved. Also the story of Skipton's first telephones and televisions as the story of the emergence of modern Skipton continues

When mains electricity came to Skipton, many households kept their lights on all day to show off their new utility. They got a huge shock when the first bills arrived. This episode tells how gas and electricity came to Skipton, starting as private enterprises before being taken over by the council and run as valuable sources of revenue. Then along came nationalisation.

Despite Skipton's posiition in the notoriously wet Pennines, drought was a common problem until just before the First World War - that and a drinking supply contaminated with sewage. This episode explains how the new Skipton Urban Council solved the problem.

This episode looks at how the town entered the 20th century with modern utilities provided. It also provides explains why women got the vote a few years before Mrs Pankhurst came along and why large crowds gathered for the delights of 'Rat Week'

When Skipton Castle was inherited by the Earls of Tufton, based in Kent, they showed little interest in the town. The castle was becoming a ruin. Today however it is said to be one of the best preserved medieval castles in the country. This episode explains how its fortunes were reversed and tells how the battle to grant access to the beautiful castle woods was finally won.

She's usually portrayed as a saviour of Skkipton and feminist icon. But was she, as her descendant Lady Sackville-West described her, a tyrant. This podcast examines her legacy and concludes that you wouldn't have liked to have been living in Skipton when she ran the castle.