The story and a photograph of a wartime "Holiday at Home" boat-trip.
During the second world war, all non-essential travel was discouraged in order to conserve fuel supplies and ensure that train accommodation was available for troop transport and other official purposes. Local authorities were encouraged to provide entertainments that would encourage people to take 'Holidays at Home'.
The photograph below shows a "Holiday at Home" boat-trip from Kildwick to Gargrave, on what looks to have been a rather cold summer's day.
History Group member Dennis Laycock, shown seated on the prow of the boat, remembers that the trip had hardly got out of the village before they stopped for a cup of tea at "Winnifred's cafe" - later Craven Forge and now a private house.
With thanks to Dennis Laycock
Posted: 30/08/2014