More than 20 members visited Otley on the evening of 10th June and enjoyed a walk round the town under the guidance of Ian Wilson, a member of Otley's Civic Trust.
The town was built on a moraine above the River Wharfe with the church at the highest point. It dates from the 7th or 8th century and had a palace for the Archbishop of York. Sadly very little remains and it is reckoned that over 500-600 years the palace was only used for about 60 days!
Otley has always been a market town with the core taking a triangular shape based on the streets of Kirkgate to the west, Boroughgate to the north and Bondgate, Crossgates and Walkergate forming the eastern side. Kirkgate was the main street where the burgesses of the town lived. Their burgess plots stretched a couple of hundred feet to the west of the street. The bondsmen, essentially farmers, lived in bondgate. Their tofts - only 20 -30 feet wide - stretched south to the rising hill of the Chevin some 200 yards away.
Otley has 2 grade II * listed buildings, the Old Grammar School in Manor Square and a building off Kirkgate that is now a bank. There are some 150 grade II buildings in addition, including the Civic Centre, the Court House, the Board School and the Manor House.
Yet another enjoyable and informative evening thanks to Peter Bewes for organising and Ian, our guide.