Skipton Rotary Way

SKIPTON’S western bypass – previously a road without a name – has been called ‘Rotary Way’ following an ‘unusual request’ by the town’s two rotary clubs.

Skipton Craven Rotary and Skipton Rotary applied to Craven District Council to name the road, and were given permission, in recognition of the good work carried out by the clubs. The request follows applications in other parts of the country by other Rotary clubs to rename roads.

The clubs are part of the international Rotary organisation that raises money for good causes locally, nationally and around the world.

Councillor Richard Foster, leader of Craven District Council, said: “We’re pleased that the bypass has been named after the local Rotary clubs which do so much good work in our communities and further afield.

“This was a slightly unusual request as it is not often we get anyone other than developers wanting to name a street. However, we consulted with the parish and ward representatives, and followed Geoplace guidance, and we’re pleased that we now have a name for the bypass.”

The clubs, organisers of events such as the annual Santa fun run and the dragon boat race at Coniston Hotel, hope the naming of the bypass will raise awareness of what they do and encourage more people to join.

Signs have been put up at each end of the bypass and two will be added once work has finished on the new central roundabout, at the entrance to the new Wyvern Park development.

Skipton Craven Rotary and Skipton Rotary say they would like to thank Richard Webster of Eddie B Webster and Sons, and Matthew Oxley of J N Bentley, local contractors, for their help in carrying out the physical installation of the signs.

Rotary is one of the world’s largest and most successful voluntary humanitarian service organisations with 1.2 million members in more than 200 countries. Internationally, Rotary tackles issues such as poverty, education and helping to rid the world of polio.

Locally they are involved with community and environmental projects around Craven and give grants to deserving young people, charities, clubs and organisations.

Skipton Rotary raises money from the public use of Skipton Building Society’s car park on Saturdays and on Bank Holidays and from a stall at the town’s Christmas markets. Both clubs are active in youth programmes, such as Rotary Young Writer. Next year , Skipton Rotary hopes to host a classic car rally and bicycle recycling event, and a dragon boat race.

Skipton Craven Rotary raises most of its money at the Great Skipton Santa Fun Run and the Santa sleigh run and at supermarket collections. This year, the fun run will be a virtual event while other events will be held under strict Covid rules.

A spokesperson for Craven District Council said that any road that has not been named may be named under the SNN process and legislation.

The story made it to the local press too!