Last Thursday, thirty members of the South Pennine Archaeology Group were treated to Buckden Bill, a fascinating talk by member Richard Matthews.  Richard has been researching this story for many years and appears to have finally pieced together the final facts.

In 1964, a group of students were exploring a mine in the Yorkshire Dales when they stumbled across a human skeleton.  He appeared to have been wearing his Sunday best, so who was he and why was in a lead mine in the first place?

The story hit the media and as may be expected, all sorts of theories were suggested, few of which fitted the facts.  Over the subsequent years lectures have been delivered and articles have been written, including in the Dalesman magazine.  None however were able to confirm the victim’s identity, explain why he was there or provide any useful information, other than the obvious facts.

The body was believed to be buried in Skipton church yard in a pauper’s grave but that cannot be proved.  The artefacts including his boots were displayed in Earby Mining Museum for many years but were transferred to Hawes Museum where they remain on display to this day.  The story could well have ended there but Richard wanted to know more.

With vast experience of exploring old mine workings and by sheer hard work, help from friends and a lucky chance encounter it’s only recently that he’s managed to provide a name and a coherent explanation of why the man was there.

Richard held the audience enthralled as he led them from despair, to laughter to admiration for his sleuthing skills.

Thank you for an excellent evening Richard.