Addingham is preparing for the launch of an official village web site which could solve mysteries stretching back more than 80 years.

The man behind the Addingham Village Web Site believes his electronic information centre will help fill intriguing gaps in the village's history.

Michael Tagg, of St Michael's Way, has spent the past three months developing a site which will unleash the delights of Addingham to millions of Internet users worldwide.

The logistics manager is hoping the site will allow him to learn more about two former Addingham men who died on the first and final days of the 1914-18 war, respectively.

Mr Tagg is creating a section on Addingham's war dead and is hoping visitors to the new site will be able supply details of two men in particular.

A P Ryder was killed in France at the Battle of Mons on August 23, 1914. Tom Wood died on the final day of the war, November 11, 1918.

Mr Tagg is also wanting details about several other Addingham soldiers killed in the conflict.

He said: "The web site will act as an electronic information centre, newsletter and local history guide. It is non-profit making, and any revenue collected will be for the Information Technology Equipment Fund for Addingham First School.

"The historical information on the site can be used by local schools as a research facility," he said.

The project developed following Mr Tagg's involvement with Addingham First School. Mr Tagg's wife, Michelle Stewart-Tagg is the IT co-ordinator at the school.

The school is celebrating the launch of its own web site this week.

Head teacher Jane Drake said: "I think it is a fantastic development for the school. The project has certainly captured the children's imagination and I know it will prove a very valuable asset."

She said staff were rapidly becoming Internet friendly and believed it would help boost the links between the school and the community.

Mr Tagg said: "It has reached the stage where I believe there are now more web pages in the world than people."

He said: "To enable the site to grow and be an active part of the village, we have involved the Addingham Civic Society."

Mr Tagg is delighted that Internet users will be able to discover the assets of Addingham and hopes local businesses will enter into the spirit by sponsoring or advertising on the site.

Although the Addingham Village web site is not yet up and running (Mr Tagg is still putting the project together) users will eventually find it at this address: http:\\www.users.zetnet.co.uk\addint\advil\index.htm.

l In the meantime he can be contacted on 01943 831689 or E-mail: mjtagg@zetnet.co.uk.

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