IN recent years there has been a growing interest in our past. Family history studies are booming, with magazines and television programmes dedicated to the subject. And there has been a growing awareness of the sacrifices made by past generations which has translated into a glut of documentaries and research into World War One, culminating in fascinating interviews with the last handful of survivors, now well past their centenary of years and close to death.

Oddly, recent Government papers released over the New Year revealed that in the 1970s there was talk of scrapping the Remembrance Day service in Whitehall, or altering them significantly, because they were losing their relevance. But the service survived and indeed seems to be growing in support.

That can be reflected in the touching ceremony at Skipton's cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday.

Much credit for the revival of this important event, in Skipton at least, belongs to Alex Bentley, the parade master, whose stentorian tones keep everyone in line. But there has been a weak link in the parade - the tinny marching music played over feeble loudspeakers which accompanies the parade down the High Street.

Mr Bentley has long recognised this as a discordant note (or rather notes) in what is otherwise a moving and respectful ceremony, of which the town can be proud. Now he is hoping to form a marching band which will supply the necessary martial music to dignify this solemn occasion. We sincerely wish him every success in this quest.