Local historian Norman A Alvin traces the history of Thackley s historic Buck Mill Bridge, which contractors have just finished repairing: There has been a crossing point of the River Aire near the site of Buck Mill from at least Medieval times. A trackway mentioned in a 1393 court case came from Idle along the current Buck Lane and across the river Aire at the ford near Buck Mill. From there it was joined by another track from Guiseley, through Hollins Wood to Esholt then passing through Baildon by what is now Station Road and over the moors to Bingley. The shallow part of the river near Buck Mill provided a natural site for a ford. At some time a cobbled surface was constructed under the water, and the remains of this ford can still be seen along the bank when the water is low. Later a series of stepping stones, or hippins as they were called locally, were constructed, allowing people to cross without getting wet, but over time they became unstable. There were frequen