"At the top of the main street, adjoining the Ripon road, is the well-known brewing establishment of Messrs. John Metcalfe & Son, Ltd. The history of the firm dates from 1773, when Mrs. Elizabeth Metcalfe inherited the old "George" inn above mentioned, and the business subsequently was considerably extended by her sons, John and George Metcalfe. In one of the early books of the firm there is entered an invoice dated May 15th, 1804, for a pocket of hops received from John Bailey, hop merchant, Skipton, to which the following singular note is appended, --a reminder of Napoleon's threatened invasion of England:

"This pocket of hops I should have sent you five months ago, but it has been detained by a French privateer."

          The original premises, erected in 1775, were completely rebuilt in 1854, and have since been much altered, improved and enlarged. They now cover an extensive area. The water used in the brewery is of remarkable purity, and Professor Chas. Graham, D. Sc., found, after a careful analysis, that it "contains as little solid matter as Loch Katrine water." It comes from a very old and celebrated spring just beneath Panorama Walk, and rises to the top of the brewery by gravitation. The large store-room in the New Brewery has been, by the owners' courtesy, for some time used as a drill-hall for the local volunteers; also for lectures, concerts, and dances.

          For a century-and-a-half the family of Metcalfe, who are traditionally believed to have sprung from the Nappa Hall Metcalfes in Wensleydale, have been usefully prominent in most affairs conducing to the town's prosperity and advancement. To the late proprietor of the brewery, Mr. George Metcalfe, of Castlestead, was mainly due the introduction of the railway to Pateley Bridge (see page 149). A native of the town, he was for the greater part of his life identified in various capacities with its public and private institutions. And as an extensive quarry-owner, and proprietor of the Glasshouse flax-mills, he was also a large employer, and it is agreeable testimony to his business merits, as well as to those of his successors, that many of the workpeople have been in the firms' employ for the greater part of their lives. Mr. George Metcalfe died much lamented, Jan. 15th, 1898, aged 71. He was twice married and left a widow and family of grown-up sons and daughters.

          His eldest son, Mr. John Hawkridge Metcalfe, J.P., with his brother, Mr. Herbert Wm. Metcalfe, are now the present managers of their late father's concerns. Mr. J. H. Metcalfe holds the rank of Hon. Major in the 1st V. B., "Prince of Wales' Own," West Yorkshire Regiment, from which he retired on Feb. 7th, 1903, after more than 17 years service. Like his family predecessors he has interested himself in many ways in the town's welfare. In 1887 he was elected a District Councillor, and in 1899 he was made a West Riding Magistrate, and a Liberty Magistrate in the year following. As Chairman of the Nidd Valley Light Railway Committee he has been energetic in the recent endeavours to extend the railway into the higher parts of the Dale, an accomplishment that is likely to be productive of much benefit to the inhabitants and public generally. The Committee, acting in conjunction with Messrs. Power & Traction, Limited, succeeded in obtaining an Order from the Light Railway Commissioners, which was subsequently confirmed by the Board of Trade, 31st March, 1901. These powers were taken over by the Bradford Corporation, who are now constructing the line, which it is expected will be opened during the present summer. Major Metcalfe takes, moreover, a keen and intelligent interest in everything appertaining to local and general history and archaeology, and to his special local knowledge and kindness, the present writer has been long indebted for the ready help he has always given him in his investigations."