Pontefract cake map of the 1648 Siege of Pontefract (reproduced in Chartres) the liquorice is indicated as being grown in "garths" either side of Micklegate, the street which runs between Pontefract's Market Place and the castle. In the 18th century liquorice was used as a medicine both for humans and for horses. The Pontefract cake "was almost certainly a black cake, the portable lozenge used to make 'liquorish water', stamped with the castle lodge emblem of Pontefract to signify quality. This trade mark had been employed on Pontefract cakes since 1612, when the initials 'GS' were used, and are thought to be
Yorkshire Subterranean Society 40th anniversary in 2004 at the Kings Croft Hotel, Pontefract. The YSS was formed by a group of enthusiasts in October 1964 initially calling themselves "The Undertakers Subterranean Society". After adverse publicity, they changed their name to the Yorkshire Subterranean Society in August 1965. Yorkshire Subterranean Society The Yorkshire Subterranean Society is a caving club based at Helwith Bridge near Horton in Ribblesdale in the Yorkshire Dales. The Yorkshire Subterranean Society is more commonly known as the YSS. The YSS organises regular Caving and Walking meets to the Yorkshire Dales twice a month and other UK Caving areas through the