THIS week I enjoyed several short strolls in search of old banks, beginning in Yorkshire and finishing up with a collection of photographs of some wonderful old buildings.

These days we think we have a lot of banks but actually there are far fewer today than in earlier centuries.

I have a bank note issued by the Craven Bank and this had a good reputation during the late 18th century and throughout the 19th.

Its notes carried the inscription of the Craven Heifer, one of the most famous animals in English farming history.

The Craven Bank was amalgamated into Martins Bank in 1923, at which time it had offices in Skipton, Burnley, Nelson, Colne, Brierfield, Barrowford, Clitheroe, Whalley, Earby, Gisburn, Barnoldswick, Bradford, Bingley, Foulridge, Ilkley, Padiham and Settle.

In 1969, Martins Bank itself was absorbed into the mighty Barclays complex.

Alas some of the old sub-branches have been closed but many of the buildings remain.

The early bankers tended to be successful businessmen who wanted to use their profits to generate even more capital.

The Craven Bank was set up by a number of textile manufacturers, most of whom were Quakers.

The Birkbeck family were big bankers but they were prepared to spend their profits on useful projects.

George Birkbeck, of Settle, was the founder of the Mechanics Institutes.

He also established Birkbeck College in London, which still teaches mature students to first degree level and beyond.

Why did the bank put the Craven Heifer on its bank notes?

The beast was bred by the Rev William Carr, of Bolton Abbey, one of the bank's first customers. The bank had many farmers as customers who preferred to have notes "wi' the cow on 'em."

The Craven Bank has gone but the heifer lives on as the name of local pubs which can provide a focus for local strolls.

From the main street of Gisburn I followed a footpath through what is now Gisburne Park Hospital.

This was formerly part of the Gisburne Park estate, which consisted of numerous farms and cottages.

Folks worked hard in those days and carefully saved their brass in their local bank.

Like many people, I do not believe that big is beautiful.

The Gisburn bank has now gone and locals have to journey to Skipton or Clitheroe, where they will probably not recognise the people who deal with their finances.

It is not only the Sacred Cow which has gone forever but also most of our small but important financial props.

Can we bank on nothing these days?

It would seem not but at least we can walk through history.

Perhaps I will enjoy "an udder walk" next week!