Skyrack

Skyrack was a wapentake of the West Riding of Yorkshire, England. It was split into upper and lower divisions and centred on Leeds. The Upper Division included the parishes of Aberford, Bardsey, Barwick-in-Elmet, Kippax, Thorner, Whitkirk and part of Harewood, while the Lower Division included the parishes of Adel, Bingley, Guiseley and parts of Harewood, Ilkley and Otley.

The Skyrack wapentake derives its name from a large oak that grew for centuries within Headingley. It is believed that the word "skyrack" comes from the Saxon phrase - 'Skyr Ack' meaning "Shire Oak" under which meetings were held. [Peter Hunter Blair, Simon Keynes, An Introduction to Anglo-Saxon England, (Cambridge University Press) p. 236] The Oak finally collapsed in 1941. There is a small plaque to commemorate it on the outside of the garden wall of the Original Oak pub. It also gives its name to the Skyrack pub which is located opposite to the Original Oak.

For some time there has been a weekly free newspaper in Leeds, called "The Skyrack" also.