100 years ago

THE long anticipated Skipton-Grassington railway line was opened after 57 years of agitation. Four hundred guests boarded the train, which was decorated with union flags and bearing the placard "Success to the Yorkshire Dales Railway". A ceremony was held at Rylstone.

There was a United Temperance demonstration in Gargrave headed by Captain Preston JP and numerous members of the British Women's Temperance Association. The chairman announced he had "always been an advocate of the Temperance movement", and considered drink wicked and sinful.

A new method of lighting made its way to Hellifield. The owner of the illuminant system was Mr WK Hardacre, of Hellifield House. The system consisted of an air compressor and a generator. The system allowed for gas to be switched on and off instantly to produce a brilliant and penetrating light.

50 years ago

THE Herald was campaigning to cheer up Craven. Comparing the efforts of Skipton, its parish church, bus station and high street with the rest of the district, the Herald claimed many holiday-makers returned to the "grey and green drabness of Craven" with an unpleasant jolt. It urged Craven folk to cheer up the area with a new coat of paint and some flower boxes for the Coronation Year.

Skipton Golf Club won the Bradford and District Union of Golf Clubs annual nine hole course championship - it was the first time it had entered.

A special meeting took place in West Craven to investigate complaints about the town's ambulance service. But once members of Earby Urban District Council heard of the difficult task the service had, the complaints turned to compliments.

25 years ago

THE Wharfedale RUFC Gala was graced with the presence of many celebrities including the world champion trials rider Martin Lampkin, Keighley Rugby League's Brian Jefferson, and Skipton golf professional, Graham Webster. The attractions included a Superstars Competition.

A planning application for an open market in Bentham was submitted. The Cleveland Square project followed demands for shops on the street but no space was available.

Idyllic conditions attracted around 1,000 people to Thornton-in-Craven to watch a Peter Parfitt invitation XI take on the village side in a cricket match. Also playing were Freddie Trueman, Don Wilson and other well-known celebrities.

10 years ago

CAUTIOUS landowners throughout Craven brought out the padlocks and chains as protection against an "invasion" from new age travellers. The radical hippies' caravans had already descended on mid-Wales in the thousands and now threatened a takeover of Craven. Nine vehicles had already been seen off land in Skipton.

Foreign livestock was to be seen roaming around North and West Craven. Members of the Royal and Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes pulled a "howdah" from Helwith Bridge to the Greyhound, in Barnoldswick, in aid of local children's charities. The event raised £250.

Royal Air Forces Association member Derek Grainger did Skipton proud at a Buckingham Palace garden party. Her Majesty awarded Mr Grainger with a barometer to mark his 26 years as honorary secretary.

Barnoldswick bra factory Swegmark pulled embarrassing stunts to raise money for breast cancer research. These included shaving off moustaches and a fancy dress pub-crawl, which raised more than £1,000 in total.