100 years ago

THE committee in charge of Settle Workhouse discussed whether or not to pay for improved lighting in the building. The report revealed that during the course of a year the workhouse admitted 3,000 tramps and bathed them under the light of a single paraffin lamp. Many of the lamps were not working and a quotation was obtained from Settle Gas Company for laying pipes to the building. Being a committee, no decision was taken, instead a sub-committee was formed to look into it further.

A new Licensing Act had come into force to curb drunkenness. Stiffer penalties were imposed for being drunk and clubs had to meet strict conditions to obtain a licence to serve drinks to members only. Secretaries were made legally responsible for ensuring the conditions of a licence were met. As a result many clubs decided to cease providing alcohol. But, at the annual meeting of Skipton Conservative Club, it was decided to apply for the new licence. Meanwhile one unfortunate Skipton man felt the full force of the new act and paid the price for being drunk in Sheep Street. The magistrates, hearing it was not a first offence, banned all pubs in Skipton from serving him anything to drink for a period of three years.

A Draughton farmer was fined 40 shillings for cruelty to a pig. He had squeezed it into a box 23 inches shorter than the pig was long and then hammered down the lid. The pig was in a state of collapse when released at Gargrave.

50 years ago

Bakers G E Carr Limited, of Skipton, installed a modern bakery plant which could produce loaves at a rate of 960 an hour and provide facilities for automatic weighing, cutting, moulding and proving the dough. The firm had been running for 67 years and had 28 branches, 200 employees and a fleet of 23 delivery lorries. Thousands of pounds had been spent on the modern plant at Mill Lane.

Silsden Urban District Council wanted to redevelop the town centre by buying property at Bolton Road End, near the fire station. The council suggested the establishment of a bus station, the provision of grass plots and flower beds, the possibility of moving the war memorial and the provision of a central car park.

A man skiing on the slopes of Great Whernside, four miles from Kettlewell, fell 15 feet and was rescued by local scouts and villagers. The rescue party had braved pitch dark and a foot of snow to find the man.

Plans to develop a district hospital at Skipton, instead of Keighley, were confirmed by the Leeds Regional Board. The original plan was to redevelop Keighley's Victoria Hospital, but Skipton protestors won their argument. The plans were still under discussion.

25 years ago

Skipton's Roger Ingham was nominated Craven's Sport Personality of the Year by Herald readers. Swimmer Jill McEnnerny and stock car formula one world champion Mike Close were runners-up.

The Herald featured a Grassington boy with an unusual hobby - taxidermy. Fourteen-year-old Jeremy Thompson had all kinds of birds and small wild animals in his bedroom and on stands around his home.

Plans for a new swimming pool adjacent to West Craven High School at Barnoldswick were unveiled. The proposed scheme was to cost £763,000 (without a diving facility, springboard or spectators' area), a sum which alarmed members of Pendle Borough Council.

One of the oldest men in Yorkshire, Dr Walter Hibbert, of Kilnsey, died aged 102. Mr Hibbert had been medical advisor to Bradford City Football Club since its formation in 1903.

10 years ago

SETTLE'S Dr Barry Brewster was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours. Dr Brewster had shot to TV stardom due to the BBC television series "The Doctor" which profiled his day-to-day life. He worked tirelessly for the community for 30 years, revolutionised health care at Settle, worked for the Department of Health and presided over the Medical Officers of Schools' Association.

An ambitious fundraiser, halfway through an 8,000 mile charity walk, had a chance to put his feet up outside the Oxfam shop in Skipton High Street. The man was visiting all 857 Oxfam shops in the UK and was braving the worst weather so far as he entered Craven. Later, donning his top hat and tails he burst into a rousing chorus of "You'll Never Walk Alone" before continuing his journey.

Hellifield postman George Pitmass was one of the first in the UK to wear a lightweight cycling crash helmet. The Royal Mail was trialling the protective headgear following the launch of the new style of mountain bikes for Yorkshire postmen.

Major works costing £200,000 started at Settle station. The work would raise the level of the platforms which were so low they were causing passengers difficulty getting on and off the trains.

Former Skipton nightclub the Inn Between - now Henri's restaurant - was gutted after fire swept through the premises.