100 years ago

DELAYED celebrations for the King's Coronation finally took place in Skipton and other surrounding villages. Unfortunately the two month postponement due to the King's illness seemed to have dampened spirits. The tradesmen of Skipton in particular were noted for their absence.

A Skipton youth accomplished a remarkable cycling feat by riding backwards from the outskirts of the town to Gargrave - a distance of four miles - in 22 minutes. Although there were a lot of steep hills 20-year-old Albert Hunter never dismounted nor was he assisted in any way.

The largest number of births in the history of Barnoldswick were recorded for this month - with almost one per day. Thirty-two births had been recorded and seven deaths.

50 years ago

HELLIFIELD Show was held without cattle due to an outbreak of foot and mouth disease. The only animals allowed were horses - all cloven hoof classes had been cancelled. Malham show decided to go ahead with its cattle and sheep classes, but restrict them to local entries. The only withdrawal from the normal programme would be the sheepdog trials.

Coronation celebrations in Barnoldswick were discussed. One suggestion was to change the name of the town's Victory Park. The suggestion "Queen Elizabeth Park" was met with great enthusiasm - but clearly never happened.

This weekend was memorable for Quakers in the Craven district. Members of the Society of Friends from America, South Africa, New Zealand, France and various parts of the UK were touring the North-West of England and Skipton was the start of their journey.

25 years ago

WHARFEDALE Rugby Club broke all records at its annual gala - doubling the previous year's figures to 3,000. During the event eight "superstars" of sport - Stephen Mallinson, Martin Lampkin, Alan Stevenson, David Duckham, Graham Webster, Brian Jefferson, Les Steadman and Stewart Francis - competed in a range of sports challenges emulating the BBC television series to entertain the crowds.

Four years' effort by Craven District Council came to fruition when the first flatlet scheme opened at Town End, Glusburn. The scheme offered 24 single person bedsitter flatlets and six two person flatlets in three blocks. Similar schemes had been put in place by the previous council.

Penguins swapped the freezing temperatures of the Antartic for summer sun at Gargrave's mini-zoo at the Anchor Inn.

10 years ago

THE National Trust announced the acquisition of 72 acres of stunning landscape around Malham Cove. Lord Denis Healey, the former chancellor of the exchequer, announced the acquisition at a meeting in Malham Village Hall.

In these days of record low interest rates Skipton Building Society hit national headlines with a sudden half per cent rise in its mortgage rate to 11.25 per cent. Comments were made by the Guardian, Independent, Telegraph, Mail, Express and the Financial Time criticising the move.

Herald reporter Claire Walsh - now sub-editor Claire Garnett - spent a day at the races with Kildwick's Frank Greenway. Frank had become quite a name in the saloon racing world and was taking part in a leg of the BRSCC/BRDC championships at Oulton Park, Cheshire. Unfortunately his race was cancelled due to rain.

New age travellers were forced off land in Skipton after a battle in the High Court. The travellers had spent nine months on the Snaygill site owned by North Yorkshire County Council before moving on.