100 years ago

Skipton and District Hospital was to launch a Coronation Fund to help clear the building's debts. The hospital, on Granville Street, was built to commemorate Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee, and it was felt no commemoration of King Edward's coronation could be more fitting than the completion of the scheme. It was hoped to clear the £1,800 still outstanding.

Skipton was gearing up for its annual gala. Members of Skipton Traders' Association had been asked by the committee to close their shops early on gala day and to display flags and bunting. Those with gas fittings outside were asked to illuminate them, as the council was providing the gas free of charge for the occasion. While the association felt it was unfair to ask businesses to close, they agreed traders should do all they could to make the town as attractive as possible.

50 years ago

THE glorious weather proved too much for the veterans at Carleton Working Men's Club's sports day. The over 60s decided it was too hot to run their race, but there were plenty more attractions to keep the 700-strong crowd entertained. Held at Sandylands, the sports day was the club's first since before the war.

Weaving machinery from the Silsden Manufacturing Co was sold at auction, raising £1,100 in just an hour. Among the 90 lots were 30 looms which sold for between £14 and £18. The firm had closed earlier in the year.

Employees of David King and Sons iron founders were enjoying new bathing and shower facilities. Bosses had spent £8,000 on a new building, where they could change out of their dirty workclothes before going home. The new facilities accommodated 200 workers and were the first of their kind to be provided in the town. They were officially opened by the chairman of Skipton Urban District Council, who said it demonstrated the good relationship between management and workers.

Skipton's summer holidays were about to start, with most folk drawing out from their savings clubs to enjoy a week away. Despite a general slackness in trade and short time working in the cotton mills, bus companies reported many bookings for the seaside resorts and the Lakes.

25 years ago

After years of consideration and months of debate, North Yorkshire's Education Department finally decided to propose a comprehensive scheme for Skipton. A majority vote went in favour of two co-educational secondary schools based at Aireville and Ermysted's with a joint sixth form at Skipton Girls' High School. It was also decided to build a comprehensive school, for 11 to 16 year olds in Upper Wharfedale. The schemes were to go forward to full council the following week.

The first Duke of Edinburgh awards to be achieved by Settle High School pupils were presented this week to seven fifth formers. They were presented with the awards by County Councillor Beth Graham.

Ingleton parish council wanted to stamp out the misuse of Storrs Common by motorcycles, cars and campers. Visitors were leaving litter and broken glass and remains of outdoor toilets which were creating a health danger to walkers using the common.

10 years ago

A TEAM set out from Rylstone for Cracoe Cairn with tractors and trailers laden with cement and materials, and a commissioned plaque recording the names of local men who died during the first and second world wars. A Cracoe resident had paid for the plaque and restoration work on the cairn had been funded through donations. The initials of eight local men who lost their lives in the 1914-18 war were already inscribed on the stone but the plaque included the names of soldiers who died in the Second.

A Bentham woman made it to the Guinness Book of Records for being the oldest active musician in the world, at 103. Mrs Jennie Newhouse played the organ every Saturday evening and Sunday morning at her local church, St Boniface's as well as weddings and funerals. She had received a medal from the Vatican for her service to the Church - this was her 72nd year playing the organ.

Giggleswick's anti-roads campaigner Robert Leakey was ejected from a public inquiry into a local by-pass when the Inspector lost his cool. After an outburst from Mr Leakey, the Inspector called the inquiry to a halt, ordered police to be called and Mr Leakey's microphone to be switched off.