100 years ago

A scheme to divert Colgarth Hill, Airton was devised to relieve the strain on horses traversing the steep climb. The Herald claimed the road was 'one of the ugliest looking places in the whole district abounding in ups and downs'. The new scheme would divert the road across the natural plateau curving of the hill.

The anticipated opening of the Skipton to Grassington railway line was put back once again. Grassington residents had expected an influx of visitors for the May Bank Holiday, using the new line, but were warned there was a long wait ahead. A number of inspections and alterations had yet to take place before the line could be officially opened.

50 years ago

The "biggest crash in Craven's railway history" occurred on the Settle-Carlisle line. The Glasgow to St Pancras train with 150 passengers on board overturned between Blea Moor Tunnel and Ribblehead viaduct. 27 required hospital treatment, and many others were treated at the scene. Railway staff, police, fire, nuns, nurses and doctors worked throughout the night to free people and clear the debris, finally clearing the line for the next morning.

The Ministry of Transport immediately launched an inquiry and the Herald ran details of the accident, witness statements and photograph of the crash.

An unusual race took place between members of Barnoldswick Clarion Cycling Club and a team of runners from the Athletics section of Rolls Royce Limited. The seven mile course was littered with fields, ditches, canal banks and roads, intending to provide some obstacles to the cyclists. It was a tough battle, but the cyclists won through, with the runners a few minutes behind.

25 years ago

Skipton Golf Club was given the go-ahead to extend its course to 18 holes. The extension, costing £27,000, brought a six acre field being used for pasture into use for golf.

Hebden man Peter Walbank appeared on the BBC's "Nationwide" programme to discuss the tapestry of the Queen being designed by his company to mark the Silver Jubilee. His firm Bentley Walbank, of Bingley, based the tapestry - which took two people six months to design - on Pietro Annigoni's painting. Five hundred were produced, including one to be auctioned at Sotheby's.

The Herald ran a story about two tame foxes who had come to live with a Cowling family. Chester, the fox, had been a family pet for the past eight years and the younger fox, Benji, had joined in the past year. Chester even slept at the bottom of his owners' bed, knew how to open refrigerator doors, and set the car hazard lights off - perhaps not the most welcome of skills in a pet!

10 years ago

Measures to control Skipton market were introduced by Craven District Council, following a number of complaints relating to litter, stall holders' vehicles blocking the carriageway, stalls overhanging the pavement in a dangerous way and the lack of space for pedestrians between stalls. A voluntary system had been ignored by some.

The market was to be restricted to a Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, between 8.30 and 5pm; charges were to be levied; waiting restrictions on the setts introduced and more money given towards traffic wardens' fees.

Discussions had started over the redevelopment of Skipton Bus Station. The plans included providing a revised bus station, car park, taxi rank and commercial development. The earliest date for redevelopment, due to tenants' leases, would be September 1993.