100 years ago

THE Herald reported how considerable progress had been made for a scheme of limestone quarrying between Cracoe Raikes and Linton by PW Spencer who worked the Lothersdale and Giggleswick lime-kilns - presumably Swinden Quarry which still dominates the landscape today. Mr Spencer was building five steel-cased and brick-lined kilns, one of which was nearing completion and would eventually stand 90 feet in the air. The reporter commented four companions would quickly join the kiln and "the output when fully equipped will be enormous". He added: "The class of machinery he is erecting and the preparations being made indicate the introduction in the Dales of an industry on a scale not hitherto attempted."

Three memorial windows were unveiled at Christ Church in Skipton. A service to unveil the windows and of dedication of the stained glass windows was presented by Archdeacon Kilner, vicar of Bingley. The windows depicted the Agony, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection and were said to be "a distinct ornament to an otherwise plain interior".

Plans for the celebrations for the Coronation of King Edward VII were gathering speed with councillors forming a committee comprising local groups to co-ordinate the event. It was decided the committee would need to raise £250 to pay for the entire festivities and members were to set about fundraising.

50 years ago

CRAVEN experienced its busiest Easter since the war according to the Herald. The bright sunshine attracted thousands of motorists, hikers and cyclists to the Dales. On Easter Monday there was a continuous line of traffic crawling nose to tail and extending from Skipton High Street beyond Coniston Cold, a distance of over five miles. The traffic was so bad that it took about an hour to travel the four miles from Gargrave to Skipton, a journey that normally takes less than 10 minutes. The number of cars at Grassington and Burnsall was said to be the highest for any Easter before the war.

Meanwhile in Barnoldswick concerns were being raised about the struggling cotton industry and members of Barnoldswick Urban District Council passed a resolution calling for the reduction or abolition of Purchase Tax on textiles. It was thought abolition of the tax would bring immediate relief to the industry, which was suffering throughout the country and in West Craven. The situation was so bad in Barnoldswick that it was estimated 50 per cent of operatives were "playing" that week and there were notices up on several mills in the area telling workers there would be a system of work one week on and one week off.

25 years ago

NORTH Yorkshire County Council's education committee put forward proposals to provide for two single-sex comprehensive schools in Skipton at Aireville and Ermysted's with a joint sixth form on the Girls' High School site. There was to be a period of consultation before the proposals would be voted on by the full county council for subsequent approval by the Secretary of State. It was also seeking consultation on definitive proposals for a co-educational school for 11 to 16-year-olds in Upper Wharfedale which could be developed to provide for about 300 pupils.

Glusburn Parish was apparently in danger of becoming a "slummy looking area" because of the onus on householders to pay for private street works. At the annual parish meeting, Craven District councillor Harold Gresswell said that improvements to unmade roads were being hindered because residents had to foot the heavy costs themselves and he urged that financing should come out of public funds. Meanwhile another councillor said that the firms whose vehicles caused the wear and tear should help pay the road resurfacing costs.

Villagers in Hellifield were pressing for a pelican crossing and it was hoped that the county council would take traffic and pedestrian counts on Saturdays and Thursdays, when the problem was at its worst.

10 years ago

IT was agreed that a Skipton landmark, Dewhurst's Mill chimney, one of the last of its kind still standing, should be demolished. In recent years the state of the 200 feet chimney, owned by Kingsley Cards, had deteriorated considerably and there were fears it was unsafe and a proposal to demolish it was approved by Craven planners.

David Curry MP had plenty to celebrate after the 1992 general election. Not only was he re-elected as MP for Skipton and Ripon, but his majority was increased by over 2,000 votes. Mr Curry was made a Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Meanwhile, Craven planners indicated their support for an application for 62 homes at Skipton's Raikeswood Hospital site. Members agreed to go on a site visit but indicated they accepted the plans in principle. The Health Authority said the site was "surplus to their requirements" and the formal closure was to be completed early in 1992.