100 years ago

Skipton Petty Sessions had two courts sitting simultaneously, something, which had not been seen in the last 20 years. The move was welcomed by the Herald reporter, although he noted that two cases, involving Italians accused of unlawful wounding and assault, had taken from 11am until almost 5pm to deal with. He added in a frustrating tone: "These took up considerable time from the fact that the depositions had to be recorded in long hand and translated."

Meanwhile, two themes were prominent in Skipton Urban Council's agenda - street lighting and toilets. On the first matter, the council had to deal with 30 applications for the post of lamp lighter. With the latter, the council had "demanded" half a dozen additional toilets at Park Shed.

Several cases of anthrax had developed in the north, the nearest case to Craven at a farm at Northallerton where a young bullock had to be destroyed. The cause of the outbreak was a mystery.

A round-up of Craven's crime statistics revealed there had been 986 summonses. The offences comprised largely of assault, theft and drunkenness although included in the list were two cases of bigamy, 12 of brothel-keeping, stealing or destroying workhouse clothing, and four offences of stealing growing fruit.

50 years ago

THE lords and commoners of the ancient parish of Hubberholme held their annual parliament in the village's George Inn on New Year's Day. The parliament was convened to let the "poor pastures"- land which was bequeathed by an unknown benefactor "for the benefit of the needy of the parish". In 1952, Mr F B Mitton, landlord of the George Inn - the only licensed house in the North owned by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners - was again the successful bidder.

The Herald reported how 1951 was the wettest year ever recorded in Barnoldswick. The statistics were compiled by Mr C R Nutter, of Barnoldswick Modern School. During the year there was 53.50 inches of rain and 230 "rainy days", compared with an average for the past 41 years of 41.16 inches and 202 rainy days. December was the wettest month ever recorded with rainfall of 10.89 inches and 27 rainy days.

On a lighter note, an article in Craven Man's diary told of a recent WI meeting. The lecturer had been addressing the company on the duties of a wife. During her talk she said: "It's the duty of every woman to mother her husband." Wishing to see what impression this had made she asked all those to stand up who were willing to mother their better halves. Only one stood up. "Ah!" said the lady. "I'm glad to see there's at least one who is willing to mother her husband." "Muther yer 'usband," crowed the woman, "ah thowt tha said smuther."

25 years ago

A BOY from Skipton had a lucky escape after plunging into an icy canal. Nine-year-old Stephen Tosney, of Cawder Green, fell 20 feet from a railway bridge into the ice-covered Leeds-Liverpool Canal. He was walking along the railway bridge crossing the canal behind Skipton General Hospital when its wooden planks collapsed. Fortunately for Stephen, the canal was covered with only a thin layer of ice. He managed to scramble out onto the banking and two boys found him and took him home. He escaped with cuts and bruises.

Settle Middle School's new building swung into operation. A total of 100 11-year-olds were the first pupils to use the school, but eventually it would take children between the ages of 10 and 13 from the Settle area. The school had opened unofficially the previous September, sharing the facilities of the high school.

Meanwhile, Earby baker and confectioner Fred Pickles took a three-tier wedding cake 900 miles to his daughter's wedding in West Germany. His daughter, Gillian, married her German husband in Jubingen on Boxing Day. Mr and Mrs Pickles and their two sons made the 1,800-mile round trip on Christmas Sunday and returned four days later in time to re-open their Victoria Road shop.

10 years ago

THE stork was not exactly overworked on New Year's Day at Airedale Hospital a decade ago, as there were no babies born from the Craven area. Five babies were born at Lancaster Royal Infirmary, but none of the parents lived in Craven.

Meanwhile, Kettlewell was the venue for a charity "rave in a cave". A total of 18 party-goers, all regulars at the Turkey Inn at Goose Eye, walked up to Dow Cave with a waitress, chef, turkey, Calor gas stove and table in tow. The group, known as the Turkey Troglodytes, was raising money for Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association and cooked all the food underground bar the turkey. The organiser of the event was Trevor Smith, of Cross Hills, a member of Craven Potholing Club. He thought up the idea to say thank you after a youngster was rescued from Dowber Ghyll Passage.

On a less festive note, Christmas vandals caused £80,000 worth of damage at Skipton's Waltonwrays cemetery. Cemetery superintendent Danny Clark discovered the desecrated graves on Christmas morning. Numerous gravestones in the older part of the cemetery had been knocked over.