100 years ago

THE news on everyone's lips was the decision by Earby Baptist minister Rev Walter Wynn to stand against sitting Radical candidate for the Skipton division, F Whitley Thompson. Despite supporting Mr Thompson at the last election, Mr Wynn had decided to contest the division as an anti-war candidate and out and out opponent of the Government's South African policy. However, claims that he received an invitation to stand from "gentlemen of position" among the Liberals were refuted by the party's agent, who said he knew of no single Liberal of any influence in the division that had supported Mr Wynn's decision.

Giggleswick School Chapel, the gift of former MP Walter Morrison to mark the 60th anniversary of the late Queen Victoria's reign, was dedicated by the Bishop of Ripon. The dedication followed an address by the headmaster of Eton and a long-time friend of Mr Morrison, Rev Edward Warre.

In neighbouring Settle the town's new Conservative Club was officially opened on the corner of New Street. The premises had billiard and games rooms, an assembly room and a retiring room complete with a bath and hot and cold water.

50 years ago

THE foundation stone was laid for the first school to be built in Skipton since 1911. The £53,000 school was being built on the Horse Close Estate, where the council was in the process of constructing new homes. The school was expected to take two years to complete and would house 280 children in seven classrooms.

An increase in the national minimum wage for agricultural workers was confirmed by the Central Agricultural Wages Board for England and Wales. Male workers would get an extra eight shillings a week, women an extra six shillings and there would be a proportionate increase for young workers. The Board also confirmed an additional five days holiday with pay. Farmers had previously offered an extra two shillings per week without the five days extra paid holiday.

The BBC invited a Craven Herald reporter to a press preview of the new Holme Moss television transmitter station built high in the Pennines. The station would add another 11 million potential viewers to the TV audience - including those in this area.

25 years ago

A THOUSAND workers at Silentnight factories in Barnoldswick and Sutton were to be treated to a champagne celebration to mark record production. Company founder Tom Clarke ordered that the celebrations be done in style to say a big thank you to his staff, whom he considered the best in the country. Until he stepped in, it had been envisaged that the celebrations would be a more modest pie and peas supper.

The Old Comrades Association of the 6th Battalion The Duke of Wellington's Regiment held their annual reunion in Skipton. A company of 48 was welcomed by Major Sir Jim Horsfall.

Canon Eric Allen, vicar of Langcliffe with Stainforth, was to retire after 25 years. Mr Allen was a past chairman of Stainforth Parish Council.

10 years ago

CHARITY groups were angry at a decision by Craven District Council to ban advertising outside Skipton Town Hall. Councillors decided to enforce the conditions for hire which stated that advertising should be restricted to the display board. The move followed concerns that advertising signs were messy and spoilt the town hall frontage. However, organisers of charity events said it could lead to the loss of hundreds of pounds for their causes.

David Blunkett, then Labour's shadow Local Government Minister, visited Barnoldswick during a tour of Pendle. He stopped off at the town's Labour Party headquarters where he spoke to local party members. He was accompanied by Gordon Prentice, who went on to become the area's MP.

An appeal got under way to determine whether 45 houses and industrial units could be built on the former Grassington Hospital site. The scheme had been refused by the Dales National Park Authority, who felt the development would set a precedent for building in open countryside. Members felt the inclusion of low cost homes and the creation of jobs did not outweigh the harmful effect on the character of the 37-acre site.