100 years ago

THOUSANDS turned out for the first ever Skipton Hospital Gala. As its title suggests, the event was organised to raise funds for the Skipton and District Hospital, erected to commemorate the jubilee of the late Queen Victoria. The gala procession was described as a "triumph of management" and was followed by a fete on the Brick Buildings Field, off the Bailey. An estimated 5,000 people attended the event where attractions included Punch and Judy shows, trapeze artistes, a bicycle troupe and brass bands. A firework display rounded off a successful day.

News that would delight the country's farmers today was reported in the Herald a century ago. At its annual conference, the National Sheep Breeders Association resolved to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture to declare the country free of foot and mouth disease since there had been no cases since April.

On a lighter note, the Herald questioned whether farmers were getting fatter. Turnstiles which for years had accommodated visitors to the Agricultural Society's show at Cardiff had suddenly proved inadequate. No fewer than 23 agriculturalists had proved too stout to squeeze through the turnstiles and had to be extricated with difficulty. Once free, they were admitted through the carriage entrance.

The Yorkshire Dales Railway from Skipton to Grassington was inspected for the first time by the directors and officials. Still under construction, the railway was described as being "one enchanting panoramic wonder" from start to finish.

50 years ago

JOB vacancies in Skipton and district totalled 1,053 with only 25 people - 23 men and two women - unemployed. The situation was described to the local employment committee as "very favourable" with the jobless total never exceeding 35 since Jaunaury 1950. The main job vacancies were said to be in the ironfounding, agriculture, quarry and building industries for the men and domestic, textile and clerical trades for the women.

As the Herald went to press, the mills in Barnoldswick were closing for the annual holiday. Early indications were that a record number of people would be going away and more then ever were travelling long distances. The West Coast appeared to have lost its popularity with bookings up on the South Coast and the Channel Islands. More people were also going abroad, with Paris, Nice, Switzerland and Germany proving popular. For those staying at home, a full programme of coach and rail excursions had been organised - all that was needed was some good weather. Having said that, Barlickers could be trusted to make the best of any conditions, wrote the Herald.

25 years ago

Ingleton Gala of 1976 was said to be one of the best ever. The highlights of event were the decorated floats, the crowning of gala queen Gillian Brown, and the fancy dress competitions. Bryan Moseley, who played Alf Roberts in Coronation Street, was the chief guest and presented prizes to competitors on the sports field.

Skipton's Soroptimists received a plaque from their link club in Pittsburgh, America. The secretary, Margaret Whitaker, presented the plaque to the president, Phyllis Waterfall, on behalf of the US club.

Yorkshire Television's "Calendar people" and a team from Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association faced each other in a charity football match. The match was organised to raise funds for rescue equipment.

10 years ago

TheRE were big changes at schools in the area with no less than four headteachers leaving - Roy Grindrod at Threshfield, Leigh Molzahn from Kettlewell, Stan Smith from Long Preston and Lois Myerscough from Rathmell. Meanwhile Cynthia Rymer, a teacher at Cracoe School for 40 years, was retiring, as were Pat Hennigan, groundsman at Ermysted's Grammar School, Skipton, for 51 years, and Eileen Gracie, who had been the school's secretary for 22 years.

The new sixth form centre at Skipton Girls' High School was opened by former headmistress Olive Harries, who had led the school from 1955 to 1971. The centre was in West Bank House, opposite the main school complex and was formerly a private residence. Attics were made into study areas and the kitchen completely refurbished with a new fridge and microwave.

Embsay children could look forward to a playground full of swings, slides and roundabouts after villagers raised £18,000 in 18 months. It was designed by villager Keith Watmuf.

Morrisons opened its new supermarket on the site of the former auction mart on Broughton Road, Skipton. Providing 200 jobs, the building was a triumph for local architects Bowman Riley.