100 years ago

A ROUSING welcome greeted members of the Skipton Volunteer Battalion on their return from the war in South Africa. Thousands of people lined the streets to greet the volunteers, who had served under the command of Captain Edgar Dewhurst. The town was decorated throughout, with flags flying from every available elevation from the castle to the humblest cottage. Streamers spanned the main streets and there was bunting at every turn. On their arrival at Skipton Railway Station the volunteers were greeted by a "mass of cheering humanity". After being thanked publicly for their efforts, they marched up to the town hall, cheered all the way.

Animals on show at Skipton's cattle fair were again causing trouble. A sweet-toothed cow made its way into Mr Lund's confectioners on Belmont Bridge, quickly pursued by another animal keen to follow its example. Luckily the animals were ejected without causing any damage. Just the previous week a ban had been enforced preventing animals being exhibited on Belmont Bridge.

Skipton's newly formed Tuesday Cricket Club was looking forward to a successful season. Mr T Fattorini had agreed to be the president and several fixtures had been organised. A field had been secured on Carleton New Road and over 30 people turned up for the first practice.

50 years ago

WITHIN an hour of going on sale, tickets for the third Settle Drama Festival had completely sold out. Queues had formed as early as 6am such was the popularity of the annual event. As well as Settle thespians, the festival had attracted theatre groups from Bentham, Colne, Grassington, Skipton and Keighley. Their performances would be adjudicated by London man Frank Newman, an instructor for the British Drama League.

A mini Malham Cove complete with stream, rock pool and pothole was the centrepiece at a natural history exhibition in Skipton Town Hall. The event was taking place as part of the Festival of Britain and had been organised jointly by the Craven Naturalists and Scientific Association, Skipton Mechanics Institute and Craven Pothole Club. Also on display were the skull and bones of a brown bear recently discovered in the Grassington area, and exhibits relating to plants, flowers, astronomy and geology.

Barnoldswick's Rolls-Royce sports ground, described as one of the best in the North of England, was officially opened by Rolls chairman Lord Hives. Former meadow land off Skipton Road had been transformed to house a bowling green, cricket ground, football pitch, tennis courts and an athletic track. Lord Hives said the work demonstrated the firm's commitment to the town. Half a century on and the town celebrated the ground's 50th anniversary with a special fun day on Saturday.

25 years ago

THE silver screen was about to return to Cross Hills for the first time in several years. The town's cinema had previously been defeated in the battle between big screen and bingo. However, two Leeds men had bought the building and had been awarded planning permission to convert it from a bingo hall back to a cinema.

The Herald sent its best wishes to Skipton dustbinman Thomas Donaghy, who had reached the final of the Dustbinman of the Year competition for the second year running. The national competition was run by the Paper Sack Development Association.

Earby's May Day celebrations had been described as the best for 20 years, with a colourful and well-supported procession and a whole host of attractions including the Black Knights Sky Divers.

10 years ago

YOUNGSTERS in Silsden had transformed a video rental shop into a Youth Information and Social Centre. Silsden Action for Youth had organised the conversion after winning a grant, and most of the work had either been carried out or supervised by the young people themselves. The idea came about following a public meeting in the town when local youths complained there was nowhere for them to meet. The centre featured a refreshment bar, pool room and meeting place and would be run by a committee made up of young people.

Also making a stand were pupils at South Craven School, Cross Hills, who formed a Youth Crime Prevention Panel. The aim was to make fellow pupils aware of crime and around 80 children turned up to the first meeting, which was attended by members of the local police force. Issues which pupils wanted to examine included theft and graffiti.