100 years ago

CONCERN was raised about the timing of elementary school holidays in Skipton, with parents, pupils and even teachers arguing that they were at the wrong end of the summer. The holidays were taken at the latter end of August, after the fine weather had departed and darkness was setting in earlier. "It seems absurd," wrote a Herald columnist.

Also causing concern was Skipton's cattle fair, held in the town centre streets. Locals complained about the mess and animals standing on Belmont Bridge, blocking the way. Local councillors decreed that cattle could not be exhibited between Belmont Bridge and Cavendish Street, or between Kilngarth Yard and Pinder Bridge, and the police were to be asked to enforce the matter.

Meanwhile, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals had been requested to send an inspector to the weekly cattle market. However, the group responded by saying it got little financial support from Skipton and so would not come. The clerk to the council was ordered to look into what subscriptions were given, and to what steps could be taken to help fund the organisation.

The newly formed Skipton Permanent Orchestra was to make its first public appearance, giving a sacred concert in aid of the Hospital Gala Fund.

50 years ago

A TALE of two towns was described in the Craven Man's Diary this week. Passing through Barnoldswick and Earby on Whit Monday was like moving from one world to another, said the writer. In Earby, life was going on as it would on any other day - the shops were open, the sound of mill machinery could be heard and people were moving about their daily tasks. In fact, there was no holiday feeling at all, for Whit Monday was a normal working day in Earby with employees taking an extra day in September. Over in Barnoldswick, things were different. There was a "free, gay feeling in the air" enhanced by the splendour and pageantry of a Sunday School procession. Instead of women wearing working clothes and having curlers in their hair, they wore new, fancy shoes that pinched and clothes which they were afraid of creasing; in fact anything which made for a lack of ease and comfort and to enhance their outward appearance. No difference there then!

Skipton's Odeon Cinema was holding a local heat to find Britain's Festival Girl. The event was being held as part of the Festival of Britain, and the national winner would receive a round-the-world air trip, a month's holiday and a complete wardrobe. "It is not a bathing beauty contest, nor a contest for the girl with the perfect figure," said the Odeon manager. "We want a girl from a typical home with a personality, deportment and a good speaking voice."

25 years ago

HISTORY was made in local league bowling when Mrs C Wortley and her husband won the doubles competition. This was the first time a woman had taken home any prize in a league competition.

In other sporting news, Fiery Fred Trueman, saviour of Yorkshire and England, failed to save the day when he turned out as guest cricketer for Cracoe, who lost out to Grassington.

Also in Grassington, the village had been hit by daffodil scavengers. Dales tourists had been stopping their cars to "steal" daffodils by the armful, depriving other sightseeers and locals of the colourful display. Angry councillors had hit out at these so-called "nature vandals" pointing out that in one particular area only two daffodils had been left unpicked.

10 years ago

KETTLEWELL'S village bobby retired after 26 years with the police. PC Pat Poole had worked in various departments, including road traffic and CID but it was rural policing that gave him the most pleasure. It was a proud boast that he knew 95 per cent of the residents on what was described as the largest single-man rural beat in England. Mr Poole had been awarded seven commendations and an award for gallantry. He had served in Kettlewell for 14 years.

Also retiring was well-known Earby postman Frances Forest. Friends and family had organised a surprise helicopter flight to mark his retirement, taking him over the route he had walked thousands of time delivering the mail. He had been a postman for 32 years and his job made him one of the best-known faces in West Craven.

Burnsall's maypole was back in place after a rescue mission by villagers. As reported here previously, the maypole had mysteriously disappeared while one remarkably similar had sprung up in neighbouring Thorpe. It appeared villagers had revived an ancient maypole feud dating back to 1874. But with help from a structural engineer the maypole was rescued and put back in place on Burnsall Village Green. Not everyone was amused, however. Some locals complained that the incident had brought hordes of tourists to the two villages in search of the missing maypole.