100 years ago

THE Dales Railway between Skipton and Threshfield was making a steady progress and would hopefully be ready in time for the next season's holidaymakers. According to the Herald there had already been signs that some villages along the line - "hitherto veritable Sleepy Hollows" - were "pruning themselves in preparation for the harvest they anticipate will pass."

Vandalism was not unknown in Victorian times. A £2 reward was being offered by Silsden District Council for information leading to the conviction of vandals who had damaged seats throughout the town. The benches had been provided by the council at local beauty spots but had been covered in carvings by youngsters using pocket knives through "sheer wantoness".

Bostock and Wombwell's wild beast show was returning to Craven with a new exhibition of novelties and oddities from the animal world. The latest shows included a pure milk-white "Yankee" horse with a mane and tail measuring 40ft combined, a giant cart horse and mule, miniature horses and a hairless mare from Kruger Land.

50 years ago

A SHORTAGE of Scouters had been the biggest handicap for the success of local scouting during the previous year, the organisation's annual meeting in Skipton was told by District Commissioner Mr W Hardacre. Nevertheless, all the clubs in existence in 1949 had survived and a new cub pack had been started by the Skipton Salvation Army.

The Herald detailed events taking place throughout the district to celebrate the Festival of Britain. Religious, civic, social and sporting events were planned in towns and villages throughout Craven. The eight-week festival was due to start on Whit Sunday, and in Skipton activities would include a Sunday School pageant, natural and local history exhibitions, an art exhibition, a youth week and sporting events. Some places were planning more permanent reminders of the event including tree planting, fundraising for new public buildings and village green clean-ups.

A Tenant's Association was to be formed by residents on the Horse Close Estate in Skipton, where 200 homes had been built since the war. The first major issue raised by the group was school transport, the nearest school being two miles away. A new school was to be built on the estate but parents were calling for action in the meantime, particularly as many mothers were working and unable to take their children to school personally.

The 2/6th Duke of Wellington's Regiment held its annual reunion in Skipton, attended by some 120 members. The contingent marched from the Drill Hall to the cenotaph where a wreath of poppies was laid in memory of fallen comrades.

25 years ago

OVER 300 years of history came to an end when the Hole in the Wall pub, one of Skipton's oldest inns, closed its doors for the last time. A farewell party was held for licensees Bill and Pat Mitchell who had been at the pub for 15 years.

Warm sunshine and a cloudless sky contributed to the must successful Long Preston Maypole Festival since the event started. May Queen for the year was Susanne Dodgson while crown bearer Gary Parker gave the order to start dancing. Other events included a demonstration by the Craven Gym Club, music from the Grassington WI handbell ringers, a pet show and a ladies versus girls netball match.

Seventy-five textile workers were to lose their jobs after the closure of Booth and Speak in Earby was announced. The firm, based in Albion Mill Shed, was one of the few remaining textile companies left in West Craven. It was said to be another victim of the slide which had beset the industry since the war.

10 years ago

Hundreds of people turned out to greet Princess Anne as she visited a new £4 million factory in Silsden. The royal visitor officially opened Weavestyle's new premises in her capacity as president of the British Knitting and Clothing Export Council.

There were more crowds in Skipton when the Duke of Wellington's Regiment was awarded honorary citizenship of the town. Hundreds of people turned out to watch the troops march into the High Street where they were inspected and formerly welcomed by the Mayor of Skipton, Fred Armitage. He later handed over the Citizenship Scroll, recognising the regiment's strong links with Skipton.

Five Craven men were to join a pub crawl with a difference - by 1,000 Christian men. They would walk the length of the Pennine Way visiting pubs and clubs along the way to share their faith. Taking part were Donald Taylor and Jim Gorst, of Bentham, John Hunter, of Westhouse, Dudley Jackson and Jeff Simpson of Ingleton.