100 years ago

GENERAL election fever had gripped Craven, with the Herald producing a special supplement to mark the occasion. Unionist candidate Walter Morrison was battling it out with Fredrick Whitley-Thompson, representing the Radicals. The pair had spent much of the week touring villages of Craven and speaking to the electorate. Mr Whitley-Thompson had received a luke-warm reception in many places, including Airton, where he was heckled for so-called "scandalous and misleading statements" in his election leaflets.

The proposed installation of an electric street light prompted a lengthy discussion at a meeting of the Skipton Trades Association. Members voted to go back to the applicants, Skipton Urban District Council, and ask them for more information.

Meanwhile, Skipton folk were being urged to boil their milk, or, if they could afford it, have it sterilised. This was the stark message from the medical officer who reported 42 cases of scarlet fever in the town, with infected milk put down as one of the major causes.

The fight against diseases was taken so seriously that a father from Barnoldswick was fined 20s for failing to vaccinate his three children.

50 years ago

THE village of Linton was presented with a sundial after winning the "Loveliest Village in the North" competition. The judges had been unanimous in awarding the prize to Linton, one remarking that the village was unique because it depicted four historic methods of crossing running water - the ford, the old stone slab bridge of Saxon times, the packhorse bridge and the turnpike bridge of the 18th century.

A member of Barnoldswick Urban District Council criticised a decision to sell the town's old isolation hospital. Some 2,200 people had signed a petition asking for the premises to be used as a maternity home or be put to some other good use. "The council has not supported or thought of their women folk," proclaimed councillor Mrs Glen.

There were plenty of job vacancies at Craven's mills 50 years ago this week, with John Woodrow and Son at Cross Hills, Mark Nutter in Skipton, and Thos Stell & Co at Cononley all advertising for overlookers.

25 years ago

BRADLEY'S rebuilt village hall was officially opened by Harold Green, whose family had lived in the village for many years. Thomas Barron, chairman of the village hall committee, said all sections of the community would be able to use the new facilities. A new playgroup was about to be started for the very young while another room would be available for senior citizens. The original village hall - known as the Peace Memorial Institute - had been opened 23 years before by Sir Donald Horsfall.

Earby's "biggest eyesore", the derelict railway station buildings, were to be demolished. It was 10 years since the last train had rolled down the track and since then the waiting room, ticket office, porter's room and ancillary buildings had fallen into a state of decay.

Councillors were discussing the possibility of providing a permanent site for itinerant caravanners at Skipton. Five caravans and six wagons had set up camp on council land at Engine Shed Lane, and local residents had expressed concern at the "unhealthy conditions". A special meeting was to be organised to discuss the issue.

Dutch Elm Disease, which had been prevalent in the south of England, was reported to have reached Skipton and was causing concern among landowners, conservationists and the public.

10 years ago

PROTESTERS claimed the temporary closure of a ward at Skipton's Raikeswood Hospital could mark the beginning of the end for the premises. Doctors from the town were among those who spoke out, saying the facilities had been continuously eroded over the last 20 years. But Airedale Health Authority said while Raikeswood could cater for 97 elderly and elderly mentally ill patients, occupancy for the first nine months of the year had averaged just 65. The hospital did eventually close.

It was also announced that the Wilson Arms Country House Hotel at Threshfield was to close. Robert Heseltine, head of owners Alpha Care and Leisure Ltd, said the decision followed the refusal by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority of the company's application for improved guest facilities at the hotel.

The once-threatened Settle-Carlisle Railway was to receive a £7 million boost from British Rail. The money would fund new trains and a programme of station improvements.

In scenes reminiscent of recent events, road haulage companies accused the fuel companies of profiteering. They said price increases may be on the way if their campaign to slash diesel prices failed. Hauliers had seen the basic price of diesel double over the past eight weeks from eight pence a litre to 16p and after duty and VAT, from 27p a litre to 35p. The Road Haulage Association was calling on the fuel companies and the Government to call a halt to price increases.