100 years ago

LOCAL celebrations for the occupation of Pretoria dominated the news in the Craven Herald. In Earby, things got out of hand when jubilant workers refused to attend work when the mills commenced. By 10.30am all the mills, bar one, had ceased running. An impromptu demonstration was held and Earby brass band accompanied a march from the Victoria Institute. A collection was made for the local war fund and a gala held in the afternoon. Various games and amusements were held, including the burning of a Kreuger's effigy.

A ceremony to mark the cutting of the first sod of the Grassington-Skipton railway link was held. After three to four years of persistent application to Parliament for permission to build the line, residents were delighted by this move forward. The expenditure of the railway would be more than met by the increased tourist traffic coming through the district. Statistics claimed that 100,000 people had passed through Cracoe in the previous year.

50 years ago

CONTROVERSY arose over the presentation of a large sundial to Linton by a national daily newspaper to commemorate its success in winning the Loveliest Village in the North Competition. Residents complained that at 12 foot high, the sundial was too big for the village green. A further complaint was made that the monument was to be made from stone from Halifax, as opposed to local materials. Residents felt they had been given no say in the acceptance of the gift. The decision remained in the hands of Skipton Rural District Council.

The opening ceremony for the new Skipton Methodist Church on Broughton Road was fixed for July 1. The society was established 50 years previous at what came to be known in the town as the "tin tabernacle". The building was to continue as a social centre once the new church was built.

A young teenager attempting to climb the 150-foot-high disused Mealbank Quarry cliff face at Ingleton lost his nerve 80 feet from the top and was unable to go up or down. A passer by assisted the marooned youth to safety.

Craven breeders excelled themselves in the 26th International Egg Laying Test conducted by the Yorkshire Federation in Otley. Messrs F & N Spence, of Bradley, retained their lead for the Wm Lightowler Silver Challenge Bowl and the Will Hamnet Silver Challenge Cup. The lead place for the Kennedy Silver Challenge Cup was held by Alan Atkinson, of Skipton, and a further 13 Craven breeders held positions.

25 years ago

A MEMBER of Eldon Pothole Club was declared a "disgrace to potholing" after stealing a chicken from Yockenthwaite, near Grassington. The man in question had parked his car in order to go potholing but had crossed the road to a henhouse, taken a hen, wrung its neck and placed the bird under his car seat. Unfortunately for him the incident was witnessed by two small children. The man apologised in Court and said he had been drinking at lunchtime. The presiding magistrate said this was the first time in his experience that a potholer had been in trouble with the court.

The most comprehensive display of history ever gathered relating to Barnoldswick and its immediate neighbours was held in the town's Holy Trinity Church. The display covered the town's life back to extracts from the Domesday Book, including Roman coins and drawings of Roman excavations in the area. Local industry was charted through the ages and there were photographs, documents and articles of local people and events. Ancient Parish Registers dating back to 1587 showed the history of local names and families.

10 years ago

FOUR times British Touring Car Champion Andy Rouse launched a new top-of-the-range Ford Sierra in Skipton. The limited edition cars, which started at £31,000, were based on the original Cosworths and were expected to be collector's items of the future.

Craven District Council was in dispute with the Chamber of Trade over Sunday Trading. Following a High Court ruling that overrode a local authority prosecution of a national DIY chain, the council came under attack for its similar prosecutions of Skipton's Great Mills. The council argued that the European legislation should not be used as a license to open all hours for Craven shopkeepers and market traders, but decided not to pursue any further prosecutions until the law had been clarified.

The annual Whit walk through Skipton organised by the Skipton and District Council of Churches was joined by St Stephen's Roman Catholic Church for the first time. As the procession moved into the High Street a tongue of flame was seen reaching skywards from Holy Trinity Parish Church symbolising the fire of the first pentecost. Earby Brass Band accompanied the marchers as they sung hymns and prayers around the streets of Skipton.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.