100 years ago

THOMAS Hopwood, who had served for 20 years at Bell Busk Silk Mill, was heading for pastures new. He had been appointed Superintendent of the Mill of the Alliance Silk Manufacturing Company in Bombay, India. Mr Hopwood had sailed from London the previous day in the Peninsular and Oriental Liner Sobroan. "He takes with him the best wishes of the villagers for his success in his new and distant home," reported the Herald.

Skipton Cricket Club was about to commence its home season matches with a game against Bradford. Skipton had engaged the services of Harry Haley, a professional of the Leeds Club and an old county player. The committee hoped the town's public would show their support by turning out in force to watch the team at Sandylands.

The circus was coming to town. Lord George Sanger's Circus was to visit Skipton and promised to be bigger and better than ever before. As usual there would be a free street procession which was always a "source of wonder and delight". The latest attraction was the Royal Academy Tribute Tableau, a 40ft-high exquisitely carved and embellished tableau with life-like portraits of the great generals and others who had "gallantly upheld their country's honour at the front".

50 years ago

FIRST class passages to Australia and a cash grant of £150 to buy land or a house there was the first prize in a competition being run by the Regal Theatre in Skipton. The competition was being run by cinemas across the country to stimulate British filmgoers' interest in the Australian film The Rugged O'Riordans. Patrons could pick up a free entry form in the cinemas and had to list five reasons why they would like to go to Australia. Second prize in the competition was a first class return trip to Australia with a month's free sightseeing, and there were 1,000 runners up prizes of Australian food parcels.

Earby man Walter Wareing, of Water Street, claimed to be the oldest working man in the town. At the age of 78 Mr Wareing was still operating four looms full time at Kelbrook's Dotcliffe Mill. He had worked in the mill almost all his life, starting half time at the age of 10. He became full time a year later earning 5/6d a week. Mr Wareing had retired three years previously but was so bored that he decided to return

The National Cactus and Succulent Society announced the opening of its Skipton branch, and invited applications for membership. For their initial fee members received a quarterly journal, newsletters and use of the library, as well as "advice and assistance".

The Skipton Roads Safety Committee anxiously reported that one in four traffic accidents in Skipton were caused by dogs wandering into the road. Chairman Mr R Wynn urged dog owners to be more responsible. "Thirty-three out of 115 accidents last year were caused by dogs not being kept under proper control,' he said.

Work on the new Horse Close school in Skipton was due to start in July at an estimated cost of £52,360.

25 years ago

There was much delight among Barnoldswick residents when underdog second division side Barnoldswick Youth Club reached the final of the Imperial Cup. Their opponent in the Pendle Sunday Charity league competition was Ouzledale Social Club, also from Barnoldswick. To the great amusement of everyone in the town, several of Ouzledale's regulars were fathers of the Youth Club team players, the competition thus pitting father against son.

West Craven-based beds and furniture manufacturer Silentnight announced a fall in profits from £938,433 to £380,207 in spite of an increase in turnover. The fall was blamed on higher interest rate charges, but the Herald remained optimistic: "Silentnight has quite a healthy order book," commented our correspondent. This year Silentnight announced pre-tax profits of £18.5 million.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Information centre at Malham was officially opened by Tom Stephenson, originator of the Pennine Way, who unveiled a commemorative plaque.

10 years ago

THIRTY volunteers held their noses and cleaned up Springs Canal, Skipton, on National Earth Day. The volunteers used a 15-foot powered dinghy and a narrowboat to fish empty wrappers and cans out of the water. The successful event was organised by Jean Davison, proprietor of Bizzie Lizzie's fish and chip shop.

Seven-year-old Jennifer Harris, from Embsay, was busy learning her lines for a leading role in the hit TV film Chimera (the one nobody could pronounce) which was filmed locally. Her co-star was Andrew Leighton, nine, whose family had recently moved away from Skipton to live in Derbyshire.

As local council elections loomed, two Barnoldswick women, Sally Lambert and Linda MacSween, threw down the gauntlet to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. "Come to Barnoldswick and explain to the people why you are forcing them into this dreadful situation," they demanded. The issue to which they referred was one of the most sensitive of the day, the poll tax.

A reception was held to mark the 21st anniversary of the Settle-based North Craven Heritage Trust. It was used as a platform to launch a membership campaign and endowment appeal to raise £25,000. The cash was needed to cover the shortfall in costs of the North Craven Heritage Centre in Settle, home to the Museum of North Craven Life and the trust's headquarters.

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