100 years ago

A CRAVEN Herald columnist gave a severe warning to all cyclists just embarking on another season. He referred to a local man who that week had got into trouble with the police for riding his bike in an "indiscriminate manner" and with no regard for pedestrians. Nicknamed the "Barlick Wheelman" by the columnist, the cyclist had appeared in court for failing to give warning of his approach to pedestrians. He was apparently riding by The Bull Inn at Broughton when he came into contact with two walkers. When spoken to about his actions, the cyclist replied that he could not always be ringing his bell. He later admitted his poor eyesight could have had something to do with the collision.

The question of how April Fool's Day first started was also discussed in the columns of the Herald. The columnist said it was thought the day first originated from "letting insane persons be at large on 1st April when amusement was made by despatching them on ridiculous errands". In some parts of the country the day was referred to as Foeals Holiday - which literally translated to Fools' Holiday.

50 years ago

THOUGH there were far fewer vehicles around 50 years ago, Bolton Abbey still had a phenomenal number of visitors during one season - April to September. In all, 7,690 vehicles had used the car park: 556 coaches, 6,620 cars, 465 motorcycles and 51 motorcycle combinations. After expenditure the car park made a profit of £165.

A complaint that the cheapest margarine was being provided for Craven's schools was denied by alderman WJ John, chairman of the West Riding Educational Committee. The allegations centred on a Silsden school canteen which was said to have received supplies of inferior quality margarine. The official reply was that the only difference between that and more expensive margarine was that the latter was more refined, and its use must be one for the Ministry to decide to economise in school meals.

Craven's "wireless" owners 50 years ago could listen in at weekends to the Northern Home Service and hear such treats as Billy Ternent and orchestra, BBC Welsh Orchestra, Variety Bandbox, Breakfast with Braden and Music While you Work. The Light Programme gave such things as Housewives' Choice, Freddie Randall and his Band, Fred Astaire and Judy Garland, football, racing and sports reports.

25 years ago

SKIPTON Town Hall's dressing rooms were a fire risk, Craven District Council's development services committee heard. Members were also told the toilets and kitchen were in a deplorable condition. The fire risk involved the men's dressing room under the stage. Because the new museum extension had been shelved, the committee felt it should look into the cost of bringing the dressing rooms up to the standards of the rest of the town hall.

Silsden Town Hall was the venue for the centenary dinner of Bradley Cricket Club, attended by BBC senior producer of outside broadcasts and ex-Herald reporter Don Mosey. Club president, RL Fryers, said the village should be proud of a club which had given it so much over the past 100 years in sport and recreation. Mr Mosey said he always imagined Bradley Cricket Club was formed because one day the Almighty looked down and saw Charlie Pritchard and Maurice Gill bowling on a hill and thinking, "that's a helluva good place to put a cricket club."

The captains of Ghyll Golf Club, Rolls Royce Badminton Club, Thornton Cricket Club, plus teachers and hotel staff met at the Craven and District Tiddlywinks Championships. The event, at the Manor House Hotel, Thornton-in-Craven, was held on behalf of Badminton Club funds.

10 years ago

CRAVEN District Council officers had been granted wide-ranging draconian powers in a bid to prevent the spread of so-called "acid house" parties into the area. The police had told the council there had been attempts to hold such parties in the area, though not on a large scale. However, Coun Claire Brooks opposed measures to have such parties banned saying they were an attack on young people wanting to enjoy themselves.

Complaints about the lack of police presence are not a modern gripe. Ten years ago Cowling's annual ratepayers and parish council meeting had discussed the matter and came to the conclusion that the police spent a very limited time in the village.

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