100 years ago

FLY-TIPPING was rife in Craven at the turn of the century, particularly in Giggleswick. An inspector for Settle Rural District Council had been asked to look at a piece of ground at Mill Hill and found that all kinds of refuse was being illegally dumped. In a couple of places the rubbish was being washed into the stream. It was decided to erect notices informing the offenders where the proper tip was.

In Settle the rural district council had received a demand from Mr WJ Morphet, of Horton, that attention be drawn to the dangerous state of the road between Lodge Hall and Nether Lodge, Horton, and to put it in a better state of repair immediately. The council in turn decided to call upon the tenant of Lodge Hall to carry out the necessary repairs as previous tenants had done.

The Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association at Bolton-by-Bowland had received a letter of thanks from the St John Ambulance. It was thanking the group for the 122 garments, comprising pyjamas, pillowcases, socks and comforters, that it had sent for sick and wounded soldiers fighting in South Africa. In addition, 230 items had been collected and sent to the SSFA secretary in Pontefract for wives, widows and families of those fighting in the war.

50 years ago

THE Craven Museum re-opened after a two-month "spring clean" - the first since it was started in 1928. The number of exhibits on show had been reduced by one third, although they were to be rotated from time to time, and they had been divided into two sections - natural history and social history. Any exhibits not relating to Craven had been excluded. "It is hoped that the day is not far distant when a spacious home worthy of such a fine collection will be found," said the Herald.

The Minister of Food decided to allow unrestricted sales of milk for liquid consumption until further notice. Consumers and caterers would now be allowed to buy as much milk as they liked from the suppliers with whom they were registered.

A Craven-made tractor underwent tests at Swinden before officials from the Yorkshire Electricity Board. It was hoped that the tractor, made by Bristol Tractors (Earby) Ltd, would be used extensively in a scheme to provide electricity for an area extending from Cracoe and Burnsall to a point near Bolton Abbey. In the past, difficulty had been experienced in transporting the electricity pylons to their point of installation. Under the old system, a gang of men would have to drag the pylons by hand. However, Bristol Tractors were hoping their machine could solve the problem by dragging the pylons behind the tractor using a sleigh.

25 years ago

EXTENSIVE renovations at Silsden's Kirkgate Methodist Chapel and Sunday School revealed several items of historical value. Workmen moving one of the original foundation stones discovered a bottle containing old newspapers, brochures and almanacs connected with the Primitive Methodists both in Silsden and nationally. Most were dated April 24 1880 - the date that the Sunday School foundation stones were laid.

Former pupils and villagers gathered to celebrate the centenary of Hebden School. The school was decorated with flags and bunting for the special occasion, which included a children's party. An exhibition of memorabilia featured a number of past photographs as well as an old punishment book and school registers. The current headteacher, Mrs G Hawkins, cut a celebration cake.

10 years ago

Skipton'S anti-poll tax union presented a petition to the town's MP David Curry. The 147 names had been collected in four hours on Skipton High Street. Mr Curry admitted opposition to the poll tax was considerable, but pointed out that since it was now law there was little he could do.

The Bishop of Bradford, the Rt Rev Robert Williamson, preached at a special service to mark the 500th anniversary of the rebuilding of St Michael the Archangel Church at Kirkby Malham. The Bishop said this "cathedral church of the dales" provided stability in the midst of change. The door had always been open for those seeking a time of peace and prayer, but it had also opened the door of opportunity through which people had gone forth to tell the good news of Jesus Christ to a wider community.

A town square for Barnoldswick was approved by Pendle Council. It was to be constructed on the site of the old Co-op on Albert Road and would include seating, trees and a fountain. Objector Winnie Hoyle claimed the town would be better served by a new health centre on the vacant site. But Coun Howard Thomas said a town square would be something of which both the town and Pendle would be proud.

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