100 years ago: Cycling was a hugely popular pastime at the turn of the century and the Herald reported that the education board in Connecticut, alarmed at the number of female teachers wearing cycling skirts, had banned them from the classroom.

Craven churches were busy collecting funds from their parishioners. The collection was in aid of the Skipton and District Cottage Hospital, and around £45 was raised.

Skipton Urban Council issued orders that posters and handbills should be put up around the town. The idea was to warn people in charge of cattle that they should not obstruct pathways in the town. The move followed complaints that, on fair days, stray cattle had been allowed to block the town's pathways.

Residents of Bolton Abbey flocked to the priory church to celebrate the birthday of Queen Victoria. Hymns commemorating the event were sung, and were followed by a prayer for the Queen. The service finished with the singing of the National Anthem.

50 years ago: The future was looking promising for Skipton's Rugby Union Football Club. The optimism followed a donation of £200 which the club planned to use in the development of its grounds and facilities.

A Skipton businessman warned that the country could no longer stand any reduction in working hours. In a speech to business directors, he urged them to stand firm against calls for shorter working hours and increased wages.

Gargrave was hit by a freak thunderstorm which left the village without electricity or telephones. The Sunday church service carried on in the dark, with the organ being blown by hand rather than electricity. The cricket field was left strewn with debris after a tree was hit by a thunderbolt.

Skipton Urban District Council was playing host to ambassadors from 13 European countries. The ambassadors were here at the invitation of the British Council to observe and learn about the English way of life.

The male members of Coniston Cold Young Farmers' Club held sheepdog trials around the village while the girls took part in a patching competition, to be judged by the lady members of the club's committee.

25 years ago: The Yorkshire Water Board announced plans for a £450,000 investment programme to improve the water supply to the villages of Hellifield and Airton. The work would take over two years to complete and would see five miles of new mains installed as well as a pumping station.

Settle man Edward Foy retired from Castleberg Hospital in Giggleswick, after 40 years of service. At the same time the hospital took possession of a new minibus, which was paid for using funds raised by the staff, £1,173 in total. The minibus was to take patients on outings in the countryside.

Employment in the area remained steady, according to a report published by the Skipton and District Employment Committee. The report also stated that there was an increase in the number of job vacancies in the Skipton area.

Skipton tenants sent a petition to Craven District Council. The tenants who owned property on East Castle Street were protesting at what they believed was an unjustified rise in their rates. The group said: "It has been a sore point with us that we get nothing for the rates we pay, the increase now has brought us to the point where we feel that we ought to have something in return."

10 years ago: Silsden Parish Council was appealing for volunteers to help clean up the town. The call came in the run up to the Britain In Bloom competition, in which Silsden was entered. Hundreds of tulips and primulas were planted in anticipation of the judging. Hanging baskets were up and the town council bought shrubs and trees to enhance the area.

Residents in Grassington were also cleaning up their town. Armed with sweeping brushes and bin liners they were hoping to keep the village's streets clear of the litter which inevitably followed the influx of tourists into the area.

Skipton's Woolworth's store was handing out teddy bears to children, who had won a competition run by the store, in which they had to identify famous bears such as Rupert and Paddington.

Actress Thelma Barlow (Coronation Street's Mavis Riley) opened Skipton's newest charity shop for The Cancer Research Campaign. The charity was also appealing for volunteers to work in the shop.

A local vicar was busy attacking the Government's new Community Charge, saying that it would hit the poorest families very hard indeed.

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