100 years ago

Skipton'S Board of Governors held its ordinary meeting at the Union Workhouse. The press was kept out of the meeting which discussed the dismissal of a temporary Wakefield nurse at the workhouse hospital. Much whispering and speculation had surrounded the departure but reporters were unable to uncover anything. Meanwhile the appointment of another nurse took place and it was agreed she be paid £35 per year with the usual rations - but no stimulants!

Salary increases were also discussed for three assistant overseers from Skipton, Grassington and Cross Hills. They had applied for a £20 increase to bring their wages to around £65 per year respectively. This was granted. Medical Officer at the workhouse, Dr Readman, on the other hand was not so fortunate. He too had requested an increase on his £40 per year wage but was refused.

A weaver from Embsay found himself in prison for two months for stealing a £7 bicycle belonging to the Rev Edward Leeke of Lincoln. It had been kept in an outbuilding at the vicarage where the vicar was staying.

And an Embsay millhand was fined 10 shillings plus costs for dangerous cycling this time on his own bike. He had failed to sound an alarm to warn a group of people he was approaching.

Gisburn floral and agricultural show, which is sadly no longer held, reported a record 418 entries. Since the show began in the 1850s this was said to be the best so far with many local people winning prizes.

50 years ago

Bentham Show was also breaking records with almost 2,000 entries being received. The gate made £324 which was deemed extremely good despite a heavy afternoon downpour which had kept many visitors away. The main attraction was the newly introduced sheepdog trials which had attracted 50 entries.

Gargrave's 45th annual show was not so successful, though, with the secretary declaring a loss overall. Again the heavy rain kept many away and the gate was down by £300. And the third annual Silsden Fete and Gala was spoilt by heavy rain. So bad were the downpours that many procession entrants didn't take part.

A shortage of tobacco and cigarettes prompted representatives from the Barnoldswick and Earby Working Men's Clubs to call a meeting to discuss the dilemma. It seemed that many working hours were being lost through men - and women - trailing around the town in search of the weed. The shortage was due to the Chancellor's budget to increase taxation and reduce the consumption of Virginian tobacco in this country by 25 per cent.

25 years ago

SILENTNIGHT at Barnoldswick was investigating the possibility of creche facilities for employees' children. An advert in the Herald asked for women (and men) with children under five who wished to return to work to contact the personnel office.

Grassington's seventh annual art and craft exhibition welcomed its 10,000th visitor. Exhibition chairman Mr L Pollard presented the lucky visitor from Jersey with a miniature painting by John Dean. Sadly, the exhibition comes to an end this year, with the last-ever event now under way.

Margie, a boat owned by Mr and Mrs Noel Pearson, of Harden, was "done up like a birthday cake" and won the best dressed boat competition at the Craven Cruising Club's rally. The competition was held to commemorate the club's 25th anniversary.

Crossing the water by other methods was the attraction at Burnsall Sports. At 10p a time, people could take part in pulley rides across the River Wharfe.

Settle beauty queen Pauline Hartley, of Mayville Terrace, won the Miss Modern Hotels Group title, and was flown to Jersey with her fianc, Lionel Lawrence. She had been taken there to claim her prize of one week's holiday for two with £100 spending money.

A proposal put forward by Bentham Traders' Association to use Cleveland Square as a market square was being considered by Settle Rural District Council. The plan was to bring the market back to the way it had been seven years previously.

10 years ago

A PUBLIC meeting at Ingleton was held to discuss the condition of Fell Lane and to see how it could be improved. The surface between Storrs Common and Crina Bottom was full of deep, water-holding ruts, caused by the thousands of walkers who passed through that way as well as the owners of Crina Bottom. Other farmers also had vehicular access to their land along the lane. The National Park Authority was interested in maintaining the lane as a bridleway and the suggestion that drains could be put in and the ruts filled with rubble was put forward. The route was a popular one and such action was regarded as being necessary to rectify what was described as a disaster area and particularly dangerous for fell runners.

West Marton's Gledstone Hall was opened for a Bank Holiday Special over the weekend. Attractions included a rocking horse and spinning wheel display which was housed in two giant craft marquees. There was also a visit by some of the fire service personnel with their mascot, Welliphant. The gardens were opened, and the thousands of visitors were able to buy conifers and plants.

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