100 years ago

TWO articles that were carried in the Herald 100 years ago would today have the animal rights and RSPB groups up in arms. One was the report of a good day's otter hunting on the River Wharfe, with much praise heaped on the hounds, after one female and two male otters had been successfully captured. Another was the purchase of four golden eagle's eggs, reported as being a rare British bird, by an ornithologist in the area. He had paid £4.10s for the four eggs, which in those days was a hefty sum.

Still on the subject of wildlife, it was regarded unusual that a family of foxes has been seen on Ingleborough. Gamekeeper J Pritchard reported the sightings, saying that they had been creating havoc with the young grouse.

At Silsden, three cottages at Aireview went under the hammer and were purchased by Bradford butcher John Clarkson for just £300 the lot.

Gambling on the highway resulted in moulder, David Overend, and weaver, William Mawson, forking out a fine of 5s plus costs each. They had been spotted bowling with stones on Royd Brow, Glusburn, with 13 other men and betting on the outcome.

50 years

Keeping the wolf from the door landed two Cononley farmers in court and a subsequent fine of £2 each. The pair were charged with killing a pig without a licence. The court was concerned that, because of the post-war era, the pig had been destined for the black-market. Both men strongly denied the accusations, saying that it had been intended for home consumption. They were going to keep it for three months and then share it but because it wasn't eating properly, they had decided to kill it early.

Discussions had been held at a meeting of Settle's Victoria Hall and Town Hall Committee with regard to the possible re-introduction of hanging baskets and window boxes on the town hall. The clerk was appealing for subscriptions from councillors or other interested parties so the building could once again look attractive as it used to do in pre-war years.

Fifteen Ukranian volunteers, the first to come to Craven, had started work at Dewhurst's Thread Manufacturers at Belle Vue Mills, Skipton. The 13 women and two men, were victims of Germany's forced labour camps, and were eager to learn the different trades. They were staying in accommodation in Barnoldswick as there was no hostel in Skipton.

25 years

THE newly crowned Settle Carnival Queen was 16-year-old Lynn Jelley, who was attended by Heather Soames and Janet Mitchell. The retiring queen was Margaret McGeoch.

Members of Craven Water Board had their annual day out inspecting the works in various sites. Areas visited were Embsay service reservoir, which was under construction, and Thornton-in-Craven, which was due to be completed in the September. Vice chairman, Dr J W Pickard, spoke about the new regional water authority which was to be set up, commenting that "he hoped they would retain the personal touch with customers that Craven Water Board had". He also urged people to use water wisely as consumption was on the increase.

Barnoldswick's "Mr Brass Band", Albert Spencer, retired after being connected with the band for 53 years. For the last few years he had been secretary and saw the band revived from a few enthusiasts without uniform to a smartly dressed and well distinguished outfit.

10 years

Craven was in mourning for one its best loved and most famous residents. Russell Harty, who lived at Rose Cottage, Giggleswick, had spent five weeks fighting a battle against hepetitis B and liver failure. A former English teacher at Giggleswick School, he loved the area and once wrote in his column in the Sunday Times: "The second-best newspaper in Britian is the Craven Herald which is produced in Skipton." He said it was "devoured with Yorkshire relish every Friday morning." Surely only manners prevented him rating the Herald at number one!

Things that go bump in the night were going crash in the day at Kildwick Hall after seemingly supernatural happenings. New owners Paul Whittle and his fianc Sandra Sanders sceptically allowed local psychic Dale Brown into the hall to see if she could use her ghostbusting talents on the so-called Blue Lady, said to be a tragic young woman who hanged herself in an outbuilding. In the space of just one hour pots and pans had fallen off shelves, a piece of chain from a chandelier hit a waitress, a hanging bell narowly missed someone else, and Mr Whittle fell downstairs. Miss Brown said she thought they were dealing with a poltergeist which was upset after the change of ownership. She said she would try to calm the spectre but couldn't promise anything.

The Countryside Commission had proposed a new 250 mile Pennine Bridleway be created through the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.

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