100 Years Ago

REV Walter Wynn of Earby gave an evening lecture in the Baptist chapel. The lecture was entitled, "My travels to the West Indies and what I saw there". Rev Wynn narrowly escaped volcanic eruptions in the Caribbean by a few hours. He exhibited carvings done by prisoners and dust from the eruptions. He also gave a description of the volcanic eruption and the type of clothing worn by the islanders.

The children of Buckden School District were entertained to tea in the schoolroom on New Year's Eve. The tea was served by Mrs John Foster. Story books were handed out to each child thanks to money donated by carol singers.

A band of hope entertainment took place in the schools of Carleton-in-Coverdale on New Year's Day. The children sang and performed for a packed audience.

The conservatives at Grassington began preparations for the coming election with a supper and smoking concert held at the Foresters' Arms Hotel. The new president, Mr Joseph Crowther, received a great deal of support.

50 Years Ago

ST Joseph's Boy Scouts held a very successful carnival evening in the Co-operative Hall. Children took part in a fancy dress parade and received prizes and played games. A dance for adults followed and music was provided by the "Four Aces".

Craven members of the West Riding's Divisional Education Executive called for a greater say in the running of secondary modern schools in the area following a decision to only submit to them minutes from schools which the divisional education officers deemed important. The matter was referred to the West Riding Association of Divisional Executives.

Skipton's abattoir was modernised at a cost of £2,800. The improvement brought about the humane slaughter of animals and reduced the workload of slaughtermen. Whilst ensuring the speedier and more efficient handling of meat. The modernisation also meant that the abattoir could easily be used by individual butchers or groups of tradesmen.

25 Years Ago

Hundreds of people jammed police switchboards on New Year's Eve with reports of a UFO. It was described as a bright yellow glow travelling across the sky. The Ministry of Defence said that the UFO was probably a Russian launch rocket breaking up in the earth's atmosphere.

Blizzards, snow and ice struck Craven over the new year. North Yorkshire County Council fought a continuous battle to keep main roads open. At the same time children from all over the district were enjoying the snow. The fourth Great Rubber Boat Race went ahead between Bell Busk and Coniston Cold.

Workers at Silentnight's Sutton factory were evacuated as a fire broke out in the mattress making department. At first it was thought there could be a danger from toxic chemicals used in the foam impregnation of the mattresses. It took six appliances one and a half hours to bring the fire under control.

10 Years Ago

Ingleborough District Scout group welcomed their first girl into their ranks. Stephanie Marshall became the first girl to join first Hellifield and Long Preston Scout Troop. The investiture was conducted by the District Commissioner Sue Haddrill.

The people of Grassington voiced their disapproval of the controversial storyline adopted by YTV's Emmerdale. It involved plans to kill off many characters using a Lockerbie-style plane crash. Most people felt that the images would be very upsetting for those who had been involved in the tragedy. Others thought a more inventive way of winning the ratings war would have been better.

A dilapidated station received £498,000 grant for restoration. Hellifield station on the line between Skipton and Carlisle, received the money to restore the Grade II listed building. The work was to be carried out on the complete shell of the station building and the construction's canopies were also to be fully restored.