100 years ago

THE residents of Low Bentham decided to mark the Coronation of Edward VII by building a market cross with their own hands. The site was an old watering place known as the tip, and the idea was to ultimately convert the site into a recreation ground surrounded with trees.

A new infectious diseases hospital was opened in Skipton, providing effective isolation accommodation for the whole Skipton urban district. Previously there had only been a temporary building with just 12 beds. The new 42-bed hospital was built on Cawder Hill, and cost £16,000.

Tenants on the Broughton Hall estate eagerly awaited the arrival home of Lieutenant Roger Tempest, son of Major Tempest. He had been in South Africa for two years. The gardener quickly got to work erecting an arch over the entrance, with the inscription "Welcome home".

50 years ago

A foot and mouth disease epidemic meant that no cattle, sheep, pigs or goats were shown at the Great Yorkshire Show. The last time this happened was in 1939.

Raikeswood Hospital, Skipton, became the first hospital in the Bingley, Keighley, Skipton and Settle districts to provide TV facilities for its patients. The TV had been purchased by public subscription.

The County Fire Service Competition in Aireville Park involved a lively and entertaining test whereby the Firemen were required to hurriedly get dressed after being "summoned out of bed".

Langcliffe Methodist Church celebrated its centenary, with two weeks of festivities.

A Skipton stallholder who started out selling ice creams on the High Street and quickly changed to tea, announced she was to sell her business after 25 years. Mary Cork, trading under the name Simpson, had sold thousands of cups of teas over the years, and was very popular with wagon drivers passing through the town.

25 years ago

ONE of Skipton's oldest landmarks - the chimney at Robert Fell and Sons - was demolished. The 120-year-old chimney was the last reminder of the building's original use as a lead works. The chimney had become too expensive to maintain and the space was needed for more warehousing. A quarter of a century on and the whole Fells complex has now been converted into housing.

The presentation of a Grant of Arms to Craven District Council was described as a permanent landmark in the authority's history. The presentation was made by the designer, Mr H Ellis Tomlinson to Craven District Council chairman John Tosney. The Grant of Arms symbolised the union of the three Craven authorities.

Vandals set fire to Sutton CE School, but a quick thinking motorist managed to avert disaster. He alerted a nearby policeman, and together they managed to put out the blaze preventing serious damage.

10 years ago

DALES celebrity Hannah Hauxwell opened Buckden's annual gala. It was a special event for the village, for it was the 30th gala to be held and 80 years since the foundation stone was laid for Buckden Village Hall. All profits from the gala went towards the upkeep of the building. Meanwhile Farnhill and Kildwick held their first gala for 15 years and it was hailed a resounding success.

There was more celebrating over at Barnoldswick, where West Craven High School was marking its golden jubilee year. Former pupils returned to the school for an enjoyable evening of nostalgia, reminiscence and entertainment. One of the highlights was a "reunion choir" made up of ex-pupils under the baton of former choir conductor Kathleen Bannister.

Planners approved a development of 12 low-cost homes in Gargrave following concerns over a shortage of houses for local people. Objections had been raised, but councillors argued that such developments were the only way of bringing homes within the reach of local people.