100 years ago

Skipton'S former MP Walter Morrison was clearly held in high esteem by the local population. An article by a Herald columnist explained how the Skipton Conservative Association president was recuperating at Hastings due to an illness caused by the fatigue and exposure to severe weather during his many trips between London and his home at Malham Moor.

"His many admirers will be pleased to hear he is determined to have more consideration for his health," the columnist continued. "No man has realised more fully the responsibilities of his position as a Member of Parliament, a landed proprietor and a business magnate than Mr Morrison. He has ever been at the beck and call of his late constituents and no journey was too long or troublesome for him if he could further the interests of the district he represented in Parliament so worthily for something like a dozen years."

An emergency committee meeting was held to organise temporary relief supplies for the poor of Skipton. Members were handed two stones of flour and agreed to purchase a further two, which was baked into loaves courtesy of a local baker. Some 210 free loaves were distributed during the week.

At another meeting, locals were discussing the subject of old age pensions. The idea of working men providing in their youth for old age was raised and it was agreed the state should do something for the old and deserving.

Meanwhile, men working on the new road link between Newmarket Street and Brougham Street made an unusual discovery - a small canon ball.

50 years ago

IT was no coincidence, declared the Craven Man's Diary, that more dances than usual were organised for Friday February 29. It was yet to be seen, however, whether the ladies would take advantage of the Leap Year tradition of asking the men to dance.

A metal "Giggleswick" boundary sign had been "wilfully broken in two" by vandals who left only the letters "Giggle" remaining. Local councillors did not see the funny side, however.

The Rector of Skipton, Canon A Sephton, spoke about the constant anxiety of keeping young people faithful to their religion. He told the annual meeting of Skipton Parish Church that he hoped to set up a children's church on a Sunday morning, commenting that to him, faith began at home.

Silsden's first ever civic ball was hailed a huge success. According to the report, Silsden had a reputation for doing things well and it was not a surprise that the gathering was a distinguished and enjoyable function.

25 years ago

A LOCALLY-written and filmed drama had proved one of television's biggest hits. More than 20 million viewers had tuned in to watch This Year, Next Year, a 13-part saga about life in the Yorkshire Dales written by Giggleswick man John Finch. The drama was filmed in North Craven, principally around Langcliffe, Stainforth, Rathmell and Austwick and the cast list featured some well known names including Jill Summers (Phyllis Pearce on Coronation Street), Ronald Hines, Michael Elphick, Alan McNaughton and Julie Peasgood.

Coniston Cold postwoman Kathleen Towler had been a familiar sight delivering the local mail on her tricycle, but after almost 20 years had announced her retirement. Mrs Towler had been running the village post office since 1953 and took over the postal round in 1959.

She was following in the footsteps of previous generations of her family who had been delivering the local mail for 100 years. Since then she had covered thousands of miles, delivering post to remote farms and sometimes carrying her border terrier in the tricycle's basket. Her retirement marked the end of an era, however, for her tricycle was to be replaced with a van.

The 5th Skipton Parish Church Scouts, one of the oldest packs in Craven, was celebrating its golden jubilee. To mark the occasion, the scouts paraded from their headquarters at "The Dump" to the Parish Church for a special service. The parade was headed by Kildwick and Farnhill Brass Band.

Plans were afoot to introduce charges at Skipton's car parks. Officers at Craven District Council said it would bring in an extra £17,000 profit a year and had been asked to draw up a pilot scheme.

The question of market days in Skipton was the hot topic of conversation in the letters column. One citizen of the town said that he thought the market should be seven days a week - but that space should be left between stalls to allow people to cross the street as they formed an impenetrable wall.

The Upper Wharfedale Museum at Grassington received its 10,000th visitor, who was presented with an Easter egg to mark the occasion.

10 years ago

POLICE evicted 100 travellers from the Linton camp school site a day after Keighley County Court granted the owners an immediate eviction order. Police officers on foot and horseback supervised the operation and the travellers left peacefully in around 50 vehicles. They had taken over the site in December.

The Skipton Ladies Licensed Auxilary - the women's group connected to the Licensed Victuallers' Association - was wound up after 27 years. The group presented its remaining funds to a scanner appeal at Airedale Hospital.

Contractors demolished a 119-year-old bell tower at St Matthew's Church, Keasden, which had been labelled dangerous. The 13-feet-high tower had leaned slightly for years, but since a crack had appeared the congregation had been banned from the church. The tower housed one bell and church members had yet to decide whether it should be replaced.

A patch of derelict land at Langkirk Close, Farnhill, was officially handed over to a housing association by Craven District Council. Jephson Homes Housing was to build eight dwellings on the site for local families.