100 years ago

THE first meeting of Skipton Urban Council since the election took place, when members were sworn in and a new chairman, Coun Dewhurst, elected. Matters discussed included the purchase of the Grammar School estate, which had been bought so three public slaughter houses could be erected on the land. Permission had expired and it was up to the council to decide what to do next.

A sleeping otter basking in the sun may seem idyllic to us, but 100 years ago it was seen as sport. The otter was spotted among some rushes on the back of Stockbeck by two police constables, who gave the creature a stunning blow to the head before coming home with their prize and reporting it in the Herald.

The budget was announced, increasing income tax to 1s 2d in the pound, and imposing two new taxes, on sugar and coal. The need for the extra money was blamed on the wars in South Africa and China. This was the first time in 45 years that a tax had been imposed on coal in the country.

50 years ago

Skipton Town Hall hosted an amateur boxing tournament, the principal attraction being a middleweight contest. The trophy was won by Billy Collins, from Brighouse. The junior lightweight contest was won by Skipton's Melvyn Hawkins over Nelson's Frank Wilkinson. The event was organised by the Craven Amateur Boxing and Physical Training Youth Club.

Two new dramatic groups made their inaugural performances in Wharfedale this week. Airton players presented J B Priestley's Mystery at Greenfingers in Kirby Malham church hall while thespians from Kettlewell performed Lesley Storm's Great Day.

Hundreds of people gathered in Malham ready for the arrival of Bette Davis who was due there to commence filming. The visitors were kept waiting, however, as the actress didn't make her appearance until much later on in the day.

25 years ago

Skipton pigeons were to be culled in spite of a petition from the Protect Our Pigeons Action Committee signed by 1,671 people. Craven District Council's environmental health committee decided to continue with the cull in full consultation with the RSPCA. The action group did not believe Skipton had a pigeon problem, and said past culls had been executed in an amateurish way, causing unnecessary suffering to the birds.

A joint call for Church Lane, Steeton, to be made into a one-way street was issued by councillors and rate payers at the annual general meeting of Steeton-with-Eastburn parish council. The street was described as "extremely dangerous" and "like a jigsaw". There was no footpath, the road was narrow and there was a blind corner near the Shroggs. More and more traffic was using Church Lane to bypass traffic lights at Steeton top.

10 years ago

A sheepdog managed to find its way home after being spirited away in a stolen car. The dog was in a Land Rover parked in Threshfield when it was stolen. It arrived home six hours later unharmed.

Ingleton's new £1,000 ambulance station, aimed at offering a standard of service unique to Craven, went into operation. The station would mean a vastly improved service for residents and tourists. Previously ambulances from Settle had responsed to emergency calls. The Ingleton office was manned eight hours a day and staff would be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Craven's first paramedic would also be located there.

Local schoolchildren were to welcome the Princess Royal who was to open Weavestyle's new factory in Silsden. Pupils from Hothfield Street School had been invited to the factory and the occasion was to be extra special for seven-year-old Shane Clough who was to present the royal visitor with a bouquet of flowers. The princess would be shown around the factory by the chief executive, Ian Disley and would visit all departments before unveiling a commemorative plaque.

New sites of special interest including Hebden, Malham and Yockenthwaite were to be given conservation area status after a meeting of the Yorkshire Dales National Park committee.

A competition was held to choose a name for the new extension to the Wright Wine Company in Skipton. Lilian Brotherton responded to a request from Bob Wright of the business and won a bottle of champagne for her idea, Wright Next Door.