100 years ago

BOLTON Abbey's walks and trails, were causing some consternation. A Herald reader had written to the paper complaining about the state of the footpath from Hambleton to Halton East and down from Halton East to Draughton Lane End. He said a person could descend the hill with no problem at all: 'Your feet slip from under you and you travel from top to bottom without moving a limb'. He went on to advise all visitors to the area to carry a flat piece of wood with them so they can use it toboggan style: 'No need to go to the Continent for sleighing purposes,' he wrote.

However, other parts of Botlon Abbey's network of paths were receiving attention. Work had been ordered to be carried out along 60 yards of footpath leading from Straight Lane to the stepping stones. The cost of the operation had been estimated at £5.

Early signs of ramblers flexing their muscles over rights of access. The Herald reported that the neighbourhood of Ingleton was up in arms over an attempt by Ingleton Scenery Company to bar free use of the footpath through Broadwood over the Helks and the Glebe Allotment to the public. A petition was being set up to present before Settle Rural District Council. The person who penned the letter to the paper, Mr J Carr, said that matters were coming to crisis point and a vigorous stroke for common rights must be made now or never. It had been directed at all Yorkshiremen who valued the area's footpaths.

50 years ago

THE call for a maternity hospital at Barnoldswick to link Kelbrook, Earby, Bracewell and Gisburn had been raised at a meeting of the Bingley, Keighley, Skipton and Settle Hospital Management Committee. The matter had been risen by Mrs IE Glen of Barnoldwick who said there was a definite need and there was ample scope for a hospital in the area.

Mrs Glen argued that it was a long way for maternity cases to travel to Skipton, particularly as it involved travelling on two buses. There had been a suggestion that the infectious diseases hospital at Barnoldswick be closed and urgent calls were being made to consider using the building as a possible maternity home. Mrs Glen said Skipton had enough to do with caring for its own cases from the surrounding dales than have to look after Barnoldwick's maternity cases too.

In court, war veteran, Ray Brown, then a fitter from Glen View, Airton had some rough justice when he was fined a hefty 10 shillings for leaving his vehicle parked on the wrong side of the road in Gargrave during the hours of darkness. He had been serving in Egypt during the last war and was unaware of the restriction.

25 years ago

A renewed call had been made for the closure of Skipton's Cawder Ghyll Maternity Hospital at a meeting of Airedale Hospital Management Committee. A letter had been received by the Finance Committee from the Regional Hospital board which stated that a 10 per cent reduction in revenue expenditure had to be made. The committee was concerned of the costs incurred in running the maternity hospital and decided that the Regional Hospital Board be again asked to approach the Department of Health and Social Security to agree to its immediate closure.

A Skipton man, 22-year-old Roderick Coy, who was then teaching in Jamaica, had been selected to play rugby union for the Jamaican international team against Argentina. Nicknamed 'Bleach' over there because of his shock of blond hair, Mr Coy was the second son of Mr and Mrs N Coy of Aireview Terrace, Skipton.

A plea had been made by farmer, Richard Smith, of Glen Farm, Carleton, at the annual meeting of the National Farmers' Union in London. He was asking for the Government to increase the price to the milk producer who had no other source of income.

10 years ago

A BIG stink had been made in Addingham after raw sewage had leaked from Burnside Cottages into the village beck. The problem was thought to have started after new inside toilets had been installed into the 50-year-old houses, and the fear was that drinking water could be affected because the beck passed into the River Wharfe. Parish council chairman, Alan Jerome, called for the cottages to be condemned as being unfit for habitiation.

Diversify, the Government said and Gladys Emmott of 400 acre Currer Wood Farm did just that by setting up a millinery business in a spare bedroom. A confessed hat person, Mrs Emmott had over 85 hats for rent and many more for sale taking up every available space to compliment any outfit. Though the hat business was really taking off, the Emmotts had no intention of neglecting the farm and their prize-winning animals would still be seen around the area.

Giggleswick's Old Station pub was the place to go if you wanted to let rip with a few expletives - at a cost. The licencees, Alan and Elaine Simpson had just handed over a cheque for £500 to the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association which they had collected from customers in a swear box.

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