100 years ago

MUCH debate was going on over whether a drinking trough should be placed at the side of the road between Earby and Lothersdale. The purpose was to provide a watering place for horses but Coun H Thwaite questioned the need for such and suggested it could set a precedent. A vote was called for and resulted in 13 for and three against.

Smoke emissions from a mortar mill chimney at Earby were causing complaints from residents. Owner George Andrews wrote to the rural district council, saying he had already raised the chimney by four or five yards and burnt nothing but coke. He said those living nearby had nothing to complain about. Coun Greenwood replied that the problem was serious and Mr Andrews was given notice to abate the nuisance.

The Skipton company of the Church Lads' Brigade had two notices in the Herald. One was to say that members would parade on the following Monday in the Drill Hall and the other said that rifles would be issued in a fortnight's time. Those who were in arrears with their weekly payments would, however, not receive their rifles until they had paid off their debts.

50 years ago

Bolton-By-Bowland's annual agricultural show had no difficulties in maintaining its reputation of quality, the Herald reported. It was held in the Holme Field with the river to one side and the beck to the other, and the president was Mr J Dawson-Tetlow. A large number of Ayrshire-Shorthorn crosses formed the main of the cattle entries, and it was said that the colours were pleasing to the farmers who regarded their cows as more than mere milking machines. J A Tattersall, of Bow Laithe, walked off with the Palatine Cup for the best dairy cow, and Frank Geldard, of Cow House Hill, took the Macalpine Breeders' Cup. Agricultural horses were few with the wry suggestion that perhaps tractor driving competitions might be more appropriate.

Skipton's fourth annual Allotment Holders and Gardeners' Association show was way below its usual standard due to the poor summer. Gales had bashed the blooms with asters being the only flowers being worthy of note. S Shaw from Carleton was the winner for the second successive year of the Amateur Gardener's Bronze Medal.

Following his success at Gargrave show, Skipton farmer, J H Howard, of Heslaker Farm, took the Yorkshire Post Rose Bowl for the best exhibit in the open dairy cattle class at Ilkley.

25 years ago

Johnson and Johnson at Gargrave was advertising for packers, and assembly and machine operators. They were requesting women to come forward with the prospect of earning as much as £21 per week. Men were also being sought for permanent night shifts for the heady sum of £40 per week. Looking through the adverts showed what could be bought with that sort of money. F H Ellis at Settle were offering a 1972 Humber Sceptre in sunset bronze at £1,100. If you wanted something a little older then just £595 would have made you the proud owner of a two-year-old Hillman Imp. A 10-year-old Ford Zodiac was a snip at £85 and a five-year-old Triumph Herald could have been yours for £425. An 18-inch Pye 200 colour television could be had for £156. A Philip's stereo cassette player was £39.90 with a three piece hi-fi system being £78.90. On the market Terylene filled continental quilts were available from £8 with down-filled ones at £14.95. Clark's children's shoes could be bought at Brown Muff's (now Rackhams) at £3.09 a pair. A Silentnight 4ft 6ins spring-edge divan with five pillows, pillow cases and quilt wouldn't cause any sleepless nights at £79.95.

10 years ago

CONCERNS were expressed that the demolished site of the former George Street Methodist Chapel in Earby could become a haven for rats. The town's Neighbourhood Council had met and were worried that the area, which was bound on all sides by housing, would be dangerous to children who had already started playing and cycling in the wasteland.

For the second time in a fortnight, Dixon's electrical shop in Sheep Street, Skipton, had suffered a "smash and grab" incident. Electrical equipment valued at £5,000 was stolen when a car was driven through the front door of the shop (known as ram-raids these days). The Vauxhall car had been stolen earlier in the week and had been left abandoned at the scene of the crime.

Mud, glorious ankle-deep mud, met the spectators at Kilnsey Show. Continuous rain meant that wellies and brollies took presidence over picnic baskets and sun glasses though it didn't stop more than 11,500 people attending. Two years earlier, Hurricane Charley had paid the show a visit causing so much havoc that the event had to be abandoned very early in the proceedings.

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