100 years ago

BEER came out on top after a nasty accident between a milk float and a brewery wagon. The collision occurred between Belmont Bridge and Swadford Street in Skipton after the Scott & Co beer wagon, pulled by two horses, went out of control and collided with the float. The Herald reported that "a tangled mess ensued though fortunately only the float was damaged and one horse injured. However, all the milk ended up flowing down the road."

Still on the subject of alcohol, the Skipton and District Temperance Council was working towards a law being passed prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors to children under 13 years - that's right 13 years!

The town's cattle market and traders' association met to discuss the inevitable moving of the market from the streets. General opinion was that the Spring Gardens site (behind the town hall) would be a likely spot to house the new market as its position would benefit drovers passing through the town.

Hunger pangs resulted in a labourer being committed to the house of correction for two months. James Murphy stole a dish of potted meat which had been left outside to cool by Mrs Bentham of Gargrave. Half an hour later a policeman returned the dish, minus the meat though the report does not state whether Mrs Bentham had missed it.

50 years ago

SKIPTON'S housing committee reported good progress on the building of Airey houses on the town's Horse Close Estate. The homes were being fitted with gas cookers as standard, and members confirmed that habitants wanting electric cookers would have to provide their own and stand the cost. Fifty years on, and most of the Airey houses have been replaced or refurbished.

Mrs B A Brooks, of Thornton, returned home to find men ransacking her house. She immediately gave chase when they made their getaway but they got into a car which was parked on the Skipton to Colne road. The thieves had stolen furs and jewellery while she was having tea with her mother a short distance away.

The making of what was reported as a new Gainsborough film called "A boy, a girl and a bike" was taking place in Grassington and Malhamdale. The stars of the film were Honor Blackman and Diana Dors, already well known on the big screen. However, there was another star in the making in the persona of Mr W Stubbs, a licensee in Grassington who was also to have a part in the film - he was required to fall into the river several times with his fishing rod!

25 years ago

A STOCK-CAR racing driver from Skipton, Mike Close, was gearing up to compete in Nelson's Formula One trophy event "Cock o' the North". Taking account of his past reputation, he was expectedto do well although the opposition was said to be tough.

Settle Knitting Club, though still less than two years old, could boast a membership of 20. Members were busy preparing garments for Settle High School's spring fair and were using a specially designed SHS emblem depicting the Yorkshire rose.

Skipton Round Table was playing host to counterparts from Holland, whom some of the Craven tablers had visited the previous year. Their invited guests had brought with them gifts which were presented to Skipton Round Table chairman, Graham Huntrods. They included a bag of eels from the Dykes.

Silsden East Primary School was on the 1973/74 building list programme of the then West Riding County Council. The new school was to be built at the top of Banklands Lane and would provide 200 places. It was due to be completed by 1977 - but, 25 years on, there is still no sign of it.

10 years ago

MEMBERS of Skipton's Air Training Corps got into the saddle for their first ever donkey derby at Carleton Bridge Field. Chairman Peter Putwain said the day was a huge success with plans for it to become an annual event. The money raised was to go to children's cancer charity Candlelighters. Television personality Jim Bowen, from Bullseye, and Yorkshire cricket legend, Fred Trueman, gave their support to the cause, with Jim holding an "on the field" Bullseye game. Local stunt girl "Little" Heather Newhouse was also there to entertain the crowds.

From four-legged friends to fish tails. Bizzie Lizzies fish and chip restaurant had just open its doors with the help of a mermaid in the shape of Louise Ramsdale. The business is still making the headlines, having just netted the Craven Herald's Shop of the Year award.

If you had headed north to Bentham you could have witnessed the village scouts Martin and David Hastewell, Colin Johnson and Sam Watt triumph against Long Preston in the 1988 Ingleborough and District heat of the British meat competition.

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