100 years ago

THE controversy surrounding the vicar of Gargrave rumbled on, sparking theoretical argument and counter argument through the letters of the Craven Herald. He was accused of "ritualism" and introducing "Romish" practices into services at Gargrave - such as the lighting of candles during daylight.

Four Barnoldswick lads between the ages of 14 and 16 appeared in court for using foul language. The magistrates warned them they could be fined £5 but they were taking a lenient view and limiting the fine to two shillings and six pence with a warning to their future conduct.

A Leeds magistrate condemned the practice of transporting calves to market in the city. A calf less than a day old had been tied in a sack with only its head showing and put on the goods train at Bell Busk. But when it arrived in Leeds the animal had died.

Good weather helped the building of Hellifield's new church foundations. A date could be fixed, on November 4, for the laying of a foundation stone by Mrs JG Yorke of Halton Place.

Settle's clerk reported on the case of a Langcliffe man who had emigrated for America 21 years earlier, leaving his wife behind while he found a home for her. During his absence she fell and was admitted to the Settle Workhouse for two weeks incurring expenses of 14 shillings. The man had returned within the last few days to pay off the debt.

50 years ago

THE purchasers of Skipton Castle and its 6,050 acres estate were revealed as Frederick Rowland Frazer, of Harrogate, and Russell Tillett, a London architect. It had been sold to pay the death duties on the estate of the father of Lord Hothfield, the third holder of the title. Tenants had been informed that the intention was to keep the estate as an entity, although Mr Tillett was reported to have said there were three possible plans for the estate, adding that it was hoped to sell the castle to an institution or corporation.

Meanwhile a different sale had been completed, this time at Sotheby's in London who had sold a miniature portrait of former Skipton Castle custodian George Clifford, third Earl of Cumberland and the father of Lady Anne Clifford. The miniature had been bought by Messrs Leggats for £5,000.

Skipton pie shop Stanforths had been urged to branch out - to Kent. A visitor to town had bought some items and declared them to be so good, she suggested that if they ever branched out, to consider Bromley.

25 years ago

THE district council had come up with an idea following smell complaints from Skipton's Overdale Poultry Farm - deodorant spray. The council suggested having a deodoriser to be used in conjunction with ventilation fans. The farm held 45,000 birds of which 2,000 were slaughtered each week.

Young people in Grassington had been told there was little chance of them being allocated one of the new council houses which were being built in Moor Lane. A local resident who was due to be married objected to the announcement, stating they had been told they were for local use. It was also stated that young people were leaving the village because they could not afford the high prices of the homes there. Some things never change.

St James' Vicarage, in Silsden, was being sold by Bradford Diocese. Prospective purchasers could acquire the impressive building with six bedrooms, kitchen, laundry, cloakroom, bathroom and half an acre of gardens for the princely sum of £30,000.

10 years ago

INTERVENTION of the hypnotic kind was being sought by domino players of the Old Station in Giggleswick. Star performer Malcolm Davidson had worried his team mates by scoring zero in three successive matches, when he could normally be relied on to clinch a game. The team needed him back on form if there was any hope at all of winning the league. Landlord Alan Simpson suggested hypnosis to take him back to his winning ways and appealed for a hypnotist to get in touch.

The death of Giggleswick duck Gertrude, which waddled daily to the post office, was the talk of the village after being run over by a speeding car. Post office owners Tony and Pauline Barclay had received a condolence card from New Zealand. The story also reached the national news when it was highlighted on Channel 4's Big Breakfast.

Silsden postie and parish councillor Peter Wade, used to walking miles each day, met his match when walking the Three Peaks with his father Graham, also a postman. The pair were raising money for Silsden Swimming Pool. However, problems started for Peter after he sank to his waist in a bog and had to continue for more than 20 miles with wet feet. He said he had the blisters to prove it.