100 Years Ago

Skipton Council had acquired a new fire engine and was seeking to dispose of its old one on the best possible terms, but the Herald was dismissive of their chances. "I suppose it has done some good work during its chequered career though I never yet heard its merits as a fire extinguishing apparatus spoken of in anything but sarcastic terms," said the Herald. The paper suggested that the best place for the fire engine was in a museum but Skipton did not have one and so the best alternative was to place it in a recreation ground and allow the local children to use it as a physical developer.

The Skipton Medical Officer reviewed the year 1904 and reported that the birth rate was the lowest since 1888. Of the 194 deaths, 13 had been caused by the measles outbreak in the early part of the year, 12 of them infants under five. The epidemic had affected all Skipton Schools but only Water Street had been closed and the premises disinfected. The medical officer pointed out that while school attendance under five was not compulsory, it was encouraged by Government grants to children between three and five. He ventured the opinion that this was precisely the age when they were most susceptible to the disease and children were better off playing in the open air gaining health and vigour rather than huddled together at cramped desks in ventilated schools.

Financial problems were looming for Skipton ratepayers after the Dockyard was purchased by the council from Ermysted's School for an undisclosed sum. It was proposed to establish a slaughterhouse, council depot and fire station on the site, a cost which had only been hinted at. The council already faced expenditure for building the reservoir at Embsay, a new sewage system and the substitution of setts for cobbles on the High Street.

A cricket match between the ladies and gentleman of Threshfield in which the men were to bat, bowl and field with only their left hand attracted interest, but, contrary to advertised notices, the men used both hands when batting. The ladies were all out for 38, a figure soon passed by the men for a "hollow victory".

50 Years Ago

RAMBLER Eric Dawson, from Embsay, stumbled across an unexploded bomb as he walked on Flasby Fell. PC Chapman from Skipton tied a rope round the exposed fins, retired behind some rocks about 50 yards away and pulled it out of the ground. It was then roped off to await the arrival of bomb disposal experts. The bomb was in good condition and believed to have been left behind from army exercises carried out on the fell during the war.

Clarence Working Men's Club of Stoneyhouse Road, Earby, was struck off the register by magistrates in Skipton on police application. Club secretary Edwin Firth said it could not keep going with its failing membership.

Skipton library had lent 24,140 books during the year said its annual report. There were 1,010 registered borrowers.

25 Years Ago

GEOFF Boycott caused a stir when he turned up in a chauffeur driven car complete in his cricket whites at Sandylands. He was playing for Yorkshire against Skipton in a benefit match for Geoff Cope, the Yorkshire spinner. After scoring 100 he gave his wicket away and then left, still in his whites. Mark Hedges hit 45, David Spensley 34 as Skipton reached 150 for five replying to Yorkshire's 257 for seven.

Dorothy Akers retired after 43 years as a nurse in Skipton, 23 of them at Cawder Ghyll maternity hospital.

Atrocious weather threatened to turn Skipton Gala into a disaster but the rain held off just before the carnival to entice a decent crowd to the gala field and ensure the event broke even. Clement Freud, the MP and television celebrity, turned up. He had been speaking to local Liberals in Skipton the night before.

10 Years Ago

TRAFFIC problems were in the news in both Skipton and Settle.

In Skipton only 100 people turned up to a consultation about the Oscar Faber traffic survey. The attendance was disappointing, especially as the survey made proposals which could have a huge effect on the town. But those who did were vehemently opposed to proposals for a one way system around the town.

Meanwhile in Settle a petition against traffic calming measures was attracting many signatures. The petition was opposed to the narrowing of the Royal Oak corner, traffic islands in Church Street and painting the road red in Duke Street.