100 years ago

THE first branch of the RSPCA at Skipton was formed. At a presentation to the town's urban district council the secretary told members that inspectors spent a considerable time at Skipton cattle markets and had obtained many convictions against drovers and others for cruelty to animals. The council welcomed the idea of having a society in Skipton.

The deteriorating state of Clogger's Beck Bridge, Barnoldswick, was giving cause for concern. The bridge was giving way on both sides.

A new Conservative Club was opened in Addingham. The handsome looking structure was said to be far above the ordinary run of village political institutions. The building stood with a "bold front" and comprised a reading room, committee rooms, billiard room and social area.

50 years ago

PLANS to refurbish what was believed to be the oldest church in the district were considered. The church at Eldroth had been used as a school and was in need of redecoration and refurbishment. It was believed that the east window of the church dated back to the Reformation period.

A complaint that milk had been delivered frozen to local schools met with the response from the education authority that this did not have any adverse affect on the children. The complainant replied it had a very serious effect: they couldn't get it out of the bottle!

Bolton Road School, Silsden - then the Sunday School at Wesley Place Church and formerly Silsden's day school - celebrated 100 years of existence. Mrs Wintringham, the daughter of the former head teacher, was the chief speaker. Mrs Wintringham had the distinction of being the first British-born woman MP in the House of Commons.

The Craven Divisional Education Executive approved the purchase of land for the first stage of a secondary modern school at Aireville School, Skipton. The area to be bought measured 28 and three-quarter acres.

25 years ago

THERE was hope that Settle's pigyard museum, which contained finds from the famous bone caves above the town, might reopen. An application had been received from the grandson of the late Tot Lord, who founded the museum after the First World War, to convert a warehouse into a museum and cave science library. This would be the third site for the museum which was founded to house local archeological and geological discoveries.

The Manpower Services Committee made a grant of nearly £20,000 to enable the Yorkshire Dales Railway to employ staff for restoration and improvement work.

Disabled drivers were being made to feel like second class citizens in Skipton because there were no special parking facilities, the Skipton and Craven Multiple Sclerosis Society heard. The problem was to be reported to the police and the council.

A miniature dachshund from Earby was making a bid for the Guinness Book of Records. At 17 years old, Tina, who belonged to Mrs J Child, had reached twice her life expectancy of around eight years.

10 years ago

SILSDEN councillors wept openly as they vented their fury against developers wanting to build "yuppie" homes and a by-pass in the town. The parish council was furious about plans to build 600 homes in Silsden as part of Bradford Council's unitary development plan (UDP). They wanted to see money spent on a homeless shelter for teenagers in the town.

Pupils at Giggleswick School raised over £1,000 for Peru farmers by walking the Three Peaks overnight. Nine boys set off on the 60-kilometre walk at 6pm. They were supported on the walk by members of the Cave Rescue Organisation.

Aerospace company Rolls Royce announced 170 jobs were to go from its Barnoldswick plant. The jobs were to go as part of a package to cut 5,000 jobs nation-wide. The redundancies were blamed on depressed market conditions.

Craven College was looking for support for its ambitious plans to open a new £7 million site on Gargrave Road, Skipton. Principal Ian Prescott told MPs the college must expand to avoid closure. It wanted to buy the old Raikeswood Hospital site and turn it into new premises.