100 years ago

TWO young boys who played truant from hospital while suffering from scarlet-fever found themselves in the dock. The two boys had been confined to the infectious diseases hospital in Skipton, but had given nurses the slip. The chairman of the bench said this was a very serious offence, but was satisfied that the boys hadn't fully understood the implications of their actions.

Craven Lime Works in Settle was successful in its legal action against two quarrymen who were on strike during a long-running dispute. The men had been given notice to quit their cottages, but had refused to do so. The company sued them - and they were told they must leave. Meanwhile another worker was charged with assaulting a "blackleg" who had come over from Scarborough to work while the men were on strike.

50 years ago

ONLY a week after Skipton MP Burnaby Drayson forwarded a petition expressing residents' concern at the lack of progress in the construction of a new secondary school at Grassington, he was informed that building might start in March. Meanwhile Settle and District Education Office agreed to press for a proposed secondary modern school in the county council's budget.

Young people were being urged to become specialists in natural history as a way of securing the future of rare species. The Craven Naturalists and Scientific Association said recorders were not getting any younger and while young people were interested in the society there was a need for experts to continue its work.

Skipton Gala was in danger of being "stuck in a rut" the annual general meeting of the committee was told. Treasurer Mr L R Pyke said people had been remarking the gala was the same year in year out and suggested radio artistes could be the way forward. Members were unwilling to pay out the large sums of money they asked for, however.

25 years ago

WHAT was heralded as a revolutionary concept and a pioneering development in small, low-cost homes was launched in Skipton. The chairman of Barrett Development Ltd arrived by helicopter to officially open the one-bedroomed Mayfair show house at Dales Gate, off Hurrs Road. He paid tribute to the foresight of Craven Council in granting permission for what would be the first development of one-bedroomed homes in the North of England. Due to the poor economic climate many people were unable to afford their own homes, and the one-bedroomed properties were seen as a solution, being described as "small homes to match the small wage".

A 15-year-old Steeton girl was chosen to become one of the world-famous Bluebell Girls. Shelagh Brayshaw was due to head to the Lido in Paris just as soon as she reached 16.

Craven District Council complained about the thickness of yellow lines painted on the roads in Dales villages to mark parking restrictions. The council, commenting on new double yellow lines in Embsay and Horton-in-Ribblesdale, said although it accepted the need for such markings, they were so thick that they appeared obtrusive.

10 years ago

PROTESTERS disrupted a meeting of North Yorkshire Health Authority to oppose plans to add fluoride to the county's water supply. Sixty demonstrators lobbied the meeting, but members supported the idea, saying it would lead to a decrease in dental decay. Fluoridation did not have the support of Craven District Council, however, which was against "mass medication" and concerned about the introduction of a toxic substance into the water supply.

Environment Secretary Michael Howard visited Skipton's Horse Close council estate where the crumbling post-war homes were to undergo a £2.75 million facelift. He also visited the Broughton Hall Estate where he announced plans to extend the Government's redundant buildings grant scheme. The Broughton Hall business park was described as a good example of bringing empty buildings into commercial use.

Drastic measures were needed to slash the number of cars in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, members said. Forecasted figures showed the number of visitors was expected to increase from 6.1 million in 1991 to 14 million by 2025. The park announced plans to introduce a new traffic and visitor management plan, and ideas included restricting access and parking.