100 years ago

A NEW infirmary was opened at Skipton workhouse. Officially opened by Mr J A Slingsby, chairman of the Board of Guardians, the infirmary was located in a "splendidly elevated" position above the workhouse premises. Although it was "nothing elaborate in design" and had few luxuries, there was everything necessary to make a patient's stay comfortable. The workhouse was based at Skipton's former Raikeswood Hospital, now a residential development.

An audience at Skipton Town Hall was to hear a lecture from Rene Bull describing the scenes he witnessed in the South African war in his capacity of war artist and special correspondent to "Black and White". Over 200 photographs of the actual fighting, taken by Mr Bull under fire, were also promised.

Residents of Gargrave and surrounding villages were treated to free entertainment courtesy of Lady Wilson, of Eshton. The event took place at the Victoria Hall, Gargrave, and featured a trio of performers from London, including Madame Clarence's performing doves.

50 years ago

A STREET lighting blackout was being threatened after 11pm due to the ongoing fuel crisis. Local authorities everywhere had been asked to make the "greatest possible economies" in street lighting that could be achieved without undue risk. If all authorities co-operated, it was estimated 100,000 tons of fuel a year could be saved. The news came less than two years after post-war street lighting was fully restored following the 1947 fuel crisis.

There was better news on the rations front, with the announcement that the bacon ration was to be increased from three ounces to four ounces. The increase had been made possible by a slight but maintained improvement of supplies from both home and overseas producers.

The large area covered by the Skipton and District Employment Committee was one of Yorkshire's best when it came to unemployment, with just 28 people - 24 men and four women - out of work. On the downside there were 890 vacant jobs waiting to be filled, mainly in the railways, ironfounding, building, quarrying, textile and domestic industries. Every effort was being made to import labour as some of the positions had been empty for some time.

25 years ago

UNICORN House in Skipton ended its long run as a pub when retiring tenants, Walter and Grace Slingsby, bade farewell. The couple had run the pub for the past 12 years, during which time they had organised trips for customers to Paris and Majorca, plus an annual visit to the FA Cup final. They had also raised funds for local good causes by holding raffles and collections. The Unicorn had been sold by Whitbread Brewery under the proviso that it would not be used as a public house.

One of West Craven's longest running controversies was resolved when it was announced Barnoldswick County Secondary School was to become comprehensive. The decision ended the district's ties with the grammar schools in Skipton by scrapping the 11 plus procedure.

10 years ago

THE mothers of Craven men serving in the Gulf spoke of their fears following the outbreak of war. Airedale Hospital, Steeton, was placed on standby, with patients waiting for minor operations warned they could face delays and disruptions so surgeons could be kept free for war casualties.

Market traders in Skipton were calling for a face to face meeting with councillors over plans to bring the High Street market under council control. A major bone of contention was the proposal to ban traders from parking their vans on the High Street, except when loading and unloading. One trader commented that the vans acted as windbreaks and without them stalls and goods would be swept around the street.

Work started on the new £250,000 headquarters for North Ribblesdale Rugby Club at Settle. Much of the funding was to be met by the sale of the existing clubhouse site for housing. Also at Settle, the £48,000 Abbeyfield Home for the Elderly was up and running, and Settle Creamery was taken over by MD Foods International, best known for its Lurpak brands.