100 years ago: Skipton Urban Council discussed the provision of public baths and pleasure gardens in the town. Coun Swire said the canal was very dirty and the river was "shifty" and unsafe. The site identified for a public Pool was an old reservoir off Shortbank Road, although it would require Lord Hothfield, Skipton Castle owner, to give or sell at a nominal price to the council a parcel of adjoining land. The report stated that there were three reservoirs at the site and the smallest, described as the filter bed, measuring 75 by 30 feet would be ideal. The reservoir was not used for the provision of domestic water.

While Skiptonians had nowhere to bathe, the constable at Burnsall was looking after public morals when it came to swimming. He charged a man from Pool with bathing in the river Wharfe within five yards of a public footpath. The constable told the bench there had been many complaints in the village about bathing so near to the public paths.

Skipton Council agreed to stop referring to the part of the cemetery used for the burials of Methodists and other Nonconformists as "unconsecrated ground" because it caused an offence to non-Anglicans. It would be henceforth be called Section D.

50 years ago: Ingleton's request for a retained fire service in the village was turned down to local dismay. Parish councillor T Wright complained that before the National Fire Service had been established, there was a competent fire brigade in the village, but it had been disbanded without a word of thanks or praise. Fire engines had to be called from Settle, leaving Ingletonians to watch their premises go up in flames.

Wilfred Pickles, radio presenter, promised to travel to Barnoldswick from Morecambe, where he was appearing, to present prizes at the Majestic Ballroom to the young winners of a West Riding Police road safety campaign.

Grassington Town Hall needed electrical re-wiring to be carried out urgently, otherwise it would close down for safety reasons, affecting cinema shows, plays and other entertainments in the building.

25 years ago: A heated discussion about the relative merits of Leeds United and Burnley football clubs led to a fracas between groups of youths from Gargrave and Settle, magistrates heard. A 19-year-old youth was struck on the head with a bottle and a car was damaged during the incident, outside Hellifield Working Mens' Club. Eight people appeared before Settle magistrates as a result of the incident. The court was told the young people were attending a dance when an argument developed about the merits of Leeds United and Burnley, who were due to play each other the next day.

A total of £6,750 was required from Pendle Council to complete refurbishment work at Barnoldswick Community Centre (now known as the Civic Hall). The proposed work included transforming one of the rooms into a lounge bar, creating a utility room and cloakroom area, and installing a bar in the main hall.

The eighth annual exhibition of arts and crafts at Grassington Town Hall was opened by Sir Alexander Glen, chairman of the British Tourist Authority. Sir Alexander said it was a great privilege to open the exhibition, which continued to grow more popular.

10 years ago: Detectives were continuing their hunt for the killer of an 88-year-old Ingleton man. Jack Shuttleworth, a retired bus driver, had been found viciously battered to death in a garden shed at his home earlier in the month. Police believed robbery was the motive.

Villagers in Thornton-in-Craven were gearing up for their toughest competition ever - judging for the national finals of the Beautiful Britain in Bloom competition. Having come joint first in England, residents had just over a week to prepare the village to compete against the winners in Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

Over in South Craven, Glusburn Wood had been restored to its former glory. The wood had been the site of illegal dumping and tipping for many years and its unkempt state had concerned villagers and councillors alike.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.