100 Years Ago

JOHN Green, Skipton Rugby Club's captain, was selected to play for England in the international against Scotland. A series of outstanding displays for the Yorkshire county team had earned him the honour. The Yorkshire Evening Post had commented that if England did not pick him then the only explanation could be that the selectors were blinded by prejudice or incompetent. W Knox, a fellow Skipton forward, was expected to be picked by Scotland in the near future. He had been a reserve for the Scotland v Wales international but the selectors had named an unchanged side for the England match after their win over the Welsh.

The saw mill and joinery in Barnoldswick occupied for a great number of years by the Robinson family was to be known in future as Ouzledale Foundry. It had been taken over by Richard Jones, former manager of a foundry in Blackburn and it would produce iron and brass supplies for the local weaving industry. It was believed to be the only foundry whose power was supplied exclusively by a water wheel.

Barnoldswick Cricket Club held a meeting in the Liberal Club to consider the advisability of winding up the affairs of the club. A decision was postponed for accounts to be fully audited and to give members who had not paid their subscriptions and opportunity to do so.

25 Years Ago

HERALD reporters raced out to Cracoe after police reported a UFO was spotted on the sheer face of Cracoe Fell. At Cracoe Police Station they were briefed on how two policemen had been among those who saw the UFO, a long shiny object with three intense lights, on the fell for more than an hour. One had taken a photograph but his colour slide had not been developed. An RAF Jet Provost flew low over the scene but the RAF said it was unlikely that a target or homing device had been installed on the fell for training.

Irving's Chemists on Sheep Street closed. It was like stepping back in time going into the shop said the Herald as attendants in white coats dispensed powders and spices from wooden drawers. The chemist's shop had been there for 135 years but it would now be transferring to the Co-op building and would be mainly self-service.

50 Years Ago

THE licensing laws were far more draconian in the Fifties - as the landlord of the Mason's Arms at Eastby, Gordon Morley, discovered. The police came past one Friday evening at 10.45pm - 45 minutes after closing time - and saw a motor coach and several cars outside the pub. Inside there was obviously a birthday celebration and the landlord was instructed to clear the pub. But when the police returned at 11.40pm there were still 20 men in the pub still drinking. Mr Morley said the police had given him a fair chance and he was fined £5.

Engine driver Bernard O'Neill, of Burnside Avenue in Skipton and who had driven the royal train from Bolton Abbey to Colne, retired after 45 years working on the railway in Skipton.

Skipton MP Burnaby Drayson voted in favour of the death penalty. But a motion to reject the Bill calling for the abolition of capital punishment was defeated by 286 votes to 262 in the House of Commons allowing the Bill to go forward for a second reading.

10 Years Ago

English Heritage told a public inquiry that it would be preferable to turn Kings Mill at Settle into houses rather than knock it down, as owners John Roberts and Son wanted to do. The paper mill manufacturers however said that English Heritage did not understand the realities of a commercial world and wanted to rebuild new premises for the business.

Grassington Gala was to run in 1996. The gala had been revived in 1994 after an absence of many years but the enthusiasm could not be sustained for 1995. However, the gala committee said that it seemed Grassington people had been a little ashamed of their apathy and lack of community spirit as there had been a strong response to bring the gala to life again. One of the attractions was to be jelly carving.

Gargrave FC lost to an 88th minute goal in the semi-final of the West Riding FA Cup to Storthes Hall, from Huddersfield.